Ok, without going into my life story, I have a form of ataxia. The single destructive mechanism of it is iron buildup in cell mitochondria, causing cell death, which releases the iron into the body to cause more destruction. Basically, there is no "known" treatment for it for all major purposes. About 100k people in the US have it and by, well, my age, most are bound to a wheelchair.
Up until about a year ago, I was still boxing and fighting in some minor MMA fights. I have to pretty much devote all of my waking time to fighting this, because I plan to fight again, hell or highwater.
Enough of the sob story.
Sub-q chelation therapy eats up so much time, its quite hard to keep it routine and have any semblence of a life. I've been looking into other routes. From what I have heard, oral EDTA is all but useless. I may be wrong, please correct me if I am.
The first major breakthrough looks to be Exjade, but with the rate our systems in the US work, I don't think it will be available within the next 2+ years.
If anyone can offer any input, I am well prepared to run a log of sorts, just to see what happens. As of late, I hadn't frequented the site as often as I would like, due too time restrictions.
Unfortunately, I really don't know much about the oral pharmaceuticals, but I do know nothing reduces high levels of tissue iron as efficiently as blood loss.
Therapeutic phlebotomies can remove about 250mgs of iron with each extraction, if your levels of hemoglobin are sufficient (if your not anemic).
For those with anemia, Desferrioxamine (Desferal) has shown good results.
Anyways, let's change the focus for a minute. You should be aware of the dangers of free radical pathology, due to your predicament. You should administer any and all antioxidants that you can afford to buy.
With your condition, the liver and heart, are in major need of protection from free radical damage. Research these products, and the truth will follow. Your quality of life has room for improvement.
(1) R-Dihydro-Lipoic Acid by Life Extention = One of the most powerfull antioxidants, due to the fact that it has the abillity to induce systemic recirculation of other antioxidants. It is also a major liver protectant. The form that I mentioned, is the form wich is naturally present in the body, and it is exclusive to Life Extention.
(2) Mega Silymarin with Isosilybin B by Life Extention = Ecellent and effective liver detoxifier with a long history.
(3) N-Acetyl Cysteine = Excellent liver detoxifier/glutithione enhancer. Used in hospitals worldwide for acetaminophen overdose.
(4) Grapeseed Extract (standardized to 20% proanthocyanadins) = Another top notch antioxidant/anti inflammatory, ect.
(5) CO Q10 = Powerfull heart protectant. Relates to mitochondrial activity.
(6) Ester C / Vitamin C = Excellent antioxidant amongst other things.
While these products won't directly assist you by means of iron chelation, they will provide significant protection against the adverse effects of free radical damage.
On a side note, do some research of your own and ask your doctor questions reguarding CO Q10, L-arginine, creatine, and the importance of their role in mitochondrial activity, ATP, and Creatine Kinase.
INOSITOL HEXAPHOSPHATE
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/ino_0333.shtml
Well, I wish I could be of more assistance.
By the way, I am an MMA fighter as well and I just wanted to let you know, that I respect your determination.... a quality found in every good fighter.