Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[CarlaB]

You may type it in your own words.

How much mercury causes toxicity? I mean, I tested positive for mercury in my hair analysis, does that mean I have a problem? My aluminum toxicity was actually three times as bad!!!! Scary since my grandmother had Parkinson's and my grandfather Alzheimers! Both those are known to have aluminum in the brain, not necessarily as the cause, they just know it's there.

BTW, my denstist who removed my amalgams followed the protocol you posted earlier.

[AndreaB]

I had a lot of arsenic in my hair sample.

If your mercury was on the low end it really shouldn't be a problem, especially if you've taken care of the main source.

[Rachel--24]

How much mercury causes toxicity? I mean, I tested positive for mercury in my hair analysis, does that mean I have a problem?

Carla,

The experts say that no amount of mercury is "safe" for us. Its the second most toxic material on this planet. I dont think there is an exact measurable number to say that this or that amount is too much for a particular person. Everyone is different and it depends on alot of different things...everyones symptoms can be different as well...depending on their genetic makeup or what parts of the body the mercury is sitting in.

The author of this book seems to think that hair analysis can be useful in determining if theres a problem or not but he has a whole list of things that might show up in various tests....it seems like to make a diagnosis he takes alot of things into consideration....not just one thing.

He says...While some controversy surrounds the hair element test, authoritative sources accept it as a useful screening test for heavy metal intoxications such as lead and arsenic.

In this book the author mentions several times that copper poisoning has identical symptoms to mercury toxicity and in many cases people who believe they have amalgam illness turn out to be copper poisoned and have no problems with mercury.

In cases where a person is copper toxic a hair analysis will show a vast elevation of copper with everything else appearing normal. In contrast a mercury toxic person will show elevated calcium, other abnormalities of essential elements and also elevated excretion of urinary copper.

OMG...that just made my heart beat fast. My hair analysis had really elevated calcium and a few of the other elements were out of whack but mostly the calcium.

[Green12]

Nope...

I dont think Haagen Dazs makes organic ice cream?? I was eating haagen dazs moths ago but it has eggs in it....which dont agree with me...also my eyes got irritated...they got itchy with dry red skin. It was nothing too terrible or even noticeable but still a bad sign that my body wasnt liking something in the ice cream.

The don't, at least I don't think I was just thinking they had the Chocolate Raspberry flavor. They put corn syrup in a lot of their flavors unfortunately.

You found and organic ice cream without eggs? Now you have to tell us what kind The only organic ice creams in my area are Stoneyfield Farms and another brand I can't remember at the moment....

One of the stores freezer case always has freezer burn issues, what causes that?? Anybody know? I have taken the ice creams back over the years because when I get it home and take the lid off there are those ice crystals on the surface.

Now I am rambling but it's one of those things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm?????

[Rachel--24]

Carla,

Why did you have your amalgams removed to begin with?? Were you having health problems back then? Also, did you have alot of amalgams? From what I've read even using the recommended protocol there is gonna be some exposure but not obviously not as much as if no precautions were taken at all. I think if there are alot of amalgams being removed then it should be done over time....not all at once. This would reduce the amount of exposure at one given time and allow the immune system to cope with it better.

[CarlaB]

OMG...that just made my heart beat fast. My hair analysis had really elevated calcium and a few of the other elements were out of whack but mostly the calcium.

I had no copper ... but HIGHLY elevated calcium, which means nothing as far as bone density, in fact, it means you are likely taking calcium out of your bones.

One of the stores freezer case always has freezer burn issues, what causes that?? Anybody know? I have taken the ice creams back over the years because when I get it home and take the lid off there are those ice crystals on the surface.

I always thought it was air getting to the product, but I could be wrong.

[Rachel--24]

If your mercury was on the low end it really shouldn't be a problem, especially if you've taken care of the main source.

It could still be a problem even if the levels appear normal in hair analysis. Taking care of the main source is the #1 priority in treating mercury toxicity....without it you will NEVER recover. Thats what it says in the book. If you have amalgam illness but dont take the fillings out you will not recover. BUT...you will still need treatment if you are already mercury toxic....the removal will only stop you from continuing to poison yourself.

[VydorScope]

I always thought it was air getting to the product, but I could be wrong.

Its when ice cream partly thaws and refrezzes often. The mosture in the are settles on it an turns to the crystals.

Its bad for the flavor / texture.

[CarlaB]

Carla,

Why did you have your amalgams removed to begin with?? Were you having health problems back then? Also, did you have alot of amalgams? From what I've read even using the recommended protocol there is gonna be some exposure but not obviously not as much as if no precautions were taken at all. I think if there are alot of amalgams being removed then it should be done over time....not all at once. This would reduce the amount of exposure at one given time and allow the immune system to cope with it better.

Yes, I was having health problems, mainly fatigue issues. My doc did some bloodwork and found nothing. I went to a nutritionist who thought I had candida. I went on a rotation diet and discovered I was allergic to mold in fruit juice and peanut butter (and I sneeze when around mold, so if you ever want to buy a house, just take me to it and I'll tell you if it has mold!!!). I don't remember how I found out that mercury can cause problems, but I was desperate and had them taken out. Actually, I think it was because we had just moved to Indiana and went to a new dentist, I was having all these health issues and he had a lot of pamphlets on mercury. He just happened to be a mercury free dentist and takes all the necessary precautions. I got very sick when they were removed like I had the flu. It was done in two stages, and every molar had a filling. I was on all kinds of supplements for it and remember that if I was even an hour late taking my glutathione, I would feel ill.

The other thing is, I grind my teeth. I noticed that I felt sick on nights Adam would tell me I was grinding them. It wasn't just a headache from clenching, it was an all over ill feeling.

[AndreaB]

Carla,

The experts say that no amount of mercury is "safe" for us.

He says...While some controversy surrounds the hair element test, authoritative sources accept it as a useful screening test for heavy metal intoxications such as lead and arsenic.

In cases where a person is copper toxic a hair analysis will show a vast elevation of copper with everything else appearing normal. In contrast a mercury toxic person will show elevated calcium, other abnormalities of essential elements and also elevated excretion of urinary copper.

OMG...that just made my heart beat fast. My hair analysis had really elevated calcium and a few of the other elements were out of whack but mostly the calcium.

I agree with the experts.

I had very low calcium, the doctor wanted me to supplement calcium, zinc, selenium, b12 and I forget what.

Sounds like you may be looking at some chelation in your near future. Did the new doc do a hair analysis?

[VydorScope]

I wish there was a free / cheap test / treatment... Ill just have to wait till I am rich to find out...

BTW any one heard from Christien? She must feel awfull alone right now...

[AndreaB]

BTW any one heard from Christien? She must feel awfull alone right now...

I've seen Christina reading the past few days, she just hasn't posted.

[jerseyangel]

BTW any one heard from Christien? She must feel awfull alone right now...

I haven't, but I was thinking about her this morning. So, she didn't PM you or anything? She's probably trying to come to grips with the whole thing.

[CarlaB]

I've seen Christina reading the past few days, she just hasn't posted.

Me, too. Christine, let us know how you're doing. You have a group of people here who care!

[VydorScope]

I haven't, but I was thinking about her this morning. So, she didn't PM you or anything? She's probably trying to come to grips with the whole thing.

Acording to the board she has not even read my pm.

[Rachel--24]

This is how mercury hurts us:

Mercury catalyzes oxidation of important parts of our body. It mostly messes up the membranes around and inside our cells. It destroys the stuff that holds the membranes together and once the membrane is damaged it doesnt perform its function of passing signals along properly. All the messages your body needs to pass around get all jumbled. This is why the brain and hormones are severely affected....nothings working right.

It also oxidizes the proteins inside the cells. This is what holds the cells together and keeps stuff like DNA in the right place. They are enymes that act as receptors that receive signals. Enymes work because they contain a certain metal atom that is in exactly the right place to allow the enzyme to perform its duty. Mercury likes to "sit" in those exact sites in the cells...so basically it kicks the proper metal atom out and deactivates the enzyme completely.

This would also include the enzymes required for digestion....they become deactivated and obviously we get problems with food.

Also by catalyzing oxidation mercury creates free radicals that attack our DNA. It makes our cells work less efficiently and can cause the cells to die...or even turn cancerous.

Studies showed that hair mercury was vastly elevated, compared to the general population, in people with a wide variety of diseases.

Mercury concentrates in the area of your brain that is responsible for memory, moods, emotions, hormones and how breathing and heartbeat work. It also concentrates in the liver, which is responsible for getting rid of the natural and synthetic chemicals in our food and environment. <-------this would be my #1 problem

Mercury gets absorbed by the immune system and causes it to attack innocent bystanders...like our food or even our own body parts. Hence the development of autoimmune diseases.

Mercury causes the damage when it gets into the cells....mainly the ones in the brain. The cells are good at keeping mercury out (or in once that happens). With a short exposure nothing will happen because most of it wont get into the cells. When you are constantly exposed for a long period of time the mercury slowly leaks into the cells...thats when problems will develop.

Subclinical adrenal hypofunction is common. Symptoms consist of weakness, fatigue, depression, weight loss, hypoglycemia, anxiety and low blood pressure.

Mercury directly interferes with regulation of glucose. Feeling tired 2-3 hours after a meal and craving sweets to feel better are signs of hypoglycemia.

Mercury toxic people do not metabolize alcohol well and will feel really bad after a drink or two. If the metabolic problem is severe....chemical sensitivities will develop.

When the mercury takes residence in the active site of certain enzymes and "deactivates" them....the enzymes lose their ability to detoxify pollutants and naturally occurring toxins. The individual becomes more sensitive to air quality, foods and chemicals.

Sheeeesh....all of this sounds so much like what I'm dealing with.

The GI tract has a high affinity for mercury which may lead to leaky gut, yeast overgrowth, malabsorption...etc.

The author does not believe rotation diets are helpful in most cases....only in those individuals who are in a "universal reactor" state where they sensitize to antigens very easily.

It says that since mercury poisons the enzymes in the liver and elsewhere that metabolize food....controlling the diet is essential to feeling better. There is no "specific" diet to follow....I'm assuming because not everyone will have the same enzymes destroyed or impaired. He basically says to start out on a simple diet and add things in one at a time, dont let anyone else be involved in the preperation of your food, etc. Most people cant understand the severity of our sensitivities and will not be careful with our food.

Different classes of things that can cause problems...

Aspartame

Partially hydrogentaed fats and oils

Polyunsaturated oils

Salicylates

Spices and seasonings

Sulfur foods

Sulfites

Tyramine containing foods

Foods that are metabolized by MAO....I think these are high histamine foods

Preservatives and colorings, BHT, BHA, TBHQ and yellow #5 (tartrazine)

Pesticides

Antibiotics in meat and dairy

Its kind of funny that the author doesnt mention specific foods but only foods with certain chemical components...I react to pretty much all these in the list. Maybe all my enzymes are shut down.

Thats along the lines with what I've noticed along the way though.....that I react to the chemical make-up in foods but not specific foods in general.

I really cant believe that everything in this book describes me so well....no wonder I was afraid to look at it when I had no Dr. to help me.

[CarlaB]

Subclinical adrenal hypofunction is common. Symptoms consist of weakness, fatigue, depression, weight loss, hypoglycemia, anxiety and low blood pressure.

Mercury directly interferes with regulation of glucose. Feeling tired 2-3 hours after a meal and craving sweets to feel better are signs of hypoglycemia.

Mercury toxic people do not metabolize alcohol well and will feel really bad after a drink or two. If the metabolic problem is severe....chemical sensitivities will develop.

When the mercury takes residence in the active site of certain enzymes and "deactivates" them....the enzymes lose their ability to detoxify pollutants and naturally occurring toxins. The individual becomes more sensitive to air quality, foods and chemicals.

This sounds just like me. Everything in the first paragraph applies, I cannot drink and it's always bothered me (my limit even when healthy was three drinks, then I still might have a major hangover), they don't mention it, but I have a similar reaction you do to perfume. If we're at the movies and someone sits anywhere near us with any perfume on, we have to move.

My hair analysis said my body seemed to be showing hypoglecemia, fatigue, anemia, autoimmune disease, anxiety, and depression. My blood pressure is low. Very interesting. Makes me wonder why my doctor is addressing the adrenal fatigue and not the mercury. From what I can tell, she thinks the vitamin regimen will get me to detox my problems on my own. Maybe she's just waiting till I'm stronger to address it. I'll have to ask.

[Rachel--24]

ISounds like you may be looking at some chelation in your near future. Did the new doc do a hair analysis?

No...he didnt and I dont know that he will since I've already had it done and showed him the results.

I think I will have chelation in my future.

This is what the book says about what happened to me with the gold crowns. Its not good at all.

If dissimilar metals touch in your mouth they make a battery and one of them dissolves. If amalgam touches another metal it is the amalgam that will dissolve.....VERY RAPIDLY. This releases vast quantities of highly toxic mercury ions. This can occur if amalgam touches an adjacent filling, if a crown is placed OVER a filling (which is hard to tell), if a root canal is done through a crown and amalgam filling is used to close it, if a bridge is placed over or next to amalgam fillings, etc.

If health problems begin to develop rapidly after a crown, bridge, etc is placed this is likely the problem. The work has to be re-done IMMEDIATELY, removing all amalgam from contact with a dissimilar metal. This is a very dangerous situation if you let it go. On the other hand you will get better pretty quickly if you correct the problem right away.

Unfortunately for me I didnt get the crowns removed until exactly one year after they were put in. I didnt get all the amalgam out until a year after that.

[CarlaB]

Hmm, makes me wonder if my braces with my fillings had anything to do with my problems????

[Rachel--24]

Makes me wonder why my doctor is addressing the adrenal fatigue and not the mercury. From what I can tell, she thinks the vitamin regimen will get me to detox my problems on my own. Maybe she's just waiting till I'm stronger to address it. I'll have to ask.

This is the first thing that will make me NOT like an alternative Dr....if they try to treat the symptoms instead of the CAUSE. I've seen one who thought I just had candida.....and that was only because I went in there telling her I had candida. She didnt try to find out why and just went on giving me advice for treating candida....which I now recognize as a symptom of a larger problem. The Dr's I saw since Jan. were looking for a root cause....they tested various areas in my body looking for dysfunction...including adrenals but their main focus was on finding the root cause. They explained to me that in the past they had treated stuff like candida successfully but once treatment was ended the symptoms would return.....because they didnt find the root cause. Now they focus their attention on getting to the bottom of why these things happen. Since they couldnt do this in my case....they sent me to this new guy...who's more knowledgeable about mercury.

Its hard to find the right Dr.'s but I think its *key* to getting better.

In the book the author thinks vitamins are essential....but some people react so its a job in itself to find out which ones will work and at what dose. He said many people are *brand* sensitive. The main purpose of the vitamins/supplements is to get the person through detoxification and chelation more comfortably and with less symptoms. To help the body along. He said without it you will suffer more than what is necessary over the course of treatment.

Hmm, makes me wonder if my braces with my fillings had anything to do with my problems????

I think in order to know for sure you would probably have to find a doctor who is very familiar with mercury toxicity.

[CarlaB]

I have been under a tremendous amount of stress over the past five years (long story, it took us that long to get moved over her to Cincinnati -- we actually did move, our house didn't sell, so we had to move BACK! Now we're back over here in the same house we had last time, we had just rented it out), so I can understand why she would think the adrenals are the root of my problem. Now the stressor is gone, I've cut off some toxic relationships, and I am no longer burning the candle at both ends (I used to ALWAYS get asked how I did all I used to do).

In reading about the mercury detox online, I'm seeing that she actually has me doing almost all of it -- lots of protein, no processed food, specific supplements -- including lots of C, E, appropriate amounts of selenium that I was deficient in, etc. The only thing I'm not doing is that drug you mentioned. She mentioned my cells detoxing and getting the right mineral balance, so she is concerned about that.

The hair analysis place recommends that you get it done again in three to four months, so maybe we're just waiting till then to see if it's getting better or not. She did ask where I thought I was getting the mercury from, but she was more interested in getting it so I could get out of bed again than worrying about the mercury at that point. She's into holistic medicine, but she's an MD first, so I'll definately be asking her! I actually had not given her a starting place ... I sat in her office with my head leaning against the wall, wearing sweats and didn't even brush my hair when I rolled out of bed to go there, I just told her I was really fatigued and couldn't do anything.

[Rachel--24]

This is what it says about levels of poisoning

1. The patient is seriously chronically poisoned

The person will be very sick for at least a year....will need extensive testing on ongoing medical assistance during this time. Amalgam removal, creative use of supplements medications and a well thought out chelation regemin are required. Complications are expected. The patients life will be seriously interfered with for a year or more.

2. The patient is seriously acutely poisoned.

The person probably has a sudden large exposure to mercury from dissimilar metals touching in the oral cavity. The most important thing to do is immediately do the appropriate dental work to reduce exposure. Major symptoms will resolve in 3-6 months. Simple testing will usually eliminate most of the major problmes of long term exposure and amalgam removal. A simple supplement program, a modest chelation program, should resolve all problems within a year. Complication are not expected.

3. The patient is moderately chronically poisoned.

The person will be sick for at least a year and will need proper testing to identify areas which require routine therapy. Amalgam removal, standard supplements and proper chelation regimen are required. Complications are not expected. The patient will experience prompt relief from supplements and medications to start with....their life need not be greatly interfered with.

4. The patient has a problem other than amalgam illness

Much discomfort, expense and delay can be avoided by diagnosing the underlying problem before a large investment of time, effort, and money is made in amalgam removal, chelation, etc.

I have been under a tremendous amount of stress over the past five years (long story, it took us that long to get moved over her to Cincinnati -- we actually did move, our house didn't sell, so we had to move BACK! Now we're back over here in the same house we had last time, we had just rented it out), so I can understand why she would think the adrenals are the root of my problem. Now the stressor is gone, I've cut off some toxic relationships, and I am no longer burning the candle at both ends (I used to ALWAYS get asked how I did all I used to do).

In reading about the mercury detox online, I'm seeing that she actually has me doing almost all of it -- lots of protein, no processed food, specific supplements -- including lots of C, E, appropriate amounts of selenium that I was deficient in, etc. The only thing I'm not doing is that drug you mentioned. She mentioned my cells detoxing and getting the right mineral balance, so she is concerned about that.

The hair analysis place recommends that you get it done again in three to four months, so maybe we're just waiting till then to see if it's getting better or not. She did ask where I thought I was getting the mercury from, but she was more interested in getting it so I could get out of bed again than worrying about the mercury at that point. She's into holistic medicine, but she's an MD first, so I'll definately be asking her! I actually had not given her a starting place ... I sat in her office with my head leaning against the wall, wearing sweats and didn't even brush my hair when I rolled out of bed to go there, I just told her I was really fatigued and couldn't do anything.

Carla,

Even if mercury is at the root of your problems you may not need the kind of treatment I'm gonna need. You're Dr. might be doing whats best for you...in your case. Each person is different and alot of things depend on what parts of your body are damaged etc.. You should base everything on how you are feeling....obviously if you get better you will need no other form of treatment.

The author of this book does not approve of using DMPS or DMSA for challenges to diagnose the problem. He says everyone whos had fillings will excrete mercury with one of these challenges. He thinks they are dangerous and not useful diagnostic tools...but it sounds like he believes oral DMPS (not injections) in small amounts are useful in chelation. Sounds like he is a bigger fan of oral DMSA though....since its actually FDA approved while DMPS is considered experimental. I would like to use oral DMSA if it comes down to it...its not as powerful as DMPS but its safer and easier on the body.

[rinne]

Open Original Shared Link

One of the things I liked about his protocol for Lyme was the emphasis on results and the awareness that without detoxing first no amount of supplements will help. It is much like what you have said Rachel.

[CarlaB]

From what I was just reading, my far infrared sauna is supposed to help .... we'll see on my follow-up hair analysis. I sit in it a half hour a day. I had to stop using anti-perspirant with aluminum because of the aluminum in my hair analysis, and I've noticed after a week or so, I don't need any deodorant at all now, so I must be detoxing something in the sauna. I've also stopped having night sweats! Maybe my body doesn't see the need to sweat it out at night anymore.

[jerseyangel]

Carla,

If you decide that you want to use a deodorant, I recommend a crystal deoodorant like Thai (the one I use). It's nothing but mineral salt--and works great. It also lasts forever!

I even got my husband to use it--and he likes it, too.