I need holistic advice/thoughts please

[ftwildernessguy]

As far as FDA approval, IMHO, the FDA has done more to stiffle medical care in this country than any other country in the world. It has to do with pharmeceutical companies, politicians, and $$$$.

The supplement I have been researching has been used successfully in Germany & France for over 30 years in treating diabetes, with excellent results. Two universities that conducted clinical studies (one in Canada & one in the U.S.) were both studying treatments for Alzheimers. The discovery of treating diabetes with ALC/ALA was an "accidental" discovery. These universities then went on to conduct clinical trials using these supplements on diabetics - with great results.

I am going to go ahead and try it, but will discuss it with my Dr. on the 24th. Thankfully, my Dr is open-minded to consider alternative supplements. He will also explain why he thinks a supplement is good or bad.

Deb:

There is no doubt the FDA has dragged its feet approving many drugs to the frustration of a lot of physicians and patients, BUT - remember Thalidomide? Used in Europe and Canada to treat morning sickness. Pregnant women in the US were screaming for its approval, but the FDA refused citing lack of evidence of safety in humans. Many women convinced their physicians to get the drug for them illegally, and the result - horrendous birth defects. I am not saying this supplement doesn't do what it claims, but my problem is with companies who produce a product and call it a supplement to bypass the regulations required by the FDA for approval for therapeutic use in the US. Imagine if Thalidomide were introduced today as a dietary supplement?

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Debbie, I am so sorry you are going through all of this! I can't even imagine standing as much as you do with all that pain!

I am a big proponent of holistic medicine. Although, like Jim said, you have to be careful with bottles of pills claiming to be "natural". I only take things I recognize and typically I try to find these "cures" in the food I eat. For example, cinnamon (3 grams a day) is supposed to help fight against diabetes. Any food that is slowly absorbed by the body is a good choice. Exercise where you get your heart rate elevated is another. Why don't you try a pod cast called "couch potato to 5k"...I've been thinking of trying this myself. I'd be glad to be your virtual walking partner!

When shopping for food, try to do most of it in the outer walls of the grocery store and less in the aisles. The aisles contain more pre=packaged meals with preservatives, salt, msg and fillers that you really don't want in your body. If you have a local farmers market or co op, you will be helping your community as well as your health.

When you only have time for fast food, try Subway instead of McDonalds. Park farther away from the store and wear a pedometer. Small changes can add up to big results!

Also, if you want a sleep aid, try Melatonin. You can buy it bottled in health food stores but it is the same hormone produced by the brain when you fall asleep. It kicks in quickly and you won't feel groggy in the morning. While you are at the health food store, pick up some liquid Stevia. It is a natural sweetener, does not raise blood sugar and comes in some wonderful flavors! Try it in coffee, tea, yogurt, even water! It's good stuff!

Take care of yourself and let us know what the doc says!
xoxo

 

[disney4dan]

Deb, I wish you the best of luck and am sorry about the pain. I have seen a few people who get a chronic pain and have watched how much of a toll it can take on the spirit. Not pretty.

On a lighter note, just ask my wife Nancy, she's been dealing with this chronic pain in the neck for 20 years now. I'm thinking she agrees with the beer therapy at this point.

 

[LORNADUCK]

Deb, I spoke to my friend and she didn't know much about the non prescription supplement. She did say to watch out, because if the are not FDA aaproved (and she isn't against supplements) they don't have to have in them what they say they do. I don't know if I am making sense, so If I am to you that's good. Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Lorna

 

[des1954]

Deb:

There is no doubt the FDA has dragged its feet approving many drugs to the frustration of a lot of physicians and patients, BUT - remember Thalidomide? Used in Europe and Canada to treat morning sickness. Pregnant women in the US were screaming for its approval, but the FDA refused citing lack of evidence of safety in humans. Many women convinced their physicians to get the drug for them illegally, and the result - horrendous birth defects. I am not saying this supplement doesn't do what it claims, but my problem is with companies who produce a product and call it a supplement to bypass the regulations required by the FDA for approval for therapeutic use in the US. Imagine if Thalidomide were introduced today as a dietary supplement?

Yeah...I worked with a woman who was a "Thalidomide Baby". She had hands, but no arms. It was simply amazing to see how she overcame this birth defect and had a relatively normal life. Actually, I believe thalidomide was approved for use in this country for a short period of time in the 50's. The FDA has also rushed through too many drugs that didn't have appropriate testing done. I'm thinking....phen-phen, pondomine, vioxx, and I'm sure there are others. Byetta may be next on the list. When I was first confirmed as diabetic, my Dr put me on byetta. I had no problems the first month, which was a 5mg dosage. The second month the dosage is raised to 10mg, which made me sick. Now I'm hearing that this drug is "under investigation".

I'm not big on vitamins or supplements, because you just can't rely on how or where they are manufactured. A lot of them come from China - and frankly, that scares the crap out of me. So, if I do use a supplement, I stick with a brand called "Solgel", which is manufactured in the US, is highly rated by holistic experts, and is a reliable brand. Unfortunately, it's also the highest priced!! I did get the ALC/ALA at Walgreen's, because I can't find a health food store locally that sells the Solgel brand. I did check the label for the manufacturer/distributor, and "China" was nowhere on the label. I hope that's the truth.

Ami- I tried cinnamon for about 6 months, with no effect on my blood sugar. Harrumph!!!

I was very surprised to read Denise's post from her SIL about processed foods having an impact on diabetes. Good grief!!! What can you buy anymore that isn't processed? (And still keep money in your pocket). I don't believe that anything is truly "organic" - as somewhere along the line the cow, chicken, pig, vegetables, and fruit have to have water. You are even warned not to eat "fatty fish" like salmon, tuna, & swordfish more than twice a week due to mercury poisoning. Our planet's water is so "un-pure" that no one anywhere can have totally chemical free food. Heck, there's even pollution in the ice caps!!!

I really appreciate everyone's concern and help. As I said before, you guys are the BEST!!! (Well, except Al, who is warped enough to think beer should be used as a colon cleanse!)

 

[loriandmatt]

deb - wanted to offer my advise and encouragement here. i too because of family health issues recently decided to do as jim advised and prevent now to possibly avoid what was headed my way. when you know (as i do) that you have a bad train headed your way, it is a wise person who decides to not keep rushing towards that train (and the way i used to eat/live i wasn't even walking towards that train, i was going full out with my big butt resting on a FW golf cart as i was snacking on the trails end family bucket of chicken.)

about 1 year ago i slowly started to change the way i eat, how much i eat, when i eat it and eventually my activity level. (as we all know, exercise is a rough bugger when you get winded folding laundry) i lowerd my cholesterol, blood pressure and have lost 25lb and kept off for 6 months. now that i can walk up a flight of steps and not want to take a nap after, i hope to incorporate a bit more exercise to drop a few more.

i can pm you if/when you want to ease yourself into that, but honestly the "shop the outside of the store" advise from PolyPixie is a GREAT way to get started. (not the only things you buy, but over time it becomes the majority in your cart as opposed to the minority.)

heck - i even learned how to make sugar free margaritas! damn tasty! (i had to mention booze in my post. this is after all the camping boards, that's kind of what we do here right!?!?)

best wishes and good luck to you

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Deb:

Thalidomide was NEVER approved by the FDA for use in the US for treatment of morning sickness. Those who used it in the US obtained the drug illegally. It has, since, been approved for other uses, and is actually being considered for use in AIDS patients, however it is expressly forbidden to prescribe to pregnant women.

Jim

 

[auntie]

You are very correct when you say "No treatment is as good as prevention." However, there was no lifeguard on duty at the gene pool the day I was conceived.

I here ya there Deb.
You want to talk gene pools.....


My father has high blood pressure that lead to his stroke at age 57. (cerebral hemmorage.) Both his siblings had strokes and died of complications associated with them. His mom did live until she was 83 (but was crazy as a loon..another story) His Dad died in his 40's a recovering alcoholic but damage was done, and he died of problems with his heart.

My mom has heart disease, is diabetic and has rhumatoid arthristis. She had her first heart attack at 57.(she also smokes like a chiminey) She has high cholestoral. Her dad died in his mid sixties of a heart attack. Her brother had bypass in his sixties. Her sister is diabetic.

Both my brothers take cholestoral medication, and one takes blood pressure medication. Neither is overweight. My sister's blood pressure tends to be high..but she ignores it. She thinks she's only 41 and doesn't worry about it. Big mistake. (I give a few years, and she'll start thinking differently)
I started taking cholestoral medication a year and a half ago (should have probably been started on it sooner). I had cholestoral of 280.The cardiologist said I could start living on sprouts for the rest of my life and it would only reduce my cholestoral by 15%...which still wouldn't be good.
Medication was a must. Thank goodness I don't smoke or drink. Okay..I do have red wine occasionally. I do have to loose weight. Which really stinks since I spent most of my life thin as a rail. WTH? I think when you hit fifty you automatically get a gift of fifty pounds! ..Okay, maybe not, but at least an extra 35!
Go figure, Bob and I live in the same house and eat the same food. His cholestoral is that of a freakin' Eskimo. 135. Sometimes I hate him.

 

[Tigger0624]

Deb- I am totally useless when it comes to info on anything really, but just wanted to offer my support, thoughts and ! Once I am able to walk again, I definitly should start getting back on the "good habit" train and off of the golf cart! Hope you find something to help with the pain!

 

[djblu883]

Debbie, I am so sorry you are going through all of this! I can't even imagine standing as much as you do with all that pain!

I am a big proponent of holistic medicine. Although, like Jim said, you have to be careful with bottles of pills claiming to be "natural". I only take things I recognize and typically I try to find these "cures" in the food I eat. For example, cinnamon (3 grams a day) is supposed to help fight against diabetes. Any food that is slowly absorbed by the body is a good choice. Exercise where you get your heart rate elevated is another. Why don't you try a pod cast called "couch potato to 5k"...I've been thinking of trying this myself. I'd be glad to be your virtual walking partner!

When shopping for food, try to do most of it in the outer walls of the grocery store and less in the aisles. The aisles contain more pre=packaged meals with preservatives, salt, msg and fillers that you really don't want in your body. If you have a local farmers market or co op, you will be helping your community as well as your health.

When you only have time for fast food, try Subway instead of McDonalds. Park farther away from the store and wear a pedometer. Small changes can add up to big results!

Also, if you want a sleep aid, try Melatonin. You can buy it bottled in health food stores but it is the same hormone produced by the brain when you fall asleep. It kicks in quickly and you won't feel groggy in the morning. While you are at the health food store, pick up some liquid Stevia. It is a natural sweetener, does not raise blood sugar and comes in some wonderful flavors! Try it in coffee, tea, yogurt, even water! It's good stuff!

Take care of yourself and let us know what the doc says!
xoxo

I couldn't agree with you more! Fresh foods work best....diabetes was not near as prevelent (sp) when we had no pre packeaged foos...I certainly do best with them! I graze on bluberries for fruits and strawberries..they don't seem to mess with my glycemic levels like other fruits do! I 've used stevia for year now and hate it when I run out...they even have a vanilla flavored one now!I even cook with it...did PF Changs Spicey Chicken last night...no rice and it was wonderful...(a bit of salt and sugar in the jarred sauces but not like the recipe calls for in addition to)

 

[PolynesianPixie]

heck - i even learned how to make sugar free margaritas! damn tasty! (i had to mention booze in my post. this is after all the camping boards, that's kind of what we do here right!?!?)

best wishes and good luck to you

Can you share the recipe????

I 've used stevia for year now and hate it when I run out...they even have a vanilla flavored one now!I even cook with it...did PF Changs Spicey Chicken last night...no rice and it was wonderful...(a bit of salt and sugar in the jarred sauces but not like the recipe calls for in addition to)

I have "English Toffee" and "Valencia Orange" flavored Stevia in my fridge right now!

 

[auntie]

Soooooo How'd it go Deb?...Any news?

Hope you're feeling better.

 

[des1954]

Soooooo How'd it go Deb?...Any news?

Hope you're feeling better.

My Dr's office called and changed my appointment from 6/24 to 7/15. Sooooo, I have to wait.

I decided to take Jim's advice & not use the supplement until I spoke to my Dr. about it. I'm not a "pill-popper" (not even vitamins), and after thinking about what Jim said, he's probably right. A couple of weeks aren't going to make that much difference, and ibuprophen works well enough for the time being.

Thanks for asking!

 

[djblu883]

Where did you find those other flavored stevias?????