Re: Pfeiffer Clinic for Copper toxicity

[Guest guest]

I have high praises for the Pfeiffer Treatment Center. Our 7-year-old

son has some issues -- mild in the spectrum of things that Pfeiffer

treats, but not a bit mild when you're the one dealing with them. We

took him to Chicago to the center there last fall and began their

suggested treatment protocol last January. By this past summer he was

a different kid, and he continues to improve.

One of his issues is a high copper level. They said that it was what

was likely responsible for his depression and weepiness, which had

become acute. He had gotten to where about an hour or so after going

to sleep he would wake up with inconsolable wailing, then go back to

sleep. During the day, the slightest disappointment would trigger a

weeping spell. When the Pfeiffer nurse on our case -- who is

absolutely wonderful -- called and explained the test results and we

began treatment, we also discussed certain high-copper foods to avoid,

which included chocolate. I found, during those first weeks, that

accidental doses of chocolate -- such as the day he ate a big

chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing at a birthday party at school

-- would bring on a nighttime episode like I described earlier. Now

that he's been on the protocol for a year we've been able to allow

chocolate occasionally with no problem.

Anyway, I highly -- highly -- recommend the Pfeiffer Center. We had,

though our own research, discerned a particular issue that we thought

our son might have (Pyroluria, which can cause fearfulness) and gotten

testing and treatment through a local doctor. The treatment was very

successful, but the issues kept returning, and we had to keep upping

his dosage every couple of months until the dosage had gotten too high

and other issues had begun to appear. Our Pfeiffer practitioner said,

when we first spoke, that we were likely on the right track but that

he probably had some other biochemical issues that the supplements we

were giving him didn't target. She said that if we treated all of his

issues appropriately we wouldn't need to keep upping the dose.

Well... they tested him and, sure enough, he did have additional

imbalances -- the high copper as well as a high histamine issue. They

began a treatment protocol to cover everything and, sure enough, he's

progressed with flying colors, to such an extent that his issues are

hardly noticeable anymore, AND we've not had to up his supplements.

He is a happy kid enjoying life to the full. For this reason I

suggest seeing the Pfeiffer center. Getting treated locally might

help you but not likely as across-the-board and knowledgeably as the

Pfeiffer Center would be able to. ...and it does make a difference,

as we found out.

Through my own research into my and my sons health issues I had felt

for awhile that Pfeiffer was likely the best in the country for such

things, but I kept trying more local avenues because of Pfeiffer's

being so far away, etc., etc. When it came down to it, though, it was

actually not that big a deal to go see them. They worked with me to

schedule the 3-hour appointment at just the right time so that I could

fly into Chicago, do the appointment, and fly back out in the same day

to avoid hotel costs. The appointment and lab workup was indeed

pricey -- around $1000, and the supplementation has cost us $300 -

$500 for each 3-month supply, but it has been worth every penny.

I will say that we were gently warned up front that some of the issues

he had could be due to things other than the imbalances that were

found on the tests. Some people, they said, have tremendous success

with the program right off and with others it's not so cut and dried.

I think that we are in the extremely fortunate category to have had

such glowing success. I can't say that everyone has that kind of

success, but my gut feel is that the Pfeiffer Center is the best bet

for finding such success if it is to be found.

The center is very professionally run and is staffed by MDs and Nurse

Practitioners. Pfeiffer does not really have an " alternative " feel to

it, in case that matters to you one way or the other. ...although

there are things about the place that are obviously different from the

norm -- like the fact that they'll patiently spend a great deal of

time with you, and the fact that what they prescribe is supplements

and not pharmaceuticals. Pfeiffer is the treatment arm of the Heath

Research Institute, and that's what it feels like. They don't seem to

be into being alternative as much as they are simply into open-minded

research.

They won't tell you, I don't believe, to stop pharmaceuticals that you

may be on. Rather they prescribe the supplements as an adjunct in

order to address the more underlying imbalances, after which many

people are able to reduce or eliminate their pharmaceuticals. Also,

they tend not to assign labels or diagnoses other than the specific

biochemical imbalances that they find, such as " high histamine " or

" high copper. "

Once you've had your intial appointment they require a follow-up

appointment at 4 months, then at 1 year; then, depending upon the

case, some people can return on a 2-year basis. They have been

flexible with that with me. I did my first follow-up at one year.

Also, they've begun a new program in which you can conduct your first

follow-up via the phone and do the tests through the mail, which is

what I did. Backtracking a bit... after your first appointment you

are able to contact them long-distance for questions and interim

follow-up issues. You'll have to ask for details as I'm a bit fuzzy,

but I believe that if you set up a phone consult they charge you but

that you can email the nurse that's on your case free of charge. I've

been able to take care of all of my questions that way with no extra

charge, and I've found my nurse to be very helpful.

Well, I hope this helps. I've been impressed across the board with

the Pfeiffer Treatment Center. Best wishes.