Posted by bleauberry on August 8, 2008, at 21:31:44
In reply to VNS/Med poop-out and other assorted fun, posted by PC_Load_Letter on August 6, 2008, at 14:36:25
Ok, so we know about mercury and it is highly suspect. But even according to "the" book Amalgam Illness, it is crucial to take meds and supplements that help you feel better so you can get on with life while going through the processes of removing amalgams, healing and chelating. You've been trying to do that with valiant effort. In this post I wanted to address what you were looking for in the first place...meds. And supplements.
For meds, there isn't much left in the USA. But there is a whole world out there. Japan's best antidepressant is not even known in the USA, yet in my opinion blows FDA meds in the weeds. Go figure. Its name is Milancipran, or Ixel.
Why do I say that? Well, when did you ever hear of someone who failed ECT after many drugs, and then got much better on Prozac? Or any other common med? Probably never. I've seen two accounts of such histories that improved remarkably with Ixel, and now me, I am the third. Imagine failing dozens of drugs, then failing ECT, mailordering a foreign med, and getting better within days of starting it. Unreal. For those of us really sick and at the end of the line with FDA meds, hey, the USA is pretty small compared to the rest of the world. And while USA prides itself on being a leader, believe me, other unsuspecting countries are way ahead in certain areas of research. So, the med I am suggesting is Milnacipran. Other tough cases right here at pbabble have gone well with it when just about nothing else did.
It looks on paper similar to Nortriptyline...serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, except without all the TCA side effects. But believe me, it is nothing like Nortriptyline. No comparison whatsoever. Like you, I felt horrible on Nortriptyline in just a few days.
Supplements:
Selenium: Neutralizes the damage of mercury, binds up mercury molecules. Should take medium to high doses daily.
Zinc: Mercury causes an accumulation of copper, which in turn causes profound untreatable psychiatric problems. Excess copper is bad news. Zinc causes copper to be excreted and brings levels down to normal in a couple months.
Other minerals: They are all displaced by mercury, so taking a supplement with them is helpful. Start with very low doses and work up. Being sensitive, try them one at a time. One of the most important is Magnesium. I can't tolerate it because it makes me feel real bad. I get enough in my choice of foods. But for most people, who can tolerate it, it is a good idea.
Vitamin C, Vitamin E: Take healthy doses of these. Mercury causes an intense amount of oxidative damage. In addition to C and E, eat as many antioxidant foods you can, which is mostly berries, grapes, all fruits, lots of raw veggies. And lots of purified clean water.
Order an Aquasana water filter to put on your kitchen faucet for drinking, coffee, cooking.
Be suspect of gluten (found in wheat, barley, rye). Many amalgam sufferers become intolerant of gluten, due to the damage mercury does to the cilia in the intestines. I have zero family history of gluten intolerance, and yet was lab diagnosed with it a year ago. All my pizza, breads, donuts, cereals, etc, are now made of rice, corn, sourghum, tapioca, and potato flours instead of wheat. A reaction to gluten feels like depression. Try avoiding it strictly for 2 weeks and see if there is a difference.
If you can tolerate B vitamins, those are a good idea. As tolerated. No need to go overboard. Low to medium doses are fine. Same with fish oil, flax oil, borage oil. A little bit is fine for helping the body deal with mercury. Organic free-range eggs, avocados, and walnuts are good sources of good oils too.
The heavy guns though should be Milnacipran, selenium, zinc; and of course amalgam removal to slam the door on this thing getting any worse.
poster:bleauberry
thread:844599
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080805/msgs/845056.html