Amalgam Removal Story - Numerous Symptoms Relieved

[Wayne]

I ran into an account (below) a couple years back and think it's really quite a remarkable story. It illustrates quite vividly how mercury toxicity can be so devastating for people who can't adequately detoxify it from their bodies (such as many pwCFS). I thought the last paragraph was particularly interesting.

I might just mention that when I had my own amalgams removed, there was decay underneath almost all of them. If that kind of decay continues unabated, it can lead to major stuff that could necessitate expensive crowns and/or root canals. I truly have my doubts I would be alive today had I not had my amalgams and metal crowns removed about 10-15 years ago.

My Mercury Story

In the mid 90s, despite being athletic and energetic, I began experiencing various health ailments. These ailments worsened and grew in number year-by-year. By 2000, I had acquired 17 specific physical ailments ranging from fatigue to immune weakness to constant ringing in my ears. I could only work about 4 hours per day and had to take daily naps. I knew that something was seriously wrong.

I finally stumbled upon the cause of my problems while speaking to a friend about her health issues. She told me she had Chronic Fatigue and had healed herself after 5 years of visiting doctors and getting nowhere. She told me that she had her amalgam ("silver") dental fillings removed one-by-one, as she could afford it, and it had changed her from a bed-ridden state to a normal, working person. She told me something no dentist ever had:

Amalgam dental fillings contain mercury, the world's most toxic, non-radioactive metal.

I started conducting research on the Internet and found that I was not alone. Many other people were suffering just as I was and they had determined the problem was their dental fillings as well.

After spending numerous hours researching this issue, I had my amalgam fillings removed in couple weeks and my life changed forever, and it happened virtually overnight. A few years later, I realized that not only had my physical symptoms gone away, but a number of phobias vanished as well. My relationships improved, I became more social, my memory improved dramatically, and I realized how life is supposed to be lived.

Now, looking back, I realize that I lived most of my life with a number of negative personality traits and emotional ailments that were actually caused by mercury. My bad memory, extreme shyness, very low self esteem, fear of commitments (especially in relationships), history of suicidal thoughts and fear of confrontations is now gone, not to mention horrible depression, and all of these changes have dramatically improved the quality of my life.

 

[GracieJ]

That is amazing.

All the traits that people think are personality traits in others and need "treatment" or "life skills education," and it is a physical problem.

Could this really have been just from having amalgams removed?

 

[Wayne]

That is amazing. ...... All the traits that people think are personality traits in others and need "treatment" or "life skills education," and it is a physical problem. ...... Could this really have been just from having amalgams removed?

Hi Gracie,

I'm convinced a large percentage, if not most "mental illnesses" and/or emotional states originate from nutritional and/or environmental factors. I read a book once which described nutritional therapies that allowed 90% of institutionalized schizophrenics to be released and once again live independently, as long as they followed a strict diet.

I started a thread called, "How the Brain Cleans Itself", where I posted a fair amount regarding information I've run across on lithium. In short, it's effective for treating depression, anxiety, and numerous other "mental" conditions, not because it changes brain chemistry, but because it has a unique ability to detoxify the brain.

It's a subject I'm fairly fascinated by, not only because I myself have Lyme, and feel I deal with a lot of neurotoxicity as a result, but believe a number of relatives of mine are also dealing with Lyme, and don't realize it. Growing up in central Wisconsin, I also believe Lyme neurotoxicity is a likely contributor to a fairly high incidence of Alzheimer's back there.

 

[maryb]

Wayne I had 4 amalgams removed by a specialist dentist a couple of years ago, 2 a time over 2 weeks. The following 6 months I suffered masses of neuro symptoms , I've heard since that you should only have 1 removed at a time and leave 6/12 months inbetween. My brain fog and cognitive abilities declined and I haven't recovered these, I never have periods now where my head feels clear, which I did occasionally before, this is the worst part of it all. I don't know that I would have my others out without the help of an experienced doctor in detox.

 

[caledonia]

Yes, it sounds like the people in the original story were able to "self-detox" once they got their fillings out. PWCs don't detox well (presumably due to methylation issues), and so would need additional help to see results.

I just had my last two little mercury fillings ones taken out, as my dentist noticed they were going bad. I'm really glad to have them all out.

 

[GracieJ]

Hi Gracie,

I'm convinced a large percentage, if not most "mental illnesses" and/or emotional states originate from nutritional and/or environmental factors. I read a book once which described nutritional therapies that allowed 90% of institutionalized schizophrenics to be released and once again live independently, as long as they followed a strict diet.

I started a thread called, "How the Brain Cleans Itself", where I posted a fair amount regarding information I've run across on lithium. In short, it's for depression, anxiety, and numerous other "mental" conditions, not because it changes brain chemistry, but because it has a unique ability to detoxify the brain.

It's a subject I'm fairly fascinated by, not only because I myself have Lyme, and feel I deal with a lot of neurotoxicity as a result, but believe a number of relatives of mine are also dealing with Lyme, and don't realize it. Growing up in central Wisconsin, I also believe Lyme neurotoxicity is a likely contributor to a fairly high incidence of Alzheimer's back there.

So... I'm thinking amalgam removal is part of a chain of events then. This whole topic fascinates me, because I think the reason I am getting better goes right along with detoxing. I had almost all amalgam fillings removed back a couple of years ago -- probably the wrong way, didn't know there was a right way -- with no side effects at the time or since. It is over two years later from having that done. I was in good condition to have them all removed at the same time, no detox issues. (I think it was a total of 7 fillings removed.) So glad for that.

Overall, there is no doubt -- I am getting better from ME/CFS, and the best progress has been made in the last year. Coincidence? I'm thinking not, on reading this article about amalgams.

Nothing gets to me faster than the whole "mental illness" concept within our culture. Even OCD is classified as "mental illness" anymore. Having been labeled and stigmatized within my own extended family for not "fixing" my supposed problems -- well, you know, once you "have something," you have it forever, including some kind of twisted chronic denial -- I'm all for true descriptors of what are really physical problems.

 

[GracieJ]

Hmmm, addendum to the above post (and anyone reading this, please take it right -- this really hits my funny bone!) :

Apparently, culturally speaking you can have mental illness and have it forever and ever and ever and ever even when you are well again but if you say you have ME/CFS, you'd better be done with it last week forever and ever and ever and ever, and you DON'T have it permanently and it's all in your head... is this twisted logic, or what??

 

[Ian]

it's pretty dangerous to have amalgams removed by a regular dentist. If you want to go down this route always find a dentist that follows this protocol -> http://iaomt.org/safe-removal-amalgam-fillings/

Amalgam is a totally insane material though, anyone that cares about thier physical or mental health should have it removed ..

 

[GracieJ]

it's pretty dangerous to have amalgams removed by a regular dentist. If you want to go down this route always find a dentist that follows this protocol -> http://iaomt.org/safe-removal-amalgam-fillings/

Amalgam is a totally insane material though, anyone that cares about thier physical or mental health should have it removed ..

Great article, Ian, thanks. Left me feeling very sorry for my dentist, may have to e-mail this to him. He most certainly DID NOT follow anything close to these procedures, at best maybe "chunked" it out before grinding. Wow. I am really lucky I am okay, but since the fillings were leaking, maybe it's all relative for me, the patient. I'd be running scared if I were the dental assistant.

 

[Ian]

It's a pretty sad state of affairs really. The ADA stands firmly behind amalgam being safe and effective saying there is no scientific evidence they are harmful, whilst at the same time avoiding doing any real research on the subject.

As bad as amalgams are, having root canals in your mouth is probably far worse for your health.

 

[snowathlete]

Interesting. Pleased to see a post on this as i am about to book to have my amalgams out!

I don't necesarily think i have mercury poisoning or that my ME is caused by amalgams, but I am trying to increase my chances of recovery by dealing with stuff including the amalgams.

I have two Amalgam fillings - one which forms most of the half of a premolar which i think will come out fairly easily, and a second which is right in the middle of a molar which looks like it will be harder.

I also have a dead tooth which had a root canal with amalgam in it. The filling fell off ages ago, but the tooth and root bit need to come out. That, I hope will be the easiest and least risky. I had an infected tooth out last year and that healed up well.

I live in Wiltshire, UK. I have found three dentist options. The first one looks the best to me, but is furthest away. The other two are close to me. I wonder if you might take a look and tell me what you think.

1. Portishead - http://www.evolve-dentistry.co.uk/amalgam-removal-bristol.htm


2. Westbury - http://www.delicatedentistry.co.uk/index.htm

They dont have a page on amalgam removal so i emailed them and they said this: We do carry out mercury filling removal. We use rubber dam, good ventilation, high-volume suction, sectioning of the fillings. We can also provide oxygen for the patient to breathe during the procedure.

3. Chippenham - http://www.dentalhealthforlife.co.uk/dental-treatments/white-fillings/

I emailed them too and they said:
We follow specific protocols when removing amalgam fillings. We do whatever we can to reduce mercury vapour during removal, including:
1. Using only carbide burs, because diamond burs increase vapour
formation
2. Splitting fillings into large chunks before removal
3. Copious amounts of distilled water in our irrigation system to
reduce heat formation
4. High volume suction
5. Rubber dam, ensuring you do not swallow any subsequent amalgam
particles or paste during removal

So, do any of these look sufficient, or not ok?

What supplments should I look to get to further reduce the chance of absorbing and keeping mercury?

 

[SickOfSickness]

What supplments should I look to get to further reduce the chance of absorbing and keeping mercury?

See the detox section of the story from the OP. http://herballure.com/HotTopics/MercuryAmalgam/MercuryBattle/Story_Chapter_18.html

 

[snowathlete]

Thanks SOS.
I dont know what DMPS is but i need something easier than injections i think. Chlorella, I could do, how much though?
I'll take plenty of Vit C.
I've also read that activated charcoal is a good idea too.
and lots of fibre. I have some horrible seed husk stuff somewhere.

 

[Sea]

I can't remember everything I had after the amalgam and root canal removals that I had done. I do remember though that I had an IV infusion of Vitamin C and followed with a month of a detox program. I think the powder and pills I had to take was called Ultralife.

I had 4 years of remission following amalgam removal. Sadly it didn't last, but I don't regret having it done. I would say the amalgam and or root canal was obviously a strain on my immune system, but not the whole problem.

 

[snowathlete]

That's interesting sea. That's how I am looking at it too - that its a strain on my immune system, not necessarily the cause. I really hope I won't need a root canal after they are out, as I want to avoid them but not lose any more teeth.

 

[taniaaust1]

Im fortunate in my case not to have ever had any Amalgam fillings ever in my mouth but Ive heard of enough cases in which ME/CFS improves some after getting those removed to believe it can certainly play a part in the degree of our illness. Anything toxic not only can affect our health but also the brain and hence also cause so many symptoms there too.

As Ian says it is highly important that the dentist taking the Amalgams out is doing it in a completely safe way or one can end up with mercury throu the body and in the brain. Most dentists do not know how to take these out safely.

Ive heard that some kinds of chelation isnt safe either if you have Amalgams in your mouth. So take care.

I have another dental issue which has been connected to ME/CFS.. that being Fluoride overdose (I had a severe overdose of it when a child.. so ended up with severe Fluorosis).

 

[AFCFS]

My Mercury Story

This is some good info; want to look into it.

- I had a doc that would tell me all such nonsense was just placebo - whenever he encountered something he did not understand or did not want to understand. After a while I anticipated this and alternated between to responses: "If it placebo, then why do I need to see you?" and "Well, I would agree with you but then we would both be wrong."

 

[snowathlete]

The two amalgams i have were put in shortly before i got ME. I dont think they are the cause though. But of course, I would be pleased it i improved some after having them out. The other reason i am having them done is because these amalgam fillings just dont seem to work well on my teeth. I always get decay under them. I have several other composite fillings and have never had a single problem with them. Some are in there since when i was a kid. So, i need to have these out anyway to have the bit underneath cleaned out and new fillings in.

I dont plan to take ALA or any other chelator until the day of the extractions (hopefully both same time as they are both fairly small ones). Ive heard that they can pull the mercury out of the teeth while they are in otherwise. Dont know if this is true or not, but ive read some that say it is. So, at anyrate my plan is to have them removed then do some light but correct (hopefully) chelation.

 

[Ian]

I always get decay under them.

That's because amalgam doesn't bond to your teeth. It sets like cement and the only thing stopping it falling out is the fact they undercut them.

Composite are chemically bonded to your teeth, so undercuts aren't needed.

Chelators are pretty dangerous. They are designed for people with massive exposure over a very short time. Ie when the mercury could still be in your blood. Not long term chronic exposure.

 

[maryb]

snowathlete I agree with Ian about chelating, unless you are under the care of an experienced doctor I think you can make matters worse ie. by moving mercury around. Read up on foods that help you get rid of toxins, I would do it that way slowly rather than using chelators. That is what I intend to do next year when I have my last lot out, but if I can afford it I will go to Breakspear.
Cholystyramine? was something B/spear recommended last time to me, look that up, you just have to make sure you take extra fat absorbing vitamins at the same time.
Another dentist recommends high dose vit c.