Well, I just got the results of my heavy metals test. The last time I had a MRI scan with contrast was Spring 2014. It's almost 2 years later and my Gadolinium is way outside the reference range. So it doesn't seem to exit the body very fast.

Sorry to hear this. I was happy to read that you were doing much better with the burning but this is unfortunate news. Do you think/know if your kidney function is somehow compromised? The stories I had read where people recorded high numbers were not those who had any known kidney issues, but worth checking out perhaps. Maybe we just don't get rid of it the way they say/think, since it's not a standard blood test. I don't know.

Did you test high in other metals? I can't recall if you did both serum and urine. I'm going to ask my GP to run the test for me. Not sure if they can do the same tests here, including for gadolinium. And it does seem like there's a special protocol first there. What do you do now? Will R-Lipoic Acid be useful? Either way, good luck.

I'm not sure about my kidney function, but they are going to run a full CBC panel on me to get a basline.

I did test high in other heavy metals. I did a provoked urine challenge. I'll make a separate post and so those who are interested can easily read about my test results.

Just wanted to add one comment here regarding Gadolinium contrast: When they inject it, it is bound to a chelating agent that prevents it from being absorbed. Then, (in theory) it is just removed and flushed out through your kidneys and into your urine. But, if you don't get it flushed out quick enough, it separates from the chelating agent, and absorbs into your body. And, once its there, its pretty much there for good.

The one thing that they are supposed to tell you (and in my case they did not) - is that it is important to drink a lot of fluids so that the contrast gets flushed out before it breaks down.

I was not told this, and I did not hydrate after the procedure. Although I had other symptoms before the MRI with contrast - I did not have the pain in my feet until shortly after. Of course I will never know for sure, but I do strongly suspect that the gadolinium really worsened my symptoms.