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Saturday, March 5, 2011

Diabetes: A Homeopathic Journey

Diabetes: A Homeopathic Journey - Continued

In January 2010, my A/1C spiked to 8.0. Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and blood pressure were in the normal range "thanks" to prescription medications, along with their side effects such as intermittent dry coughing from the blood pressure medication; elevated liver enzymes and severe leg cramps from the statin. Diligent attention to diet brought the AlC down.
The next step of the journey, for seven months, brought a whirlwind of traumatic events, medical procedures, tests and bills that continue to arrive in my mailbox despite payments of thousands of dollars made by Medicare and a secondary insurance. My own savings account is decimated.

Since 2007, I have kept Excel spreadsheets on meds, supplements, and medical procedures for tax purposes, but also to have records for results of testing and to know when the next doctors' appointments are due. The following list (in no particular order) lead to the decision to try a path other than allopathy-homeopathy.

The first symptom of ill health was unbearable itching over the entire body. The bruises on my back from scratching to get relief brought me to an appointment with my primary care physician. The itching was found to be caused by highly elevated liver enzymes. There followed:

Blood draws (8)
Liver enzyme panels (3) 40 is normal; mine rose to 200+
Emergency room (3)
Ultrasound (1)
Medical histories (4)
Endoscopic procedures (2); one to remove gallstones; one to remove a pancreatic second stent
Falls (2), one requiring four stitches
Virus infections (3) for a week each
Treatment by different doctors (9); total includes dentist, ophthalmologist, radiologist, and gynecologist
X-rays (3)
Hospital stay overnight (2)
Refusal of additional testing (2)

Elevated liver enzymes returned three months after the endoscopies. I am grateful for the past seven months; otherwise, I would have continued on the same non-productive journey.
According to Dr. Bryan Radend, N.D.'s website, naturopathic doctors complete eight years of medical training which includes a year of clinical internship, board exams, and licensure to start a practice. These doctors treat the whole person and causes of disease with natural supplements, not symptoms of diseases with drugs, as in allopathy. They understand the importance of maintaining an alkaline pH (parts Hydrogen) balance in the body to prevent acidosis. One of the advanced symptoms of excess acidity is diabetes. A helpful chart listing pH of foods is on the website www.trans4mind. General categories for alkaline are plant-based fruits and vegetables; acidic foods are meat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and artificial sweeteners.

Two weeks after dramatically changing my diet, coupled with naturopathic treatment, the following changes are evident:

Increased energy brings an ability to be in perpetual motion throughout the day
Dark circles under the eyes are disappearing
Pain in the left hip, buttock area, neck and shoulder is diminishing
Elevated mood is present-being happy, smiling, laughing and singing
Weight is being lost and clothes are getting looser
Intense itching caused by elevated liver enzymes has stopped. (A month ago, my primary physician took me off the statin.)
Sleep patterns are improving, and I am waking refreshed.
Numbness in the feet, caused by neuropathy, is decreasing

My N.D. recommends Dr. Dooley and Dr. Bernstein's (comprehensive study of diabetes) books.

Although the N.D. has made numerous recommendations (including thirteen nutritional supplements), decisions are always my choice.

Continued Tomorrow

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2011/03/03/7072/diabetes--a-homeopathic-journey/

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/

1 comment:

CharmN Jewelry said...

Diabetes is a deadly journey as it does not seem to leave you even after a lot of medication.It then becomes a lifestyle issue...good suggestions here.

EMR