posted
As if I didn't have enough problems I just found out from my provoked challenge test that my lead level is 14. I am sure it must be addressed but how can someone find out what the exposure is and what symptoms-especially neuro symptoms can be attributed to this.
I thought all along it was mercury which was the problem but that level was in range.
Does someone have their supplements, water, etc tested which doesn't seem practical since we can't control the variables.
My other concern is that maybe everyone has high levels but doesn't take these tests and therefore doesn't know the facts. It seems like the more you know the more confusing it becomes as to what to do about it.
Thanks!
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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adamm
Unregistered
posted
What exactly is this "provoked challenge test" ?
They can accurately determine your systemic lead levels through
posted
A provoked challenge test means that you take a chelating agent-in my case DMSA and then measure urine output for 6 hours. This agent draws the metals out of your tissues and dumps them into the urine so they can be measured.
A blood test would only measure blood levels and doesn't give an indication of tissue levels.
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I too have high lead levels via dmsa challenge urine test. Also high aluminum, arsenic and cadmium.
Low levels of mercury in challege test does not neccesarily mean you have low level of mercury.
Mercury many times follows other metals.
My mercury levels were low as well but I had many amalgam fillings so my body should be excreting via urine, skin and hair but tests did not show this.
When this happens many times it means your body is holding onto the mercury.
As far as lead.... CDC says neurological damage can occur in levels above 10 in children but further studies have proven damage can be done at much lower levels.
Lead is is sooooo many things... toys, lettering on plastic bags etc.....
Have you had a hair analysis done? This would also be of use in figuring out metal toxicity.
hth
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
My lead was at a 12. I took Detoxamin (2 canisters), Alpha Lipoic Acid, and NAC. I also take daily FIR saunas.
I was retested and it was within range.
My mercury levels were fine on both tests ... it dropped a little on the second.
Some of the metals I had trace amounts of went away completely.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
If you use a chelation agent, you can get the lead out of your system. It should help you improve in the long run.
Assuming you don't eat paint chips and don't chew on toys, I think water is the most likely culprit. I would get my water tested in my home, if that is not high than I would address ask workplace to test levels, assuming you drink a lot of water (or tea or coffee) at work.
If it's in the water and you don't have a well, then that is an issue to raise with your city or town. You can always switch to bottled water to help reduce the ingestion of lead.
They discovered a few years ago that there were pipes bleeding lead into the Washington, DC water system.
Do you have children? If yes, please get them tested ASAP.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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I took minute amt's of ALA and totally went bonkers. The feeling of impending doom was awful. I can't touch the stuff right now. I think my dose was something like 15 or 20 mg, not much at all.
I never heard of Doxamin? Was this through your llmd?
We have a RO water system in our home that would take lead out. We've had it for 9 years now. So... I don't think I got lead from our water.
I think mine came from doing a lot of renovating on my parents old house with heat stripping off 10 layers of paint and varnish off without a mask
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Yes, I used Detoxamin through my LLMD .... they have a website, too. I used the ALA and NAC with the Detoxamin, which is an EDTA suppository.
I, too, have had RO for years .... I have no idea where the lead came from ... though I think it's even in our food ... I know chocolate is high in lead.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
The feeling of impending doom is exactly how I felt for one week after taking the DMSA for the challenge test. I didn't know what it meant either but boy was I scared. I was sweating and anxious.
I am glad this has improved but am concerned about taking it again.
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
AMK, Are all amalgams removed from your mouth?
If you do decide to go with dmsa just go really slow and take really really small doses.
I think I took something like 650mg of dmsa for the test, but I now take 12.5mg every four days.
Anything higher for me crashes my adrenals and this makes my body feel totally wiped out and unable to handle any stress.
If your llmd can help you with this this would be best. I'm hoping my llmd is well versed in this so I can have better guidance.
hth
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Before my lyme diagnosis, I started to go to a N.D. since my PCP said I had fibromyalgia with something neurological going on, but only was offering drugs that I was having trouble tolerating.
My N.D. did a metal testing on me and at that time, I came up high in lead. We too wondered what could be causing it. We don't live in an old house so wasn't from paint, we had the water checked which came back fine...you know the drill.
I went through the treatment protocol for getting the lead out of our bodies. Not a fun experience, but I knew I had to get it done. Sadly, it didn't "cure me" and later, found it to be lyme.
But in my reading, I'm finding that so many people with lyme are testing positive for high amounts of lead. Coincidence? Who knows, but it does seem that perhaps with lyme, our bodies are not getting rid of it the way a normal person does.
Good luck in your search.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I have two more amalgams to go. The DMSA dose I took was 1400mg. The doctor that ordered the test wanted me to take 1900 but that sounded crazy.
Interestingly enough I felt better about 4 days after taking the DMSA but the neuropathy is back now with full force and I am so confused.
I thought that perhaps I got the metal load down a bit and that is why I felt better for several days but I guess not. Back to the drawing board.
Posts: 425 | From NY, United States | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
You should never take a chelating agent with amalgams in you mouth! No wonder you felt horrible.
That amount of dmsa must have pulled more mercury out of your fillings and stirred what was in you tissues already.
Not to mention super hard on your adrenals.
Please be careful!
Removing heavy metals should be done slowly and with great care and support of your organs is vital.
-------------------- Bart Henslea 1976 Fibro/CFS/arthritis 2004 Lyme diagnosed 2007 3 1/2 years treatment with oral combos, Cowden, IV roc. BW herbs. Off all abx in 12/10. Feeling good. Posts: 647 | From NY | Registered: Dec 2007
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
My lead levels increased in a year which I blame on my plates made in China.
I now buy fiestwear which says "lead free" on the box.
Very Scary.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Doing a heavy metal challenge pulls metals out of the organs and then they are in your system. If you have metals, then you will most likely feel worse after doing a challenge with a large dose.
My LLMD has her patients take a number of supplements for at least a month before the heavy metal test to prepare the body. She has you start with low doses of chelating supplements, like chlorella and PectaSol, so that you've already started pulling the metals before the large dose of medicine.
She also has you take supplements to support the liver and kidney, lots of vitamins and minerals, and IV Myers Cocktails. Some of it I was already doing.
I did a heavy metal challenge recently with 500 mg of DMPS and I really didn't have too bad a reaction. I got a bad headache about 48 hours later, but that was it. I don't have the test results back yet, so I don't know what my load is.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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tailz
Unregistered
posted
I had occupational levels of arsenic in my blood stream, and I was an emaciated 88 lbs. Doctors did nothing though, as they were stuck on their numbers and did not consider my small frame.
Not one of them ever mentioned that my tissue levels could be high or offered to test me.
On the bright side, arsenic kills Lyme.
I just wonder what it did to my nerves, as I have no feeling certain places.
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hardynaka
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8099
posted
I also agree with Aniek. I wonder how people take mobilizers and leave the loose metals to do ravage after... Not all metals a mobilizer 'moves' will be flushed away, but some will remain loose.
I don't know, I also find it extremely dangerous not to take mop up agents continuously before/ after this challenge/ or after ANY mobilizer whatsoever.
In my view, the effects of loose heavy metals can be very bad. I was on constant intake of binders (many times a day) any time I did any 'mobilization'.
Selma
Posts: 1086 | From Switzerland | Registered: Oct 2005
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