What’s Possible? A Case Study

Oftentimes, my patients ask questions or express concerns about medications prescribed for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure:

▪ “How long will I have to take this medication?”

▪ “What can I do to stop taking blood pressure pills?”

These are great questions because they have the potential to advance the conversation toward What’s Possible. Indeed, chronic conditions are serious problems that may require medication for life. However, with regular selection of healthier nutritious foods, exercise, and rest there is a good chance that some medications could be stopped or at least reduced. Even more, these lifestyle changes reward you with energy, stamina, and personal satisfaction. However, before making any changes in medications, please talk with your personal care physician. With this in mind, please allow me to illustrate these concepts:

Consider Mrs. C., a 72 year-old widow diagnosed with diabetes at the age of sixty-two. Along with diabetes, Mrs. C. weighed 250 pounds, had high blood pressure, and severe arthritis in both knees. To manage these medical problems, she is prescribed two different types of blood pressure pills and two different types of pills for diabetes. Also, she has to use a large dose of insulin before breakfast and before dinner.

Ultimately, both knee joints had to be surgically replaced. After surgery, the stress from her physical and emotional health led to blood clots in both legs and a bleeding stomach ulcer.

Mrs. C. was thankful to recover from these medical ordeals. And, she was the first to admit that her weight was a major contributor to these health problems.

So, Mrs. C. makes the decision to join a nationally acclaimed weight management program. Although knee pain kept her from walking, she started using her stationary bicycle. Over a 3 year time period, not only did she reach her goal weight of 165 pounds, but also her blood pressure returned to normal and diabetes normalized.

Under the guidance of her physician, she is able to stop diabetes and blood pressure medications. Now, she requires just a small dose of insulin once a day. She sleeps better, is more relaxed, and has energy for her grandchildren.

For 3 years now, Mrs. C’s has been successful in making healthy lifestyle decisions. She faithfully comes to my office for her 3-month check- up and together we review medical care, adjust medications, and celebrate successes. Still, there are no guarantees. The challenge now is lifetime maintenance. And, this is no small task as she moves through the cycle of life.

So, it is possible to reduce and/or stop blood pressure and diabetes medications. But, it requires maintenance of healthy lifestyle choices, strong physician-patient relationship, commitment, self-love, and above all patience.