No More Diabetes Drugs

In 2003, Ken Wright was 63 years old and seriously overweight. He had been diagnosed with diabetes 10 years before, and he suffered with many of the complications of this disease, including diabetic neuropathy and retinopathy. He had multiple problems with his legs, thanks to an earlier accident, as well as peripheral vascular disease and severe swelling, and he was unable to walk on his own. He was also plagued with an itchy rash on his legs, arms, and back that he would often scratch so much that he drew blood. He had high blood pressure, asthma and bronchitis, severe arthritis in his neck and knees, and bowel and bladder problems. He was in constant pain, and he slept poorly. He felt hopeless because his doctor had told him there was nothing else he could do for him.

His wife, Mourlene, who is a subscriber, decided to take charge. She called the Whitaker Wellness Institute, and in June 2003 they visited our clinic.

When they got here, Ken was taking 13 different drugs: two for his diabetes, an ACE inhibitor for his hypertension, a very potent diuretic, three inhalers and an oral drug for his lung problems, an antibiotic, a thyroid medication, a topical steroid and another cream for his legs, and 15 or 16 aspirin a day for unrelenting headaches and arthritis pain. No wonder he had so many problems!

Unlike his doctors back home, we were quite confident that we could help Ken, so we got to work. He received IV infusions of glutathione and oxygen treatments, and within three days he was breathing normally and off his inhalers. He underwent a course of acupuncture and reflexology, and his urinary incontinence cleared up after a week. For his knee and neck pain he had prolotherapy injections, and for his diabetes, hypertension, and weight he was placed on a comprehensive nutritional supplement, diet, and exercise program.

The Wrights returned home after two weeks, highly motivated by Ken’s improvements to continue with the program. In Mourlene’s words, “He went from a pessimist to an optimist real fast. He was a different person!”

Over the next few months, Ken’s headaches and neck pain resolved, and he stopped popping aspirin. He started using honey on his legs in place of the prescription steroids and creams, and the itching receded. He also began losing weight. He came back to the clinic in March for a course of EECP and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and his improvements accelerated. The swelling in his feet went down, and the sensation and function in his legs increased by 100 percent.

As of August 2004—one year and two months after his conventional doctor gave up on him—Ken had lost 165 pounds and 20 inches from his waist. His blood pressure is under control. His blood sugar is within normal limits, and he takes no diabetic drugs. His asthma and bronchitis are gone, and he now boasts that he has an “iron bladder.” Ten of the 13 drugs he was on have been discontinued—he only takes a thyroid medication and half-doses of an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic. His vision has improved, and he is driving again. He still has some problems with his legs, but he’s able to walk and work out in a gym, and he feels better than he has in 20 years.

— from Health & Healing by Julian Whitaker, MD