Julie Jeffrey Bach
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Mercury Poisoning

The diagnosis is confirmed by Mayo Clinic Laboratory – severe mercury poisoning! Mercury amalgams were replaced, mercury was chelated from my tissues and blood system, two root canals were extracted, and I had been on an antifungal program for two years. Why was I still not feeling well?

My search for good health had now been going on for more than four years. During those years I tried the traditional medical route and 16 programs of alternative practitioners and supplements. Each had given me helpful information, none had entirely eliminated the aggravating uncomfortable, sometimes debilitating symptoms. I still had some intestinal problems, diarrhea, insomnia, internal vibrating and tingling, food allergies, gas, bloating, falling hair, palpitations, infected eyelids, intermittent skin rashes, and general weakness. I needed to gain back my lean muscle mass - I weighed 95 lbs. At 5 foot 5 inches.

My family, including my husband, my children and my grandchildren were patiently waiting for “skinny Grandma” to get better, to come play, to take a walk, and to baby sit the new granddaughter. I was trying everything – homeopaths, chiropractors, naturopaths, kinesiologists, massage and acupuncture. Things were at a standstill. I was beginning to think that all the remaining discomfort was going to be with me for the rest of my life.

As a Christmas gift in 1999, we received a health magazine subscription from our son and daughter in law – a perfect gift! It contained a write up and an ad for Sierra Integrative Medical Center (SIMC) that said everything I wanted to read. But after trying so many programs, I was a little skeptical about going to the Clinic – half way across the country…

I called the number listed for SIMC and asked many questions. The answers were too good to be true! The person I spoke with was knowledgeable, empathetic, and patient and I felt comfortable talking to her. An appointment was scheduled.

The physical examination was thorough and pin pointed each of my health problems. The doctors wanted to listen to my list of nasty symptoms and gave me unlimited time for questions and answers.

My immune system had become weakened as the result of toxic mercury levels in my body for 50 years. This toxicity made it difficult to detect the viruses, bacteria and fungus subsequently found in my system. I was informed that mercury toxicity many interfere with certain diagnostic evaluations. Eventually, various laboratory findings identified food and inhalant allergies, some chemical toxicities and Lyme disease. At home my traditional doctors, after many invasive tests, had not recognized or identified most of these problems. They insisted there was nothing wrong with me; it was all in my head, go home and eat!

My customized treatment at SIMC began immediately after my health consultation the first day, and was monitored from then on. Someone had finally listened to me, recognized my recovery needs, and knew the necessary treatment. I also learned that my inherited genetic weaknesses played a part in my over-all health and recovery. Positive changes in sleep and digestion were noticeable to me by the end of the second week.

As I became acquainted with the other patients in various stages of treatment with me, we supported each other, and spoke of symptoms and recovery efforts. Some of the health problems of other patients being treated were – MS, arthritis, Lyme disease, circulatory problems, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, lupus. We all tried traditional medical efforts and we agreed how fortunate we all were to find SIMC when we thought there were no options left.

I finally had a plan for recovery. At home I began a strict regimen of Home Care for one year. After the second month, I noticed improvements that gave me more stamina and I was slowly gaining back my lean muscle mass. There are still a few minor remnants of the effects of mercury poisoning, and I still must contend with my genetic inheritance related to – occasional hypoglycemia, various sensitivities, acidosis and intermittent yeast infections. Also, it is possible that the Lyme bacteria can re-emerge.

Thanks to the expertise of SIMC staff, I now weigh in at 118 lbs., my hair is growing back and my intestinal problems are gone. I am once again golfing with my husband, and keeping up with the grandchildren.

It is not just a wish or a dream – at Sierra Integrative Medical Center there really is help for those incurable, “mysterious missing link” diseases that are becoming so prevalent in this century.