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From: Chris.Brown@f113.n163.z1.fidonet.org (Chris Brown)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: RE: MERCURY FILLINGS AND MS
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Date: 10 Jan 91 17:53:24 GMT
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Index Number: 12831

The problem with the issue of mercury fillings is that there is no 
consistent reason for people to have some chronic illnesses.  MS and 
Lupus, for instance, may be caused by different things in different 
people.  It is incorrect, as some others have stated on this echo, to say 
that mercury poisoning causes MS, and that everyone who gets their 
fillings out should expect to be cured of MS.  The thing that I would 
fight for is a person's right to persue any reasonable possibility in 
trying to overcome of get rid of a disabiling choronic illness.  As there 
are some people who have had relief from symptoms previously diagnosed as 
MS, or epilepsy, and some other chronic illnesses when they have avoided 
certain substances they are sensitive to, I feel that others who want to 
persue this possibility should be allowed to do so, and I think that 
doctors should inform people of these cases (which number in the 
hundreds, if not thousands, worldwide) and let the patient make up their 
own mind.  I have mercury fillings, for instance, and I have chemical 
sensitivities.  But I have not been able to afford to get rid of my 
fillings, and I have not been fighting for the right to do so under 
canadian medicare (although maybe someday).
The difficulty for someone considering this is that it is the persuit of 
a possibility, and when peiple have chronic illnesses possibilities 
present particular difficulty...On the one hand it's hard to believe in 
something that has only a chance of success, even to believ in the 
possibility that it would be worth trying, on the other hand, usually 
persons with chronic health problems have experienced a lot of 
dissappointments in their lives, and the prospect of trying out a 
possibility which may fail is very trying emotionally.  Then there's the 
cost.  But I feel people should be free to persue possibilities, and that 
doctors who inform their patients of possibilities should not be 
described as "unprofessional" by their professional associations.  The 
Health and Welfar e report to be released soon will have a recommendation 
that doctors treating patients with sensitivities should "not be 
stigmatized" but should be "compensated for their work" in trying to help 
people with these poorly undersood problems.

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