DMSA Chelation Journal for 10 Year Old Son with Autism

[goodasitgets]

My ten year old son with Autism has received his test results from the DMSA challenge which measured any metals released in a 6 hour urine sample after taking the DMSA as a provoking agent.  His lead and tin levels were high and measurable amounts of bismuth, nickel, aluminum, thallium, and arsenic were also noted. No safe reference levels for toxic metals have been established.

Essential elements molybdenum and copper were also high.

His DAN practitioner has prescribed the start of chelation therapy using oral DMSA.  His treatment will consist of 3 days on and 11 days off with the DMSA daily dosage being divided and administered approximately every 8 hours. He weighs 90 pounds and will be taking 400mg DMSA 3xper day on the three days on, with  no DMSA administered on the following 11 days.

We are awaiting the shipment of his first months supply from our compounding pharmacy and from day one of treatment I will make an effort to journal this undertaking.  This is one of the main treatments we have not yet explored in our many years of trying to help our son in every way we could. 

We were advised that treatment will take a minimum of 9 months and more likely run 18 months. 

This post is the first of a series I will post as I follow any side effects and/or positive observed changes. 

My son follows the GFCF diet and has done so for the past 8 years. Our version of the diet has continued to evolve as he got older, and as I learned more and more about diet options.

The supplements he will be taking as he begins chelating are the following;

Super-Nu-Thera will be his multivitamin for the next 6 months. (He has been taking Spectrum Complete from Kirkman for longer than the 6 months recommended by his DAN practitioner.  She recommends a 6 month rotation between Super-Nu-Thera and Spectrum Complete...however, I prefer the Spectrum Complete so had prolonged its use as long as I could get away with it.) 

Orthobiotic will be his daily probiotic.

Metagenics Cal-Apatite chewable will be his calcium supplement. He has been using Kirkman's calcium powder lately.

He will continue taking 60 mg of Kirkman's zinc daily.

He is taking half a capsule of selenium daily.

 He is taking 4 Nordic Naturals DHA Jr. strawberry flavored softgels daily.

He is taking one B6/magnesium Chewable tabletfrom Kirkman daily.

He will be tested again for metals present in a urine sample in 3 months.

The following is a link from the Autism Research Institute on DAN and chelation. http://autism.com/ari/editorials/ed_chelationoverview.htm

Above David, in orange, glues cotton balls on a carton to make an ice house for his Third Grade classroom related to a Reading story.  That's me in the middle, (looking VERY PUFFY/FAT) and Kurt my 7 year old is watching.  He wants to make one now too.

Above photo: David MANY years ago.

JAN 25, 2008: This is just a brief entry to say that today is the second day of chelation treatment for my son.  So far so good.  No notable positive changes but also no negative side effects.  We have to open the capsules into applesauce cups but he hasn't had any problem with taking it other than that.  Great Plains says the capsules can be put into a small amount of food like this. 

He is taking 400mg of oral DMSA three times a day, for three days, then off of treatment for 11 days to complete a cycle.

This schedule will continue for at least 9  months and more likely 18 months. 

We have talked about ch elating for many years and I am thrilled and cautiously optimistic to be finally getting started. 

My son is primarily non-speaking so as with every treatment and intervention we begin, I have high hope that this will enable him to speak verbally much more easily.

He is currently attending a Third grade general education classroom in the mornings and home school in the afternoons. 

 

FEB 6, 2008: Getting ready for the next 3 days of DMSA oral chelation.  Our son has been very cranky in the past few days but has also been suffering from a strain of flu since last Thursday, that caused a fever and a cough that won't quit.  He hasn't felt like eating or drinking much, and has been home from school Thursday, Monday Tuesday, and today.  Friday we had an ICE DAY and school was closed.  Usually he goes to public school in the mornings and home school in the afternoons. 

Tomorrow is day 4 of DMSA dosage.  He is on a 3 days on DMSA and 11 days off schedule.  Today is our 11th day off following his first three dosage days. 

I can't decide if the crankiness is only due to the flu and sore throat or if the DMSA chelating  process is also affecting his moods. later cycles may help clarify this once we get past the flu.  Possibly the laster days in the 11 days off will have a tendency to create moodiness...I hope not.

On the plus side he is very verbal.  No new words,but a definite increase in expressing his needs and preferences, with an increase in stinging together sounds..sort of like babbling when he doesn't have a sign or gesture for something. Much more persistence in getting his message across. 

 

[Codymom319]

Sep. 28, 2009 at 2:02 PM

Dear there,

How is 10 years old son right now after taking DMSA for a while? I am curious to know about the result.  Does he has any improvement in speech, behavior? I have a son who is 8 years old. I am gonna to give him this treatment.  But I want to collect more information.  Thank you.