Hello all... I wonder if anyone else is going through something similar?

I am now 16 months post-amalgam removal and am yet to begin chelation.

The reason being I suffer various types of seizure almost every night, and during daytime naps.

These started not long after I had my 9 amalgams removed last year. Removal was done with some IAOMT safety protocol, but in hindsight, 9 out in the space of 1 week was WAY too much in one go.

They were tested for galvanic current and removed in order. The highest charged filling was also the smallest, and read 251 millivolts (?) (If memory serves).

A carbon filter mask over my nose was used instead of air supply, and there were several times during drilling that I had to take a deep breath through my mouth and so must have been exposed to considerable mercury vapour.

The replacement fillings are white composite 'Herculite'. I have not been able to find any real info about this product however.

For 15 or so years after original amalgam placement I was prone to 'petit mal' or absence seizures - with no obvious external physical symptoms except pupil dilation and dizziness/confusion. These would regularly be preceeded by auras; deja vu sensations and a burning smell, and although very disturbing they did not actually cause me to pass out.

Now, I am prone to both 'tonic' and convulsive seizures.

When I attempt to go to sleep, bursts of adrenalin, myoclonic spasms and heart palpitations begin [like clockwork] and this can last a couple of hours.

Then we have the 'malaise' stage - feeling generally very unwell, dizzy and dreading what comes next.

I get flashes of white light and body temperature drops to a deathly chill. All perception goes haywire and it feels like I am slipping into a coma. (The urge to resist this only prolongs the hell).

Once 'in', a small part of my mind is still semi-conscious and I can tell roughly what is going on though this hasnt been witnessed by anyone else.
It seems that my upper body is 'frozen', breathing is difficult, jaw is clenched shut, left side of my face contracts and there is a bizarre auditory explosion/flushing noise building in my head. There is a specific 'burning' and flooding sensation only in the left hemisphere.

During what I would describe as 'convulsive' seizures, the same occurs but with a fast shuddering sensation, and often I pass out completely.

When these conclude (I estimate a few minutes) paralysis stops, I open my eyes and am bombarded with the most incredible, detailled hallucinations, many like fractal images, which last a few minutes before fading. Body temp returns to normal. Residual stabbing pains in my head.

Strangely, I feel a lot better after this event, as though it needed to happen, but only if it feels 'complete'. Often they can happen over and over, and throughout the next day too.

Well, there is no doubt in my mind that mercury is responsible for these phenomena - my seizures are most definitely triggered / made worse by high sulphur foods or selenium.
In order of severity, things I must avoid are as follows;

Coriander [bath oil, seeds, leaves] BIG trouble with this one!
Garlic [fresh or supplement]
Fennel [toothpaste etc]
Tea Tree oil [used a tiny bit topically = a night of hell]
Watercress, Spinach, other salad herbs
Sea Kelp supplement (maybe contaminated?)
Wheatgrass powder
Brazil nuts
Lactic acid preservative (for example Olives)
Eggs, Broccoli, Onion, Cabbage, Black Pepper [OK in very small amounts]

Suffice to say it is time I began chelation and have purchased 25mg DMSA with a view to starting on a very low experimental dose.
I am truly terrified of what has been going on and what may be still yet to come. The worst thing is getting out of bed to find out if i can still walk / balance / see etc.

NHS Doctors have been an utter waste of time, having diagnosed 'Panic Attacks' not seizures. LMAO.

Oh, I should mention at this point that the EEG scan I was humoured with recently after waiting 13 years for showed nothing abnormal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I did try to explain that flashing lights werent a trigger but...

The part of my mind which remains 'logical' during seizures is my strength, but each night I get through really feels like a miracle.
Apologies for the long post, I have been procrastinating about posting my story for some time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Virago (30, f, Scotland)

Virago wrote:

Virago wrote:
"When I attempt to go to sleep, bursts of adrenalin, myoclonic spasms and heart palpitations begin [like clockwork] and this can last a couple of hours.
Then we have the 'malaise' stage - feeling generally very unwell, dizzy and dreading what comes next.
I get flashes of white light and body temperature drops to a deathly chill. All perception goes haywire and it feels like I am slipping into a coma. (The urge to resist this only prolongs the hell)."


This is exactly what I have been experiencing when I have to take my afternoon nap and during nights. It feels like electric shocks are shooting through my brain or like like bursts of lightening.

I found this has been greatly reduced by supplementing magnesium carbonate, a touch of taurine and a little vitamin E. I also have found that calcium even in the tiniest amount from any calcium rich food such as milk products make these seizures return. Salt/sodium is even worse. I have had to stop all ready made food products as these are loaded with table salt. Luckily I can tolerate very small amounts of real sea salt from the health food store. Perhaps this is because this type hasn't been stripped of all the other important minerals which counteract sodium. MSG which can be found in almost all ready made food is a huge seizure trigger for me too. Lastly, gluten grains is a big no-no. Gluten has the same effect as MSG in sensitive people. I have been diagnosed with panick attacks, but strangely enough they have gone away from doing the above.

I have no doubt heavy metals are the cause for this oversensitiviness.

PS. I know that vitamin E, taurine and GABA are highly recommended amongst the epileptic alternative community. They are used amongst those trying to stop seizure meds, or who haven't found a med. which works.

I am so sorry to hear of your troubles, are you following a very clean diet with no sugar, dairy or gluten?

Hi Virago, have tried Algin, it helps some people with symptoms. I too breathed in alot of mercury vapours with removal 4 mths ago, all that was used was a rubber dam. I didnt do enough research beforehand and im paying the price with scarey symptoms.
If not already do try the gluten, sugar and dairy free diet with no junk food or fruit. Foods with these in are allergens and you cant really recover well. with them in your diet.
I have been on the candida diet for a year but recently i tried strawberries, pineapple and sweet apples and now regret it.
Even a little fruit sugar gives me horrible symptoms.
I take very high doses of vitc, 8000gms per day, Also Vit E, very important for protection.
Magnesium is good, i take 600mg magnesium citrate a day.
I think Russ and laura will have good advice for you.
Its a good idea to try DMSA, im getting some this week.
Good luck.

Here is a good read about allergies and their effect on brain function. Although it doesn't specifically mention seizures, it does make a point of how allergies mess up brain chemistry and cause many a mental problem.

http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/brainallergies.htm

I bet she had metal toxicity too!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It's true that GABA is recommended for seizures, as well as anxiety, panic attacks, racing thoughts, etc.

Vitamin E, taurine and magnesium are also considered beneficial. The amino acid L-glutamine may also help. In fact, the info page on GABA above has a link to a product called GABA Plus, which contains GABA, taurine, L-glutamine, passion flower (a natural sedative herb) and spirulina. Since magnesium enhances the effects of GABA, taking extra Magnesium might be a good idea.

It would seem that you were exposed to extra mercury during your removal process. Therefore, I would highly recommend trying to take lots of Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (i.e. 3,000 to 8,000 milligrams daily in divided doses throughout the day) and Algin. Vitamin C will help protect your body from the oxidative damage mercury is causing and Algin will help absorb mercury from the colon (mercury is primarily eliminated through the bowels) so that it doesn't get re-absorbed and re-distributed.

I would also recommend taking extra Algin if you plan on doing any chelation, since chelation will inevitably mobilize mercury. Personally, I would try taking the vitamin C and Algin first, to see if you start feeling better. Chelation can be very challenging and some people don't do very well with DMSA. Based on your diet restrictions, it appears that you are extra sensitive, so if you do try DMSA, be sure to start with a small amount.

Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing.

Hello all, thankyou for the replies!

I have been taking certain supplements, but have found that over time their effects / my tolerance of them have changed.

1000mg Vit C (+bio) I now take every couple of days because it *seems* to cause me to overheat at night, and get that 'prickly heat'/ burning sensation all over.

B3 (Niacin) has a more pronounced effect; my upper body goes noticeably red and burns up within 30 mins of taking it, fading after a few hours. Suffice to say I dont take this anymore!

I also take [admittedly at infrequent intervals] Zinc Citrate, Vit E, B1, B6, and Milk Thistle.

There is a problem with Magnesium (citrate). One 100mg tab will keep me stuck in the "pre-seizure" stage for a few extra hours at night, postponing the event. Clearly it is having some effect but I would be very nervous of raising that dose further. I am scared that I would be suppressing something that 'needs' to happen. At least, thats what it feels like. Would be nice to know exactly what IS going on inside my brain.
(I have not actually ever been able to completely halt the onslaught.)

As for my diet, I avoid the usual nasties MSG, artificial sweetener etc.
When I can actually get out to the shop, I do 'best' in terms of digestion on fruit, salad, nuts and cooked turkey, but often give in to bread, choc and dairy <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

One of the main points I have tried in vain to get across to these docs is that the panic attacks and seizures are two separate and very different events. *sigh*

Quite simply, a panic attack can be stopped with deep breathing (and to some extent, a growing apathy about things like going outside that used to cause me stress LOL.)

Seizures are the opposite; they can only properly occur and conclude when I relax...the initial bouts of adrenalin must subside first.
My instinct is that the adrenalin surges are a natural defence against slipping into this 'altered state'.

The docs dont want to work with the info Ive given them but... Ill get angry about this another time because Im too tired right now <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Actually, typing this has made me realise how disorganised Ive been; I planned starting DMSA chelation next week as well.

Anyway, thanks for the advice; I shall look into getting GABA, taurine, algin etc.

V

Diet is the most important thing you can do to avoid seizures, the sugar methylates more mercury, the most dangerous form.... and if you have gluten, dairy and chocolate in your gut, it slows down elimination and instead of excreting it, it recirculates and goes to the all the vital organs including the brain.

Best luck,
Sandi
xoxo

[progress update];
Hello again. Ive been meaning to do this for so long, now i am actually getting round to it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Taken the advice about quitting the dairy and wheat - adrenalin surges / hot flushes / prickly heat have DEFINITELY reduced! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Have added butter + organic yoghurt to diet, feels more 'complete' now... cant get enough!

Started DMSA chelation few weeks ago - now up to 12.5mg dose every 4 hours for 3 days [with 4 or more days rest]

I was very paranoid about the first rounds admittedly.. remembering to take doses was rather hard.
30 mins after a dose i would get mini jaw spasms.. and an acid burning / pulling sensation right inside the joint [mainly left side interestingly enough].
Pressure would build up behind my eyes, they would get very red + dry.
Slight kidney pain, helped by drinking water frequently. Thinking would be *slightly* clearer after 2 hours, but like a 'comedown' in the last hour b4 the next dose...feels a bit like a hangover.
Most significant / worrying side effect would be at night - the most intense heart palpitations, missed beats that ive had yet. [one round actually aborted after 3 doses due to fear of this reaction]
It seems that if i can make it thru the 1st night of a round i can finish it.

I still have frequent seizures - absence / tonic/ convulsive [upper body, mainly left side] tho it is hard to say if they are happening during a round because i am so exhausted trying to sleep inbetween doses that its possible i am completely unconscious when they occur.

This week i had one of the worst convulsions ever ... [few days after completing round 5] The 'electric' surge seemed to reach right down past my spine into my left hamstring. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Hasnt gone past my spine b4.

After the last dose of a round im OK for about 8 hours then... major depression / anger / crazy thinking crash unfortunately.

Also, these post-seizure hallucinations seem to last a few minutes longer now.. trying to make it to the bathroom in the middle of the night can be tricky when u have to 'avoid' ghosts + zombie type figures, or a carpet covered in spiders, snakes and scorpions. Fortunately, i dont believe in the supernatural, but it is a very testing experience each time.
Im amazed how i cope actually.

Im wondering if Copper is a greater factor in all this that i have previously thought as it is implicated in seizure activity.
I recall some months ago trying a spoon of [organic] blackstrap molasses and having a hellish night.
I believe it is deemed a 'high copper' foodstuff.
Will look into getting a hair analysis. For now i will keep chelating.

Take care + keep it real!

Virago 30 / f / Scotland

Sounds like you are getting some great results, keep up the good work!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sandi
xoxo

virago you sound as if your going through much of what i am at the moment especialoly the convulsions and hallucinations i fact it was so bad the first time itred dmsa ive been afraid to do it again since Tracy

Right, ive just started Round 6 of DMSA chelation this afternoon, after about a month's break. Didnt plan on that much time off of course.

I was tempted to raise the dose slightly but, VERY glad i didnt. Just the usual 12.5mg in orange juice, effects came on quite quickly... fatigue, red/dry eyes... kept drinking water.

Then i had this dumb idea that i might be able to risk a couple of boiled eggs for tea... thing is *sometimes* i can get away with sulphur foods but evidently not any more.

Had a nap and an hour or so later started getting palpitations / strained heartbeat.
Next thing MAJOR seizure while lying on the couch. It seemed to last longer than usual, felt like i couldnt breathe. The TV was on in the background and i could still hear/make sense of the voices. I just kept wishing it would finish, it felt really deep this time. Anyway, i think i awoke for a second and then actually passed out. Was very dizzy/disorientated when i came to, obviously.

So yeah, my theory is that the additional sulphur + starting DMSA again after a month off is *probably* what has initiated this. I have kept going with doses, altho my instinct is to stop. But if mercury has been mobilised anyway then it makes sense to keep going..? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Well i hope im right.

At the moment i have a slight headache, with odd 'stabbing' pains + neck stiffness... and am admittedly dreading going to bed later *sigh*
But otherwise, same as 'usual' really.

hate relying on guesswork but what else can i do... got an appointment with a neurologist shortly, i wonder what his Blank Look will be like <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Virago

Just had to abort DMSA chelation round 7, 4 doses in.
I thought i would chance going up to the full 25mg capsule per dose but after last night i guess that is pushing things too much. My heart was pounding so bad, felt like it was going to stop. It has calmed down now thankfully... i would say this effect comes close to being even more terrifying than the seizures. So its back to 12.5mg next time.

Virago