new member (long)

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone:

Here's our situation, briefly, followed by a few questions:

Diagnosis: Our son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 22 months; we saw

signs (little eye contact and no speech) much earlier but were told

that " boys are slow, " and " twins are slow " etc. His twin sister is not

ASD but has some behavioral traits (mainly aggression) that are

troubling. Besides speech and some social interaction problems, there

are no other symptoms (like gastro-intestinal troubles, diarrhea,

tantrums, etc.)

Mercury exposure: flu shot while pregnant, flu shot to both children

at 8 months. Each shot contained 25mcg of thimerosal. No MMR

vaccination (stopped all shots after 12-month round.)

Related toxins: living in 1850's house until a few months ago (now

live in newish house).

Current treatment: 1) ABA started at 25 months (18 hours/week); 2) at

26 months, we saw a DAN doctor and started chelation (TD-DMSA) and

methyl B-12 shots, plus supplementation (liquid iron, supernu-thera,

omega-3, and melatonin). We're supposed to be giving lithium (4.5g) to

our daughter, for aggression, but so far we've not been able to

procure any over-the-counter.

Lab tests: Our son's blood tests showed some lead (3.8), as well as

high folate (hence the B-12 shots), and some IGs are high (??). His

twin sister's blood, just tested, also showed lead toxicity, as well

as aluminum. Hair tests confirmed these results for both children.

We've not been able to collect urine, so chelation is being monitored

via blood tests alone. Since the regimen of chelation/shots began on

our son, he went from have two words to over 30 (it's been 5 weeks).

We are heartened greatly.

Misc: 1) I'm still breast-feeding these children (who are now 27

months old); I am concerned about what toxic substances they may be

getting from me, so am having myself tested, too (hair, blood, and

urine). 2) Both kids had massive dental decay – had multiple crowns,

extractions, and root canals at 20 months. 3) No diet changes tried

yet, as DAN doctor sees no indication of allergies. 4) Told by

developmental pediatrician that my husband and I caused the problem,

as we are both " systematizers " (engineer, statistician-psychologist).

I have a few questions for anyone with the time and inclination to

answer:

1) What are the natural methods for chelating (as opposed to

prescription ointments/shots)? Some of you have mentioned ALA, EDTA,

but I don't know what these are. Also, I heard somewhere that Epsom

salts in the bath would help, and my health-food store's self-styled

chelation " expert " recommended drinking aloe vera juice, of all

things. I'm reluctant to do any research on the internet as it's all

so very confusing.

2) Have any of you tested your children or yourselves for the MTHFR

gene?

3) What is the best way to replace lost minerals while undergoing

chelation?

4) Any tips on collecting urine from children still in diapers? We

tried the condom collection kit, but have had not had any luck.

5) Anyone had luck getting kids to take these supplements? Mine seem

to be able to detect the smallest amount of anything added to their

drinks/pudding/etc., and refuse it. (So my kids are basically getting

no supplementation.)

6) Have any of you given lithium to your child? If so, how did it work

and where did you obtain the lithium?

7) Don't understand the " counting rules " – my DAN doctor said don't

worry about them. Is there a website that explains them? I'd like to

understand the whole thing very deeply.

8) Finally, can anyone tell me about that NY legislation mandating

health insurance coverage for autism?

Thanks for your time. I've been a member for a while now but until now

didn't feel like I knew enough to even post an introduction. I'm

mindful that you are all very busy (understatement), so I appreciate

any and all replies. You (mercury-autism and chelating-kids groups)

are my principal source of support, aside from my spouse.

Kind regards,