whodathunkit
Senior Member
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- 1,160
So I just did about three rounds of Cutler chelation with fairly heavy dosages of DMSA and ALA (50mg and 100mg, respectively) as I had tolerated DMSA pretty well last time I used it, and have been taking ALA fairly regularly several times per day for a while.
Incidentally, I started chelating with the DMSA again because I realized after reading this thread that my recent boosting of ALA intake without doing a proper chelation protocol could account for the increased brain fog and cognitive dysfunction I've been experiencing. Not debilitating, but annoying.
Worth noting is that my cognitive function has generally declined since I started Freddd's methylation protocol. Physical energy has improved but mental function has declined. Possibly due to boosting metabolism via methylation but also needing better detox support (that is just my speculation).
Also worth noting is that I have never done a strict Cutler protocol by the 3 hour dosage pattern he recommends, but experienced benefits in the past by using 3x daily DMSA + ALA + other things like glutathione precursors (glutamine, glycine, NAC), MCP, Acacia fiber, humifulvate, etc.
Finally: I don't have Cutler's book. I just read about him and knocked together a regimen based on a DMSA-based protocol my doctor gave me, what I'd read on Cutler, plus some other stuff about chelating with other substances. I just bought his book but haven't received it yet. It should be here tomorrow.
Anyway, this time I tried the 3-4 hour dosage pattern recommended by Cutler, at the dosages stated above. I was also boosting glutathione using precursors, as well as taking other things like humifulvate and MCP to scavenge lead or other things that might get stirred up.
First 3-day round was okay. Minor headache. Little tired. Recovered well on the (very welcome) 3 day break.
Second round...more tired. Headache or two, not bad. Appetite increased (kind of alarmed about that). Noticed sort of an itching in the "nether regions" akin to yeast (apologies for TMI), but thought it was just coincidence. Started feeling some adrenal stress. Noticed a bit more nocturia (daytime frequency unchanged most days other than what can be accounted for by normal hormone fluctuations).
Third round: More tired, more hungry, more stressed. Feeling quite out of sorts and like I'm trying to come down with the flu. Not bad, just flirting with that "edge" of viral-type illness that most of us are familiar with. Really hard time staying motivated or focused (even more than usual). Increased nocturia and more of an adrenal sleep pattern. Yeasty feeling increased although never progressed to full-blown infection. Noticed I'd gained about 5lbs. I stopped chelation after day 2. I started thinking and decided to order some DMPS based on advice from @TheChosenOne and @David Hammond. Also began to consider whether or not to continue chelation now or wait until after a trip I want to take in September.
Jeez.
So for now I've stopped everything, including all glutathione precursors and high-dose CoQ10. Only been off those for a couple days and already feel better. I think particularly increased glutathione was perhaps pushing detox too fast. I started taking those a few weeks before I started any chelation, and I think it all just added up to too much. I stopped the CoQ10 since the MitoQ does make me a little speedy. I felt in need of generally "slowing down" a bit.
My throat hurts. Right around/behind the thyroid. Especially when I swallow. I'm a little worried about that but since it's documented as a possible side-effect of chelation I'm going to ride it out for now. Not going to worry unless it becomes intransigent and won't go away.
Just sharing all t his crap in case any other Cutler noob finds this experience informative. I certainly have learned a lot from it. Chiefly, Cutler's chelation protocol really does seem to be all that (anecdotal evidence aside, we all have to learn stuff like this for ourselves), but you really need to pay attention to what he says and do it according to his rules. I'm decreasing my dosages and paying stricter attention to the schedule when I receive the DMPS. I've gotten away with some perhaps outrageously big doses of stuff when starting other protocols in the past (methylation, RS/prebiotics) but I don't think this is something I'm going to get a pass on if I choose to go fast. So I'm pulling my head out of my ass and doing it much slower from here on out. Since that doesn't happen often I'm marking it on my calendar.
This is definitely not something to muck around with.
Secondly, I'm apparently more toxic than I thought, even with all the work I've done already. *sigh* It's always kind of sad when reality butts up against self-delusion. I thought I was better all around, even in my worst areas like adrenals, than I apparently am. Hubris goeth before a fall, or something like that. Definitely something to watch out for using Cutler, especially for us around here.
Thirdly, supporting supplements are crucial. I'm radically boosting adrenal support and some other things. I may go to liposomal C again for a while, which I'd kind of stopped because of $$$ and homemade is a PITA. But it's probably worth it for this.
Good news is, as noted above, I already feel better just from stopping the stronger supps. And my appetite is already back down again Thank heaven.
Again, just posting in case anyone finds it informative. Guess we'll see how it goes...
Incidentally, I started chelating with the DMSA again because I realized after reading this thread that my recent boosting of ALA intake without doing a proper chelation protocol could account for the increased brain fog and cognitive dysfunction I've been experiencing. Not debilitating, but annoying.
Worth noting is that my cognitive function has generally declined since I started Freddd's methylation protocol. Physical energy has improved but mental function has declined. Possibly due to boosting metabolism via methylation but also needing better detox support (that is just my speculation).
Also worth noting is that I have never done a strict Cutler protocol by the 3 hour dosage pattern he recommends, but experienced benefits in the past by using 3x daily DMSA + ALA + other things like glutathione precursors (glutamine, glycine, NAC), MCP, Acacia fiber, humifulvate, etc.
Finally: I don't have Cutler's book. I just read about him and knocked together a regimen based on a DMSA-based protocol my doctor gave me, what I'd read on Cutler, plus some other stuff about chelating with other substances. I just bought his book but haven't received it yet. It should be here tomorrow.
Anyway, this time I tried the 3-4 hour dosage pattern recommended by Cutler, at the dosages stated above. I was also boosting glutathione using precursors, as well as taking other things like humifulvate and MCP to scavenge lead or other things that might get stirred up.
First 3-day round was okay. Minor headache. Little tired. Recovered well on the (very welcome) 3 day break.
Second round...more tired. Headache or two, not bad. Appetite increased (kind of alarmed about that). Noticed sort of an itching in the "nether regions" akin to yeast (apologies for TMI), but thought it was just coincidence. Started feeling some adrenal stress. Noticed a bit more nocturia (daytime frequency unchanged most days other than what can be accounted for by normal hormone fluctuations).
Third round: More tired, more hungry, more stressed. Feeling quite out of sorts and like I'm trying to come down with the flu. Not bad, just flirting with that "edge" of viral-type illness that most of us are familiar with. Really hard time staying motivated or focused (even more than usual). Increased nocturia and more of an adrenal sleep pattern. Yeasty feeling increased although never progressed to full-blown infection. Noticed I'd gained about 5lbs. I stopped chelation after day 2. I started thinking and decided to order some DMPS based on advice from @TheChosenOne and @David Hammond. Also began to consider whether or not to continue chelation now or wait until after a trip I want to take in September.
Jeez.
So for now I've stopped everything, including all glutathione precursors and high-dose CoQ10. Only been off those for a couple days and already feel better. I think particularly increased glutathione was perhaps pushing detox too fast. I started taking those a few weeks before I started any chelation, and I think it all just added up to too much. I stopped the CoQ10 since the MitoQ does make me a little speedy. I felt in need of generally "slowing down" a bit.
My throat hurts. Right around/behind the thyroid. Especially when I swallow. I'm a little worried about that but since it's documented as a possible side-effect of chelation I'm going to ride it out for now. Not going to worry unless it becomes intransigent and won't go away.
Just sharing all t his crap in case any other Cutler noob finds this experience informative. I certainly have learned a lot from it. Chiefly, Cutler's chelation protocol really does seem to be all that (anecdotal evidence aside, we all have to learn stuff like this for ourselves), but you really need to pay attention to what he says and do it according to his rules. I'm decreasing my dosages and paying stricter attention to the schedule when I receive the DMPS. I've gotten away with some perhaps outrageously big doses of stuff when starting other protocols in the past (methylation, RS/prebiotics) but I don't think this is something I'm going to get a pass on if I choose to go fast. So I'm pulling my head out of my ass and doing it much slower from here on out. Since that doesn't happen often I'm marking it on my calendar.
This is definitely not something to muck around with.Secondly, I'm apparently more toxic than I thought, even with all the work I've done already. *sigh* It's always kind of sad when reality butts up against self-delusion. I thought I was better all around, even in my worst areas like adrenals, than I apparently am. Hubris goeth before a fall, or something like that. Definitely something to watch out for using Cutler, especially for us around here.
Thirdly, supporting supplements are crucial. I'm radically boosting adrenal support and some other things. I may go to liposomal C again for a while, which I'd kind of stopped because of $$$ and homemade is a PITA. But it's probably worth it for this.
Good news is, as noted above, I already feel better just from stopping the stronger supps. And my appetite is already back down again Thank heaven.
Again, just posting in case anyone finds it informative. Guess we'll see how it goes...
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