EDTA Chelation Therapy... a Patient's Experience

Note: The FTC disapproves of chelation; to read more, click here. The subject of the Federal Trade Commission ruling against the association which promotes chelation (ACAM) has been subject to a congressional hearing. To read further on this subject, please click here. A recent article of a controlled double blind study, which on its face seems reasonably well done, has appeared in the official journal of the American Medical Association in the January 23/30 issue. To read an abstract (free) and obtain the full article (for $9.00) if you don't subscribe to the magazine click here. Readers might take not that the cumulative experience of many doctors using chelation and Dr. Dorman seem to contradict this science. Nonetheless patients contemplating using chelation therapy owe themselves a review of all the reports before making a decision. Patients coming in to the office are encouraged to discuss this issue woth the doctor.

During World War II, Everett Vandervoort spent 4 1/2 years in a Japanese concentration camp in Indonesia. Tropical diseases, Beriberi and total malnutrition took their toll. After the war, when only in his 20's, he suffered from two types of arthritis: rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. At age 30, he was one of the youngest Executives with McGraw-Hill Book Company, yet his physical problems forced him to quit his job.

The drug first prescribed, Butazolidin, almost killed him. His prescription was then changed to Feldene, taken with liquid Maalox and milk. (Feldene tears up one s stomach lining!) Not surprisingly, he subsequently came down with kidney stones. His Urologist pointed out that liquid Maalox with milk is a virtual recipe for manufacturing kidney stones...

As he got older, Everett developed severe eye problems. According to the Physicians Desk Reference, that is not unusual - it's one of a long list of possible side effects of Feldene.

Now in his early sixties, he had been recently diagnosed with Angina Pectoris... His cardiologist described his condition as "high probability for critical coronary disease." An Angiogram, the "gold standard" for diagnosis, was scheduled. The cardiologist assured Everett that there was little if any risk to the procedure. However... there was one minor little problem with the cardiologist's assurance... that "simple, safe procedure" had recently killed a dear friend and seriously injured another!

Everett had read something about EDTA chelation therapy. He asked his former M.D. about chelation. "Quackery, pure quackery!" was his doctor's opinion - the same doctor, incidentally, who confidently prescribed Butazolidine... and Feldene... and Maalox with milk...

Everett decided to investigate... canceled the angiogram... bought a book which describes EDTA chelation in detail. First thing he noticed was that this therapy is highly recommended by scores of M.D s, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, professors of surgery, vascular surgeons, chiefs of cardiology departments, professors of clinical medicine, and on and on... an impressive array of eminent physicians and surgeons. Could they all be quacks?

He also learned about angiograms. In one recent year, some 400,000 were performed nationwide. They are real "money makers." But are they "safe"? There is no dispute about the fact that angiograms are definitely potentially dangerous. In addition, the NHLBI Report to the American Heart Association Meeting in Anaheim, CA, exploded the myth of angiogram reliability - interpretation of angiograms is shockingly inaccurate.

What about angioplasty? Some 200,000 angioplasties performed annually have proved one thing conclusively: they often fail in less than a year, leading to repeat performances and/or bypass surgery. Insertion of a "stent" is another expensive, still experimental procedure which addresses the symptom of the disease, yet totally neglects the cause. In fact, it may exacerbate the formation of plaque.

Bypass surgery, another "money maker," likewise has a less than glorious track record. Though expert surgical intervention is truly appreciated in cases of real crisis, the AMA admits that 44% of all bypass surgery is done for inappropriate reasons, with a mortality rate of one-in-25, and a heart attack rate (during the operation) of 1-in-20! In addition, complications of various types are experienced in an additional one-in-five patients who survive the operation! (JAMA 1988; 260:505-509)

How does chelation therapy stack up? Are there piles of dead bodies testifying to any serious risks? The FDA made a search for reports of adverse results resulting from EDTA chelation therapy... There are none! Not a single death in 20, 30, 40 and more years of very successful use! By now Everett began to wonder: "Who are the quacks?!"

He opted for EDTA chelation therapy, although he had to pay for it out of his own pocket. Of course, he was considered a "suicidal idiot." The result of the therapy? Frankly, it s hard to believe!

• Everett didn't die, as promised by his cardiologist unless he submitted to the angiogram... With his wife he regularly walks around the local lake, and maintains a very busy daily schedule as Publisher of Dr. Thomas A. Dorman's newsletter FACT, FICTION & FRAUD in Modern Medicine.

• He hasn t taken a single medication for his arthritis since he started EDTA chelation therapy, and is feeling better than he has for more than 30 years!

• He quit his heart medication (slowly tapered off) and is doing very well.

• After about 25 treatments his eyes improved to the point that they are "normal".

Chelation therapy is one of the subjects described in Doctor Dorman's newsletter, FACT, FICTION & FRAUD in Modern Medicine.

For information about making an appointment with Dr. Dorman for EDTA chelation, please click here.