A stressful journey with a medical reward
December 2, 2005 2:30p.m. I drove myself to my doctor's office with chest pains, before I knew it I was wheeled into the HEB emergency room. Within fifteen minutes, I was examined by fourteen people each considered me to be in critical condition. A series of tests were completed to diagnose my chest pain. As I laid there for the next four hours, I promised God I would take better care of my body going forth. (When you make a promise to God he does not forget, I might but not God). Stress can kill you. No one I was worried about knew I was in the emergency room. The diagnosis came back as acid reflux. Chemical prescriptions were prescribed for thirty days and I was to follow up with my regular physician in a week.
February 2006, based upon emergency room tests results: cholesterol, 198, desirable <200 (LDL-bad 127) desirable <100 (HDL good 37) desirable >40 (triglycerides 170) desirable <150, my internal medicine physician suggested I begin taking niasian which I refused and substituted Bragg's apple cider vinegar. I inquired about diet and exercise and later joined the fitness center (working out four times a week) and I consulted a dietician.
June 6, 2006, my test levels were: cholesterol 164, LDL 109, HDL 37 triglycerides 89. In June 2006, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert food into energy for everyday life. My doctor prescribed one metformin 500 mg per day (which has a fatal side effect called lactic acidosis).
July 7, 2006, I received a 2nd opinion which confirmed that I had type 2 diabetes A1c 5.9 limits 4.5-5.7 the mean bldg glu estim was 110 which I did not think was out of control. My Dad and his two sisters are diabetics. Doctors amputated one of my Aunt Louise's legs and she was needing the other amputated as well. She died July 2, 2005 from complications. She was in so much pain I did not want to end up like her. My doctor increased my dosage of metformin from 500mg to 1500mg a day. I agreed to take this medication because I was told it would help me lose weight. November 2006 Hemoglobin A1c is 6.7 mean bld glu estim 137.
Sherri Turner, a very good friend and aerobic instructor, told me about bikram yoga, a 90 minute workout in 105 degrees (which will detox you). She talked about how wonderful it was but I told her I live too far from Grapevine and could not withstand the heat. I was really thinking she has lost her mind.
December 29, 2006 my father was found unconscious at his home due to a drop in his glucose level. While at the hospital early that morning, his glucose dropped to 17 and he was slipping into a diabetic coma. His muscles were out of control, eyes glazed over, he was sweating and cold. I stood in the corner and watched six healthcare professionals stabilize him, I thought this will be me in 30 or 40 years. At that moment I decided I would not be a diabetic and increased my workouts to 5 to 6 times a week. Over the course of next 3 months of dealing with my dad's situation, my glucose level remained high. After being informed that my medication would likely need to be increased again, I was dismayed and thought my body could not handle these chemical drugs. March 2007, I stopped taking the prescription metformin and worked on dieting and exercising. Frustrated, I called Sherri and again she recommended bikram yoga.
April 13, a new beginning for me, I took a day of vacation to attend a bikram class. With the introduction offer, I decided I would try to do 30 classes and see what impact it would have on me without knowing the challenge. Day 21 I notice my skin, hair, attitude and spirit was changing. On day 23 I was approached by some of the staff to try the 60 day challenge, my answer was I can't do that, they said you're half way there. Well, as you know I decided to do the 60 day challenge and finished on June 11. On June 7 day 56 I had a fasting hemoglobin Alc test completed (indicates a person blood sugar control over the last 2-3 months). My awaken glucose at 3:54 am was 103 and after yoga class at 7:41 am it was 92.
June 25, the nurse practitioner walked into the exam room smiling and said Ms Mitchell your test results are great, all of your levels are down. Your Alc went from 6.7 to 6.1 and your glucose went from 137 to 117. After she read my results, I told her I had not taken metformin since March and she was shocked. I also told her I was doing Bikram yoga and had not eaten sweets or desserts since I started yoga. She was not surprised and said she needs to try yoga as well. She knew about the Grapevine studio and said she had another patient doing the yoga as well and there were some benefits and that I had to keep doing it. I left the doctor's office knowing I could reverse my diabetes.
Bikram Yoga, has changed my life, being in practice lets me focus on me and only me.
The transformation has been a new mind, body, and spirit.
The lord has blessed me each and every day of my life. Having the support and encouragement of the staff and members at the Grapevine studio has been awesome.
Thank you so much, for your encouragement.
- Connie Mitchell
|
