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What Dr can test for heavy metals?

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Posted 2/17/2016 10:04 PM (GMT -5)
I think it's definitely time for me to get tested for heavy metals. I've been on antibiotics for 3.5 years and I'm just not getting anywhere. I have 1 MTHFR gene but even with taking the proper vitamins, everything makes me herx. I just know there is something underlying preventing me from getting better. I'm getting treated for Lyme, Bartonella and Babesia. I also take herbs for these infections but have to go really slow as every additional drop makes me herx quite bad. I'm getting to a bad place mentally and really losing hope...
Posted 2/17/2016 11:04 PM (GMT -5)
Be careful ... you maybe low on minerals from infections and abx..chelation can leach more...are you supplementing zinc ,copper b vits etc etc..?. Doctors data will ask for provoked test .some do iv with edta...ithink was 70$ standard results ...everybody has em like parasites ...have you treated those long term? It is said they carry Bb and can be point of reinfection...
Posted 2/18/2016 9:02 AM (GMT -5)
Any doctor can test for heavy metals. Are you seeing a LLMD? They should know how. I had a urine test from Doctors Data, they can order that.

Also, what about viruses? Have you been tested for that?
Posted 2/18/2016 6:06 PM (GMT -5)
Bluelyme... I do take a good multi with methylated B12 and Folate. I take extra zinc, vit. C, calcium and magnesium. I take a ton of stuff, 4 handfuls of supplements a day. So far I took Alinia for a little bit. I'm treating Babesia with either clindamycin or clarithromycin, can't remember which one treats it plus plaquenil. Am taking Artemisinin and Cryptolepis. I asked my llmd about heavy metal testing but he doesn't do it. Said to try a neurologist. Had a bad experience with a neurologist who laughed at me that I thought I had Lyme, but then he couldn't come up with anything different. Wasn't sure if that was the best way to go or maybe a naturopath? So hard to find a good Dr. Who can help you though.

The hardest part I think is that I have 3 young kids and they are my 1st priority. With how busy I am taking care of them, I don't always take care of myself the way I should...

Sarahm620... I'll have to look into DoctorsData. I don't have the best Dr. He's an infectious disease Dr. Who treats a lot of Lyme. He dies accept insurance and is very busy. He knows his antibiotics, but not much more beyond that. He tested me for viruses per my request but none of them came up as active, they were all IGg.

My hubby is trying to get an apt. With Dr. Horowitz but it's hard to get through. His office is about an hour from me.

My cd57 has come up over the years, so there is some improvement. Used to be around 18 and last time it came back at 100.

I'm just getting over the flu and it seriously kicked my butt. My flu like Achiness tripled in intensity and at the same time I reached a tolerance to my pain meds so couldn't get any relief from the pain. I completely broke down crying. I rarely cry and try to stay so strong but this pushed me over the edge. Just starting to face the fact that I might just not get better. My kids will never know what their mom is really like when healthy...
Posted 2/18/2016 8:47 PM (GMT -5)
Dr. H has a new NP accepting patients.

Also, you can order heavy metal/mineral hair test through Direct Labs. A doc signs it and mails to you. It is around $120. I believe it is the best way to test. The test itself is through doctors data. Turn around was pretty quick and could access results online. There's a good book (can't recall name but if you are interested let ne know) that goes into detail about analyzing hair tests. Hair testing indicates what you are excreting but not your total body burden. They are a useful tool though. I have done provoked urine testing and will be doing hair test soon.
Posted 2/18/2016 10:28 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks so much k07! That sounds easy enough and sounds like a good place to start.

I appreciate all your help!
Posted 2/18/2016 10:30 PM (GMT -5)
Hi, sorry you haven't gotten better. I read Dr. Horowitz' book "Why can't I get better?" and there are at least a dozen (with heavy metals being only one) reasons why Lyme Patients don't get better. He suggests you print out the 16 point differential diagnostic map and take it to your doctor and make sure you've tested and crossed off each one off the list as a possible reason for not healing. It sounds like your Lyme doc might be willing to work with you on it. I would avoid any Neurologists/Endocrinologists. I have had the same response as you have. Here is a quote from the book:

"Chronically ill, complex patients, no matter which diagnosis we may give them, often have simultaneous multiple bacterial, parasitic, viral, and fungal causes for their illnesses. They also often have associated immune dysfunction with autoimmune markers, large environmental toxin loads, hormonal dysfunctions, mitochondrial dysfunction, allergies with functional metabolic abnormalities, sleep disorders, and underlying psychological dysfunction. I believe my sixteen-point differential diagnostic map, presented in this book, can best be applied to solve the mystery for those individuals with a number of complex chronic medical illnesses and provide treatment options and relief previously not available."
― from "Why Can't I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease"
Posted 2/18/2016 11:28 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you cr3ativegirl! I have the book as well but that chart makes my head spin! I have a feeling I have more than one underlying problem but thought I might start with checking the heavy metals since addressing the MTHFR mutation hasn't done much. I've had many silver fillings put in and taken out, plus grew up in Poland and have been told that I could have been exposed to some toxins there. I definitely had adrenal fatigue around the time I was having my 3rd child. Would get strep after every cold and it would take me 2 months to get over a cold. I would feel horrible the day after exercising. Would have brain fog and no mental energy, like all my energy was going to recouperate my muscles. I started getting afraid of getting sick. Was worried if I got a more serious illness, I would die. I started taking adrenal and immune boosting supplements and I improved. Just don't know if improved enough.

That's a good idea about going over the chart with my Dr. I know my Dr. Has the book also. He told me he read the first two chapters and then stopped, so don't know if he ever finished reading it. Between taking care of my kids and household and infections induced ADD, I just can't seem to gather my focus to try to figure out what else I should do. My Dr. Really dominates my visits, that it's not easy for me to talk to him or ask questions. I know I should have many things tested I just don't know where to start and what Dr. To go to. I don't know if my dr. would test for all these things.
Posted 2/19/2016 9:21 AM (GMT -5)
One step at a time. From the sounds of it, we have had a similar road, I have the MTHFR and was upping my methylation, and I was crashing every 3 days then I came across something on Phoenix rising about that can really tax the adrenals. I lowered my methyl doses and upped my adrenal complex and am doing much better. I was still feeling like a truck hit me after I play tennis. It's getting better. I take an amino acid complex, ribose and electrolytes before AND after I play. It was only when I added it AFTER that I started to not crash so bad in the afternoon. I also added an extra epson salt bath. I'm playing once a week because my doctor said its important to try and get the mitochondria multiplying again, but it's a fine line between how much I can handle. You can get some great tips on fatigue from this page

http://www.cfidsselfhelp.org/library/dr-lapp's-recommedations-supplements

I agree about that book being crazy long. However, my college roomie was the book editor and I felt like I had to read the whole thing (she worked crazy hard on it!). My Lyme doc is in another city, so I myself am going to a NP/Naturpath (who people rave about for fixing Candida, and weird chronic stuff) next week to discuss my supplements and have her run some labs to see where I am at and if there are any holes to fill, etc. Also, for what it's worth, my lead was high, but my Lyme Doctor said that heavy metals are the last thing he does because you really have to be in good shape to handle the chelation...
Posted 2/19/2016 10:17 AM (GMT -5)
Wow, that's really interesting that your roomie was the book editor!! Glad that you've been able to figure out what helps you and can continue playing tennis, even if it's just once a week. I'm currently at the lowest dose of folate and methyl B12. But it took me months before I was able to take it every day without crashing. I've tried ribose in the past but I think the dose was too high that I took and didn't feel good on it. I find that I need lower doses than are generally recommended. PQQ seems to help some. Siberian ginseng has been very helpful with energy for me.

I'll checkout the link you suggested, thank you!

I keep hearing that heavy metal chelation can be challenging. I do take chlorella every day and could try taking it with cilantro to help remove more metals. Just have been a little afraid to take the cilantro as I'm not sure of the timing of when to take each one. With taking chlorella, sarsaparilla and pinella, I've definitely had improvement in neurological symptoms. I've been thinking about adding an amino complex. Glad to hear it has been helpful to you.

I would really like to find a good NP as well and a good llmd who knows more and incorporates more therapies. I've gone to a good acupuncturist but she wasn't under my insurance and also didn't guide me at all herbally. I'd like to find someone that can do both.

Please share with me what your NP recommends next week.
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