Guest guest Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 Some of you may recall that I was having trouble with my BG creeping up, especially in the mornings (which left me with higher BGs all day). I had been waking up with fasting BGs less than 100 and they gradually crept up to 120-130s. I tried many of the supplements suggested, drinking wine, etc. None worked other than the wine and that only worked for 3 days. I went to see my traditional chinese medicine (TCM) doctors about my stiff and swollen thumb for accupuncture. These doctors received medical degrees in China, a 5 year program consisting of learning both western and traditional chinese medicine (accupuncture, herbs, massage and something else I can't remember). Additionally, their families have practiced TCM for 3 generations. I started taking a Chinese herbal mixture and my BGs have been excellent. The first evening I took too much and went low in the middle of the night. The presecription is 3 capsules with each meal -- if you are not taking Western medicine. I am taking 1 capsule with dinner every other day and continue my metformin. I am a little concerned that perhaps the herbs are stimulating my pancreas and will wear out the beta cells. I discussed this with them and say that in China people take these herbs for decades and don't need to go onto insulin. They do talk about Type 2 being an " uptake " probelm rather than lack of insulin. They talk in terms of balance for the system and are unclear as to mode of action. While they cannot tell me to stop taking metformin (Texas law prohibits this and makes them refer any patients they don't " cure " to an allopathic phsyician), in China patients with Type 2 diabetes don't use chemical oral agents.Type Is do use insulin. It could be a language barrier that causes me not to understand. Accupuncture is not used to control blood sugar but they believe it can reduce neuropathy. I have alot of confidence in these doctors from experience with other medical issues and many of my friends go to them. (I'm ashamed to say that they urges me several years ago to have blood tests because they thought I was diabetic--but I was swimming in the Eqyptian river.) However, I am concerned that perhaps they are not totally educated about diabetes -- just as many allopathic physicians are not. Also, I am tempted to gradually reduce the metformin and increase the herb -- but not if it will wear out my beta cells. Does anyone have an experience with TCM? Alyne T2, Dx 8-03, D & E and Metformin __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2005 Report Share Posted April 25, 2005 Alyne, What herbal mix did they put you on? Golden something or other? SulaBlue > I am a little concerned that perhaps the herbs are > stimulating my pancreas and will wear out the beta > cells. I discussed this with them and say that in > China people take these herbs for decades and don't > need to go onto insulin. They do talk about Type 2 > being an " uptake " probelm rather than lack of insulin. > They talk in terms of balance for the system and are > unclear as to mode of action. While they cannot tell > me to stop taking metformin (Texas law prohibits this > and makes them refer any patients they don't " cure " to > an allopathic phsyician), in China patients with Type > 2 diabetes don't use chemical oral agents.Type Is do > use insulin. It could be a language barrier that > causes me not to understand. > > Accupuncture is not used to control blood sugar but > they believe it can reduce neuropathy. > > I have alot of confidence in these doctors from > experience with other medical issues and many of my > friends go to them. (I'm ashamed to say that they > urges me several years ago to have blood tests because > they thought I was diabetic--but I was swimming in the > Eqyptian river.) However, I am concerned that perhaps > they are not totally educated about diabetes -- just > as many allopathic physicians are not. > > Also, I am tempted to gradually reduce the metformin > and increase the herb -- but not if it will wear out > my beta cells. > > Does anyone have an experience with TCM? > > Alyne T2, Dx 8-03, D & E and Metformin > > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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