Chelation Therapy for Fibromyalgia

Although chelation therapy has traditionally been used to treat heart disease, new evidence demonstrates that it may be useful in treating fibromyalgia as well. Chelation therapy, which uses an amino acid called EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid), helps bind and then remove toxins from the body, including substances such as zinc, magnesium, iron and lead.
  1. Fibromyalgia

    • No one knows the cause of fibromyalgia, but one theory is that the accumulation of heavy metals in the body can exacerbate its symptoms. These toxins become stored in fatty tissue, making it difficult for the body to get rid of them. Symptoms of this buildup include exhaustion, breathing problems, muscle pain, problems with urination and achy joints. The theory behind chelation is that the removal of these heavy metals will help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms.

    Therapy

    • Before beginning chelation therapy, the patient needs to undergo a complete physical exam to learn about her overall health and to rule out any reasons that chelation should not be performed. The most traditional administration of EDTA is via the bloodstream, but oral variations are available as well.

      People who undergo an EDTA infusion usually receive treatment two to three times each week for 10 weeks. Once the EDTA drip is inserted into the body, treatment takes about 31/2 hours. Vitamins such as C and magnesium may also be administered.

    Side Effects

    • Patients often experience withdrawal symptoms following chelation therapy as they rebuild their natural immunity. Numerous side effects may occur as well. Common symptoms include skin irritation and nausea from vitamin deficiency, headaches from low blood sugar, joint aches, fever, exhaustion, diarrhea and low blood sugar. It is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of chelation therapy before undergoing the procedure.

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