Progress Report #2, June 2003
- Subject: Progress Report #2, June 2003
- Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 08:32:04 -0000
- Yahoo! Message Number: 84889
- Onibasu Link: http://onibasu.com/archives/am/84889.html
Progress Report #2, June 2003
This is Robert from Southern California.
I began treating myself for amalgam illness in March 2002. This is
an update of my first report from January 2003.
I have now completed 25 rounds of chelation using only ALA. I take
20 doses per round, every three of four hours, about three days per
week. On round 16 I increased the dose from 30 to 60 mg; on Round 15
I increased the dose from 60 to 90 mg; and on round 21 I increased
the dose from 90 to 100 mg. The last increase was minimal and done
to reduce the number of capsules taken from three to one.
I have refined my ON/OFF cycles as follows. I now stick to a 3 days
ON/ 4 days OFF regime for five cycles. After five cycles I take 18
days off. Basically I chelate every week for five weeks, then take a
bit over two weeks off.
In January 2003, I moved one of my Selenium doses from bedtime to the
afternoon because I learned it can contribute to insomnia (insomnia
remains a problem). I also doubled my Taurine dose, taking 500 mg
twice a day. I find it relaxing to take one dose, under the tongue,
at bedtime. I believe that the Taurine has helped with bowel
function reducing both constipation and diarrhea. I also started
taking an old bottle of RNA/DNA at bedtime mostly to get rid of it.
I recommend caution with this supplement since it is made from yeast.
In March and April 2003, I switched from coffee to tea for forty days
(during lent). This had a short term effect of eliminating insomnia
that lasted only about 10 days. I do feel this has reduced anxiety
and has helped, but has not cured, my insomnia. I also lost about
fifteen pounds -supporting Dr. Perricone's theory (see Amazon.com for
books). I now drink only one or two cups of coffee about every other
day (some days I drink tea or no stimulants at all).
In April, 2003 I also tried reducing the amount of Vitamin C and E.
Unfortunately, some of the fatigue and fibromyalgia symptoms
returned. I settled on reducing my Vitamin C from six to five grams
per days and my Vitamin E from 1200 to 800 IU (taking 2 400 IU per
day). I also reduced the number of times I take vitamin C so as not
to interfere with the selenium taken in the afternoon. I now take
vitamin C three times a day, with meals.
In May 2003, I switched from dolomite to a liquid form of calcium
(500 mg at bedtime) and started taking B-5 twice a day. B-5 is
supposed to help with adrenal function but I haven't noticed much
effect. I also had a terrible week in May, when I politely ate two
fish meals on a single weekend; I was sick most of the following
week. I suspect tuna steaks to be the primary culprit but I also had
ahi ahi (a kind of tuna) and sea bass. Many of the symptoms returned
for a few days including fatigue, depression, muscle pain and
sciatica. I have no problem eating salmon (farmed or ocean) or trout
caught in a stocked, freshwater lake.
In June 2003, I cut my daily dose of B-12 and B-6 in half and plan on
discontinuing these once I run out.
I currently take 27 Supplements:
Vitamins: C, E, B-Complex, B5, B6, B12, Folic Acid and Beta-Carotene
EFAs, herbs & other: Flax Oil, Milk Thistle, CoQ10, and Lecithin
Minerals: Zn, I, Mb, Se, Mg, Cr and liquid Ca
Amino Acids: Glutamine, Phenylalanine, A L-Carnitine, Glycine,
Arginine, Lysine, Taurine & RNA
Over the past six months, I have reduced the amounts of Vit C, Vit E,
B6, B12.
I plan on discontinuing the following once I run out (in two to six
months):
B6, B12, Beta-Carotene, Arginine, Lysine and RNA.
I no longer have much problems with constipation but take psyllium
when needed. The last time I took it was May 6th, almost two months
ago. I still take valerian tea and melatonin (300mcg) for insomnia
between zero and two times per week. I have also found, especially
when chelating, a need for more glutamine (and also phenylalanine and
glycine) especially at night. The glutamine no longer causes
insomnia, but instead calms my mind allowing me to sleep.
*SYMPTOMS*
Here is a list of the 62 symptoms I contended with in 2002. The
one's marked cured are basically gone or occur so infrequently or
slightly that they no longer cause problems. Only two symptoms are
marked persistent. Both are related to the serum lipid profile that
has not been tested during the last six months.
Thus, effectively all symptoms are now cured or diminished. However,
I believe that if I stopped taking several of the above supplements,
many of the symptoms would worsen or return. In fact, I tested this
theory in April and found it to be true. Many of the symptoms also
returned when I consumed fish of the types known to be high in
mercury. This includes the occasion with the tuna steaks mentioned
above and a few occasions (some sushi meals and a seafood feast
including lobster) that I have not mentioned.
Mental Health / Psychological:
Cured
· irritability & outbursts of temper
· shyness
· embarrassment with insufficient reason
· self-consciousness
· lack of concentration
· decline of intellect
· lethargy & drowsiness
· brain fog
Diminished
· erethism (excitability)
· low self control
· stress intolerance
· resentment of criticism
· low of self-confidence
· timidity, fearfulness
· anxiety, nervousness
· indecision
· insomnia
· vivid dreams
· memory loss
· depression or manic-depression
· suicidal thoughts or tendencies*
* Suicidal thoughts have diminished greatly and are infrequent.
However, even infrequent suicidal thoughts are a concern.
Neurological:
Cured
· chronic or frequent headaches
· slurring of words
· slight stammering
· difficulty in pronunciation of words
· frequent leg cramps
· ringing or noises in ears
· dizziness
· fine tremors (hands & feet)
· ataxia (loss of coordination)
· sciatica
Diminished
· blurred vision
· paresthesia (numbness, tingling or pain in the extremities)
Oral Cavity:
Cured
· bleeding gums
· metallic tastes
Diminished
· gingivitis
· white patches in mouth
Gastrointestinal:
Cured
· abdominal cramps
· nausea
· bloated feeling
· colitis (inflammation of the colon)
· headache after eating
Diminished
· diarrhea or constipation
Respiratory:
Cured
· difficulty in breathing
Diminished
· persistent cough
Cardiovascular:
Cured
· tachycardia (rapid heart beat)
· pain or pressure in chest, angina
Persistent
· elevated serum triglycerides (NOT tested to date in 2003)
· elevated cholesterol (NOT tested to date in 2003)
Endocrine:
Cured
· low grade intermittent fever
· night sweats
· joint pain
· loss of appetite
· reactive hypoglycemia
Diminished
· subnormal temperature
· fatigue
· muscle weakness
Immunological:
Cured
· allergies
· excessive itching
Diminished
· sinusitis
· swollen lymph nodes in neck
· rashes, skin irritation
TOTAL / June 2003:
35 Cured
25 Diminished
2 Persistent (Note: these two were not tested since August of 2002)
Of 62 symptoms experienced in 2002
COMPARED WITH January 2002:
27 Cured
27 Diminished
8 Persistent
Of 62 symptoms experienced in 2002
There has been tremendous improvement. Of the 62 symptoms recorded,
35 are now cured and effectively all are diminished! In January, 44%
of my symptoms were considered cured, this number has increased to
56%. Similarly, the number of symptoms considered cured or
diminished has increased from 84% to 97%.
I have not had a serum lipid profile done during the past six months
which accounts for the two persistent symptoms. I last tested my
triglycerides and cholesterol on August 31, 2002, before I started
chelation. Thus, the percentage of cured or diminished symptoms may
be 100%. I will test my serum lipids again during the next six
months.
The main problems that I am contending with are mental &
psychological (this accounts for about half my symptoms). However,
all psychological symptoms are greatly diminished compared with six
months ago and many are no longer an issue at all. This is consistant
with the theory that the brain is the organ for which it is most
difficult to remove mercury.
Some other symptoms are also persistent including occasional muscle
pain (joint pain is no longer an issue), fatigue, persistent cough
and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. These symptoms have diminished
only slightly, but noticeably, during the past six months.
*PLANS FOR THE FUTURE*
This year, I will continue chelating weekly with ALA, taking a bit
over two weeks off every five cycles. During this OFF time, I will
evaluate my health, consider increasing the dosage of ALA chelator,
and consider reducing the amount of supplements taken. I plan to
increase the dosage of ALA to 200 mg after 30 or 35 rounds of
chelation. I hope to see an end to improvement after 50 rounds of
chelation.
I am not sure if all my symptoms will be gone after 50 rounds, but I
hope I will no longer experience side effects during chelation or see
significant improvement after chelation. This will be an indication
that the ALA chelation is doing little to improve my health. I plan
on doing 75 rounds of chelation total, to remove as much mercury as
practical, but this will depend on the rate of improvement.
I plan on writing another report after 25 more rounds of chelation
(50 total), which should take about 35 weeks.
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST WITH YOUR HEALTH ISSUES!
Robert Cartland
Alhambra, CA
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