Hi Doc,

It can take up to 4-5 years or so for those more seriously poisoned. The fact that you're symptoms flare and then improve and then flare again, means that there is likely significant mercury still present enough to continue circulating and creating symptoms on and off rounds as more of it comes to the surface. It's like stirring the bottom of a dirty tank and trying to clean it, all the dirt gets stirred up and the water goes dirty/cloudy and you may get a bit of dirt out, as the rest settles back down again. So it's like a cycle of symptoms/relief.

Usually Cutler recommends chelating for a year or so AFTER you think you're all better, because chelation can be keeping a person well, but there can still be enough stored mercury to cause ongoing/future problems because that storage will keep leaking out and filling you up again.

Truly, it does take a very very long time to get better. Sad but true. The point is, you will be noticing improvements over time (in the long run), even though you will likely continue to get the ups and downs in the process, which means you are on the right track but it seems at the time that things are not progressing, or progressing enough.

Can I ask what dosages you are on? You may want to increase them, but never increase to where it makes things unnecessarily unpleasant.

I'm not sure if you've tried cilantro or wish to, but I think personally that it's chancy because there isn't a protocol set out to take it, and redistribution of metals is a risk. But it maybe another avenue to try if you feel that the other chelators are not doing much or enough for you at this stage.

Some people think garlic helps them too because it enhances sulfur stores (which is often depleted in mercury) and is good antifungal agent and apparently makes metals water soluable so they are easier excreted. Again, there is a risk because some mercury toxic people do not tolerate high sulfur foods/supplements, as it mobilises the toxins/metals too much. Some however can find they feel better with more sulfur in their diet.

Exercise is also a way to get things moving and may help too, within reason - moderation, but careful not to overdo for the same reason of "overmobilising" toxins/metals, as it can overwhelm the organs of elimination which work overtime to try and catch up and that may make symptoms worse. Saunas can also be a great help to chelating mercury and some may even opt for this as an alternative to the chelation meds/supplements.

But yeah, treating possible (probable) candida/gluten intolerance as you do this may also be a great help in reducing problem symptoms, as mercury is a great one for creating these other conditions and they make it more difficult to detox the mercury too and create problems in and of themselves, as well as in combination with the mercury. Sp dietry changes maybe helpful or even essential for symptom relief and increased health/immunity. Elimination of sugars/gluten/wheat/yeast and reduction of high carbohydrate foods can be of help in these cases.

As JK98 has suggested - iodine. Mercury blocks the action of iodine in the thyroid gland. It also depletes and displaces other necessary elements/minerals. Even just replacing antioxidants/minerals alone can create a few symptoms by metals/toxins being displaced. Selenium, zinc, magnesium, iodine, antioxidants (E, C,), and essential fatty acids (mercury free fish oil) etc can all be a help and can help enhance glutathione, which aids in detoxification in the liver.