Amalgam Removal Protocols

[Lizz7711]

Hi, I hope it's ok to post about this topic...I know mercury is related to gluten intolerance as one of the underlying causes perhaps, so hopefully a thread purely about amalgam filling removal is ok.

I've met with a dentist who seems to have a good protocol with removal as far as using high power vacuum, ventilation to outside, cold water, taking the fillings out in big chunks, etc. I have about 12 mercury fillings, and two crowns, one of which is fractured. He will replace them with white resin composites. I've read up on IAOMT recommendations, the Huggins protocol, the Cutler's protocol for detox afterwards, and I guess I just want to know what others' experiences/knowledge is (esp. Rachel-24, we've talked some about this before).

One specific question I have is about time frames of removal...some recommend slow removal over a long time, while many sites seem to say it's best to get them all out within 30 days if possible. Any views on that? I'm all for the 30 days if that's the healthiest way to go...i'm already 43 and don't want to prolong this anymore! Also, what do you all think of Cutlers' protocol of taking DMSA in regular doses to chelate residual mercury in your tissues, and then taking ALA to help get it out of the brain?

thanks in advance for any info or tips!

[Rachel--24]

It sounds like you're well informed going into this. It looks like the dentist is following the IAOMT protocol which is good.

As far as time frame for 12 amalgams.....that would really depend on how quickly your body can detox and how healthy you are going into this....among other things. If done quicker than your body can deal with....its definately possible to end up worse off. You can end up overwhelming your system by removing them too quickly. For some people having 12 fillings removed in 30 days might be way too much exposure than they can handle....but others might get through it just fine.

If it were me....I dont think I would have them removed that quickly. I would space them out more. I think it would be even more important to be sure your body can handle each removal if you are already experiencing some health problems going into this.

Personally, I think mercury detoxification/chelation should only really be done while under the care of a knowledgeable doctor. If you have a heavy load of mercury (and you might with 12 amalgams) its not something you want to try to do on your own. Cutler isnt a doctor and he doesnt actually treat patients. I think he is knowledgable but personally, I wouldnt recommend that anyone just follow a certain protocol because what works for one person may not work well for the next. It can be highly individual.

Alot of people end up having a worsening of gut issues after using DMSA (yeast problems, food intolerances, etc.)....but some people do well with it. I definately wouldnt advise trying to chelate mercury from the brain without having a doctor to guide you.

I would recommend asking the dentist if there are any doctors in your area who are experienced with chelation ....rather than making any attempts to do it on your own.

During the removals you will be exposed to some mercury and certain supplements can help you to get rid of it. Things like activated charcoal, chlorella, vitamin c and others are used to help the body move that mercury out. Antioxidants, vitamins and things which boost the immune system are helpful during this process.

My understanding is that once the fillings are all removed....the body starts to naturally rid itself of mercury that has been stored away in tissue. It may start dumping more mercury than the body is able to excrete....and some of it gets redisributed....which is a bad thing. Sometimes people start going downhill 8-9 months after the removals for this reason. The body is "letting go" of mercury at a rate that exceeds their ability to detoxify. Its more than their system can handle.

Thats why its important to be aware that IF you have a heavy load of mercury...it doesnt end with getting the fillings out. This is where having an experienced doctor can help with the chelation part....to help remove whats still in the body safely.

I believe that they recommend a "resting" period (after the removals) before starting any type of chelation. It might be something like 3 months (I cant remember exactly)....but again, you just dont want to overwhelm your detoxification system with more mercury than it can handle. It can be a slow process....but its better to be on the safe side.

Everyone is different so you should take into consideration how healthy you are, how you feel after each removal, etc. when you make a decision on how quickly to get them out. For example if you felt bad or had any symptoms following a removal...definately dont rush right into another one. Give your body/immune system a chance to recover first.

A couple other things.

Make sure the dentist will test the fillings before each removal to ensure they are removed in the proper order. You might have read that since its one of Huggins recommendations.

electrical checking of polarity of fillings was performed before each drilling to ensure that the fillings in the quadrant with the greatest negative charge were removed first;

Also, usually the dentist will order a compatibility test to be sure the new materials used to replace the fillings are safe for you....that you wont react to them.

I've also read that the immune system is more suppressed on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after a big stress. So they recommend NOT doing additional removals on those days. Basically you should do the removals on different days of the week....if there is any truth to that. I never really looked into it so I'm not sure if its true.

Hope some of this is helpful.

[hollyres]

I just had an HUGE metal filling removed and the peices were flying all over there was so much. I had a gluten reaction that lasted for a few days. I wonder if this was the compound the put in the tooth after the metal was removed, or the actual removal. Any ideas?

I also have over 10 fillings to replace and I am going slow - two every other month. After this last one, I know I will need a break in between each removal. Man, was I sick. I was wondering if it might be the funkie stuff that might be growing under the filling. I am going in to get the crown next week, and I am really afraid because I don't know if it is the binding agent or what that did it to me.

[Rachel--24]

I just had an HUGE metal filling removed and the peices were flying all over there was so much. I had a gluten reaction that lasted for a few days. I wonder if this was the compound the put in the tooth after the metal was removed, or the actual removal. Any ideas?

I also have over 10 fillings to replace and I am going slow - two every other month. After this last one, I know I will need a break in between each removal. Man, was I sick. I was wondering if it might be the funkie stuff that might be growing under the filling. I am going in to get the crown next week, and I am really afraid because I don't know if it is the binding agent or what that did it to me.

Is the dentist following the type of safety protocol discussed above?

What type of material is being used for the crown? You dont want gold or any type of metal that can react with the amalgams that are still in your mouth (dissimilar metals = galvanic reaction = more mercury exposure).

Are you taking anything to help your body eliminate any mercury you're being exposed to during the removals?

Did they test all of the materials for compatibility....they can test all of the dental materials to be sure that they are safe for you. Its a blood test. My dentist had me do it before he put in new composites. If you're afraid that you're reacting to any of the materials you can have this testing done. I would recommend it.....especially if you are someone who is reactive to alot of things.

If the dentist isnt doing anything to help prevent exposure and if you're not taking anything to boost your immune system or eliminate mercury.....the removal itself can make you sick. Its a stress to the immune system because even with the safety measures you are still getting a big hit of mercury and its a blow to the immune system.

Some people cannot detox mercury very well because they may have genetic vulnerabilities which make them more susceptible to toxicity from even small exposures. Amalgam removals can amount to big exposures....especially if not done safely. Also, certain pre-existing conditions can make it much harder for a person to detox mercury.

I would definately recommend some type of immune support and supplements to help remove mercury if you're not doing that already.

[Rachel--24]

I just saw your signature and it looks like you do have many intolerances and environmental sensitivities. In that case alot of those problems might be related to mercury (a strong possibility). If you dont feel well enough at the time of your next removal....dont do it. You dont want to push your body and each exposure can make things worse if you're not having enough time to detox.

[hollyres]

I just saw your signature and it looks like you do have many intolerances and environmental sensitivities. In that case alot of those problems might be related to mercury (a strong possibility). If you dont feel well enough at the time of your next removal....dont do it. You dont want to push your body and each exposure can make things worse if you're not having enough time to detox.

Do you have any recommendations for detoxing?

[Rachel--24]

I would recommend working with a doctor in your area on the detox part of it because every person is different and people who are sensitive may need a program that is more specific to their own needs. If you were in perfect health and could tolerate anything it would be easier to make recommendations but it can be more complicated if you are already mercury toxic....thats why it eould be best to see a doctor who can get you through it safely.

Chlorella is one of the main supplements used during amalgam removals.....but some people dont tolerate it.

Theres a long list of supplements that can be used for support before during and after removals....including vitamins, minerals, glutathione, chlorella, charcoal, NAC, etc.

Some things should be avoided on the day of the removals...particularly vitamin C......but it can be taken after the removal is done.

Its best to avoid toxins as much as possible (smoking, alcohol, processed foods)....drink lots of water, get lots of rest.

Heres some links to look at but you will find that there is not one protocol that is followed by everyone.

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

If you cant get a doctor to help you with this my best advice would be to do as much research as you can and to have a good plan for detox before continuing with anymore removals. Also, if your dentist isnt following a specific safety protocol I would definately NOT continue with removals with that dentist. Look for a mercury-free dentist who does the removals properly.

[Lizz7711]

Hi Rachel,

Thanks so much for your detailed response and thoughts...there is alot to think about. The 30 day issue I think was one of Huggins recommendations, stating that actually the body is better able to heal when done in this fashion...but I will dig deeper for more support of that concept before doing it. I'm not in bad health at this time, but do have hypothyroid and take physiological doses of hydrocortisone for adrenal exhaustion...i've been on it for about a year so I think my adrenals are ok to handle the removal, and I can stress dose the hydrocortisone also. I also have been gluten and dairy free for about a year. I am quite nervous of things getting worse though...I have struggled with depression/anxiety through the years and would hate to see that get worse. But i'm very committed to getting the mercury out. I will do more research on the chelation issue before doing it. I just got a new job and need to find a new doctor since my old holistic MD doesnt' take my new insurance. I do still have the hair test kit from Doctors data so I'll try to get that done before starting the removals. And i'll start adding some supplements I don't currently take like glutathione, methionine, and thiamine, NAC, and a few others. Also, my old doctor does IV-C infusions...so i'll probably go right there after a removal for 50K mg of Vitamin C.

The crown that I have that has been leaking, for about 2-3 years I think, needs to be replaced because it is starting to really bother me...i'm sure there is mercury under it that is touching my gum line also. The dentist didn't mention anything about a compatibility test for the new fillings, so i'll ask him about that. REgarding the testing of the fillings for the order of removal, I did read online about that....but I've also read other dentists saying there is really no scientific basis for that protocol...so i'm not too concerned about that aspect. I haven't actually read Huggins or Cutler's books...just read blurbs online. I have a good book written by a few dentists about safe amalgam removal that covers alot of the IAOMT stuff.

I guess what i'm most worried about is that 6-9 months later issue of the mercury moving around, and i'm sure there's alot stored in my brain, so that's why i'm interested in the Cutler idea of DMSA to detox and ALA to get it out of the brain. If anyone has done this themself and has any advice that would be appreciated!

thanks again Rachel. How did your porphyrin tests come out?

take care,

[Rachel--24]

I guess what i'm most worried about is that 6-9 months later issue of the mercury moving around, and i'm sure there's alot stored in my brain, so that's why i'm interested in the Cutler idea of DMSA to detox and ALA to get it out of the brain. If anyone has done this themself and has any advice that would be appreciated!

thanks again Rachel. How did your porphyrin tests come out?

Liz,

You've done alot of research and are not taking the removals lightly so I think you'll be ok as far as doing this the best way possible. Some people can definately handle getting them out in 30 days....it depends on the detoxification system. Someone who's already got problems with detoxification and/or a heavy load of mercury is more likely to have problems excreting it quickly and so getting them out too soon could easily overwhelm the system causing redistribution of mercury.

You know your body better than anyone....if you feel well enough and are not having problems after the removals....then just listen to your body and proceed with caution.

There is a mercury detox forum where alot of people do Cutler's protocol on their own. I actually dont read it because theres alot of scary stuff going on with some of those people....it kind of freaks me out. In theory his protocol is a good one.....its just that it doesnt work for everyone the same...everyone responds differently and people have mercury stored in different areas, etc. I had his book for 3 years but never tried anything because I was too scared without having a doctor during that time. I still havent ever tried anything for mercury detox on my own.

I could send you a link to that forum if you're interested....there's a ton of people that use that protocol over there.

My porphyrin test came back negative. I got a new Dr. since then and he said he doesnt like the lab that was used for the test.....he prefers the lab in France. They have more specific porphyrin testing for mercury toxicity then we have here in the states. I'm not repeating the test though. I've seen alot of doctors and none of them are doubting that mercury is a huge problem for me. I've had alot of energetic testing and it shows up every time as a huge issue.

I just got tested by a new doctor last week and as far as metals go...I have lots....but she said the mercury is just massive.

Recently I've mostly had different lab tests to check the function of my methylation cycle to see if theres a block which is impairing my body's ability to detoxify. I already KNOW that I cant detox....but they need to find out where exactly the problem is. I also had genetic testing to see if there are any weaknesses which might be "blocking" me.

I know for sure that something showed up in the tests because I got a call from the doctors office and I'm scheduled to see him on Wed. to go over results....but I wont know anything more until then.

We have found out that my methylation cycle is very impaired.....so I cant detox mercury at all until that is functioning. No chelator is going to work if my methylation cycle is blocked...and it is very blocked right now. That's one major problem that I have and thats the reason no mercury is being excreted no matter what we have tried.

The other major problem I have is Lyme. I test positive for the infections and energetic testing shows that they are also locking mercury in.....which is what these pathogens do. They use mercury because its an immunosuppressant and it creates an environment in which they are more "protected" from the immune system. So they are right there with the mercury which makes it much harder for the body to detox the mercury. Also, the toxins put out by Lyme impair the body's ability to detoxify.....so they are kind of "partners in crime" so to speak.

The infections were already there long before I had my big exposure to mercury....but I wasnt sick at all. The doctors say that those infections played a big role in making it harder for my body to detox mercury. If I'd never had amalgams (and unsafe removals) I would more than likely still be healthy.

I dont know yet if I also have genetic weaknesses which make it harder for my body to detox mercury...even without Lyme being a part of the picture. If thats the case I may have gotten sick even without the infections....but having the infections certainly complicates things.

Many people who end up mercury toxic also have Lyme....either because the mercury weakened the immune system causing an increased susceptibility to infection....OR because the Lyme itself impaired detoxification allowing mercury to accumulate...OR because Lyme itself started holding onto mercury and keeping it in the body eventually creating a heavy burden of mercury. Genetic weaknesses can make us more susceptible to both of these problems (toxicity and infection).

Basically we have to improve my body's ability to detox by opening up the pathways which are blocked....and we also have to treat the infections in order for the metals to be detoxed. Its not all that different from what they deal with in treating the autistic kids.

[purple]

You have described my mouth. I sure wish they hadn't put mercury in my mouth. I am healthy, no insurance so have decided not to have mine removed for now.

At a local school, a teacher dropped a mercury thermometer, breaking it causing the mercury to spread and have to be cleaned up professionally. Carpets had to be removed, class rooms shut down, etc. Kids got it on their shoes and it spread. $13,000 per day to clean it up. So toxic now they agree. But so stupid for them to put it in our MOUTHS!

[Lizz7711]

Hi Rachel...it's been months since i've been on here. Just to update you on my mercury removal...I've been doing it slowly since last November, and out of 14 to replace, I now have 4 left, will do 3 on Thursday. So far, no problems or reactions other than increased yeast infections and weight gain. I'm dreaming more, and my mental clarity is a bit better, although not nearly where it needs to be.

I agree chelation seems scary, but I bought Cutler's book and have been on the forum you referenced, so am planning on trying the DMSA/ALA protocol on my own, unless I can find a doc who knows about it before then.

How are you doing? I'm wondering how you found out you had Lyme disease? Is this somethign I could have and not know it? Is there a test for it covered by insurance? And how did you find out that your methylation pathways were messed up? My problem is I do not currently have a holistic doctor...the one I had doens't take my new insuracne and I can't afford to pay him out of pocket.

Hope you are doing well. By the way, I think we talked briefly in the past about enzymes. I am doing lots of research on that topic right now, and I think it might be a big key for gut healing for me and for my daughter, along with probiotics etc. I have celiac disease, but my daughter has gluten intolerance and doesn't have DQ2 or 8, so i'm hoping that if her gut heals, she may be able to eat more normally in the future.

take care!

Liz

There is a mercury detox forum where alot of people do Cutler's protocol on their own. I actually dont read it because theres alot of scary stuff going on with some of those people....it kind of freaks me out. In theory his protocol is a good one.....its just that it doesnt work for everyone the same...everyone responds differently and people have mercury stored in different areas, etc. I had his book for 3 years but never tried anything because I was too scared without having a doctor during that time. I still havent ever tried anything for mercury detox on my own.

I know for sure that something showed up in the tests because I got a call from the doctors office and I'm scheduled to see him on Wed. to go over results....but I wont know anything more until then.

We have found out that my methylation cycle is very impaired.....so I cant detox mercury at all until that is functioning. No chelator is going to work if my methylation cycle is blocked...and it is very blocked right now. That's one major problem that I have and thats the reason no mercury is being excreted no matter what we have tried.

The other major problem I have is Lyme. Many people who end up mercury toxic also have Lyme....either because the mercury weakened the immune system causing an increased susceptibility to infection....OR because the Lyme itself impaired detoxification allowing mercury to accumulate...OR because Lyme itself started holding onto mercury and keeping it in the body eventually creating a heavy burden of mercury. Genetic weaknesses can make us more susceptible to both of these problems (toxicity and infection).