Just Another Story of Chronic Mercury Poisoning
Part 2: Recovery
Still feeling 75% dead, I remember little of the early months following amalgam removal. My minimal life revolved around healing. With poor cognition it was a full effort to manage my prescriptions and supplements -- including ordering stock, seeking insurance coverage, counting pills, measuring potions, taking injections, and researching treatments, dosages, and side effects. This, plus cooking healthy food, consumed my limited energy. However, DMSA and ALA gave me transient bursts of clarity and energy. For example, I located the FDA's web site and submitted an adverse effects report about dental amalgam.
Early Setbacks
Progress during the first year was erratic. Setbacks included occasional infections during which it was difficult to maintain a chelation regime. As described earlier under DMPS, one illness lasting several weeks was probably a halogen detox reaction to iodine.
About six to nine months out, a long spell of unwellness began to alarm me. At the time, the possibilities seemed to be some combination of: 1) copper toxicity (since symptoms included mental energy with hypersensitivity and agitation, combined with physical fatigue and loss of strength, along with extreme PMS-type irritability, edema, and breast soreness not alleviated by having a period); 2) B-6 toxicity (since symptoms included numb extremities and since B-6 from several different supplements may have exceeded recommended levels); and 3) the alleged "dump phase" described by Cutler. Alternatively, according to the mercury specialist, when the liver starts working, one may actually feel worse. Addressing all possibilities, I employed the steps described by Cutler for copper detox, addressed the B-6 issue with extra B-2, increased the progesterone cream, and finally began to feel better.
At about fourteen months, a decline in mental function including grogginess and increased need for sleep was apparently due to copper deficiency (I may have overdone the copper detox), since it was alleviated by adding copper supplements. The zinc-copper balance can be tricky.
About six to nine months out, a long spell of unwellness began to alarm me. At the time, the possibilities seemed to be some combination of: 1) copper toxicity (since symptoms included mental energy with hypersensitivity and agitation, combined with physical fatigue and loss of strength, along with extreme PMS-type irritability, edema, and breast soreness not alleviated by having a period); 2) B-6 toxicity (since symptoms included numb extremities and since B-6 from several different supplements may have exceeded recommended levels); and 3) the alleged "dump phase" described by Cutler. Alternatively, according to the mercury specialist, when the liver starts working, one may actually feel worse. Addressing all possibilities, I employed the steps described by Cutler for copper detox, addressed the B-6 issue with extra B-2, increased the progesterone cream, and finally began to feel better.
At about fourteen months, a decline in mental function including grogginess and increased need for sleep was apparently due to copper deficiency (I may have overdone the copper detox), since it was alleviated by adding copper supplements. The zinc-copper balance can be tricky.
Candida (yeast)
Controlling apparent Candida took many months of trial and error. No single approach worked, not even prescription drugs. In the end, it seemed to require a combination of strict diet, plus anti-yeast herbs and/or medicines like Lamisil and Nystatin, plus probiotics, plus fiber. To preclude the possibility that undigested supplements might alter gut pH to favor yeas, I crushed all tablets and migrated to capsules only.
Health foods that provoked yeast included fruit, kefir and komboucha (alcohol), and cheese. Even nuts, rice, and potatoes seemed to provoke yeast if eaten in quantity. The best diet was simply proteins, fats, and non-starchy vegetables.
Health foods that provoked yeast included fruit, kefir and komboucha (alcohol), and cheese. Even nuts, rice, and potatoes seemed to provoke yeast if eaten in quantity. The best diet was simply proteins, fats, and non-starchy vegetables.
Gut Issues
Mercury is known to activate the immune system, provoking food allergies. Also, mercury blocks synthesis of sulfate, a building block needed for gut integrity. Finally, as mercury is excreted through the bile, it kills beneficial gut flora, altering digestion and immunity, provoking Candida, and causing inflammation.
When food intolerances were at their worst, there was little I could eat besides chicken soup. Thankfully I never had thiol intolerance like so many mercury victims. Perhaps the DMPS, high-dose molybdenum, Epsom salt baths, ample zinc, and constant vitamin C were responsible.
I'd given up grains long ago but when my gut problems persisted I gave up the few remaining dairy items -- yogurt and raw cultured cream -- and the gut soreness eased. I tolerated raw goat dairy, but it was hard to obtain.
A strict diet and ample fiber were prerequisites in seeking the elusive balance between constipation and loose stools, For all these reasons, eating out was a stress rather than a pleasure, and travel was to be avoided.
When food intolerances were at their worst, there was little I could eat besides chicken soup. Thankfully I never had thiol intolerance like so many mercury victims. Perhaps the DMPS, high-dose molybdenum, Epsom salt baths, ample zinc, and constant vitamin C were responsible.
I'd given up grains long ago but when my gut problems persisted I gave up the few remaining dairy items -- yogurt and raw cultured cream -- and the gut soreness eased. I tolerated raw goat dairy, but it was hard to obtain.
A strict diet and ample fiber were prerequisites in seeking the elusive balance between constipation and loose stools, For all these reasons, eating out was a stress rather than a pleasure, and travel was to be avoided.
Memory and Cognition
The first sign of any improvement emerged at month five, with the telephone. Instead of holding only one or two digits in my head while reading and dialing, I could hold all seven digits in one pass, and all ten if the area code were familiar. And my once high dialing error rate decreased.
At about five or six months, some math ability returned. Instead of needing fingers and a calculator for even the smallest sums, the digits began to meld graphically into the correct result in my mind, as they had years ago.
By month seven or eight, my memory had become fully adequate. I could once again enjoy a documentary or a lecture since I could follow the flow of information from one minute to the next. And I could zip to the nearby grocery without a written list, easily remembering up to five items; whereas the previous year I needed a written reminder for even one.
Also by about this time, I could think and write and use the computer with reasonable focus and flow, though quick fatigue was still a problem. But by one year, I could do such work for most of a day, as a normal person might.
At about five or six months, some math ability returned. Instead of needing fingers and a calculator for even the smallest sums, the digits began to meld graphically into the correct result in my mind, as they had years ago.
By month seven or eight, my memory had become fully adequate. I could once again enjoy a documentary or a lecture since I could follow the flow of information from one minute to the next. And I could zip to the nearby grocery without a written list, easily remembering up to five items; whereas the previous year I needed a written reminder for even one.
Also by about this time, I could think and write and use the computer with reasonable focus and flow, though quick fatigue was still a problem. But by one year, I could do such work for most of a day, as a normal person might.
Chronic fatigue
At five months, I began attending an easy, self-paced floor-exercise class once a week. Then a friend showed me a nice, sweaty one-hour hike through the neighborhood hills. It was strenuous and exhausting but not insurmountable, and the post-exercise exhaustion lasted only an hour or two, so I began doing this hike weekly. After two months, I no longer needed to rest afterward, and could return to light office work immediately.
In a foreshadowing of chronic-fatigue recovery, my random thoughts began to change --- from how to divest of my burdensome possessions and prepare for infirmity, to how to brighten the home décor. Slowly, chores like watering plants became a mere inconvenience rather than a burden requiring mustering of all strength. Although I couldn't actually do much, I had the feeling that I almost could.
At about ten months, I tried some badly needed yard work -- an hour a day for three days. Each time was exhausting but the fatigue left quickly without repercussions.
By about one year, the chronic fatigue had disappeared. During my illness, I'd had to suppress all fussbudget urges to clean. But these urges returned and I indulged. What a joy it was, when, with my husband, we cleaned the porches for the first time in years. I carried the heavy potted plants to the yard for a washing, then scrubbed the floors, while he swept walls and ceilings. I got very sore and tired, but had no repercussions.
Now I have only normal fatigue -- and it goes away with rest. Naps are optional instead of mandatory. My time is limited more by hours in the day than by energy.
In a foreshadowing of chronic-fatigue recovery, my random thoughts began to change --- from how to divest of my burdensome possessions and prepare for infirmity, to how to brighten the home décor. Slowly, chores like watering plants became a mere inconvenience rather than a burden requiring mustering of all strength. Although I couldn't actually do much, I had the feeling that I almost could.
At about ten months, I tried some badly needed yard work -- an hour a day for three days. Each time was exhausting but the fatigue left quickly without repercussions.
By about one year, the chronic fatigue had disappeared. During my illness, I'd had to suppress all fussbudget urges to clean. But these urges returned and I indulged. What a joy it was, when, with my husband, we cleaned the porches for the first time in years. I carried the heavy potted plants to the yard for a washing, then scrubbed the floors, while he swept walls and ceilings. I got very sore and tired, but had no repercussions.
Now I have only normal fatigue -- and it goes away with rest. Naps are optional instead of mandatory. My time is limited more by hours in the day than by energy.
Words
Aside from gaining memory and losing fatigue, the most enjoyable benefit has been an improved skill with words. I feel this most when conversing, but also when writing. All my life I've been inarticulate, groping for words lost in a fuzzy brain. But now, words often flow easily, and sometimes even articulately.
Thyroid, circulation, and temperature issues
During my illness, heat intolerance was often unbearable, especially in bed at night, even when the ambient air was not hot. Perhaps due to poor circulation, the heat felt trapped in my core. But as my perceptions and cognition returned at about six to eight months, the heat intolerance seemed to be gone.
At one point about six months out, most of my leg hair disappeared. Apparently this is due to low oxygen or poor circulation, as from diabetes (which I don't have) or low thyroid (which I do). After another course of Wilson's T3 protocol, eventually much of it grew back.
At about ten months, the mercury specialist suggested reducing the high-dose iodine to 10 mg per week instead of per day. After a few weeks I incurred another spell of physical fatigue. I felt irritable, hungry, and sleepy, and my weight rose by about eight pounds. The likely culprits included the decreased iodine, or copper toxicity (the zinc-copper balance is always difficult), or Lamisil toxicity (I cycled on and off such anti-fungals), or low growth hormone (my injection device had been malfunctioning). Addressing all four, I increased the iodine, made anti-copper adjustments, stopped Lamisil, and replaced my hormone injector. Based on symptoms and results, the culprit was probably low iodine, especially since I still feel better on 10 mg iodine per day.
By about a year my temperature dysregulation had disappeared. For example, in bed at night instead of throwing on and off the covers frequently, I could merely move my arms inside or outside to adjust my thermal comfort.
At about a year I noticed increased hair loss, and my labs showed high TSH and low T3 despite high iodine, so I returned to Wilson's T3 protocol for several months.
Regarding circulation, my feet and calves have always cramped upon exertion, which is apparently due to low oxygen or poor circulation. For this I still take inositol hexaniacin twice daily.
At one point about six months out, most of my leg hair disappeared. Apparently this is due to low oxygen or poor circulation, as from diabetes (which I don't have) or low thyroid (which I do). After another course of Wilson's T3 protocol, eventually much of it grew back.
At about ten months, the mercury specialist suggested reducing the high-dose iodine to 10 mg per week instead of per day. After a few weeks I incurred another spell of physical fatigue. I felt irritable, hungry, and sleepy, and my weight rose by about eight pounds. The likely culprits included the decreased iodine, or copper toxicity (the zinc-copper balance is always difficult), or Lamisil toxicity (I cycled on and off such anti-fungals), or low growth hormone (my injection device had been malfunctioning). Addressing all four, I increased the iodine, made anti-copper adjustments, stopped Lamisil, and replaced my hormone injector. Based on symptoms and results, the culprit was probably low iodine, especially since I still feel better on 10 mg iodine per day.
By about a year my temperature dysregulation had disappeared. For example, in bed at night instead of throwing on and off the covers frequently, I could merely move my arms inside or outside to adjust my thermal comfort.
At about a year I noticed increased hair loss, and my labs showed high TSH and low T3 despite high iodine, so I returned to Wilson's T3 protocol for several months.
Regarding circulation, my feet and calves have always cramped upon exertion, which is apparently due to low oxygen or poor circulation. For this I still take inositol hexaniacin twice daily.
Sweat
Bathing in hot Epsom salt baths, to absorb magnesium and sulfate and to encourage sweating, was a ritual. For at least the first year, sweating would cause my torso skin to erupt into strange, high-relief bumps, which could be scrubbed away.
After six to nine months, my previously minimal sweat became omnipresent. Ignoring a closet full of cute clothes, I preferred old cotton rags that were easy to change, launder, and replace. Body odor was a problem that could not be quelled with soap and water. A sauna or steam bath or sweaty hike would reduce the odor for a few days, and high dose molybdenum also seemed to help.
At about fourteen months, the profuse sweating disappeared and the body odor reduced.
After six to nine months, my previously minimal sweat became omnipresent. Ignoring a closet full of cute clothes, I preferred old cotton rags that were easy to change, launder, and replace. Body odor was a problem that could not be quelled with soap and water. A sauna or steam bath or sweaty hike would reduce the odor for a few days, and high dose molybdenum also seemed to help.
At about fourteen months, the profuse sweating disappeared and the body odor reduced.
Hair
My fine, thin, straight hair had always tended to look shabby, but during my illness it could not hold a cut -- the clean edge would become ragged after a week or two, to the surprise of my hairdresser.
By one year, my hair not only held a cut, but it had developed a wave and even had a slight bounce.
By one year, my hair not only held a cut, but it had developed a wave and even had a slight bounce.
Other observations
Early in the process, my teeth, which had required nightly use of a retainer, became less prone to migrate, and I needed the retainer only once a week.
Spring allergies, which I'd had since early adulthood, never again materialized -- perhaps due to frequent antioxidants.
My illegible handwriting began to resemble its once neat precision, and I could again take pleasure in putting pen to paper. My typing also became less error-prone.
My knee joints, which had rattled audibly especially on stairs, became quiet again.
Spring allergies, which I'd had since early adulthood, never again materialized -- perhaps due to frequent antioxidants.
My illegible handwriting began to resemble its once neat precision, and I could again take pleasure in putting pen to paper. My typing also became less error-prone.
My knee joints, which had rattled audibly especially on stairs, became quiet again.
Interim lab results
At about a year. I ordered some lab tests to check for numerical progress. According to Cutler, lab values will normalize well before symptoms disappear, and symptoms will disappear before mercury is gone. But my hair test still exhibited a mineral transport disorder and low mercury, with high lead this time. The porphyrins profile still showed elevation of the main marker for mercury. The urine and fecal toxic metals tests (while chelating) showed high cadmium (a serious toxin with a long half-life) and low mercury -- probably meaning I'm a poor excreter. According to Internet hearsay, mercury is excreted only after certain other toxic metals are gone. I plan to retake the hair test occasionally to see if and when it will show high mercury.
Vitamin D was finally at a decent level -- 50 ng/mL, instead of 30, where it had been for years. Vitamin D is alleged to induce the metallothionein enzymes for heavy-metal detox by several-fold.
A urine organic acids test reiterated some things I suspected, like a high need for vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, and revealed some new information, like a need for riboflavin, which might explain my incident with apparent B-6 toxicity. And high urine sulfate implied a zinc deficiency despite zinc supplementation.
Vitamin D was finally at a decent level -- 50 ng/mL, instead of 30, where it had been for years. Vitamin D is alleged to induce the metallothionein enzymes for heavy-metal detox by several-fold.
A urine organic acids test reiterated some things I suspected, like a high need for vitamin C and coenzyme Q10, and revealed some new information, like a need for riboflavin, which might explain my incident with apparent B-6 toxicity. And high urine sulfate implied a zinc deficiency despite zinc supplementation.
Tinnitus
The tinnitus I’ve had for years is still loud and strong, although occasionally the whine almost disappears, just for a few minutes at a time.
Functionality
My functionality improved in fits and starts. Brain energy would hum for a few hours one day then disappear for days or weeks. As time went on, the good spells became longer and more frequent.
At month nine, I attempted a self-paced shopping trip downtown via transit, which was a success. Although I needed all my emergency supplements, I didn't collapse and didn't need to return home early.
By month ten I'd counted five good days in a row -- days in which I could do physical housecleaning and light errands without a nap.
By one year, within my low-stress, self-paced home environment, I was arguably normal -- I could do housecleaning, bookkeeping, reading, research, and minor handyman projects at a reasonable pace, with adequate brain function and no need to rest. However, I was still completely dependent on dozens of supplements and medicines for my fragile health, and I had no stamina or resilience to cope with the noise, chaos, or unpredictable human interactions outside the home.
Short trial outings were successful, so I began visiting friends in the suburbs via transit, using earplugs to decrease noise stress. I survived a one-day air trip to a family event with no problem, but it took two days of rest to recover.
At month nine, I attempted a self-paced shopping trip downtown via transit, which was a success. Although I needed all my emergency supplements, I didn't collapse and didn't need to return home early.
By month ten I'd counted five good days in a row -- days in which I could do physical housecleaning and light errands without a nap.
By one year, within my low-stress, self-paced home environment, I was arguably normal -- I could do housecleaning, bookkeeping, reading, research, and minor handyman projects at a reasonable pace, with adequate brain function and no need to rest. However, I was still completely dependent on dozens of supplements and medicines for my fragile health, and I had no stamina or resilience to cope with the noise, chaos, or unpredictable human interactions outside the home.
Short trial outings were successful, so I began visiting friends in the suburbs via transit, using earplugs to decrease noise stress. I survived a one-day air trip to a family event with no problem, but it took two days of rest to recover.
Outreach
I'd always spent all discretionary energy researching health issues, and as my memory and energy improved, it got easier. I began writing to physicians, the media, anti-mercury groups, and anyone who might be interested in the issue.
In reviewing the medical literature, it became apparent that the autism literature, meager as it was, was much better than that for chronic fatigue or even that for mercury. The best insights into my symptoms of metabolic problems, immune dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis would be found by reading about autism.
Strangely, the position statement on chelation by the Autism Research Institute dismissed the need for frequent dosing and did not address ALA chelation. I wrote to the lead author and received a response deferring to a researcher, to whom I then wrote. Claiming no time, the researcher deferred back to the lead author, in a loop of circular reasoning.
In July 2008, the FDA reiterated its outdated position that mercury dental amalgam is safe.
Coincidentally, the FDA commissioner appointed by President Hope-and-Change had financial ties to the largest distributor of dental amalgam.
I wrote to the FDA objecting to the new rule and noting that I had submitted an adverse effects report documenting serious medical problems apparently due to amalgams, which was ignored. I received a personal but off-point response describing the new rule. A few weeks later I was pleased to find my name on a petition to the FDA to reconsider the rule, by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), with whom I'd corresponded.
In reviewing the medical literature, it became apparent that the autism literature, meager as it was, was much better than that for chronic fatigue or even that for mercury. The best insights into my symptoms of metabolic problems, immune dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis would be found by reading about autism.
Strangely, the position statement on chelation by the Autism Research Institute dismissed the need for frequent dosing and did not address ALA chelation. I wrote to the lead author and received a response deferring to a researcher, to whom I then wrote. Claiming no time, the researcher deferred back to the lead author, in a loop of circular reasoning.
In July 2008, the FDA reiterated its outdated position that mercury dental amalgam is safe.
Coincidentally, the FDA commissioner appointed by President Hope-and-Change had financial ties to the largest distributor of dental amalgam.
I wrote to the FDA objecting to the new rule and noting that I had submitted an adverse effects report documenting serious medical problems apparently due to amalgams, which was ignored. I received a personal but off-point response describing the new rule. A few weeks later I was pleased to find my name on a petition to the FDA to reconsider the rule, by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), with whom I'd corresponded.
Epilogue
I hope this story will end in another year or two, with my reporting that I'm off all supplements, medicines, and special diets, and have never felt better. We'll see.
