Re: DMPS questions

[Guest guest]

What are common side effects of DMPS that one should look out for? Why is

DMPS considered safer than DMSA? How would one decide if they should start

with DMPS alone or in combination with ALA?

Thanks,

Debbie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/02 2:45:57 PM Central Daylight Time, TwoTonks@...

writes:

> What are common side effects of DMPS that one should look out for?

Typically, the side effects are a temporary worsening of symptoms as the

metals come out, though most have much less with DMPS than with other

chelators. I've never heard of a rash or yeast flare-up with DMPS but I

imagine they are possible.

With IV, there have been some cases of severe worsening and severe symptoms,

though these seem to not be terribly common. Some are reported on the

dmpsbackfire site. Most of the worsening is from the body releasing too many

metals at once because the IV is a much higher dose than oral, leading to

kidney and liver problems, though some on the site report other strange and

severe symptoms after taking the med. I do know of many people who have used

this though and none has had any negative effects from it.

>> DMPS considered safer than DMSA?

I don't think most docs would think DMPS was safer than DMSA but rather just

another choice. There was one study posted to this list awhile back that

showed an increased risk of arsenic going to the brain and central nervous

system with DMSA as compared to DMPS though which would lead me to suggest

starting with DMPS when arsenic is involved. This was done on recent

exposures which could lead some to believe that DMSA does cross the BBB, and

could transport some arsenic and other metals into the brain when body

burdens are high.

> with DMPS alone or in combination

> with ALA?

>

While I'm not a doctor or chemist, I would never use ALA at the start of

chelation. I feel there is just too much chance to open up the BBB more and

transport loosened metals into the brain with ALA than with DMSA or DMPS

alone. I'm sure Andy will disagree strongly with this but since the research

does show that ALA does cross the BBB and open it up so things can travel

through it better, I wouldn't want to take the chance.

After several rounds of DMPS or DMSA, when testing shows little or no metals

coming out, I might add ALA to see if it would increase output from the

brain. I would be very careful in using it with seizure-prone people though

since there have been some reports of it increasing seizures.

Gaylen

[Guest guest]

Gaylen wrote, in part:

> While I'm not a doctor or chemist, I would never use ALA at the

start of

> chelation. I feel there is just too much chance to open up the BBB

more and

> transport loosened metals into the brain with ALA than with DMSA or

DMPS

> alone. I'm sure Andy will disagree strongly with this but since the

research

> does show that ALA does cross the BBB and open it up so things can

travel

> through it better, I wouldn't want to take the chance.

Hi Gaylen, well now I am curious as to what it is there that

you think Andy disagrees strongly with. He is not at all

against using DMPS or DMSA by themselves prior to adding ALA.

At least as far as I have ever gathered anyhow. He does

also think it is SOMETIMES okay to start with ALA. Maybe

that is what you refered to. Anyway, I think I am not following

so I wondered.

thanks,

Moria

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/02 11:35:02 PM Central Daylight Time,

moriam@... writes:

> Hi Gaylen, well now I am curious as to what it is there that

> you think Andy disagrees strongly with.

My assertion that I'd never start with ALA. He typically says ALA is fine to

start with and when I've shared that belief in the past, he's usually spoken

up so I thought I'd save him the trouble and state that he'd probably

disagree .

Gaylen

[Guest guest]

When you say you work up to .5 mg per pound, how long do you space it out

until you work up to that amount?

I started my 14-yr old son on 12.5 mg the 1st round of the oral DMPS.

Then the next round I went to 25 mg.

I was about to start him on the 50 mg this round. (That's what the doctor

prescribed in the first place.)

This would be the third round. Is it too soon to move him up?

(My son weighs about 118 pounds.)

Carla

[Guest guest]

Nell,

Thank you so much for your advice!! I appreciate it!

Carla

[Guest guest]

>

> When you say you work up to .5 mg per pound, how long do you space

it out

> until you work up to that amount?

It depends on the kid and the side effects. If the kid is nonverbal,

you have to go really slow since they can;t report how they're

feeling. But low dosages work! So no need to feel like you're wasting

time if you get stuck on a low dose, even a very low dose.

Too high a dose caused panic attacks for me. n had serial

meltdowns. The bad side effects showed up during the first round of

increase for him, but for me it took a few rounds for the problem to

surface. In both cases things were fine once the dosage was dropped again.

So as you increase, watch carefully for signs that the kid is

uncomfortable in any way, and keep looking beyond just that round. We

want to make this looooong process as comfortable as we can.

Nell