Hello Anne,
sorry to hear of your health problems.
I've had many IV chelations for lead (about 150) and apart from one, never had any in less than 2 hours. Mostly around 3 hours.
In fact when I researched IV chelation, the only real danger I read about was if the procedure was done too quickly.
I don't know what quantity of solution your 3g is diluted to and I can't remember my quantity, but it was about 600 to 800 ml of solution, just by guessing the bag size.
It is not always helpful getting contrary info to your doctors methods, but I really think you are correct in quetioning the rate of your IV drip. As for the term "push", I don't understand this.
I would certainly be insisting the procedure takes the standard time of 3 hours or so.
If you think of that quantity of solution entering the circulatory system in 15 minutes, it must upset blood pressure, kidneys etc.
A quick google on the subject for example quotes: "... Chelating physicians are aware of, and very very careful to avoid kidney malfunctions which can occur when EDTA is administered too quickly."
Or "...Deaths prior to 1960 are attributed to lack of screening techniques ( IE blood tests and EKG's) and too high a dose of EDTA given too quickly.
Maybe that's a bit scary to read, but it seems most of the bad publicity about IV chelation is a result of earlier incorrect procedures.
To answer your other inquiry; Yes the treatment did improve my health significantly, and like you I was subject to the treatment many years after the lead exposure.
Without insurance however, it can be a big personal expense.
You may also consider EDTA suppositories. These are cheaper, and roughly work out to 3 suppositories equal to 1 IV of EDTA delivery.
It is also worthwhile to have a 24 hour urinary collection every so often after a chelation to monitor the lead excretion.
Andrew
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 9:37 PM
Subject: [LPAE] New Member
Hello Everyone,
I have recently found that I have very high Lead on a 6 hour DMSA Urine provocation test. The result was 72 ( should be <5 ). My blood Lead level was within normal limits.
This probably came from when we renovated a 1930's house about 15 years ago. I was the one who stripped all the paint of all the rooms with a hot air gun....some of it was several layers thick. This all took about 3 years.
I started getting symptoms around then, but the picture has been complicated in that I also caught Lyme Disease then, and also had Hemochromatosis. I have only been treated for both of these in the past 3 years. Now it seems that my residual problems may be the Lead.
My ND has started me on IV Calcium EDTA, 3gm given as an IV push over 15minutes, once a week.
I don't see anyone else given these pushes....most seem to have the IV over 3 hours ?
Afterwards I am exhausted for 3-4 days, have muscle aches, and have had some cardiac pain. I've only had 2 IV's so far. Are these side effects to do with it being a "Push", or is it to do with the Lead being mobilised. I think the EDTA is out of the system within a couple of hours , so it's not that, I guess.
Is EDTA the best way to go for Lead? On the Adult Metal Site they follow Cutler's guidelines, and he is anti-EDTA for Lead.....so I don't feel like that site gives an unbiased opinion. Any other thoughts here from you folk who have gone the distance?
I see that there is not a whole lot of activity on this site....but I hope someone is reading today !!!!
Anne
(Montreal, Canada )
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