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Posted 8/5/2016 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on in quite a while as my sugar has been doing it's own thing...severely high. The glyburide
didn't make me sick but it stopped working and the numbers went up into the high 300s to low 400s.
I refused to take Januvia as I get sick on most meds and didn't want to risk the pancreatic cancer associated
with it. So that doctor kicked me out of his practice. The new GP put me on glimpiride and after 3 weeks
I started to lose my eyesight (still have issues), was falling asleep at the wheel, chest pains, muscle issues,
headaches from Hades and a host of other things. I've been off for 5 weeks and still have some problems
especially with the eyes and muscles. He then wanted me on Farxiga. I asked about Berberine (plant)
and he said he didn't really know anything. But after getting sick on Metformin, then the glimpiride I
really didn't want to risk it again. The berberine seems to really be working. So far I've gotten my starting
numbers from 180-250 down to 110 this morning (lower than on their med) and my afternoon number
are now below 200's where they would kick as high as 300+. Has anyone else out there reacted badly
to most meds or have tried the berberine?? I realize I'm that one in a million that is allergic to everything
but was just curious.
Posted 8/5/2016 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
if it helps and is not harmful then go for it I say.
Posted 8/5/2016 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
I don't take any plant supplements. I'm sorry that you haven't found a medication that will work for you that doesn't make you sick. I can only suggest seeing an endocrinologist because that's his/her specialty. Sometimes it does take time for the body to get used to a drug. Metformin is an example of that. It's dosage in the beginning should be low and your eating plan must be low-carb. Then after that's tolerated, the dosage is increased until finally your blood sugar is controlled. That may be the same approach with other drugs - but I haven't needed other drugs so I don't know.

The problem with having those high blood sugar readings in the 200's and higher is that they can cause blindness from glaucoma, heart and kidney problems and neuropathy over time. Personally, I would rather take a drug with a rare risk of side effects than end up blind or dead.

If I were you I would look for an endo who will work with you.
Posted 8/5/2016 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Lanie, the local endo won't see me as he's "all booked up". The berberine works exactly the same way
that metformin does and doesn't do the damage. I'm not sure if it's the medicine or all those dang
chemicals they stuff in it that throw me for a loop. I am severely chemical sensitive. Doesn't matter if
it's perfume (haven't been able to use in 30 years) or cleaners (do you know how hard it is to find
unscented everything?) or bug sprays. I've looked on numerous web sites before trying this one and
am thankful it's working. Today's number was 121 this morning and 134 this afternoon. Lowest afternoon
number EVER. Unfortunately, the last med (glibiride) WAS taking my eyesight and it still hasn't gotten
back after 5 weeks off of the stuff. If it can do that much damage in 3 weeks I can only imagine after
a few months. I'm going for an eye exam next week and will ask about the medicine and whether
he thinks it's going to be an issue. Everything is still pretty fuzzy and I didn't have any problem
before taking it.
Posted 8/5/2016 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
Several years ago my regular eye doctor told me that my eye pressure was higher than normal during an eye exam for glasses. I've always worn glasses so I've been tested at least every two years but this time, he told me about the pressure, so I was referred to an ophthalmologist and after tests there, I was told I had glaucoma for which I take eye drops. Glaucoma causes blindness if untreated.

My suspicion is that the many years in which my blood sugar was "elevated" is the cause. The guidelines for diabetes are that it is not diagnosed until after about three fasting results of 125 or 126 and above. My fasting hovered from the 90's to a one-time high of 130 and averaged around 110 for years. I didn't know anything about what blood sugar should be and back then during the '80's and '90's, I didn't know anyone who tested their blood sugar. Even with diabetes on my mom's side, I knew nothing.

A non-diabetic's fasting is always in the 80's. I think it's delusional for a patient whose fasting is consistently 99 or thereabouts to believe he/she is fine and avoiding diabetes and its complications. But that was me, my experience.

So, my advice is make sure you see an ophthalmologist. This eye specialist has the tools and the special equipment to see behind your eye, your retina, test the pressures and so on. There are more than one test for this. The fact that your vision is now fuzzy scares me because that's not normal and I don't think it is caused by the glibiride but I'm not a doctor. I'm guessing.
Posted 8/5/2016 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I know you'll think it's crazy but I stopped most of my doctor drugs for sinus issues and went to baby
saline spray and natural eye drops and my eyes reverted to where they were about 10 years ago now.
They were still improving to where I could read signs without them if I was close enough and it was
clear. In all seriousness, until I took the glimpiride I had NO issues whatsoever with the eyes. Years
ago I had the beginnings of glucoma and my eye pressure is always higher than most people as I have
thick corneas. This is what the old eye doctor told me. Have a new one as I have to stay in network.
Neither doc sees any diabeties in my eyes.
Posted 8/5/2016 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Glaucoma in the eyes, not diabetes in the eyes! :-) In any case, make sure it's a thorough exam because the fuzziness isn't normal.
Posted 8/6/2016 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
I go on Monday and will let you know how I made out. One very weird side effect of the berberine is
the softest skin I've ever had. It has the same properties as reversatol...blood pressure 110/80 even
with all the stress I'm under. Trying to get walls up on the outside of the house before the fall rains.
Then I have an awesome kid coming to put up a pole barn style roof over the trailer before the
snow hits. Lots of work to do :)
Posted 8/6/2016 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the work on the house. And please let us know how your appointment goes!
Posted 8/19/2016 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Lanie....I went to the eye doctors and there is NO sign of diabetic retinopathy (good thing). I asked him
about the glimpiride kicking in the cataracts and was told that he "didn't need my theories". I'm still
having issues from it and I've been off for 6 weeks now. With the berberine I'm hanging between 110
and 160 and that's with a major sinus and throat infection and joint pain about 25 on the 1-10 scale.
I finally invested in a riding mower as push mowing the 2 acres finally got too much for my aged bones.
I'm using MSM and Silver Collidal (50/50) for my eyes and they're finally clearing up some. The
fuzziness is clearer and the colors are brighter again. Close up eyesight is back and still working on the
long range. I remember the eye doctor in Oswego saying that Omega's are good for the eyesight too.
Will have to pick up a bottle and try it out.

Just took my BP and it's 125/60. Pretty dang good for working outdoors all day. Another 10' of walls
to hang and 2 windows to put in and tyvek then it'll be the skirting for the mobile yeah It's looking
sooooooo good.

I also found a new herbal sleep suppliment which worked better than the Ambien!! I am really amazed
with this product.

Thank you for your help.
Posted 8/19/2016 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Have you been checked for glaucoma specifically? I know you mentioned about the eye pressure being higher than normal. What did he say is causing the vision problems? (the fuzziness, etc.)

I hope you understand all the effects of the supplements that you're taking. I'm not so sure about colloidal silver. I would be very wary of taking such things.

Good luck with the house. I hope you can get it done by the time the weather turns cold!
Posted 8/19/2016 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
I asked about the glucoma as I had signs of it years ago and it's no longer there. He said the cataracts
were causing the fuzziness. The drops I'm using (MSM/Collidal) are working as there's only a small
issue with long distance sight...the short range has cleared up totally.

I'm allergic to most of the chemicals they load into today's meds and that's my biggest problem with
taking the doctors stuff. I react pretty horribly to most of them. My old doctor used me as a "test model"
for many years with bad effects with most. How about Amitriptoline?? My hair was falling out....it's waist
length so I promptly stopped that.

I have 2 herbal "gurus" that I get advice from and I research before I take stuff. Like the doc wanted
me on Farxiga....heart attacks and strokes, let alone the bladder cancer. I'm a heart patient (situs inversus)
so something like that would not be a good idea for me which is why I turned to the berberine.
Posted 8/19/2016 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you continue to do well! Keep monitoring your blood sugar and blood pressure!
Posted 8/20/2016 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't know about berberine, thanks for sharing. Too bad that you are allergic to metformin since it might be considered another plant food because it is derived from the French lilac.

The B vitamin folate, may help with eye pressure. Most multivitamins contain folic acid, an artificial form of folate, which most people can handle. But many with the MTHFR defect can find it harmful.

The government recently required that bread and wheat be enriched with folic acid to prevent birth defects in pregnant women. But now some people question the wisdom of adding folic acid since so many are allergic to it. But using folate instead would have solved that problem.

So if you are taking a multivite then try to make sure it contains folate instead of folic acid just in case you are one of those MTHFR people. It may help with your eye pressure.
Posted 8/20/2016 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for an interesting post, IamCurious. Beans are a good source of folate but they also have a lot of carbs for a diabetic. However, broccoli, asparagus, spinach and Romaine lettuce are also very good sources and are very choices for diabetics.
Posted 8/30/2016 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Well, went to the doctors today and got the A1C news. He didn't kick me out of his practice after all BUT
he did get the name and stuff off the bottle of Berberine as he wants to research it wink That made me
feel real good. The reading went from 8.4 down to 7.7!!! He said that he couldn't say anything as it wasn't
FDA approved but keep up the good work. Not too dang shabby. The bad side effect of the berberine is
the softest skin since being a teenager. I've had more than one comment on how good I look.
Posted 8/30/2016 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad there is an improvement to the A1c. Are you also eating low carb? What food are you eating? Let us know what your doctor finds out from his research on the berberine, then, ok?

Stay well.
Posted 10/10/2016 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
I asked about the glucoma as I had signs of it years ago and it's no longer there.

Bilberry provides excellent nutrient support for your eyes and there are some studies that it helps prevent glaucoma.
Posted 10/10/2016 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't tried the bilberry yet but I will put it on my list. I'm doing MSM and silver collidal drops for the
cataracts. Colors are a lot brighter now but they took the MSM off the market again because it works.
I bought a couple of bottles online and hope to be OK for a while as it's only a drop a couple times a day.
The dot pattern is slowly shrinking and not as noticeable in solid light like it was before.
Posted 10/10/2016 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
As we age, we often develop "floaters" and other irregularities in our eyes. After a few days or weeks, our brains compensate and we no longer "see" the disruption in vision, even though it is still there.

So your vision may be "improving" just because of your brain, not because of anything you are taking.

I see that some places say MSM is useful for a variety of things (I'd never heard of it), but cataracts aren't on the list. And I see no mention of it being "off the market", rather I see if for sale several places online. Certainly no one would quit selling it "because it works".
Posted 10/11/2016 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I've had floaters for years starting in my early 30's and I'm 62 now. If I take off my glasses and look
at the clear blue sky (covering one eye and then the other) the imperfections are there but gradually
diminishing. The dot pattern is smaller...the shooters are still a pain especially in the blinding snow
when they blend in and will refract the light. I'm trying the silver collidal on my "old age warts" next.
The technical term is a mile long but I never had them until I started using sunscreen on my back.
I get sooooo tired of reacting to everything.

I go back in November for a recheck on the A1C. I'm doing a few more carbs and not enough water
so I need to adjust some. Dang cold in the house (50 right now) so drinking water instead of hot tea
isn't the greatest. I don't have any heat source yet as I'm waiting for the roof to go up so I can
finish insulating and then put up the heater. Snowball effect :)
Posted 10/11/2016 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
My grandmother drank hot water with lemon. Maybe you can try that instead of hot tea to warm up.
Posted 10/11/2016 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hot water with lemon is a great idea to keep warm! I frequently drink hot water with a couple of blueberries, or a strawberry at night during the winter. I like to mash the fruit in it. The water gets a little flavor and I don't worry about caffeine at night.

Nana Monster, why is it taking so long for the roof to go up?
Posted 10/11/2016 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
The inspector never told my contractor that he was going on vacation for 2 weeks. Now Darin (the
contractor) is home with a very sick little boy who has been in and out of the hospital for a couple of
days. Hopefully Thursday him and his friend will start. If things go good I might be set around the
time the snow starts to fly...oooooh, to live in a warmer climate for a while :)

I might give the hot water thing a try. Just out of curiosity does doing the 8 glasses a day help with
skin texture?? I'm not doing as much as it's colder. Might go in the sauna tonight...I love the 110 degrees
I set it at.
Posted 10/12/2016 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
I don't measure or count the glasses of water I drink a day but I do know that I hadn't been drinking enough because my skin started to look 'crepe-y'. I started to limit how much water I was drinking mostly because I have a bladder prolapse and I didn't want to add to the frequency of having to go to the bathroom but of course I realize that was a dumb idea. I needed to drink more water for kidney health, etc. Don't forget that during cold weather we do have to drink water because it's easy to dehydrate in winter, so drink up! What I'm doing now is drinking more water in the morning to mid afternoon and then just a glass in the evening so I'm not up at all hours in the night going to the bathroom.
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