Sparky stumbled upon some websites today that I often have wondered about. Do cell phones cause mercury to be released from your amalgam fillings? Here are two different websites for your perusal.
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2008/11/17/cellphones-are-dangerous-not-dangerous-leaky-fillings-edition/
http://www.ansijournals.com/pjbs/2008/1142-1146.pdf
I'm of course amalgam free now, so I'm not so concerned about me, although I find I like to text more than call, so that keeps my phone away from my ear as much anyway.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Waiting...
The toxic element test is done, and my appointment to get the results is set for early December. Now it's just the waiting. I just hope that the DMSA did its job and that the results will be promising.
Things have settled down a little bit for me since I've been off the chelation, but not a whole lot. I'm still experiencing severe headaches almost daily, and I've not been able to shake the off-balance or dizzy feelings and the extreme fatigue. I did have my eustachian tubes adjusted chiropractically and that seemed to help get rid of the off-balance and dizziness for about a day, and then it must have gone back to being twisted, causing those symptoms to return.
I also had what my doctor thinks to be a thyroid storm last week, but the info I found online says that it can be caused only in hyperthyroid patients, so I'm a little confused. I have hypothyroidism. My 'thyroid storm' did fit most of the symptoms found in the above link, but I did not go to the E.R., nor was it life threatening, as I am still here. It was still a bit unnerving, and I find myself concerned that I'll have another episode someday, and that it could be life threatening the next time around.
I hate still not feeling well. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I hate the off-balance and dizzy feelings. I hate the extreme fatigue. I hate the headaches. I hate not being able to drive and be a 'normal' mom to my kids and 'normal' wife to my husband. I have hope that I will get some sense of normalcy back in my life some day. I just hope and pray it's sooner than later.
Things have settled down a little bit for me since I've been off the chelation, but not a whole lot. I'm still experiencing severe headaches almost daily, and I've not been able to shake the off-balance or dizzy feelings and the extreme fatigue. I did have my eustachian tubes adjusted chiropractically and that seemed to help get rid of the off-balance and dizziness for about a day, and then it must have gone back to being twisted, causing those symptoms to return.
I also had what my doctor thinks to be a thyroid storm last week, but the info I found online says that it can be caused only in hyperthyroid patients, so I'm a little confused. I have hypothyroidism. My 'thyroid storm' did fit most of the symptoms found in the above link, but I did not go to the E.R., nor was it life threatening, as I am still here. It was still a bit unnerving, and I find myself concerned that I'll have another episode someday, and that it could be life threatening the next time around.
I hate still not feeling well. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I hate the off-balance and dizzy feelings. I hate the extreme fatigue. I hate the headaches. I hate not being able to drive and be a 'normal' mom to my kids and 'normal' wife to my husband. I have hope that I will get some sense of normalcy back in my life some day. I just hope and pray it's sooner than later.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Next toxic element test
Tomorrow I will be taking my next toxic element test. I'm a little apprehensive, but at the same time a little excited. If you've kept up with my blog, you'll know that the last six weeks on DMSA hasn't been that great. Tomorrow I need to take 4 times the amount than what I was taking on any particular day during chelation - all at one time. It does concern me a little that I could feel as bad (or worse), than I did over the last six weeks. But, I am a little excited because after the last test I had three awesome days of feeling almost 95% well. Needless to say, I'm a little torn. Regardless of the outcome, I need to do it. We need to know if this protocol is working to rid my body of the toxic metals that have made a home there.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Almost done...
I have one week left of DMSA chelation. I then will be taking another toxic element test, as I mentioned in my previous post. We're hoping to find that the chelation worked, but we won't know for about a month - it takes that long for the results to come back.
The detoxification is going okay. I've had symptoms reappear that once were gone, and other ones are exacerbated. I've had horrendous headaches, the irritability comes and goes, I'm fatigued beyond what anyone could imagine, and I've been so off-balanced I feel like I'm drunk. Those are the main ones, but there are others as well. In a way, I was prepared for the symptoms I had at the time I started chelation to get worse, but I never expected symptoms to return. It's been difficult at best to relive the last 3 1/2 years all over again.
My last visit to the ND found that my kidneys are having some trouble with all of the work they have to do to filter out the extra barrage of toxins moving through them. It wasn't surprising to hear. Even though I tried nutritionally getting my kidneys prepared, it still is a big process to filter through more than they have ever before. I plan on giving them an extra nutritional boost during the next month while we wait for the test results just in case we do another round of DMSA. I don't need my kidneys failing!
I am dealing with one of those nasty headaches today. Nothing is touching it, and it's very aggravating. It just makes me want to crawl into bed and not come back out until I'm healthy again! Unfortunately that is not an option.
The detoxification is going okay. I've had symptoms reappear that once were gone, and other ones are exacerbated. I've had horrendous headaches, the irritability comes and goes, I'm fatigued beyond what anyone could imagine, and I've been so off-balanced I feel like I'm drunk. Those are the main ones, but there are others as well. In a way, I was prepared for the symptoms I had at the time I started chelation to get worse, but I never expected symptoms to return. It's been difficult at best to relive the last 3 1/2 years all over again.
My last visit to the ND found that my kidneys are having some trouble with all of the work they have to do to filter out the extra barrage of toxins moving through them. It wasn't surprising to hear. Even though I tried nutritionally getting my kidneys prepared, it still is a big process to filter through more than they have ever before. I plan on giving them an extra nutritional boost during the next month while we wait for the test results just in case we do another round of DMSA. I don't need my kidneys failing!
I am dealing with one of those nasty headaches today. Nothing is touching it, and it's very aggravating. It just makes me want to crawl into bed and not come back out until I'm healthy again! Unfortunately that is not an option.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Oral Chelation...
I haven't had much time to do any more research lately since Peanut and Doshi started their fall quarter of homeschool at the end of August and it's a lot more hands on this year (which takes a majority of my time) and leaves no time for looking things up. It also is one of the reasons why I haven't been here lately and I apologize to those of you who have tried keeping up with me this way. I'll try to be better!
Follow up from the Heavy Metal testing results: Today I started DMSA chelation (key-lay shun). I take 500 mg. of DMSA 3 times a week for six weeks. Then I'll be taking another toxic element test afterwards to see if and how much heavy metals were removed from my system. I'm thankful that I'm finally to this stage. This is what I feel I've been needing since I came to the realization that it could be mercury causing my problems. I originally didn't want to be taking DMSA or DMPS because I've read many negative things on them, but I know that this is a much faster way of detoxing the metals out. The food-only method was working, it was just going to take a long time. Taking DMSA was not my idea; it was the protocol given by a naturopath doctor at the clinic where I saw the NP. My ND, Dr. S, is willing to go this method and see what happens. I am a little concerned about the side effects I have read about regarding DMSA, but I think it is worth trying. I'm trying to keep an open mind about this, because I don't want to get my hopes up and it might not help at all. I believe, with the test results from the first toxic element test and all of the research I've done, it will help. I also have proof in the daily journals that I keep for Dr. S that I had three great days immediately following the high dosage of DMSA following that first toxic element test that tells me that we're on the right track. Boy, I sure hope so.
Follow up from the Heavy Metal testing results: Today I started DMSA chelation (key-lay shun). I take 500 mg. of DMSA 3 times a week for six weeks. Then I'll be taking another toxic element test afterwards to see if and how much heavy metals were removed from my system. I'm thankful that I'm finally to this stage. This is what I feel I've been needing since I came to the realization that it could be mercury causing my problems. I originally didn't want to be taking DMSA or DMPS because I've read many negative things on them, but I know that this is a much faster way of detoxing the metals out. The food-only method was working, it was just going to take a long time. Taking DMSA was not my idea; it was the protocol given by a naturopath doctor at the clinic where I saw the NP. My ND, Dr. S, is willing to go this method and see what happens. I am a little concerned about the side effects I have read about regarding DMSA, but I think it is worth trying. I'm trying to keep an open mind about this, because I don't want to get my hopes up and it might not help at all. I believe, with the test results from the first toxic element test and all of the research I've done, it will help. I also have proof in the daily journals that I keep for Dr. S that I had three great days immediately following the high dosage of DMSA following that first toxic element test that tells me that we're on the right track. Boy, I sure hope so.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Test Results...
Monday we got the results back from the Heavy Metal testing as well as to see how my thyroid was doing. It wasn't good news, but not surprising because of the symptoms I have gone through and still have. It was a real eye opener to see what's been making me ill.
Here is the breakdown from highest to lowest heavy metal, meaning what I am most toxic with to the least:
Gallium: .107 reference range (rr) .028
Lead: 22.2 rr 1.4
Thallium: .486 rr .298
Antimony: .136 rr .149
Mercury: 1.72 rr 2.19
Barium: 4.5 rr 6.7
Ribidium: 1,456 rr 2,263
Nickel: 2.31 rr 3.88
Cesium: 6.0 rr 10.5
Cadmium: .33 rr .64
Tin: .95 rr 2.04
Arsenic: 17 rr 50
Tungsten: .049 rr .211
Aluminum: 4.0 rr 22.3
In red are the metals that are above the permissible limit. I'm positive had I taken the test 6 months ago, mercury would have been fairly high as well. Between having the last of the amalgams removed and the detoxing I did over the summer, I am sure I got rid of a lot already.
According to the thyroid test results, my thyroid is now being suppressed by the Armour thyroid I have been taking since January. The nurse practitioner I talked with on Monday is encouraging either half a dose or quitting it altogether. I have not heard word back yet from Dr. S as to his thoughts on it, so at this point I have continued taking it at normal dose.
On one hand I am relieved to know that there really is a cause for the way I've felt over the last three years, but on the other hand I'm quite perplexed as to where I was exposed to these elements that are in the high category. I only expected to see mercury high, not lead, gallium, or thallium. And if so, how long have I been toxic? I don't know if I'll ever know the answer to it.
What next you ask? I am waiting back to hear from either the NP or Dr. S after they were supposed to have a consult either yesterday or today. The NP was also going to speak with their naturopath on staff at the clinic and see what his suggestions are. The NP mentioned IV chelation...scary stuff to me. It just tells me that there's no fooling around with this and it's not something to be taken lightly. I haven't taken any of this lightly the last three years- don't get me wrong. I know how serious heavy metal poisoning can be. I've researched it lengthily. For the first time throughout this whole ordeal I finally feel like someone believes me when I say I don't feel well! It's a relief...the next steps are just unfamiliar territory, and it's making me a bit nervous. At the same time I am excited that I will finally get somewhere with the detox that I wasn't able to accomplish on my own.
Here is the breakdown from highest to lowest heavy metal, meaning what I am most toxic with to the least:
Gallium: .107 reference range (rr) .028
Lead: 22.2 rr 1.4
Thallium: .486 rr .298
Antimony: .136 rr .149
Mercury: 1.72 rr 2.19
Barium: 4.5 rr 6.7
Ribidium: 1,456 rr 2,263
Nickel: 2.31 rr 3.88
Cesium: 6.0 rr 10.5
Cadmium: .33 rr .64
Tin: .95 rr 2.04
Arsenic: 17 rr 50
Tungsten: .049 rr .211
Aluminum: 4.0 rr 22.3
In red are the metals that are above the permissible limit. I'm positive had I taken the test 6 months ago, mercury would have been fairly high as well. Between having the last of the amalgams removed and the detoxing I did over the summer, I am sure I got rid of a lot already.
According to the thyroid test results, my thyroid is now being suppressed by the Armour thyroid I have been taking since January. The nurse practitioner I talked with on Monday is encouraging either half a dose or quitting it altogether. I have not heard word back yet from Dr. S as to his thoughts on it, so at this point I have continued taking it at normal dose.
On one hand I am relieved to know that there really is a cause for the way I've felt over the last three years, but on the other hand I'm quite perplexed as to where I was exposed to these elements that are in the high category. I only expected to see mercury high, not lead, gallium, or thallium. And if so, how long have I been toxic? I don't know if I'll ever know the answer to it.
What next you ask? I am waiting back to hear from either the NP or Dr. S after they were supposed to have a consult either yesterday or today. The NP was also going to speak with their naturopath on staff at the clinic and see what his suggestions are. The NP mentioned IV chelation...scary stuff to me. It just tells me that there's no fooling around with this and it's not something to be taken lightly. I haven't taken any of this lightly the last three years- don't get me wrong. I know how serious heavy metal poisoning can be. I've researched it lengthily. For the first time throughout this whole ordeal I finally feel like someone believes me when I say I don't feel well! It's a relief...the next steps are just unfamiliar territory, and it's making me a bit nervous. At the same time I am excited that I will finally get somewhere with the detox that I wasn't able to accomplish on my own.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Why her, why me, why you?
I apologize for not being in here in a while. August has been a busy month so far, and I actually am sitting at a picnic table at 10:30 p.m. at night 3 1/2 hours away from my home as I write this. My husband and kids and I are camping at a KOA this week. It's been good to get away from home for awhile, and my symptoms actually seemed to have not been so bad. I still have headaches going on and times of off-balance and dizziness, and some fatigue, too, but they seem minimal enough that I can enjoy this time with my family.
One week from now I'll be getting the results back from the heavy metals test. It will be really good to know the answer to the question I've had for almost three years now. Am I mercury toxic, and how much? As you know already if you've kept up with my blog, I believe I am. And I believe Monday will prove it.
The anti-candida diet has been going well. It's been over two months since I started it. I haven't felt any improvement from it yet, probably because I'm not moving much mercury out right now, and yeast grows to offset what the mercury does to the body. I have, however, lost twenty pounds thanks to not eating grains or sugars. I have liked that aspect of it, but I'm quite bored with the lack of variety in meats and veggies.
I wanted to share something I experienced two weekends ago, at my mom's family reunion, because I believe it has something to do with mercury. My cousin, who has adult-onset epilepsy, had a seizure. I was there through the whole thing and witnessed something that I couldn't comprehend. Why did my cousin, who all through her childhood never had a problem, and it was only during her twenties that she began having these seizures? What happened to her body that is causing this to happen? When we got home from the weekend, I googled epilepsy, seizures, and mercury. I wasn't surprised to see there was a connection. I did talk with my cousin a little about her amalgams (and she does have them), and she was receptive to what I had to share. I don't know if she will research it out on her own or if she'll have anything done, but she wants her life back - I could see it in her eyes after my aunt told her she had had a seizure.
How many more lives must mercury ruin before dentists and the ADA come to their senses and stop the use of amalgam fillings?!?!?!
One week from now I'll be getting the results back from the heavy metals test. It will be really good to know the answer to the question I've had for almost three years now. Am I mercury toxic, and how much? As you know already if you've kept up with my blog, I believe I am. And I believe Monday will prove it.
The anti-candida diet has been going well. It's been over two months since I started it. I haven't felt any improvement from it yet, probably because I'm not moving much mercury out right now, and yeast grows to offset what the mercury does to the body. I have, however, lost twenty pounds thanks to not eating grains or sugars. I have liked that aspect of it, but I'm quite bored with the lack of variety in meats and veggies.
I wanted to share something I experienced two weekends ago, at my mom's family reunion, because I believe it has something to do with mercury. My cousin, who has adult-onset epilepsy, had a seizure. I was there through the whole thing and witnessed something that I couldn't comprehend. Why did my cousin, who all through her childhood never had a problem, and it was only during her twenties that she began having these seizures? What happened to her body that is causing this to happen? When we got home from the weekend, I googled epilepsy, seizures, and mercury. I wasn't surprised to see there was a connection. I did talk with my cousin a little about her amalgams (and she does have them), and she was receptive to what I had to share. I don't know if she will research it out on her own or if she'll have anything done, but she wants her life back - I could see it in her eyes after my aunt told her she had had a seizure.
How many more lives must mercury ruin before dentists and the ADA come to their senses and stop the use of amalgam fillings?!?!?!
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