I am also taking DMSA with the ALA. I started out with only DMSA, and added ALA three months later as per the Cutler protocol. Nowadays I am doing 7 days on/7 days off with DMSA and ALA together.
I absolutely noticed an improvement taking just DMSA alone. That improvement continued after adding ALA. My chelation symptoms basically fit perfectly with what's 'supposed' to happen: once I added ALA, I began having all sorts of crazy sensations in my brain, which have decreased after the first few rounds. It was almost scary.
One supplement that's really important is lecithin. I take 1tbs after breakfast and dinner. Lecithin helps the chelators reach your brain better, and is good for your brain in general.