Case Histories   Linda Brocato Multiple Sclerosis		In February 1980, I was getting ready to go to work and went into the bathroom to wash up. When I looked in the mirror the right side of my face showed signs of paralysis. My right eye and the right side of my mouth were drooping downward. I was scared because I didn't know what happened. I went to the doctor and after examination he said it was similar to a Bell's palsy and should be better within time. The option of medication was offered but the doctor seemed to be optimistic about recovery with or without medication. Within two months, recovery was experienced. After all, for the last 30 years, I had been fairly healthy except for the normal illnesses of a cold, etc. Six months later, after bouts of a pulling sensation in my left eye, I lost my peripheral vision. I was told I had optic neuritis and large doses of prednisone were prescribed. Within two months my vision returned. At times, I would experience extreme headaches and dizziness and had to lie down. I continued to go to the doctors but they could not find anything wrong. At times it was intimated that the problem might be emotional. I knew that the prospect of getting married and moving to California was on my mind but thought that was normal. I was confused and scared because something was happening in my body. I didn't know what was going on and neither did the doctors. Nothing definitive. I continued working in my supervisory position though at times it was stressful "not knowing." I experienced the symptoms of uncoordinated movements, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, weakness of one leg and then the other, and a lack of balance. In 1981, upon examination of "walking down a corridor," the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was established by a well known neurologist. I spent years of countless visits to other neurologists, at five of the best-known hospitals in the Chicago area, only for them to confirm the previous diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Nutritionists, kinesiologists, and chiropractors in conventional and non-conventional practices also became a part of the series of health care practitioners. My search for a remedy or cure began. I diligently read book after book on various theories of MS and any closely related topic, including Candida Albicans. As time went on, my thinking became clouded, my legs became weaker and the falling more frequent. At work, I would be returning from lunch and fall with my tray in my hands. Incidents like this would happen only too often and have to be followed up by completing an accident report. Holding on to the walls and desks for balance became a part of my daily routine. At home, the situation was the same. As each year passed the symptoms escalated. These so called periods of "weakness" would soon be termed "exacerbations" or "relapses." I never knew when they would happen or how they were "triggered." I felt like a time bomb. Some relapses were mild and some were severe. Each time a relapse occurred, recovery was never complete. Symptoms of leg or arm weakness and overall body weakness contributed to two to three relapses each year, requiring various medications. I became increasingly frightened and knew I had to continue working because I was my only source of support. In 1987 I entered a hospital for the very first time in my life. The various doses of medications were now ineffective and the only option offered was chemotherapy in conjunction with other therapies such as Plasmapheresis, etc. I was released, confined to using a walker and wheelchair. I experienced early menopause from the chemotherapy and cut my hair real short to minimize the thinness. My face and body were distorted from the medications and at times I experienced slurred speech because the muscles in my mouth were becoming weaker. I could no longer drive my car to work with confidence and I received assistance from my coworker and a manager. My work position had to be altered. Even though I lived ten minutes from work it took an hour to get there. I lived on the second floor and every morning and afternoon, to and from work, each foot had to be manually moved to each step as I braced myself holding on to the handrails. To say the least, I was exhausted by the time I got to work. In 1988, after discussion with my physician, I terminated my employment and went on disability. Situations became increasingly difficult as the neighbors and paramedics had to be called only to find me on the floor unable to get up. One Christmas, I fell out of my amigo as I reached for something on my desk. I hit the floor, scraping my face against the carpet and landed on my back, unable to turn over. After knocking on the patio doors with a rod for which seemed like hours, someone heard the faint sounds. When they came to my assistance they commented on my blood stained face. This was only a slight indication of what was to come. In 1989, I had another relapse. I was in the hospital for 1? months and released, confined to a wheelchair and a hospital bed-a paraplegic. I returned home unable to take care of my personal needs or tend to daily household chores. I had bladder incontinence which required the use of diapers. I could not feed myself without using a built up fork or wash my face and brush my teeth without difficulty. My hands and fingers became so weak I lost the ability to grasp a pen to write legibly and to even turn the pages of a book. A hoyer lift was used to get me into the hospital bed and shower. The commode with arms sat next to my bedside. Braces and orthopedic shoes were used to stabilize my legs and feet. I would fall out of my wheelchair if I sat too far forward or reached for an object. The thoughts of a nursing home continually raced through my mind. I required 24-hour care. In 1990, after ten years of continuous relapses ranging from mild to severe, two or more times each year with a wide variety of medications and three hospitalizations, my search for an answer ended. Through research, I discovered my symptoms of "MS" and mercury poisoning were similar and that "silver" fillings are made up of about 50% mercury along with copper, tin, zinc, and silver. A mercury vapor test was performed, measuring the amount of mercury being emitted from the silver fillings. The levels of the test results were high and removal was recommended. My dentists had never informed me that there was MERCURY in the "silver" amalgam fillings. Even though the idea had much opposition from the medical and dental community, the amalgam fillings (16) were completely removed by September 1990. Two weeks after the fillings were removed, improvement began. My slurred speech began to disappear. This had been the last symptom to occur! On April 25, 1994 I had the results of a Neurometric Brainmapping EEG & EP Report-Summary: "As a result, there is evidence which supports both a degenerative disease and toxicity." In 1992 I was at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, followed by an in-home physical therapy program. 1993 brought me to a spinal cord injury program in California and a Physical Therapy center in 1994. In 1996 I entered a continuous exercise program at a health fitness center where I attend about 3 times a week, 1 to 1? hours each time. The routine is rigorous and sometimes I just come home and lie down. This has brought me continuing improvement with a long way to go. I'm out of the hospital bed now and in a regular bed even though I'm still in a wheelchair. As a result of amalgam removal, I have NOT had any relapses of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms since 1989 and have NOT had any medications for Multiple Sclerosis symptoms since 1990. Any previous medical treatment for MS symptoms cannot contribute to this change. It's atypical for relapsing, remitting MS developing into progressive MS to be reversed. As of September 10, 2000, I no longer require 24-hour care. Taking care of myself is challenging at times. My goal is to be able to walk again. Please understand what I am saying. There are a wide variety of symptoms associated with mercury poisoning. There may be people out there who have the same symptoms as I had and were given the diagnosis of "MS" which is incurable. There may be people who are mis-diagnosed and may be able to regain some or all of their health again. Had the dental or medical profession informed me of the MERCURY in the "silver" amalgam fillings and its effects, I would NOT be in a wheelchair today. Mercury is a poison-public awareness would prevent years of suffering.