Focus:
On learning why we use the tools we use.
Repetition:
I will only gain wisdom by exploring the ‘why’ in my health journey.
How I Supported My Body After Amalgam Removal
I arrived at the dentist at 8:00 in the morning. Before I even walked in, I had already taken two activated charcoal tablets. I wanted something in my system ready to bind to whatever my body might be exposed to during the procedure. I have learned over the years that preparation matters. When the body feels supported, it often moves through stress more gracefully.
I spent a few quiet moments in the car before going inside. I prayed briefly, took a few slow breaths, and reminded my body that we were safe. Dental procedures can be intense for the nervous system, especially when they involve long periods of time in the chair. I wanted to begin the morning grounded rather than rushed.
After I was seated in the chair, I took quercetin. I use it because it can help calm inflammatory responses and indirectly assist with pain. In my experience, small supportive measures like this can make a noticeable difference in how the body processes stress and inflammation during medical procedures.
Reducing Unnecessary Exposures
They needed to take two X-rays, but I requested that we skip the panoramic X-ray. I want as little exposure as possible. I have reacted to many things in the past. Even though my body has healed significantly, I did not feel the need to experiment that day and risk having to reschedule the procedure. Part of caring for the body is knowing when to simplify and when to reduce unnecessary exposures.
For the numbing shots, I specifically asked for anaesthetic without epinephrine. This type of numbing agent only lasts about twenty to thirty minutes instead of ninety minutes. That meant I would need many more injections throughout the procedure, but it was still the right choice for me. Epinephrine can make the nervous system feel extremely activated, increasing heart rate and creating a sense of panic or agitation. I wanted to keep my body as calm and regulated as possible.
I also declined the nitrous oxide gas and the comfort options they offer, such as music or Netflix. I know those things help many people, and I respect that. But for me, I did not want to escape the moment. I wanted to remain present in my body rather than dissociate from what was happening. Over the years I have learned that dissociation can sometimes make medical experiences more difficult for the nervous system afterward. Remaining present, even when something is uncomfortable, can help the body process the experience more fully. That was the choice I made that day.
Staying Regulated During the Procedure
The procedure lasted around four and a half hours. During that time, I practised something called butterfly tapping. I tapped my body in alternating patterns, sometimes on my chest, sometimes on my arms or legs. This rhythmic tapping helps regulate the nervous system and remind the body that it is safe.
Every so often I would notice my shoulders creeping upward or my jaw tightening. When that happened, I would gently soften my muscles and return to the tapping pattern. It gave my body a steady rhythm to return to whenever tension built up.
I focused deeply on breathing. I would fill my belly first, then my lungs, and then expand my ribs into the sides and the back. These slow, full breaths became an anchor that brought me back into my body again and again. Even in the middle of drilling, injections, and pressure, breath allowed my nervous system to remain more regulated.
Prayer Through the Procedure
And I prayed. I prayed constantly. Any invasive medical procedure is a stress for the body. It does not matter if someone tells you it is quick and easy. Your nervous system only knows that something intense is happening. I wanted my body to know that even in the middle of that stress, we were not alone.
I asked Mother Mary to be with me. I asked my confirmation saint, St. Raphael, the patron saint of healing, to intercede for me. I asked my guardian angel to stay close. I asked Jesus to allow me to see His Five Wounds and to let me remain beside Him as He carried His Cross. In prayer I was allowed to see His Holy Face beneath the crown of thorns. I pictured His pierced hands, His feet, and His side. I offered my small suffering in union with His suffering. Whenever my mind tried to wander or escape, I gently returned to my breath and to prayer.
At times I cried. I allowed the tears to come without stopping them. The work being done was intense. My amalgams were large, and the procedure itself was difficult. My body did not enjoy the drilling, the repeated injections, or the constant pressure from the suction that sat in my mouth and made swallowing uncomfortable. Because the anaesthetic wore off quickly, there were moments where I felt parts of the procedure more than I would have preferred. Even so, I stayed present. I reminded myself that my body was doing a beautiful job and that this process was part of removing something that no longer belonged in it.
The dentist and the staff were incredibly kind and supportive throughout the entire experience. It is a gift to find a dentist who understands the importance of safer amalgam removal. I am also deeply grateful for my regular dentist and hope that one day she will have the equipment necessary to offer this type of procedure as well.
Immediate Aftercare
When everything was finished and I got into the car, the first thing I did was take microbes. I opened capsules of Lactobacillus plantarum 299V and Bacillus subtilis HU58 and allowed the powder to dissolve slowly in my mouth. I chose these strains because they can help signal safety to the body and support microbial balance after a stressor or potential exposure. The microbiome is deeply connected to the immune system and nervous system. Supporting it immediately after a stressful procedure felt important to me.
I drove home slowly, intentionally avoiding the interstate. I wanted the drive itself to be calming. I kept the windows down and allowed the cool air to move through the car. I looked at the houses along the road, the wide blue sky, and the large soft clouds drifting overhead. I listened to birds and let the sun warm my face. When tears came, I allowed them. There was a release happening in my body, and I did not try to interrupt it.
When I arrived home, I took more charcoal and began dosing OSR to help support mercury removal. I plan to continue OSR for the next nine months as a longer-term support.
Settling Into the Earth
After that, I went outside and placed a blanket on the ground in the yard. Spring had just begun to show itself. I lay down and looked up into the branches of the apricot tree above me. The apricot blossoms were beginning to open. The daffodils were dancing in the wind. Birds were singing everywhere. My son and my dog stayed nearby, quietly keeping me company. There was something deeply healing about simply being on the ground and allowing my body to settle.
Eventually it began to rain, so I went inside and lay on the couch with my red light. I use a 75-watt infrared heat lamp, sometimes called a “chicken lamp.” I placed it close to my cheek. I could immediately feel the warmth moving into my teeth and gums. The sensation was strong, almost intense at times, but I knew that circulation and healing were being stimulated. Increasing blood flow to the area can help tissues recover more efficiently.
Later I rubbed castor oil mixed with amanita oil along my cheek and over the small splits in my lips that came from the stretching during the procedure. The tissues of the mouth and lips had been under a lot of strain, and I wanted to help them soften and repair.
I took more microbes and simply rested. I prayed quietly. I sent a message to my best friend to let her know everything had gone well. Aside from that, I did not check messages until the following day. During the healing process I used my phone very little.
The Night and the Morning After
That night I chose to sleep on the couch because I thought I might wake frequently. My husband read to me until I fell asleep. I held my rosary in my hand and surrounded myself with sacred images. My teddy bear, Blue-it, was beside me. I expected a restless night, but instead I slept deeply.
Before falling asleep I could feel the mercury circulating in my body. It was a strange sensation, difficult to describe. I was experiencing difficult images and thoughts and knew it was from the mercury. I asked God if I should distract myself with something to take my mind off the feeling. What I heard in prayer was simple: trust. So I did.
When I woke in the morning, I had absolutely no pain. None. I was deeply grateful.
I would strongly encourage anyone having amalgams removed to make sure someone is nearby afterward. Please do not go through that process alone. Even when things go well, the body deserves care and companionship.
Although the pain was gone, my body still needed rest. I gave it that rest for the next two days. The procedure had been on a Friday, and by Sunday I was able to attend Mass. My nervous system was still a little heightened, which I expected, but overall my body felt steady and calm.
I share this not as a prescription but as a story. These are the things I chose to do and the things I believe helped support my body through a difficult procedure. If you are walking through your own healing journey, whether it involves dental work or any other medical treatment, I hope this reminds you of something important. Your body listens to how you care for it. Preparation matters. Presence matters. Prayer matters. Rest matters. And even in difficult moments, there are ways to help the body feel safe again.