Complications and damage during chelation
A poster reported food sensitivities (gluten, dairy, sulfur, nuts, fats), problems digesting proteins, and exhaustion after 21 rounds of ALA/ALA+DMSA. He believed it could be lack of cortisol but wasn't getting help from doctors. Cutler responded that absorption from hydrocortisone creams is about 10-20% Digestive enzymes would also help in this case.
Cutler explains why mercury causes damage at a slow steady rate, why there are side effects to chelation, and why sulfur sources causes increased toxicity. He also mentions that autopsy studies of dentists and mercury miners have shown that the human brain holds on to mercury for a very long time. He also explains that the level of mercury toxicity is not determined by the initial damage, but rather the ongoing damage.
A poster reported increased aggression in her kids when she chelates with ALA (used with DMSA) on a frequent low dose schedule. Cutler suggests trying vitamin C and magnesium, more frequent dosing, or reducing the dose. In this case, the aggression disappeared with vitamin C and magnesium.
A mother reported daily seizures in her nonverbal son. Followup suggestions included CNS viruses, food allergies and numbness from vitamin B supplements. One followup reported having similar seizures that were alleviated by starting chelation with DMSA at very low doses. She also says drinking baking soda, activated charcoal, or ice packs helped during seizures.