I am SO new to this whole thing and I'll try to not be long-winded (usually I fail, though ;-)).
Here's the backstory: DH is close to 40. For the past several years his energy levels have been seriously diminishing. He's been experiencing a very odd array of symptoms, especially in the last several years. We actually suspected it might be scleroderma due to a previous exposure to silica dust (thanks to our *cough cough* awesome landlords hiring completely crappy contractors to do the concrete work in the backyard), but he's had normal ANA and SED rate several times in a row. He's had MRI's of his brain and cervical spine due to parasthesia in his face and weakness in his arms and legs. Both were normal, except for a bulging disk on his C-spine MRI (probably from weight lifting when he was younger).
Almost a year aog, I started doing research and comparing his old blood tests. I noticed his GFR (glomular filtration rate - which measure kidney function) has been somewhat lower than the normal range - this goes back easily 6 years. That pointed me to chronic kidney disease, which matches a lot of the other symptoms he's been experiencing. But we couldn't figure out a cause. His GP finally ordered a renal ultrasound in August and DH saw a nephrologist a week ago and was officially diagnosed with stage 3 renal disease (meaning he's operating at about 50% kidney function...give or take, he just did another 24 hr urine with creatinine clearance blood test this morning, we should get those results back soon).
Believe it or not, the thing that made us both look at mercury poisoning was an episode of that History Channel show Pawn Stars (seriously) where they mentioned a clock called the death clock because it was covered in gold dust and the men who made them usually died making them because of all the mercury dust. Yes, it was random. But DH and I both had a light bulb moment and looked at each other and said "Mercury poisoning!!" and more research just made it all make sense. He has several (3 or more) mercury fillings from about 15 years ago, plus one crown and not only are they mercury, they were very badly done by a very shady dentist. We've tossed around the idea of having them removed before, but never realized just how toxic they could be!
Given his age and utter lack of obvious causes for kidney disease (on paper, he seems to be in good health, aside from unexplained HIGH triglycerides - I feed him well. He eats a bit too much sugar some times, but nothing too out of control) - the Dr. suggested hepatitis (I'm highly skeptical of that) or lead or mercury poisoning. The Dr was somewhat dismissive of the mercury amalgam poisoning angle because he's a mainstream Dr and from the school of thought that the mercury fillings are stable and harmless. Still, he ordered the mercury blood test (along w/ lead) and DH did those this morning.
So...now what? For those of you who have had mercury poisoning from fillings, what did you do? Obviously we're looking into having his fillings removed and replaced, but beyond that, I really have no idea. Did you find the blood tests to be accurate in measuring mercury toxicity or did you have to just seek treatment based on the assumption of mercury poisoning without actual documentation (it sounds like those tests are a bit unreliable?)?
I would really love to hear about your experiences and any advice anyone can offer. I am so hopeful that we are nearing the "bottom" of what's causing these problems. My poor husband hasn't been himself for years and it's damaging his ability to function at work and in our family and I miss him and I know he misses being himself. It's awful seeing all of it happen and not knowing what's going on...at least if we have a diagnosis, we can begin to move forward with treatment.
thanks in advance!
Here's the backstory: DH is close to 40. For the past several years his energy levels have been seriously diminishing. He's been experiencing a very odd array of symptoms, especially in the last several years. We actually suspected it might be scleroderma due to a previous exposure to silica dust (thanks to our *cough cough* awesome landlords hiring completely crappy contractors to do the concrete work in the backyard), but he's had normal ANA and SED rate several times in a row. He's had MRI's of his brain and cervical spine due to parasthesia in his face and weakness in his arms and legs. Both were normal, except for a bulging disk on his C-spine MRI (probably from weight lifting when he was younger).
Almost a year aog, I started doing research and comparing his old blood tests. I noticed his GFR (glomular filtration rate - which measure kidney function) has been somewhat lower than the normal range - this goes back easily 6 years. That pointed me to chronic kidney disease, which matches a lot of the other symptoms he's been experiencing. But we couldn't figure out a cause. His GP finally ordered a renal ultrasound in August and DH saw a nephrologist a week ago and was officially diagnosed with stage 3 renal disease (meaning he's operating at about 50% kidney function...give or take, he just did another 24 hr urine with creatinine clearance blood test this morning, we should get those results back soon).
Believe it or not, the thing that made us both look at mercury poisoning was an episode of that History Channel show Pawn Stars (seriously) where they mentioned a clock called the death clock because it was covered in gold dust and the men who made them usually died making them because of all the mercury dust. Yes, it was random. But DH and I both had a light bulb moment and looked at each other and said "Mercury poisoning!!" and more research just made it all make sense. He has several (3 or more) mercury fillings from about 15 years ago, plus one crown and not only are they mercury, they were very badly done by a very shady dentist. We've tossed around the idea of having them removed before, but never realized just how toxic they could be!
Given his age and utter lack of obvious causes for kidney disease (on paper, he seems to be in good health, aside from unexplained HIGH triglycerides - I feed him well. He eats a bit too much sugar some times, but nothing too out of control) - the Dr. suggested hepatitis (I'm highly skeptical of that) or lead or mercury poisoning. The Dr was somewhat dismissive of the mercury amalgam poisoning angle because he's a mainstream Dr and from the school of thought that the mercury fillings are stable and harmless. Still, he ordered the mercury blood test (along w/ lead) and DH did those this morning.
So...now what? For those of you who have had mercury poisoning from fillings, what did you do? Obviously we're looking into having his fillings removed and replaced, but beyond that, I really have no idea. Did you find the blood tests to be accurate in measuring mercury toxicity or did you have to just seek treatment based on the assumption of mercury poisoning without actual documentation (it sounds like those tests are a bit unreliable?)?
I would really love to hear about your experiences and any advice anyone can offer. I am so hopeful that we are nearing the "bottom" of what's causing these problems. My poor husband hasn't been himself for years and it's damaging his ability to function at work and in our family and I miss him and I know he misses being himself. It's awful seeing all of it happen and not knowing what's going on...at least if we have a diagnosis, we can begin to move forward with treatment.
thanks in advance!
