Omg...i Might Be On To Something

[rinne]

HI RINNE!!! Good to see you! Don't worry about lack of attention. I think of this as a big ole family...sometimes we just need our personal space, but the difference here is that we all understand that need and give it to one another! My energy and motivation as been even lower than it normally is (which is low to begin with, lol). I still haven't put away my suitcase and stuff from my trip in December!!!

Donna, what a great way to put it. I'm glad you are improving.

Hi Laura and Andrea and Claire. Claire, I'm sorry you had such a bad day.

Maybe the winter and the cold wasnt good for you.....I know my body pretty much hates winter. Spring is almost here.

Could it be I just accumulated enough mercury through my life to cause me problems with autoimmune thyroid and then having the unsafe amalgam removal plus a year living with galvanic reaction....maybe I exceeded my limit??

I am so ready for sun and warmth, this winter has seemed very long and cold.

I wonder if the Lyme makes for the accumulation of mercury. I haven't had any extreme exposures to it yet my levels are twice the maximum tolerable levels. Reading the symptoms associated with mercury poisoning they seem more like my symptoms than Lyme though out of the 60 some symptoms for Lyme I have had about 45 they aren't daily occurences.

Stupid Mercury!!!

Definitely.

I don't think you'll have the answer until the mercury and candida are taken care of ... so just close the closet door and leave the boogeyman in there until a later time, then look to see if he's still there.

Sounds like good advice to me.

Hey, I don't think I told you guys, my herx from the new meds ended last evening ... after dinner I was sitting in the family room, right where I am in the avatar (very appropriate avatar because that's where I usually sit!), and I could sit and hold my head up. Prior to that, I had been laying down most of them time, only getting up when I had to since the Friday before last. So, it was an 11 day herx.

Today I was able to go to the gym with Adam, Starbucks, drive my daughter to the ortho, go to the grocery, and cook dinner! That's a busy day for me! Adam was relieved because he's been doing all that stuff.

Laura, how are you doing on the Omnicef? I hope it didn't hit you like it hit me.

That's wonderful Carla.

And Laura how are you?

Andrea I hope the cheque comes through.

It is a better day today and I am going to bundle up and go for a walk.

[AndreaB]

As far as the levels, I'm thinking I may go Rachel's doctor in the next couple of months for a "consult" type of appointment...see what he thinks about my toxicity...maybe he can do some sort of test at that time.

BioSET might be less expensive in your area...everything is well inflated around here.

I'm in the same situation here. I own my condo, but that's what I can afford and if I were to sell and move I could only afford what I've got now unless I totally move out of this area...what I've got now is a very OLD condo.

I'll be curious what Rachel's doctor says if you go see him.

I'm aware of the cost being inflated down there. Hoping things are more reasonable up this way.

Sounds like we both need to make due and stay put. With your current expenses I would think it would be more difficult to try and do any remodeling and that would stir up who knows what.

[dlp252]

Sounds like we both need to make due and stay put. With your current expenses I would think it would be more difficult to try and do any remodeling and that would stir up who knows what.

Yep, I was thinking over the weekend that I really need to do at least some cosmetic stuff like painting, but heck, if I don't have the energy to put away my stuff from my trip in December how am I going to paint. I have done some stuff (like in 1996, lol), like rip out a built in vanity...patch the walls, paint, install a new light fixture...I did all those myself, but I'm not sure I could do that now, lol.

[AndreaB]

I wonder if the Lyme makes for the accumulation of mercury. I haven't had any extreme exposures to it yet my levels are twice the maximum tolerable levels. Reading the symptoms associated with mercury poisoning they seem more like my symptoms than Lyme though out of the 60 some symptoms for Lyme I have had about 45 they aren't daily occurences.

Sounds like if mercury binds with lyme as it does with candida that levels would be higher as nothing would be excreted.

[AndreaB]

I have done some stuff (like in 1996, lol), like rip out a built in vanity...patch the walls, paint, install a new light fixture...I did all those myself, but I'm not sure I could do that now, lol.

You'll have the energy again. Once you can start detoxing some of your mercury load I would assume your adrenals would be happier and better functioning.

[CarlaB]

Another day of a good energy level. This does't mean a normal energy level, just that I can get out of bed or off the couch for while and do some things. I still have to rest a lot!

Rinne, my Lyme symptoms come and go, too. One day it will be a couple symptoms, then next different ones. The weakness/fatigue seem to be pretty constant though. Glad you could get out for a walk today.

From what I've heard/read, Lyme and heavy metals go hand in hand. One of the questions the LLMD's assistant asked me was about amalgam fillings. She said the LLMD recommends that they be removed because mercury is a problem for Lyme patients.

They also tested me for mercury. My level was actually not too bad (4.1, supposed to be under 4), but my lead was high. I wasn't supposed to eat fish for a week before the test, but forgot and ate some about 6 days before, so my number may have been lower if I had followed the directions better. Eventually they will chelate/detox the metals, but for now he says I'm too sick to mess with them.

I think the mercury level was pretty good because I went through the amalgam removal and detoxed the mercury back in 1991. Also, I use a far infrared sauna every day, which is supposed to detox the mercury without going through the liver and kidneys. Rachel, I'd bet that would be GREAT for you. My LLMD was very happy I had a sauna, very happy.

Donna, I know what you mean about re-decorating. We have wanted to renovate parts of this house since we bought it five years ago ... we lived in it for a year back then and just moved back into it this summer ... but I haven't been up to even calling a contractor to do the work. We did renovate the downstairs bath (the kids/guest), but it really had to be done, the old bathroom was very gross ... it had a plywood floor with carpet over it, plus the old LEAD pipe for the toilet to flush through was leaking ... I did manage to paint the whole thing, even the new beaded board ceiling (not fun), but the old wallpaper paste is still showing through, so I'm going to have to kiltz and repaint ... I've had the paint to do that for months! I also painted behind where the sauna is, but never finished that room ... it looks bad.

[Rachel--24]

YES, I have lots of saliva (except when I need to do a saliva test, lol, then suddenly the well dries up ). In the last few years I noticed a DEFINITE increase in drooling potential. It's been a little better in the last month or two...maybe cuz there's no galvanic thing happening???

It definately could be.

My drooling potential (hehe) got all the way better once the metals got taken out. I dont have that problem anymore....there are no wet spots on my pillow at all. No more grossness.

Yeah, you'd Rachel it all!

Oh yeah...and I would love every minute of it too!!

I wonder if the Lyme makes for the accumulation of mercury.

Yeah Lyme does cause higher levels of mercury to accumulate but other things can do the same thing. Countless things can cause impaired detoxification.

Also, I use a far infrared sauna every day, which is supposed to detox the mercury without going through the liver and kidneys. Rachel, I'd bet that would be GREAT for you. My LLMD was very happy I had a sauna, very happy.

My Dr. wants me to start going back to the sauna. I went on Sunday night.

I used to go everyday...sometimes twice even....but that was when I was on disability. Its been over a year and a half since I'd gone. Of course I loved it.....nothing beats temps in the triple digits.

I dont think I could handle infrared sauna though. From what I've read it loosens up alot of mercury...I think it would cause me symptoms. The saunas can be just as powerful as a chelator so they can mess you up if you've got a big load of mercury. I think this could be why some people get bad reactions from the sauna.

[Rachel--24]

It is a better day today and I am going to bundle up and go for a walk.

Glad you're having a better day....hope you enjoyed your walk.

[CarlaB]

I dont think I could handle infrared sauna though. From what I've read it loosens up alot of mercury...I think it would cause me symptoms. The saunas can be just as powerful as a chelator so they can mess you up if you've got a big load of mercury. I think this could be why some people get bad reactions from the sauna.

If you had access to a far infrared sauna, I'd try to talk you into it and just say to start out more slowly. The sweat from a far infrared is only 85% water as opposed to 97% with the traditional sauna. So, you are getting benefit from the regular sauna, and since you like to stay in for a long time, you will get even more!

You also get to the fat soluble toxins in the far infrared.

But both raise the body temperature, which the borrelia hates!

[Rachel--24]

But both raise the body temperature, which the borrelia hates!

I dont have Borellia though.

Boogeyman Borrelia is locked in the closet.

You know how it is though....I might open the closet.....peek in.... and find that there really is no Boogeyman afterall.

Thats the happy ending I wanna have.

The sauna does give me more pressure in my head but my head is always swollen and the heat has to aggravate it. This time by heart started pounding in the sauna. I could feel my veins pulsing in my head. I'm pretty sure I had the same type of symptoms when I first started going while on disability.

The first time I ever went I was totally wiped out afterward and went right to sleep.....this time I was ok. I got home...showered and felt pretty good. My face always gets beet red though.....and it stays that way for more than an hour.

Carla, Laura and Rinne....or anyone else,

I get a newsletter every so often from Scott. He updates on his health...his improvements.....his infections...his protocols, etc. He usually includes any new Lyme related stuff or info. about upcoming events, research, etc.

Let me know if you would like me to forward the newsletter to you.

[CarlaB]

Oh, yeah, I forgot we were talking about mercury ... Lyme brain ... I get distracted easily!

I'd like to see the newsletter!

[Rachel--24]

Carla,

I just realized I dont have your email...can you pm it??

[Rachel--24]

I still wonder if that high fever and massive headache and weakness I felt 2 years before getting sick had anything to do with mercury??

It was after my week in Tahoe....I was thinking this would have been the only time I can recall getting any symptoms to suggest I'd been bitten by a tick. Of course...I could have been bitten years ago or when I was a child and have no memory of anything.

I dont really think thats the case though...If I'd had Lyme since childhood I would have gotten sick at some point....even if it was only for a short time....but there was never a time that I experienced any symptoms.

Because of my poor diet, smoking, stress, amalgams....and generally not doing anything "good" for my body....I dont think I could have lived asymptomatic with Lyme for very long at all.

That weekend in Tahoe my filling broke when I ate a chip. I swallowed a big part of the filling and never thought much about it.

It was a few days later that I woke up and could barely speak or lift my head up....my temp. was 105. After this brief episode I was fine for 2 years...no symptoms. The filling remained broken in my mouth during this time.

I've been reading and broken fillings can also leak alot of mercury out. There can also be problems with swallowing amalgam. Obviously the presence of mercury in the gut is harmful to the "ecology" and it would kill off friendly bacteria and promote yeast....but I'm not sure what could have happened if the filling got ingested and then passed out through stool??

I dont know if it could have done me any harm....but what was left and broken in my mouth was probably leaking pretty good.

The only time I ever felt anything even remotely similar to the toxic feeling I have now was about a month after my Tahoe vacation. I went through a break-up of a 10 year relationship and was stressed and chain-smoking (yes, this is a pattern I seem to follow with break-ups ).

Smoking also causes more vapors to be released from fillings because of the heat...anything which heats up the filling will cause a higher amount of vapors to get released.

During the time that I was smoking alot I felt some burning around my mouth and just felt kind of toxic...it was very short lived though. I moved on fast with a new relationship and was healthy for 2 years...until I went in and had the broken filling replaced. Now obviously I am very very toxic.

I have a hard time believing that if I'd gotten bitten by a tick in Tahoe and Lyme came out in full force after getting exposed to mercury...that it would be "lying" low and not showing up in ART.

Of course this could change when I see Dr. Derksen but for now I cant wrap my head around it.

[Rachel--24]

Heres how some problems with mercury could occur....

= = Improper removal of amalgam fillings by dentists who do not take precautions, and who do not believe in natural dental health.

= = Breathing mercury vapors from a broken filling or during improper removal during a dentist visit.

= = Accidental ingestion of amalgam filling after one breaks or from leftover amalgam crumbs after dental work.

= = Hypersensitivity or allergy to mercury / amalgam fillings.

= = Eating fish that has been exposed to mercury through air pollution and pesticides in streams.

= = Industrial mercury accidents.

= = Exposure from working in a dental office or lab.

= = Playing with mercury in science class.

= = Cleaning up mercury from a broken thermometor.

= = Most immunizations.

The ones in red for sure happened to me...I had a tetanus and hepatitus shot a few years before I got sick. I had no noticeable symptoms following the shots though.

I think it all accumulated but the galvanic reaction was by far the most serious exposure.

She also tasted metal in her own mouth. She only had a couple silver fillings, but I saw a great big gold crown in there with her mercury filings. There is the problem! Gold crowns placed in the mouth with mercury fillings will cause an electrical and chemical reaction known as oral galvanism. This causes mercury to start leaking from the mercury fillings and that is why the person experiences the metallic taste. You are being poisoned when you are tasting metal. The Densply/Caulk materials safety data sheet for their amalgam capsule warns dentists to not place dissimilar metals in the mouth.

Thats exactly what happened to me and I tasted plenty of metal during that time.

[AndreaB]

I have a hard time believing that if I'd gotten bitten by a tick in Tahoe and Lyme came out in full force after getting exposed to mercury...that it would be "lying" low and not showing up in ART.

Of course this could change when I see Dr. Derksen but for now I cant wrap my head around it.

I will be very curious to see what Dr. Derksen finds and has to say.

I'd be confused about the lyme to, but time will tell. I know, I'm like you in that respect....I like to know things NOW too.

[Rachel--24]

Lyme could be one of the things added to this list of things making us more vulnerable to the mercury in our fillings.

If you go to the dentist and have mercury removed without a safe protocol, and you have been sick with the flu, or you have just had surgery, or you have just had a vaccine that has thimerosal (mercury) in it, then you are more liable to become mercury poisoned.

It is the COMBINATION of all these assaults against the immune system PLUS the amount of mercury accumulating in your body that makes you poisoned. (Flu shots contain mercury and aluminum plus many more harmful ingredients. Dr. Mercola gives a list on his website.)

I just talked with a lady from Montana who was visiting my church. She became mercury poisoned from her dental fillings AFTER she had become carbon monoxide poisoned from an improperly vented gas hot water tank in her new home. Because she was sick from the carbon monoxide, she also was more vulnerable to mercury toxicity from her mercury dental fillings.

When the body can't handle anymore toxins, you become poisoned!

[AndreaB]

Heres how some problems with mercury could occur....

= = Improper removal of amalgam fillings by dentists who do not take precautions, and who do not believe in natural dental health.

= = Breathing mercury vapors from a broken filling or during improper removal during a dentist visit.

= = Accidental ingestion of amalgam filling after one breaks or from leftover amalgam crumbs after dental work.

= = Eating fish that has been exposed to mercury through air pollution and pesticides in streams.

= = Most immunizations.

The ones in red for sure happened to me...I had a tetanus and hepatitus shot a few years before I got sick. I had no noticeable symptoms following the shots though.

When I had my crowns done, no precautions were taken aside from the dam, I think he had a dam during the crowns I know he did for the root canal.

I also breathed the vapors and did swallow when I wasn't supposed to at the end of the root canal (twice). I was also at the beginning and ending of the pregnancy with Seth.

I don't notice a problem with fish normally but S does.

Immunizations for me with mercury and with S would be primarily aluminum I'm thinking. T would be both probably.

I did have a tetanus shot about 6 years ago. Can't believe it's been that long already.

[AndreaB]

The bioset person I emailed got back to me. Should be doable in the fall. Just trying to figure out if we can swing it before then. The check we were hoping for would cover the initial visit and almost 2 months treatment if we were to get it.

Rachel and Donna I know you guys were tested for many things.....Claire, how about you?

I sent another message to this doctor to see if she tests for metals, fungus, parasites, molds, viruses as well as foods.

I'm assuming this is right on for testing for food allergies/intolerances as well as the others listed.

[Rachel--24]

When I had my crowns done, no precautions were taken aside from the dam, I think he had a dam during the crowns I know he did for the root canal.

Andrea.....were there amalgams removed??

My dentist was the WORST....he did not even use a dam during my amalgam removal!!

I had to keep going back to him because I was sick and having alot of problems with my teeth and with the new gold crowns. He SAW my health deteriorate more and more.

It was almost a year later when I really clued into mercury....after going through the radiation for my thyroid and having that only worsen my situation. I knew the gold crowns were somehow involved and when I googled "gold crowns" along with some of my symptoms...I came to learn about galvanic reaction and mercury poisoning.

When I went back to the idiot dentist I was really PO'd about everything and I told him exactly how I felt and I told him I wanted the crowns OUT. He started telling me about the cost and how I'd be wasting money because mercury is safe and couldnt possibly be making me sick.

I asked why the fillings are banned in other countries if its perfectly safe??? He said "Its just "propaganda"."

How the heck is banning the second most toxic element on this planet from being put into our mouths considered propaganda??

Obviously in those countries they are aware of the consequences and are taking the necessary steps to protect the health of the people.

So when I went in to have the crowns removed I requested that he use a dam this time....he looked at me totally crazy....rolled his eyes and made a big production.....like it was soooooo much to ask of him!

He told me that he NEVER uses a dam and it gets in the way and my procedure will be alot less comfortable because of it. He told me it will take him longer if he has to use a dam....I said "I dont care....I want you to use a dam."

He told me he's never had a patient request a dam.

Luckily I dont spend alot of time thinking about what cant be changed because when I *do* think about it...I am so freakin angry at that dentist!!!

And then he tells me...."Well even if the crowns are out.....you've still got two amalgams left in your bottom teeth....just so you know."

OMG....I seriously could have punched him!!

I told him "No matter what....he would NOT be removing those two remaining amalgam!"

Later on I found Dr. Adams and got them out SAFELY.

I think I had the worst dentist ever...he made it seem like dams were never used.....clearly after reading other peoples posts...they *are* used. I had no protection whatsoever when he drilled out my amalgams...not that a dam is effective by itself.....but still.....I didnt even have THAT!!

[Rachel--24]

The bioset person I emailed got back to me. Should be doable in the fall. Just trying to figure out if we can swing it before then. The check we were hoping for would cover the initial visit and almost 2 months treatment if we were to get it.

I'm glad the practitioner got back to you. Hopefully you'll be able to swing it sometime this year...I know you really want to have this done...especially for T.

[Clark Bent as Stupor-Man]

just a question before I order the lyme tests from Igenex: it's the IGG and IGM western blots that I should get and I can get them separately without having to order a panel containing these tests, right? I'd assume so and am planning on ordering the 2 western blots tomorrow

also, from reading through the Igenex website, it seems to me (and I think is even stated or alluded to) that because the western blots test for antibodies, a positive result may confirm that an infection existed but not necessarily that I have a current infection... granted, with myself being symptomatic and having never been diagnosed with a lyme infection, it would seem that the 2 would be connected but just checking with some of you lyme experts... I'd prefer knowing for sure that I have an active (even if it's dormant or hiding) infection before taking antibiotics but I don't know how feasible this is due to what seems to be difficulties with detecting lyme..

[AndreaB]

Andrea.....were there amalgams removed??

My dentist was the WORST....

He sounds like the worst!

Mine weren't removed but they when they shaved down the tooth they took whatever of the filling with it. I had called to find out whether the whole filling was removed and the gal I talked to said the dentist usually removes them. I'm not 100% sure on that though. I guess I'll find out whenever I can get my teeth done. I'm more concerned about T and S getting bioset right now.

I thought I only had 6 fillings left but my doctor said he has 8 written down.

Didn't you have bioset tonight? Do we get an update? You could always pm me but I think Donna had said she likes updates too.

[AndreaB]

just a question before I order the lyme tests from Igenex: it's the IGG and IGM western blots that I should get and I can get them separately without having to order a panel containing these tests, right? I'd assume so and am planning on ordering the 2 western blots tomorrow

I'm not a lyme expert by any means but I do know that the ones who have tested have had the IgG and IgM done.

[cybermommy]

I have read that many people have problems w/ cross reactions for a time. Especially dairy, corn & soy. Some of my family members have problems w/ dairy & soy, but all have been able to go back to dairy after a while of being gluten free (months to a year). Corn is a fairly common one.

Solution: Most of ur gluten free sites tell you if products are free of gluten, dairy, corn, soy, egg, nuts, etc. Click on the Gluten-Free Food section of the index at top left of this site. You will see the items product is free of in blue boxes. Also I use the "gluten solutions" catalogue & they have corn listings as well. You can look them up at www.glutensolutions.com

As to your meds: talk to your pharmacist about the problem & either get him to call manufacturer or you get the number from him to do it. It may take a while but change will happen. My son is the reason dye free benadryl was made. He was allergic to the dye in the medicine he had to take when he had an allergic reaction. The company understood the problem & came out w/ dye free.

Hope this helps,

Deb

[Rachel--24]

Didn't you have bioset tonight? Do we get an update?

I didnt have BioSET last night. I scheduled for only once a week starting this week. I've had alot of treatments so I think I can move to once a week. I'm scheduled for Thursday's for the next 4 or 5 weeks.