It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more popular. So

many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing, doing

chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place talking

about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 . Recently

our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time he

got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him at

the same time we are trying to help him!



I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially when

people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me concerned

enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how do I

know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking for

trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to fly in

and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's, this

that and the other thing.



I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's head

cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done before a

certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be reversed.

Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to beat

your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over the

head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all over

God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.



Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from this

horrible nightmare!



Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know I'm

whining but I could really use an A-men! :(

Yes, dark fillings are 50% mercury and should not be in place while you are

chelating.  Yes, there are other accounts of children who were doing well on

the GFCF diet, and ended up getting more autistic after fillings were put

in.  The number one source of mercury poisoning for adults is their

fillings, for children is the vaccines, or so I've been told.

Barb

-----Original Message-----

From: rancourus@... <rancourus@...>

To: Autism-Mercury@yahoogroups.com <Autism-Mercury@yahoogroups.com>

Date: Sunday, September 09, 2001 8:52 PM

Subject: [Autism-Mercury] The Latest Autism Cure!?





>It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more popular. So

>many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing, doing

>chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place talking

>about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

>http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 . Recently

>our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time he

>got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him at

>the same time we are trying to help him!

>

>I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially when

>people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me concerned

>enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how do I

>know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking for

>trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to fly in

>and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's, this

>that and the other thing.

>

>I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's head

>cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done before a

>certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be reversed.

>Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to beat

>your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over the

>head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all over

>God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

>

>Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

>something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from this

>horrible nightmare!

>

>Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know I'm

>whining but I could really use an A-men! :(

>

>

>

>=======================================================

>Statements posted on this list are for information only,

>and should NOT be taken as medical advice.  If you need

>medical advice, you should seek it from those who are

>authorized to give medical advice: doctors.

>

>Post message: Autism-Mercury@yahoogroups.com

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>

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>

>

>

dear rancourus@..., and dear listmates,



I plan to answer the issues regarding "cure" and whether this

chelation thing helps, and so on.  HOWEVER, as I read your note,

what strikes me most strongly is your heartfelt request for

some empathy and understanding about how tired you are of --well--

all the things you mention.  Which I cannot provide. I am

not the parent of an ASD kid.  It's a place where I can't

help. (But you definitly have what empathy I *can* give---

for example, I've been tired, and I've been dicouraged,

and I've been wary.)



So, I hope some of my listmates will give you some

of the "amen" you are looking for, and then I'll be glad to

give you some useful and hopeful info about whether chelation

"works" or not.



best,

Moria









At 03:51 AM 9/10/2001 -0000, you wrote:

>It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more popular. So

>many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing, doing

>chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place talking

>about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

>http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 . Recently

>our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time he

>got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him at

>the same time we are trying to help him!

>

>I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially when

>people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me concerned

>enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how do I

>know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking for

>trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to fly in

>and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's, this

>that and the other thing.

>

>I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's head

>cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done before a

>certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be reversed.

>Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to beat

>your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over the

>head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all over

>God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

>

>Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

>something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from this

>horrible nightmare!

>

>Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know I'm

>whining but I could really use an A-men! :(

You're both exactly right, of course; finding one's way through the

thicket of fad cures is exhausting, physically and emotionally; and

rancourus needs a well-earned hug :)



I am the mom of a 4yo son with autism, and I do devote myself, pretty

much full-time, to tracking down and implementing various ways to

help him get better. It ain't easy, but my rationale is that every

ounce of improvement we can achieve while he's little, will pay us

back in spades, later in life when his brain will become

less "plastic" and able to mend itself. I think it's completely

appropriate to be skeptical of wild claims and theories, and to be

protective of our kids' time and health, AND to be cognizant of our

own feelings and limitations, as you describe. All those feelings are

natural and inevitable, and imo the more you cope with them in real-

time, the less emotional "interest" you'll owe later on unprocessed

stress and grief.



We are relatively new to chelation; we've just finished the fourth

round, DMSA only. Before that my son's had a little over a year of 40

hours/week ABA, almost two years of 90 minutes/week individual speech

therapy, and about a year on the GF/CF diet. All those things have

helped (or we wouldn't have stuck with them) but I can say chelation

has already helped MARKEDLY in a way nothing else can touch. For the

first time in his life, he's actually curious; he notices things,

points out things, and while he's not quite ready to ask questions

yet, he now posits his own explanations for things he sees.

(F'rinstance, yesterday morning he went into the back yard early and

his lawn chair was still wet; he said "Chair is all wet" and then,

after a pause, with an accusing glance over at me, "Yuck. Pee goes in

the potty!") His thinking and awareness and engagement with the world

are qualitatively better than they have EVER been before, and in my

mind that's huge. We can now have a three-or-four exchange

conversation with him on subjects other than his own immediate

desires; he talks all day long, not always but often purposefully.



Hope this is of use in your decision-making. Good luck to you and

your boy.



Cathy



--- In Autism-Mercury@y..., Moria Merriweather <moriam@e...> wrote:

> dear rancourus@y..., and dear listmates,

>

> I plan to answer the issues regarding "cure" and whether this

> chelation thing helps, and so on.  HOWEVER, as I read your note,

> what strikes me most strongly is your heartfelt request for

> some empathy and understanding about how tired you are of --well--

> all the things you mention.  Which I cannot provide. I am

> not the parent of an ASD kid.  It's a place where I can't

> help. (But you definitly have what empathy I *can* give---

> for example, I've been tired, and I've been dicouraged,

> and I've been wary.)

>

> So, I hope some of my listmates will give you some

> of the "amen" you are looking for, and then I'll be glad to

> give you some useful and hopeful info about whether chelation

> "works" or not.

>

> best,

> Moria

>

>

>

>

> At 03:51 AM 9/10/2001 -0000, you wrote:

> >It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more popular.

So

> >many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing,

doing

> >chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place

talking

> >about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

> >http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 .

Recently

> >our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time he

> >got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him

at

> >the same time we are trying to help him!

> >

> >I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially when

> >people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me

concerned

> >enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how do

I

> >know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking

for

> >trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to fly

in

> >and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's, this

> >that and the other thing.

> >

> >I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's head

> >cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done before

a

> >certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be reversed.

> >Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to

beat

> >your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over

the

> >head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all

over

> >God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

> >

> >Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

> >something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from this

> >horrible nightmare!

> >

> >Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know

I'm

> >whining but I could really use an A-men! :(

-

Cathy this is really a wonderfully inspiring letter for any parent of

a younger child, I too remember the days when the little miracles

would happen with our son, it was amazing and still is, I think this

is definetley a letter Moria will have to put in her files of LOVE

LETTERS, this shows an abundance of love and the wellness it can

bring, sounds like your little one is well on his way to a good life,

Leah





-- In Autism-Mercury@y..., catharineb2001@y... wrote:

> You're both exactly right, of course; finding one's way through the

> thicket of fad cures is exhausting, physically and emotionally; and

> rancourus needs a well-earned hug :)

>

> I am the mom of a 4yo son with autism, and I do devote myself,

pretty

> much full-time, to tracking down and implementing various ways to

> help him get better. It ain't easy, but my rationale is that every

> ounce of improvement we can achieve while he's little, will pay us

> back in spades, later in life when his brain will become

> less "plastic" and able to mend itself. I think it's completely

> appropriate to be skeptical of wild claims and theories, and to be

> protective of our kids' time and health, AND to be cognizant of our

> own feelings and limitations, as you describe. All those feelings

are

> natural and inevitable, and imo the more you cope with them in real-

> time, the less emotional "interest" you'll owe later on unprocessed

> stress and grief.

>

> We are relatively new to chelation; we've just finished the fourth

> round, DMSA only. Before that my son's had a little over a year of

40

> hours/week ABA, almost two years of 90 minutes/week individual

speech

> therapy, and about a year on the GF/CF diet. All those things have

> helped (or we wouldn't have stuck with them) but I can say

chelation

> has already helped MARKEDLY in a way nothing else can touch. For

the

> first time in his life, he's actually curious; he notices things,

> points out things, and while he's not quite ready to ask questions

> yet, he now posits his own explanations for things he sees.

> (F'rinstance, yesterday morning he went into the back yard early

and

> his lawn chair was still wet; he said "Chair is all wet" and then,

> after a pause, with an accusing glance over at me, "Yuck. Pee goes

in

> the potty!") His thinking and awareness and engagement with the

world

> are qualitatively better than they have EVER been before, and in my

> mind that's huge. We can now have a three-or-four exchange

> conversation with him on subjects other than his own immediate

> desires; he talks all day long, not always but often purposefully.

>

> Hope this is of use in your decision-making. Good luck to you and

> your boy.

>

> Cathy

>

> --- In Autism-Mercury@y..., Moria Merriweather <moriam@e...> wrote:

> > dear rancourus@y..., and dear listmates,

> >

> > I plan to answer the issues regarding "cure" and whether this

> > chelation thing helps, and so on.  HOWEVER, as I read your note,

> > what strikes me most strongly is your heartfelt request for

> > some empathy and understanding about how tired you are of --well--

> > all the things you mention.  Which I cannot provide. I am

> > not the parent of an ASD kid.  It's a place where I can't

> > help. (But you definitly have what empathy I *can* give---

> > for example, I've been tired, and I've been dicouraged,

> > and I've been wary.)

> >

> > So, I hope some of my listmates will give you some

> > of the "amen" you are looking for, and then I'll be glad to

> > give you some useful and hopeful info about whether chelation

> > "works" or not.

> >

> > best,

> > Moria

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > At 03:51 AM 9/10/2001 -0000, you wrote:

> > >It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more

popular.

> So

> > >many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing,

> doing

> > >chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place

> talking

> > >about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

> > >http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 .

> Recently

> > >our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time

he

> > >got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him

> at

> > >the same time we are trying to help him!

> > >

> > >I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially

when

> > >people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me

> concerned

> > >enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how

do

> I

> > >know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking

> for

> > >trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to

fly

> in

> > >and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's,

this

> > >that and the other thing.

> > >

> > >I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's

head

> > >cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done

before

> a

> > >certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be

reversed.

> > >Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to

> beat

> > >your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher

over

> the

> > >head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all

> over

> > >God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

> > >

> > >Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

> > >something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from

this

> > >horrible nightmare!

> > >

> > >Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know

> I'm

> > >whining but I could really use an A-men! :(

Well thanks Leah :) We do try with this boy, and we (hubby and I)

realize that there will be a time for serenity and acceptance of his

condition (however it turns out), but that time is far in the future.

Now's our time to get in there and work the problem, and for me,

that's actually the best coping strategy there is. I should add that

he's still a far cry from "normal" -- when it's my turn to work at

his co-op preschool I'm dazzled and depressed by the speed and

fluency and subtlety of the other kids' play. One day at a time.



So how's yours? :)



Cathy



--- In Autism-Mercury@y..., valadez4@s... wrote:

> -

> Cathy this is really a wonderfully inspiring letter for any parent

of

> a younger child, I too remember the days when the little miracles

> would happen with our son, it was amazing and still is, I think

this

> is definetley a letter Moria will have to put in her files of LOVE

> LETTERS, this shows an abundance of love and the wellness it can

> bring, sounds like your little one is well on his way to a good

life,

> Leah

>

>

> -- In Autism-Mercury@y..., catharineb2001@y... wrote:

> > You're both exactly right, of course; finding one's way through

the

> > thicket of fad cures is exhausting, physically and emotionally;

and

> > rancourus needs a well-earned hug :)

> >

> > I am the mom of a 4yo son with autism, and I do devote myself,

> pretty

> > much full-time, to tracking down and implementing various ways to

> > help him get better. It ain't easy, but my rationale is that

every

> > ounce of improvement we can achieve while he's little, will pay

us

> > back in spades, later in life when his brain will become

> > less "plastic" and able to mend itself. I think it's completely

> > appropriate to be skeptical of wild claims and theories, and to

be

> > protective of our kids' time and health, AND to be cognizant of

our

> > own feelings and limitations, as you describe. All those feelings

> are

> > natural and inevitable, and imo the more you cope with them in

real-

> > time, the less emotional "interest" you'll owe later on

unprocessed

> > stress and grief.

> >

> > We are relatively new to chelation; we've just finished the

fourth

> > round, DMSA only. Before that my son's had a little over a year

of

> 40

> > hours/week ABA, almost two years of 90 minutes/week individual

> speech

> > therapy, and about a year on the GF/CF diet. All those things

have

> > helped (or we wouldn't have stuck with them) but I can say

> chelation

> > has already helped MARKEDLY in a way nothing else can touch. For

> the

> > first time in his life, he's actually curious; he notices things,

> > points out things, and while he's not quite ready to ask

questions

> > yet, he now posits his own explanations for things he sees.

> > (F'rinstance, yesterday morning he went into the back yard early

> and

> > his lawn chair was still wet; he said "Chair is all wet" and

then,

> > after a pause, with an accusing glance over at me, "Yuck. Pee

goes

> in

> > the potty!") His thinking and awareness and engagement with the

> world

> > are qualitatively better than they have EVER been before, and in

my

> > mind that's huge. We can now have a three-or-four exchange

> > conversation with him on subjects other than his own immediate

> > desires; he talks all day long, not always but often purposefully.

> >

> > Hope this is of use in your decision-making. Good luck to you and

> > your boy.

> >

> > Cathy

> >

> > --- In Autism-Mercury@y..., Moria Merriweather <moriam@e...>

wrote:

> > > dear rancourus@y..., and dear listmates,

> > >

> > > I plan to answer the issues regarding "cure" and whether this

> > > chelation thing helps, and so on.  HOWEVER, as I read your note,

> > > what strikes me most strongly is your heartfelt request for

> > > some empathy and understanding about how tired you are of --

well--

> > > all the things you mention.  Which I cannot provide. I am

> > > not the parent of an ASD kid.  It's a place where I can't

> > > help. (But you definitly have what empathy I *can* give---

> > > for example, I've been tired, and I've been dicouraged,

> > > and I've been wary.)

> > >

> > > So, I hope some of my listmates will give you some

> > > of the "amen" you are looking for, and then I'll be glad to

> > > give you some useful and hopeful info about whether chelation

> > > "works" or not.

> > >

> > > best,

> > > Moria

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > At 03:51 AM 9/10/2001 -0000, you wrote:

> > > >It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more

> popular.

> > So

> > > >many people I run into on the internet are rushing for

testing,

> > doing

> > > >chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place

> > talking

> > > >about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

> > > >http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 .

> > Recently

> > > >our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the

time

> he

> > > >got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning

him

> > at

> > > >the same time we are trying to help him!

> > > >

> > > >I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially

> when

> > > >people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me

> > concerned

> > > >enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But

how

> do

> > I

> > > >know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just

looking

> > for

> > > >trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to

> fly

> > in

> > > >and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's,

> this

> > > >that and the other thing.

> > > >

> > > >I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's

> head

> > > >cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done

> before

> > a

> > > >certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be

> reversed.

> > > >Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to

> > beat

> > > >your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher

> over

> > the

> > > >head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all

> > over

> > > >God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

> > > >

> > > >Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

> > > >something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from

> this

> > > >horrible nightmare!

> > > >

> > > >Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I

know

> > I'm

> > > >whining but I could really use an A-men! :(

Amen to everything you've said.  I feel exactly like you but also feel I

can't not look into this.  My son is 10 so we've had many years to "try it

all" and believe we did - vitamins, supplements, gf/cf, enzymes,

antifungals, antivirals, secretin, EFA's, thyroid testing, sensory

integration, auditory training, vision therapy, medication etc.  I probably

would never have jumped onto this particular bandwagon if my son hadn't had

metals testing years ago which showed very high levels of mercury in both

hair and urine.  When this recent research came up those old tests came

back to me in a flash and it all seemed to fall into place.  We've done 6

rounds of chelation so far with minimal results but based on all of the

reading I have done I am still pretty sure that he "fits the bill".  You

might try doing a hair analysis and seeing if your son fits the counting

rules.  It's a fairly non invasive test and could give you something to go

on before jumping in.  I wish you good luck and hope it helps to know you

are not alone in your frustration.  Pat











>At 03:51 AM 9/10/2001 -0000, you wrote:

>>It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more popular. So

>>many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing, doing

>>chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place talking

>>about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

>>http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 . Recently

>>our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time he

>>got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him at

>>the same time we are trying to help him!

>>

>>I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially when

>>people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me concerned

>>enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how do I

>>know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking for

>>trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to fly in

>>and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's, this

>>that and the other thing.

>>

>>I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's head

>>cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done before a

>>certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be reversed.

>>Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to beat

>>your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over the

>>head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all over

>>God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

>>

>>Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

>>something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from this

>>horrible nightmare!

>>

>>Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know I'm

>>whining but I could really use an A-men!

Hello, again, rancourus@...,



Well, I hope the other mail helped a bit with support for

your (very understandable) wariness and tiredness.



I do not think chelation is a CURE for ASD, but I think

it helps many ASD kids significantly.  What is more, I do

not think this based on theory or conjecture, I think it

based on actual people TELLING ME that their kids have

improved. Furthermore, Rita and I have collected up many

of these stories and you can read them too:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/files/LOVE_LETTERS

I would really recommend that you try to read ALL

of these.  Not all at once (it is a lot).  See YOURSELF what

you think, and whether this seems like evidence of anything

worthwhile.   Your mileage will vary, and is unknown.



Another place to read about whether chelation helps is here:

http://www.healing-arts.org/children/holmes.htm#results

Most people on the list know all about Dr. Amy Holmes,

but I shall assume that you do not. Dr. Amy specializes

in ASD kids, and has a huge waiting list to see her.

MANY of the parents on this list visit her, often traveling

from other states.  She is also doing a great service by

putting her results on the web for all to read.



As for beating

>your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over the

>head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all over

>God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.



Well, I cannot claim that heavy metal chelation is painless.

Some of the above applies -- sure, we can talk about what

your options are, so that you can try to find ways to do it

with less strain.  But it is not painless.  For one

thing, learning all about it is a lot of work.  Takes time

and effort.



For another, the fillings you mention: if they are "silver"

amalgam fillings, they have to be replaced before you can

do mercury detox. (This one I can claim having "been there

and done that", not at all happily.  Had 8 replaced last

year-- had more at one time.) Not only a gigantic pain,

but expensive too.  Would I do it again? YES.  Would

I recommend it if your child is merc toxic: absoloutely.



A big advantage you've got going for you is that you have

joined this group.  Here you can get all manner of advice

and experience on every aspect you can think to ask about.

Not that that fixes everything, it doesn't, but it often

results in more options....



So, now, let me babble some unsolicited advice for you,

the best I can think up at the moment, and meant kindly.

Feel free to ignore any parts that don't apply, I'm in no

position to judge that.



1. take your time learning about this. Your wariness and

worn-outness need to be honored too.  The learning curve

is pretty steep I think, so, don't try to get it all at

once--- it is a lot.



2. read Dr. Stephanie Cave's new book.  I'm too tired to go

get you the URL, but if you look on the autism-mercury

website (the main page under groups.yahoo.com) and select

"BOOKMARKS" you'll find a bookmark that will take you to

info on the book.  It will explain a lot of things that

are extremely relevant.



3. read one or two of the dental amalgam books about mercury

poisoning.  You seem interested (based on your comments), and

there is plenty available to fill your desire to know if

dental fillings could be poisoning your son.  A couple you

might try are:

a. ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD by Hal Huggins

b. AMALGAM ILLNESS by Andrew Hall Cutler, available at

hometown.aol.com/noamalgam (Andy is a frequently contributor

on this list, and very appreciated for his advice.)

c. MERCURY FREE: the wisdom behind the global consumer movement

to ban "silver" dental fillings by Dr. James E. Hardy



Getting your son tested is a good idea.  Look for the

counting rules file, also on the website. (If you don't

see it, just ask.)  Testing is a good way to answer your

question as to whether this really applies to him or if

you are "just looking for trouble".  Lots of ASD kids also

seem to have other heavy metals (lead, aluminum, etc)



I would really like to hear from you as to what you think

of the progress reports contained in the love_letters file.

I hope you'll stay around.



best,

Moria

[I'm doing chelation on mySELF.]





At 03:51 AM 9/10/2001 -0000, you wrote:

>It seems like this mercury thing is getting more and more popular. So

>many people I run into on the internet are rushing for testing, doing

>chelation and so on. Now I saw a message at this other place talking

>about dangerous mercury leaching from dental amalgams -

>http://www.autisms.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=&TOPIC_ID=7 . Recently

>our son's symptoms got worse and this was right around the time he

>got a bunch of fillings so I'm wondering if we are poisoning him at

>the same time we are trying to help him!

>

>I'm always skeptical of the latest greatest things especially when

>people herald it as a "cure". Still this coincidence has me concerned

>enough that I'd like to get our son tested for mercury. But how do I

>know whether this may really apply to him or if I'm just looking for

>trouble. We've spent so much money already getting trainers to fly in

>and train our behavior techs in proper ABA techniques, MRI's, this

>that and the other thing.

>

>I'm so very tired of rushing around like a chicken with it's head

>cutoff. Everyone keeps saying their thing needs to be done before a

>certain age or before damage is so bad that it can't be reversed.

>Then even when you decide you want to try something you got to beat

>your doctor, insurance agent, or disinterested pencil pusher over the

>head to implement it. Not to mention dragging the poor kid all over

>God's green earth, poking, prodding, probing, and pleading.

>

>Yet if I slow down for a second I'm afraid he will lose out on

>something that may prove to be the ticket to his freedom from this

>horrible nightmare!

>

>Somebody pinch me and wake me from this nightmare!! Sorry I know I'm

>whining but I could really use an A-men! :(