Iodine and Potassium Iodide

[Timótheos]

I described the symptoms and what I did (which then Timotheos did as well) here: http://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,13371.msg615328.html#msg615328

If any of that compares to what you had, then maybe you can try doing something similar? And yes, fasting, and sadly, zero fat! Your pancreas can't handle that when you're in that state. And notice how much vitamin C I needed to relieve the symptoms after a few days, but never managing to cure it completely. So, you're probably not taking enough for the pain to go away. But if you do the iodine protocol, you may not need much at all.

Notice, however, that I made the mistake of prolonging it too much, and had serious detox symptoms afterward (looked like bromine detox). So, 4-5 days should be enough, not 10, if you decide to go this route.

Yeah, after I heard what happened to Chu after 10 days on the iodine nuking strength, I decided to stop after 1 week, and managed to avoid any of the bad detox reactions.

For a few weeks now, I've been experimenting with a switched-around regimen, where I take 3-5 drops of Lugol's at breakfast with minerals and other supplements, Vit C in the late afternoon, then take the chelators at bedtime (switching between EDTA, Apple Pectin and Chlorella, depending). Then, first thing next morning, wash it all away with the sea salt water drink.

I figure, if the iodine is acting as a mobilizer during the day, taking heavy metals out of the tissues and into the blood stream, then the chelators can work picking up those metals while I sleep, ready to be washed away the next morning.

It's not the standard protocol, but I haven't experienced any negative issues with this regimen so far.

 

[Thebull]

Here's an update. Since last writing about 3 & 1/2 weeks ago I upped my dosage of Lugol's 10% from 3 to 6 drops a day. This was after doing 12 to 16 a drops a day for a few weeks, and experiencing some of the difficult symptoms mentioned here. Well, even at this lower dosage of 6 drops a day some really challenging effects of it appeared, but in different ways. Last week, while taking a short hike with friends, we were having a chat about something and I just started getting emotional and began to cry. There have been a couple of other times where - out of nowhere - same thing.

A few days after experiencing this I read of Konstantin and others' experiences here and the emotionality made sense. When I felt depressed several weeks ago, I hadn't felt weepy, just saddened. Maybe I expected things to look or feel only one way, but that's proving not to be the case. It seems to take different twists and turns and its a little 'crazy making' (if only internally) to be sure.

Some other things: more brain fog and difficulty concentrating on tasks, which requires will to push through at certain times. The most challenging side effect in recent days though has been tiredness. I'm usually ok with 7 to 7 & 1/2 hours of sleep but lately I've needed 8 & 1/2 or so. And even then sometimes the tiredness bogs me down at times during the day and evening. As Scottie would say, 'Hoo boy'!

Going forward, I am now taking a 5 day break (instead of the usual 2) and I'm going to up my Vit C intake to two doses a day if I can. Vit C and me will be likethis. ;) I also just started taking DMSA. I was reluctant to start doing it again since I did a full year protocol of DMSA several years ago already. But I realized that I had done it a year or two before having my amalgam fillings removed. So the heavy metal exposure was still there for a while even if I had probably chelated some of it. Anyway, it can't hurt.

At this point I think I'm going to go back down to 3 drops a day for a week or two until things stabilize more. And then maybe go back to 6 drops once I've incorporated more Vit C and the DMSA begins to kick in and get things moving. But I am certainly open to hearing other thoughts on this.

It may be repetitive to say but, again, this protocol can and will take some difficult turns for some of us. If you're doing it, it is VERY good to read others experiences of it and what seems to be helping ameliorate things AND to actually remind yourself that you're doing something very special that can really dredge things up! Share your experiences too. You will very likely be helping somebody else who sees your experience as similar to theirs. And this may seem like an obvious thing to suggest, but don't forget to do Eiriu Eolas when you can. When under the emotional sway of this or that I noticed, we sometimes forget to breathe properly - which only seems to add unneeded stress to the process. EE can really help with this. :)

I strongly agree with this Ennio. I have really struggled recently with the iodine protocol with a permanent cold and feelings and emotions that have been dredged up from the past which have been quite intense and difficult to deal with. I haven't practiced EE for a couple of weeks and I know I need to include this in my routine thanks for the reminder.

 

[loreta]

This is a really an adventurous thread with emotion, adventures, discoveries, insights... thank you!

So a little up to date from us: we continue with one drop of Lugol one day in one day out but I have the feeling that I will start 2 drops. My husband, I have the strange sensation that he walks a "little" better. Is this just an impression? I really don't know. (He has MS). But he is a very secretive person, even if I ask him if he feels something or if he feels better he is incapable of answer. He is a Canadian, maybe that's why?
For me I see a little inside change: I feel love in me for everything. It comes like little waves. I feel like a little door is opening inside me. I still think a lot about my bad decisions that I made in my life but I am not anymore guilty of it. This is very strange. And instead of feeling bad for what happened (my little addictions, my faults, my stupidities), I focus on the present, what is happening in the world and in me, being an editor (a young one) at Sott is the best therapy that I ever had in my life. Also no more fights with my husband: I yell sometimes, like a dog, I am a dog, but it last 3 seconds.

I also saw the other day listening to the radios shows, in Spanish and with Joe, that something changed, as if almost an invisible fine line was surpassed, I don't know if you understand what I mean... Listening to Chu, for example, I was surprise to listen to her profundity, spiritually speaking, it touched me very much. Her message in the air, in the waves of the radio, was something so intense and beautiful. And the insight of the others members of the team also. So I perceived this.

Thanks to everybody.

 

[Joe]

Hi all, a little update on my situation. I've completed 4 rounds of DMSA and will probably go on for at least 2 more. On the first day of the 3rd round, about 3hrs after taking a dose of DMSA, I took a urine sample and sent it to a lab for a heavy metal test. The results are below. Unsurprisingly, I have high mercury (although this level needs to be considered in the context of having taken DMSA just before). The other high levels were lead and nickel, which I had never considered. Lead load of some description is probably fairly common, not sure about nickel, but I believe it is also one of the metals in dental amalgams.

Note that this test is also for a lot of other metals, including beneficial ones. First half of page one is the beneficial ones ("oligoelements") and then the rest is "elements toxiques".

There's a handy bar graph on the right that shows the load, but there are also the supposedly "normal" or "safe" limits in numbers.

 

[Gwenllian]

I start feeling better, especially now that I am taking these cofactors, vitamin B2 and B3. The first few days they gave me a sort of buzz, not sure whether I like that feeling, though!
I am not as tired as I was in the beginning of December. I don't have to take naps any more or run the risk of falling asleep at my desk. :) I was a bit worried about that in the beginning, especially because I want to go back to work.
My hair has stopped falling out the way it used to, of that I am certain. I think for the first time in my life I just lose a couple of hairs and that's it. To me that is a biggie, especially because I lost a lot of my hair about ten years ago.
Because of the cofactors these aches and pains that have been bothering me for these past three years seem to reduce.
That said, my left knee is playing up again, and I couldn't walk up the stairs properly. So, I might try some boron and see how that goes.

I don't like fatty foods the way I used to, because I now feel nauseous very quickly. I still feel swollen up like a balloon. I sometimes take an entire week off, and then it seems to get better, but even now that I am on one drop of Lugol's 5% a day I seem to retain a lot of water.

I feel sometimes irritable and in the beginning I was afraid I had gone back to my old anger issues, until I realised my anger was justified. So, now I can use my anger (without taking it out on anybody) to set healthier boundaries, which is also a biggie for me.
Another thing I noticed: I feel so much less traumatised. I have felt that way for at least 15 years, if not my entire life, like damaged goods, and I just feel getting stronger and stronger and more balanced. I hope it will last! So, I am eternally grateful to Laura, the forum and SOTT for helping me to achieve my goals, even when I didn't know what they were. I really hope that I will be able to assist others when the going gets rough.

I still have to read the DMSA thread and call the dentist to make an appointment to get my remaining amalgam fillings removed.

 

[monotonic]

Nickel is used in stainless steel, especially very shiny, low quality stainless. If the stainless steel doesn't stick to magnets very well, then you know it has a lot of nickel in it.

 

[casper]

Hi all, a little update on my situation. I've completed 4 rounds of DMSA and will probably go on for at least 2 more. On the first day of the 3rd round, about 3hrs after taking a dose of DMSA, I took a urine sample and sent it to a lab for a heavy metal test. The results are below. Unsurprisingly, I have high mercury (although this level needs to be considered in the context of having taken DMSA just before). The other high levels were lead and nickel, which I had never considered. Lead load of some description is probably fairly common, not sure about nickel, but I believe it is also one of the metals in dental amalgams.

Note that this test is also for a lot of other metals, including beneficial ones. First half of page one is the beneficial ones ("oligoelements") and then the rest is "elements toxiques".

There's a handy bar graph on the right that shows the load, but there are also the supposedly "normal" or "safe" limits in numbers.

Do you have the third page, or it is not important?

 

[Joe]

Do you have the third page, or it is not important?

Page 3 was just some info on what I was high in (mercury and nickel) and what those metals are linked with health wise. Not really anything useful.

Btw, this test can be done by anyone, I presume anywhere in the world, without prescription.

 

[Joe]

Also, note that titanium, while not high, is still significant. Most chewing gums (xylitol kind too) and toothpastes (even some organic ones) and lots of cosmetics, have titanium dioxide! Evil!

 

[Ennio]

that makes a lot of sense!

Good to hear! I wasn't sure how relevant it was!

A while back reading a book about adrenal fatigue, the author had a meditative technique. What stood out for me is how he said you should only visualize the energy to flow in from the feet (ground if standing) and upwards, do not allow energy downwards. When we think about our own growth and free will, it is dependent on us to work on those "Karmic and simple understandings" as the C's stated. When I think about the "STS way", I think about black magic and how they seek to gather/"pray for" energy from above to come down and give them power. No matter how "good" the intentions are in the first place, they have given up their own ability to learn, by wanting it given to them from higher sources.

Well if you trace back the research into detoxing, and I mean ALL of the various things that have been tried by us over the years leading up to this now, it was almost always preceded by research and questions this group had and was trying to figure out the answers to. It was only after a certain amount of this work was done that we got confirmation in terms of results people were experiencing and/or the C's commenting about it. So we've been learning the hard way in a sense by experimentation and getting our head around a lot of material, but mostly following Laura's lead on so much. Still, I think that even if we are doing a certain amount of this work ourselves, the "Karmic and simple understandings" part comes in when we validate it with others by sharing it, and we ALSO make the time and energy to give back in other ways. Otherwise, we risk an imbalance.

 

[nothingman]

the steps one needs to take to go onto iodine

Hello there.

I am about to take the plunge with the iodine treatment. I am looking into the Lugols one as it seems to get mentioned the most.

Basically I was hoping if someone could point me in the right direction to where I can find an ideal dosage. A link or 2 would be very helpful.

Also what supplementary vitamins etc one should take.

A little bit about my situation if it has any bearing on the dosage? ... I recently turned gluten free which has been somewhat of a revelation for me, not just physically but emotionally as well. Healthwise, my biggest issue is my sleep apnea and somewhat poor blood circulation. I am still somewhat overweight.

Thanks in advance!

 

[kalibex]

Started taking iodine internally; been about a week and a half. Started off with skin application on and off to observe absorption rates, a week or so before starting with the lugols. Had started off with a couple of drops of 2% for two or three days, but then jumped to 50 mg/day. At that point, the canker sore virus that appears from time to time in my mouth (normally during times of immunological activity or stress) re-appeared; I upped the lugols to 100 mg/day, and within 2 - 3 days, the sore was gone.

Currently cruising along at that same 100 mg/day (ie, 40 drops total of 2%). Salt 1st thing, lugols an hour later, 2nd lugols dose late morning. Three grams of Vitamin C late afternoon to early evening. Was already taking a pretty high quality multi that has the proper dose of Selenium as well as all relevant B vitamins, though will need to double check the doses of the latter. Was already taking Magnesium Glycinate.

Am wondering why I haven't seemed to have any major 'detoxing' symptoms. Brain fog, sure. Bit of sinus snuffliness, but no consistent dripping, or 'cold' symptoms, or the like. Have NAC and some Chrorella available just in case, and started taking some the past couple of days. Still have a couple of metal fillings to be replaced eventually. No obvious sign of major bromine issues, though have always had a few (what I realize now are) little angiomas. Breath's a bit bad... but that's not totally unusual.

Emotionally also hard to say, though it wasn't until after I started on the lugols that I posted a more revealing swamp post than I'd hitherto done - as if anxiety had been reduced. A slightly 'lighter' feeling in the mornings (difficult to describe) - but as if a certain unpleasant feeling I've had for some time has reduced a bit. Dreams are definitely busy, though recall varies.

 

[Ennio]

At this point I think I'm going to go back down to 3 drops a day for a week or two until things stabilize more. And then maybe go back to 6 drops once I've incorporated more Vit C and the DMSA begins to kick in and get things moving. But I am certainly open to hearing other thoughts on this.

My experience with starting the DMSA detox, again, is that it is better to do it without Lugols. There are enough reactions - fatigue, fogginess, poor memory - with the DMSA, even at the 200mg level, let alone at the 'weight adjusted' level (which I inadvertently did last week - round 3) without putting them on top of the reactions from taking Lugols. A lot of things are moving! And, a lot needs stabilizing before returning to Lugols, even at small doses.

That's right PS, though not in what I wrote, the DMSA is to be taken on the off days ie. the two days a week that we are NOT taking the Lugols. Though from what you write I'm wondering if you mean stopping the Lugols altogether for some weeks while doing the DMSA a few days a week. If so, this may be another way to go about it. And yes, doing DMSA can come with its own set of challenges if one has a lot to clear out.

 

[Ennio]

I have really struggled recently with the iodine protocol with a permanent cold and feelings and emotions that have been dredged up from the past which have been quite intense and difficult to deal with. I haven't practiced EE for a couple of weeks and I know I need to include this in my routine thanks for the reminder.

Yeah the old thoughts and emotions can really be tough sometimes - especially if your already feeling lethargic, brain fog, etc. Difficulty on top of physical discomfort. Oy! I can only tell you what's helped me so far, and that is to get things moving in some constructive direction or another. After a while you forget the feelings of struggle and it seems to helps build the muscles of will a bit. As for the permanent cold, Thebull, if you mean cold hands and extremities, I too suffer from similar issues. According to the Brownstein book though iodine is supposed to be of help with this. So, something to look forward to there when the ice age is upon us Keep at it, and Big hugs to you!

ADDED: Are you doing anything in the way of supplements, or anything else that you feel is helping?

 

[dugdeep]

As for the permanent cold, Thebull, if you mean cold hands and extremities, I too suffer from similar issues. According to the Brownstein book though iodine is supposed to be of help with this. So, something to look forward to there when the ice age is upon us Keep at it, and Big hugs to you!

Raising my hand for the cold hands and feet! It's something I've had in the past, particularly when transitioning to ketosis and doing too much protein. I'm looking forward to this abating also! I often sit at the computer with gloves on

Other than that, my symptoms have been rather minimal. I've been doing 1 drop of 5% Lugols once per day, plus supporting supplements and salt water, but have recently raised that up to 2 drops. I've been keeping it low due to the near constant presence of the metal taste in my mouth and painful teeth (not gums, but teeth). Keeping the dose low has made the symptoms more bearable. Recently, these symptoms seem to have abated a bit, which is why I'm experimenting with raising the dose.

I've been doing fairly high doses of boron lately (9mg per day) and I'm wondering if that's what's helped with the teeth pain. I got regular fluoride treatments at my dentist all throughout my childhood, so I'm thinking maybe the iodine is displacing that, causing pain, but the boron is remineralizing the teeth. Just a theory, and maybe an "out there" one, at that!