Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[mftnchn]

Welcome, April!

Birdy, I tend to run a low BP, so the licorice shouldn't hurt. I do like the taste!

[mftnchn]

Carla, your energy level is AWESOME! I hope that soon that is the case all the time. Having a great LLMD sure makes all the difference in the world.

I can totally relate to what you are saying about the symptoms becoming annoying. And then discouraging when they persist for awhile--when you thought you had the answer and were on top of it.

Kassandra, thanks for the lyme funnies. Some of them were both sad and funny!

[mftnchn]

I'll be interested to see if the Humaworm makes a difference to the candida treatment.

Birdy, I forget whether it was you or April that mentioned that your mercury levels all test normal? Rachel has posted scientificness about that, the mercury doesn't always show up in the testing. Rachel has a high mercury level which she thinks is her main problem, but hasn't tested high. After months of treatment, it is finally showing up a little bit.

[confusedks]

Sherry,

I am actually feeling crappy again...sigh. I had a feeling it was too good to be true! I went to Staples and the pharmacy to get the rest of the abx, and now I am going to go lay down. I guess I should be glad that I was able to even shower today! LOL!

Kassandra

[mftnchn]

Okay an update as I started my third day of pineapple: I've had a mild fatigue with this, and a flushed feeling which was worse the first day, and better the second. I've so far not seen anymore gross things so am not quite so anxious when I go to the BR. I didn't realize how freaked out I was until I realized I was having "post traumatic stress!" I am eating pineapple, a few pumpkin seeds, a garlic clove am and pm, and licorice tea. The licorice tastes good, but I can't tell that it helps that much as a laxative at least for me. I found a preparation of psyllium and senna made by a German company in the local pharmacy that looks safe, so I am trying that too.

Today's my final day of this, as the next day I head out on my next trip for 10-11 days. I'll try to pop in if I can get online.

Also I went ahead and ordered the Humaworm, as I have friends coming the end of December who can bring it. A friend arrives next weekend with the new things my doc wants me to add in, so that will give me a month to adjust before the Humaworm.

I may have to drop the lipoic acid again, it seems to impact my sleeping.

[mftnchn]

Kassandra, keep up your charcoal, lemon water, lots of extra water, and your baths. I think you can even to the baths twice a day.

Oh, you might try adding skin brushing.

Did the rash go away when you felt better for a few hours?

Do you think you'd be brave enough to try e-coffee and would your Mom let you?

[Rachel--24]

Birdy, I forget whether it was you or April that mentioned that your mercury levels all test normal?

April does have known problems with metals...shes not sure about Lyme though.

Hi April! Welcome back to Celiac.com.

Sherry, I agree that mercury cant be ruled out without having multiple challenges....its not always coming out very easily...especially in those of us with impaired detoxification. If one chelator isnt showing anything its very possible that another method will be more effective.

Challenges are the best way to test for it....hair analysis is also useful....low mercury levels in the hair does not rule out toxicity. ART is the only other test I would trust to look for metals.

One challenge test cant tell the whole picture because in most cases (where there is chronic illness) it takes several challenges for the mercury to start showing elevated levels.

This is the problem with Autism...its not coming out...leading parents to believe that their child is not toxic when in fact they are extremely mercury toxic.

Allergies and other factors can also lead to blocked pathways...making it difficult to excrete the metals. Typically the pattern of DMPS challenge results show mercury levels coming out in a bellcurve. The first challenges are low...then they begin to rise and eventually fall.

A person with amalgams in place (or just removed) will most likely show elevated levels right away since there is ongoing or very recent exposure and not all mercury has been stored away.

[dlp252]

Well, I've decided to do the neuro/adrenal test. I think the urine part of the test is the same as the other test anyway. So, I get to spit into a vial every so many hours today, lol. I'm going to start the Humaworm tomorrow, although am a bit scared to do it on a work day.

Donna, it's good to see you back.

Donna, great to see you around.

Thanks!

Hello everyone! I have been reading along for a few weeks. Rachel24 turned me on to this thread from Yeastconnection forum.

Welcome!! I used to post over at yeast connection, but haven't in a long time.

I've been reading a little about humaworm over on the Curezone website. Still haven't figured out how you know if you need to do this or not. Any pointers? Had worms a lot as a kid, but then we lived in the tropics and it was just a part of life. Everyone in the family took the meds the drs gave us (even if only one family member had worms) and we were good for another 2-3 months. Think its possible to still have some of those nasty little buggers in my system 30 years later?

Has anyone looked into Andy Cutler's chelation protocol? If so, what do you think about it? I've been doing some reading on his yahoo group and, if nothing else, its interesting.

I decided to try the Humaworm because of my constant D. No matter what I've tried, it just never goes away for long and I've seen things that look like rice. I eat or have eaten a lot of the "suspect" foods like rare steak, raw fish, etc. I've traveled to suspect countries and so I just figured with all the dysbiosis I have in my gut, it's probably a given. The Humaworm actually works on some of the stuff I have anyway, including candida.

I looked in the Cutler protocol a little over a year ago when I first suspected metals. I had 11 fillings and six of those had gold crowns over them. I don't remember much about the protocol though. Right after I looked into that, I had my amalgams out and then found out abot the lyme, so have put it all on hold for a while.

Everyone who has Lyme...read this...it's REALLY FUNNY!!! You may have already read it, but I just came across it!

Loved the list!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! We're decorating our Christmas tree ... seems early, but Morgan wanted to do it before she went back to school.

I did too. I can't wait to tell my LLMD! Last year I didn't even feel like putting stuff up, much less actually drag it down and put it up.

We are going to decorate our tree, but we do it in all white and blue (for Hannukah).

Sounds nice. When I was young we always had blue...blue ornaments and blue spotlights on a silver tree (not Jewish, just grew up in the 60s).

Sorry you're not feeling well again! The bath might have really stirred things up.

[CarlaB]

Kassandra, office supply stores have always done that to me ... even before I got sick with Lyme! Places like Wal-Mart, Lowes, and Sam's Club also sap my energy. It seems to be the lighting .... but other stores, like the grocery, don't have the same effect. You had a busy day! Three things in one day is tough when you're sick! Sherry is right, keep up with the detox stuff!

Sherry, have a nice trip! I'm still seeing what looks like it might be a worm .... but it's not as well-defined anymore, so I don't know how much more there has been. Apparently this had been with me for a while, huh?

I got my heavy metal test results back! My lead has gone down into reference range! It was at 12, now it's at 2.7.

Mercury was at 4.1, now it's at 3.

Some metals that I had trace amounts of are completely gone.

Cadmium, aresenic, and nickel are slightly higher than before, but still well within range.

The note that came with it said, "Your heavy metals have decreased!" And that we'd discuss it further at my next appt., so I don't know if we'll try to get rid of the rest or not.

[Rachel--24]

Anyone remember my "sweet potato haze" of last summer?? I got all crazy from the sweet potatoes and lost 10 lbs. in a few days!

Yeah...sweet potatoes are a high oxalate food so I figured it might be related. Today I found this.....

Sweet Potatoes and Oxalates

Sweet potatoes are among a small number of foods that contain measurable amounts of oxalates, naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems.

For this reason, individuals with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating sweet potatoes. Laboratory studies have shown that oxalates may also interfere with absorption of calcium from the body.

I'm definately thinking I was "oxalated" really badly that week.

Of course I was also eating insane amounts of them...like 7 or 8 in one day.

I also have low calcium levels.

Stupid sweet potatoes!

[dlp252]

Sherry, have a great trip!

Carla, yay on the reduced metals levels!

Oh yes Rachel, we remember the sweet potato haze, lol. Sure sounds like it was the oxalates!

[CarlaB]

Of course I was also eating insane amounts of them...like 7 or 8 in one day.

Holy Cow!!!! I can't believe you've admitted to that in a public place! :lol:

[Rachel--24]

Has anyone looked into Andy Cutler's chelation protocol? If so, what do you think about it? I've been doing some reading on his yahoo group and, if nothing else, its interesting.

Hi Nyxie,

Welcome!

I have Cutlers book "Amalgam Illness". I ordered it back in 2004 when I first suspected mercury toxicity. I have read most of the book and personally I wouldnt recommend that anyone follow this protocol and try to detox from mercury without the help of an experienced Dr.

Cutler is not a Dr...he's a chemist who treated his own mercury toxicity with this protocol.

Since every person is different there is no *one* way to detox mercury...we will all have different sensitivities and variables that come into play. Cutler claims that DMPS is dangerous and should never be used...yet the most experienced Dr.'s in this country use DMPS with better results than DMSA.

Yes...DMPS...or any other chelator can be dangerous when not used properly but if the Dr. is experienced in mercury detox and also treats each patient as an individual...(taking all things into consideration)...it should not be harmful.

Most of what I've read and heard from the Dr.'s is that DMSA should not be used early in treatment when a person is very mercury toxic. Its better used late in treatment when much of the mercury has been removed from the organs and other areas. Then DMSA and ALA together can get the remaining mercury out...especially from the brain which DMPS is not able to do.

I've seen his Yahoo group and also TACA (an Autism organization) seems to support his stuff.

My opinion is that *some* of his info. contradicts what the most experienced Dr.'s in this country are saying with regards to mercury detox and I prefer to work with a knowledgeable Dr. who is actually treating patients.

I dont disagree with everything Culter says but I wouldnt just purchase his book and try to follow his protocol without guidance.

I got alot more out of reading everything I could find on mercury detoxification by Dr. Klinghardt. Cutler and Klinghardt have different views but Dr. K has over 30 years experience in mercury detox.

I also prefer to work with a Dr. who can test me for what my body needs and is able to tolerate since I'm very reactive to many supplements.

Cutler also doesnt take into consideration the infections that most of us will have. Detoxing mercury can allow for many opportunistic "bugs"....(such as Lyme) to become active and grow if left untreated.

Some infections are inactive (not candida) when there are heavy loads of mercury in the body....once the mercury starts coming out...these bugs can recover before the immune system does.

Mercury was once used to treat syphillis (prior to antibiotics)....it can keep the infection in check but of course its extremely toxic and many people died from mercury poisoning.

In the same way mercury is capable of holding Lyme back....then when you detox mercury you trade one big problem for another if you are not aware of infections.

In my opinion its better to have all the bases covered before embarking on any mercury detox protocol.

[Rachel--24]

Holy Cow!!!! I can't believe you've admitted to that in a public place! :lol:

Holy Cow...I cant believe you are shocked by this!!!

I thought you knew by now I tend to go a bit "overboard".

So yeah...I'm eating all these freakin sweet potatoes and the pounds are falling off of me!! WTH???

I had major inflmmation all over my body as well as very loose stools (which is definately not the norm for me). My brain wasnt doing too well either.

It seems like all the high oxalate foods do this to me...I started having looser stools when I went on my chocolate binge a few weeks back and I lost about 5 lbs.

I must be some kind of freak to lose weight eating massive amounts of chocolate.

[AndreaB]

Today's my final day of this, as the next day I head out on my next trip for 10-11 days. I'll try to pop in if I can get online.

Have a safe trip. We'll see you when you're able to get online......or when you get back.

The note that came with it said, "Your heavy metals have decreased!" And that we'd discuss it further at my next appt., so I don't know if we'll try to get rid of the rest or not.

Great news on the metals test!

Anyone remember my "sweet potato haze" of last summer?? I got all crazy from the sweet potatoes and lost 10 lbs. in a few days!

I remember that. Oxolates sound like a very good possibility.

[CarlaB]

Holy Cow...I cant believe you are shocked by this!!!

Shocked by you Racheling? NO! Shocked at how many sweet potatoes you are capable of eating in a day? YES! I'm imagining these sweet potatoes where one would be enough for a whole meal .... 7 or 8 of these would be about six pounds ... that is what I'm picturing!

[Rachel--24]

Carla,

Congrats on decreasing the metals!

Mia,

I have alot of links for oxalates on my moms computer. When my vacation is over I'll send them to you...my home computer is sorta challenged and it'll take forever to look everything up.

You might have to remind me though...who knows where my brain will be in 7 days.

I've been preoccupied lately....but in good ways.

[Rachel--24]

Shocked by you Racheling? NO! Shocked at how many sweet potatoes you are capable of eating in a day? YES! I'm imagining these sweet potatoes where one would be enough for a whole meal .... 7 or 8 of these would be about six pounds ... that is what I'm picturing!

They werent the huge sweet potatoes....maybe half the size of the big ones. So picture maybe 3 lbs. of sweet potatoes. Is that better??

[CarlaB]

They werent the huge sweet potatoes....maybe half the size of the big ones. So picture maybe 3 lbs. of sweet potatoes. Is that better??

MUCH! :lol:

[Rachel--24]

Andrea...there has been a tragedy. My cell phone broke!!!

So...I'm totally without until Tuesday.

They are shipping me a new one....but 2 days is a LONG time without my cell!!

So I cant call you today...but maybe during the week?

I have my next DMPS treatment on Friday...going up to 2cc's. I'm a little nervous but hopefully it will go as well as the last ones.

[confusedks]

Sherry,

I think my mom would let me do the ecoffee, but it's a question of whether I want to do it!!! LOL! The only concern I would have is my mom said that she did them once and she said she got realllllly shaky afterwards. She said it was the caffeine, how could I prevent that? I don't have caffeine anymore...so I would be worried. The last time I had some diet coke, I felt like I was on speed! It was horrible!!!

Have a great, safe trip.

Carla,

Congrats on the decreased metal load. Progress....it seems there is a lot your way lately. I will take another bath hopefully today.

It wasn't the store, I think it was just that I haven't left the house in 2 days...and I drove myself...so I think it was overload for my poor slow body.

Rachel,

I am so jealous that you can eat chocolate and LOSE weight!!! LOL! Sorry about your cell phone...I would die without mine!

Everyone,

So I woke up with a stiff neck. Do you think that is normal? We are worried it's the abx...could it be a herx or an adverse reaction? Should I call the Dr. or pharmacist to ask? Grr. It's really bad...the pain is intense.

Also, my mom noticed how "splotchy" I am. It's bad...I am so frustrated with these abx.

Kassandra

[confusedks]

Also, someone asked me what the abx are treating...E. Coli!! I found out today....yikes!!! I thought that was interesting.

Kassandra

[CarlaB]

Kassandra, yep, I get a stiff neck. Tylenol doesn't touch the head and neck pain.

I couldn't have handles that driving, shopping, etc. before treatment either .... or at the beginning of treatment ....

E. Coli, yikes!

[AndreaB]

Andrea...there has been a tragedy. My cell phone broke!!!

Oh no! I don't know what you'll do without your cell phone! I'm flexible but if your calling plan isn't I can call you or we can wait til next weekend.

So I woke up with a stiff neck. Do you think that is normal? We are worried it's the abx...could it be a herx or an adverse reaction? Should I call the Dr. or pharmacist to ask? Grr. It's really bad...the pain is intense.

Also, my mom noticed how "splotchy" I am. It's bad...I am so frustrated with these abx.

I would tend to think herx.

[CarlaB]

<------ new kitchen. I was cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

Edit, LOL, how do I do an arrow pointing up?