Saves $330 a month on medications and regains his lost health — with vegan diet and exercise
Gerald Klosky, 69 years old, from Almont, MI (near Detroit) came to the McDougall Program after listening to the Mark Scott radio show on WXYT in Detroit since 1985. It only took him 17 years to make it to us — but better late than never. He came with a history of adult-type diabetes for 2 years for which he took five different kinds of medications (8 pills and 2 to 3 shots a day) and high blood pressure for which he took four kinds of medications (7 pills a day). This represents over $350 a month in medication costs (from a discount online pharmacy — costs would be much more from a local drugstore).
He also suffered from obesity, severe constipation, and bone loss. Gerald summarized his experience of adopting a low-fat vegan diet with these words:
“Not only did I throw away all of my medications, but I feel greater than I have felt for decades, and after such a short time without them. Not only have I have thrown away the medications, that were slowly killing me, but I have thrown off the shackles of an unhealthy life style. The greatest of all rewards, and consequence of my new life style, is the fact that, after a very short time, I no longer have to debate with myself if my weekly cathartic should be a little T.N.T. or the usual stick of Dynamite to loosen me up, just to suffer another painful and uncomfortable week.”
In 9 days he was able to stop all of his diabetic medications, and all of his high blood pressure medications except for clonidine 0.1 mg twice a day ($19.98/month). His blood sugars remained close to normal while requiring no medication; and his blood pressure went from 186/112 to 160/80 after five of the seven pills were stopped.
He lost nearly 6 pounds while eating as much as he wanted over 11 days (Probably even more fat-weight was lost because he stopped his diuretics which usually result in a 3 to 5 pound water-weight gain – this means he actually lost over 10 pounds of body weight).
His bowel function became normal and he dramatically improved the way he felt and his exercise tolerance. His cost for monthly medications was reduced by over $330/month ($353.47 – $19.98). With the saving from one year’s medication alone he can pay for the entire McDougall Program experience.
Geralds’s Monthly Medications Before Changing his Diet:
DIABETIC MEDICATIONS (30 days’ supply):
Glucovance 2.5/500 = $30.49
Glucophage 500 mg = $23.69
Prandin 2 mg four times a day, $96.99/100 = $116.39
Glucotrol XL 10 mg twice a day, $21.89 x 2 = $43.78
Humulin (insulin) 2 to 3 times a day = $25.41/vial
HYPERTENSION MEDICATIONS (30 days’ supply):
hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg $9.99
Accupril 40 mg = $33.5
clonidine 0.2 mg = $9.99
clonidine 0.1 mg twice a day, $9.99 X 2 = $19.98
Calan SR 240 mg twice a day = $39.89 (60 pills)
Total Monthly Medication Expenses: $353.47
Prices from CVS pharmacy.
Even though these results do not occur with everyone, they are typical for people who make the diet and lifestyle changes at the 10-day McDougall Program.
