On A Limb with Claudia

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Posted - 02/11/2004 : 10:08:57 AM
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The second doctor….

This was a very different visit. First the office was in a house on a quiet street outside of Denver. The office had wood floors and comfortable furniture. I was greeted by office people that were wearing real clothing and not lab coats.

I first met the medical assistant who took my bp (130/80 - thank you very much!), pulse and weight. I sat in a Easyboy lounger while she did this. Very different.

The doctor was also wearing real clothing. We sat down across her desk to go over the extensive forms I had filled out. She wanted to know about my history, my spirituality, my work, my life. She told me that most illness as we age is due to events that happened when we are older. Hmmm. I was pretty uncomfortable going over everything, however her easy manner helped me feel more at ease.

She knew of Dr. Mirkin, but didn’t know about the book or diet. She suggested that I try the South Beach Diet to help with what she believes that I have - syndrome X or metabolic syndrome. (This is a syndrome where flour, sugar and processed foods lead to pre-diabetic issues, early heart attack and ovarian cancer in women. Nice, huh?) She wanted more blood tests before she made a definitive diagnosis.

So rather than look at my high bp as a single problem, she believes that it’s an overall symptom of something larger going on. I guess I have been saying that all along.

I have been off the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for about a week. She told me that I had electrolyte issues as demonstrated in my last blood test and that the HCTZ only makes that worse. So she encouraged me to take the Lisinopril until my bp is less than 120/80. She said, “I don’t think you’ll be on medication for ever, just until your bp is lower than 120/80″.

It’s so amazing to me that 2 medical professionals can have such differing opinions. In some ways, it’s completely confusing. What will increase my long term survival? Who should I trust? So far, Dr. Mirkin and the new doctor agree on almost everything while the old doctor believes something completely different. (Ex. Dr. #1 said my blood sugar was fine and Dr. #2 said that the Diabetes association has been trying to change the levels because they believe that people of my reading are at risk for diabetes. Same numbers, completely different opinion.)

I still need to find a doctor in my health plan so I can get the blood tests done. I wonder, “will this doctor have a different opinion?”

I have decided that what I need to do is take all of the opinions and really listen to what makes the most sense to me. What feels true? I need to educate myself so that I can sift through all the information to come up with something that makes sense to me. So I am off to listen to my own inner voice - wish me luck!

Claudia at the Open Grove

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Could you please send me a copy of the “show me diet”,even if it’s the first two weeks, from Dr. Gabe Mirkin. I am a Parish Nurse(RN) in Canada.
He has the Woman’s world article download to view, but the print can’t be changed on a pdf. file in order to read it. It’s just to small a text. I would like to print it out and possibly use it in the ministry at church…SO many with poor health. But they need to SEE it too(many are older…or getting there.) I would really appreciate whatever you can do to help me out.
Thanks for your time. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His perfect peace Always.
Sincerely,
Lynda F.(RN, PNI)
PS.Seriously Love each other and LAUGH A LOT!
Humour is good medicine too!
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Hi Lynda,

Thanks for writing in. I will pass along your information to Dr. Mirkin and see if they have something on .pdf. I agree that it’s a really good tool for people who would like to change their outcome. The hardest part of the program is getting the blood work done. The real key, however, is if people have a waist over 40 inches, they can benefit from the diet regardless of whether they are able to get the blood work done.

Good luck in your adventures!

Warmly,

Claudia

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