Get Started Search Icon

Mary Lou Sheehan: Hypertension, Diabetes

The fundamentals of the McDougall Program are simple yet often difficult to implement. Star McDougallers have either adopted the Program themselves by learning from our website and books or joining one of our programs. For personalized help, learn more about the 12-Day McDougall Program. For questions on whether a change in diet can help your ailment, learn more about our consultations.
Learn more

Saves $295/month on medications and regains her lost health — with vegan diet and exercise

Arrived taking 135 pills a week, barely moving, pasty, and always tired – left with a determined step and hope for the future. 10 days later, she now saves at least $290.05 on monthly medications.

Mary Lou Sheehan is a retired Registered Nurse from Springfield, Virginia who came to the April 2002 McDougall Program out of desperation.

“When I walked I felt like I was up to my waist in molasses.   I was tired all the time.  We couldn’t do anything in the evening, because by 7PM I was exhausted.  Even though my dietitians and doctors tried to help me, their efforts made no difference. They kept telling me to lose weight, and I knew they were right, but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get better.

“On one hand, I was afraid to leave my doctors and the hospital.  We had become so close that I think they should have put a plaque on one of the ICU rooms with my name on it.  In the past few years, I had had a stroke and 3 angioplasties.

“On the other hand, it was plain to see that I was making no progress – I was dying.  I knew I had to stop the downhill slide with my health.

“Things began to change when I saw a story about the McDougall Program in a magazine called Diabetes Forecast (April 2002) — this program was given a 5 star rating.  So I bought the McDougall books.  They made sense and I saw for the first time that I had a possibility of getting better.  The stories of the people in the books were very inspiring.  My decision to travel across the country to Dr. McDougall’s center was finally made when I realized that I needed a jump start, and with all the medication I was taking I was afraid to make the change on my own without medical support.  Embarrassment was also a big motivation, making me decide I wanted a better life – I hated telling people I was 5’4″ and 225 pounds.  Fortunately, through all this decision making process, my whole family supported me 100%.”

Mrs. Sheehan had suffered from high blood pressure since she was a teenager. Recently her doctors had a difficult time controlling her pressure (increasing to 300/200 mmHg) and she was put on a very powerful medication called Minoxidil. She also took three other medications for her high blood pressure upon arrival at the clinic. She has suffered from type-II diabetes mellitus since 1987, and for her diabetes she took two kinds of pills.

Over the course of the 10-day program she stopped all of her diabetic medications and her blood sugar remained normal (101 and 108 mg/dl).  She stopped 2 of her blood pressure medications (Minoxidil and Prinivil) and cut another one in half (Atenolol).  Her blood pressure decreased from 136/90 to 140/80 mmHg.  Since she has been at home her blood pressure has remained low – usually 138/74 mmHg.  She lost 6 pounds in 10 days at the program, while fully satisfying her appetite.  Now she is very active – going on daily walks, and she is feeling great all day long (well past 7 PM).  “I called my daughter, Lori, when I came home and she told me that even over the phone she could tell I was much better by the increase in strength in my voice.”

“I finally have hope – for first time I now know that I can feel better and get better – it is no longer all downhill.  I walk every day.  I have no trouble with the diet – I’m 100%.  My children and grandchildren are interested too.  They don’t want to become fat and sick like they saw happen to me.”

Hypertension Medications:
Minoxidil 2.5 mg, twice a day = $27.09
Dyazide, everyday  = $9.99
Atenelol 25 mg, everyday = $3.50
Prinivil 20 mg, twice a day = $101.98

Diabetes Medications:
Avandia 8 mg, everyday = $143.99
Glucotrol XL, everyday = $16.99

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.