People need to realize that homeopathic/natural supplements
do not have instant results! Generally, it might take one month or more of regular doses for changes. I haven't tried Bitter Melon yet, but I have been off Glyburide and Metformin since late December, following acute pancreatitis that had my blood sugar registering steadily in the 250-400 range. My doctor had been pushing me to go on insulin for some time, and I was desperate, fearing that the damage to the pancreas might force me to do that.
I went on the Net and began reading suggestions for dealing with a damaged pancreas and other physical problems. I found the blog of a man who had been dealing with chronic pancreatitis since the Seventies. His solution mainly lies with homeopathic/natural supplements. I followed suit and have never regretted it.
The first thing I ordered and started on was Glucocil. For me, it started making a difference within a week or so though it might not help others that quickly. I also added Sugar Equilibrium II. When I went to see my doctor and told her about no longer taking the two prescriptions, she was distressed, even when I showed her my twice-a-day readings. Before, I was lucky if my blood sugar was @130 though it could be as distressingly low as 50-60; after a meal, a spike could hit 200+, no matter how carefully I ate. I felt helpless because, with Glyburide, it seemed OK for a while; then, it became extremely erratic, and Metformin was added. That only helped for a while, then I was back to dropping as low as 50 to rocketing as high as 250; my readings were all over the place, and I knew I was eating exactly the right things in the right amount. I would write down EVERYTHING, so my doctor was well-aware that I wasn't cheating in any way. Well, she told me that, for a month, I should test more than twice a day then bring her the results, as she still was dubious. I used a calendar, which I took to her the next time. After studying my records, she looked up, shaking her head before she said, "Amazing! This is amazing!" She already had complimented me on how much better I looked and acted. Then, I told her I also wasn't taking Furosemide, which had never worked for me; I also have fibro, CFIDS and Congestive Heart Failure, meaning I have problems with edema and lots of water retention. I told her that I had switched to Butcher's Broom; I had learned that Botanic Choice's capsules (one three times a day) work wonders. My feet fit in shoes I haven't been able to wear for years! I've also dropped several sizes since I no longer am swollen like a toad.
There are other supplements I take daily, especially with pancreatitis, including NOW Super Enzymes and C-1000. I've always needed a lot of magnesium for some reason, and UltraMag seems to suit my system.
I won't claim that supplements work for everyone, but they are doing wonders for me that prescriptions never did. I'm still working on my blood pressure, which tends to be elevated because of physical pain and how nervous it makes me. However, I'm making headway on the pain and joint problems~the natural way. I do not intend to desert this path. I'm steadily losing weight and gaining strength.
Every year for more than 10 years now, I've lost from three to nine months to being almost completely crippled from my illnesses (a number of which I've had for far more than half of my 60+ years). Sometimes, it was so bad that it took me close to an hour to get out of bed and to walk to my bedroom door. I wouldn't be able to brush my hair or feed myself. I hated being so helpless! This is the first year I've made it halfway through and not had a single incapacitated day! I won't say I'm romping around, but I am getting in and out of bed with little effort, staying on my feet longer than I have been able to for "forever" (it seems), walking out to the car and driving more places (post office, shopping~though I still have to use one of those carts), and even taking photographs and thinking about getting back to sketching, writing and playing my bowed psaltery. I'm reclaiming parts of my life that I had had to relinquish.
When I've gone to the doctor, she and the others in the office remark how much better I look, move and act. People I haven't seen for a while say, "You're moving better!" "You've lost weight!" "What are you doing? You look great!" That's so much better than me walking like a mixture of The Mummy and Frankenstein's Monster; mix them up, and that's how I was moving around, body twisted up. Then, there are the noises that one tends to make. When I was in my late 20s, I already was making sounds that generally are heard from the elderly. Trust me: You don't intentionally groan, and you can't help the joints cracking and making noises. I'm getting quieter as my treatment continues! If I drop something, I just bend down and pick it up, and I don't nearly or actually fall!
With homeopathics/supplements, follow the instructions exactly. First, you should read about it; then, if you're taking prescriptions, make sure they will not cause problems. There's a lot of information about extracts out there, including whether they're suitable for you; for example, if you have another physical problem, it might not be wise to take certain supplements. Some sites actually have on-line assistance, or you can speak with someone on the phone; you can get some direction that way. I've yet to be on a site (Swanson, Botanic Choice, Puritan's Pride, etc.) that made drastic claims; each also requests reviews of products by customers. They also provide lists of ingredients when necessary.
I also have to thank external help from Ayurvedic medicine: the pain relief ointment called "Himani Fast Relief". It's been more effective than some others I also keep in my "medical kit", including Thera-Gesic and Sombra.
Until I get a better handle on my blood pressure, I shall take medication for it. I'll bet I get to stop that, too, eventually. I just need to find the right supplement or mix of them. I'm trying Hawthorn Berry right now.
So, don't put down these remedies! If I explore Bitter Melon as I've been meaning to, I'll let you know my results. Once more: I won't recommend tossing aside your prescriptions. What I can do is relate my success~a life-changing path for me!
EDIT: I'm not sure about simply drinking some teas. I haven't tried anything like that though I do drink Rooibos and other herbal teas. I stress that I take supplements in tablets, capsules and softgels/gelcaps, with some chewable homeopathic tablets for sciatica, low back pain, nerve pain and more. Drinking some tea and expecting instant changes just doesn't happen; these supplements take time to work.
The following is from one supplier concerning "Full Spectrum Bitter Melon" in capsules~not the tea.
Quote:
from naturalhealthremedies.org...
Bitter melon has been used for centuries in Asian medicine. Its strong bitter taste means it can be used for digestion issues but can worsen other ailments such as ulcers. Besides digestion, bitter melon was also used to treat psoriasis, cancer and diabetes. The most significant health benefit has to do with diabetes. Bitter melon has been shown to help with blood sugars levels. The plant produces a bovine like insulin that can be injected into diabetics. The studies that have been done have shown that this plant insulin works just like its bovine counterpart with added advantages. It’s important to note that this benefit come from the juice of unripened fruit.
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