Intraveineous Chelation Therapy

Does anyone have any information or experience with intraveineous chelation therapy.  I have been diagnosed with intermitent claudifacation and have a implanted defibrilator recently installed.  I just started intraveineous chelation treatment as a result of my frustration in getting advice from cardiac specialists on my circulation problem.  I would appreciate any information yu may have.  Thanks.  
Pete

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Pete,

Thank you for your question.  The majority of medical opinion is currently against chelation therapy.  It can lead to renal failure and in addition is very expensive.  There is currently a large scale trial underway by the NIH regarding chelation therapy and we should hopefully have a definitive answer in the near future.

[Diane]

Hi, Pete -

Back in the 60's, my mother took it upon herself to undergo chelation therapy (against the advice of her doctor) and said she felt much better for having done it. Over a decade later (when she was in  her 70's), after a test of some sort, her doctor told her, in some surprise, that she had "the arteries of a young women".

There are several people on another forum who have experienced chelation therapy and are extremely pleased with the results. In fact, I am urging my husband to consider it as we don't see much progress with his various symptoms despite cooperating with the advice of his doctors. It's a pity that chelation is criticized for being so expensive when it's actually a lot less than bypass or even angioplasty - it's just that insurance won't cover it. I have a feeling that that is going to change.

Since the process of chelation causes the loss of various minerals, it is important that your therapist tests your levels and keeps the good minerals replaced, as needed, through supplementation. But I think this would be standard practice. Any good chelation therapist will also insist that you follow good lifestyle habits pertaining to diet and exercise and this certainly will add to the success of your chelation. This lack of direction in lifestyle changes has been one big reason for my dissatisfaction with my husband's cardiologists and internists. Despite my frequently asking them for "coaching"  on needed dietary changes and an exercise program, not a one ever got much beyond writing out prescriptions and/or invasive procedures. So I can relate to what you might have been going through.

IV chelation has been deemed by the FDA as safe to be used on children who suffer from lead poisoning and I believe there is no comparison in safety results from chelation vs. bypass or even angioplasty.

I would be happy to refer you to some individuals who have completed chelation therapy and would probably be willing to discuss their experience with you. You can contact me at
    ***@****

Good luck and hope to hear from you. Diane

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Until the results of trials are completed the benefits of chelation therapy remain unproven.