Diabetes, Neuropathy, Dropped Foot Syndrome, Gangrene/ Avoidance of Amputation

I came to Dr. Tong February 25, 1997. I limped into his office with a walker and a leg brace. I could hardly walk, and the pain was so bad, constantly, even with all kinds of pain medication.

At age 72, I started having back pain and pain in my right side and leg. I had diabetes for many years (approximately 25 years) which I had no trouble with pain all these years till July of 1996. I washed my car one-day, and afterwards I developed severe lower back and leg pain.

I went to Dr. P... and he gave me medication for pain, without any relief. Then I had to go to the hospital and the pain was so bad I was unable to stand it. He had many tests ran and none showed what was wrong. He even called other doctors in, like Dr. B..., who took more tests and thought I should have my leg amputated and before the year ended he thought I'd have to lose the other leg. I also had Dr. D... run many many tests and still no one could help me. Even though I kept telling each doctor I was diabetic, but they said that had nothing to do with it. Then my right foot dropped. I couldn't move or control it, it made me fall frequently and hurt myself.

I had been in two different hospitals for 13 days and treated by 9 specialists, each one telling me they couldn't find what was wrong. After all the painful tests they sent me home with no improvement and unbelievable pain day and night. I tried acupuncture eight times. I even went to San Bernardino five times a week with someone to drive me back and forth, and went into a hyperbaric chamber for 45 minutes each day, and spent $8000 and unbelievable number of treatments. It didn't help.

Then the last doctor I went to said it was so bad he would be amputating my right leg. By the end of the year I would lose the left leg. I told him, even if he was a specialist, I didn't need him for a doctor--nor did he need me for a patient. I left his office thinking of only one thing--I must do away with myself because the pain was so severe and I knew I couldn't expect living with such awful pain nor the loss of my legs.

The tests and drugs prescribed for me were so many I can't name them all, plus many, many X-rays. I had a myelogram, a discogram, and etc. I was given Mexitil, Elarul, Lortab, and numerous other drugs, plus my diabetic medications. I was in such a pain and my blood sugar was out of control, I can't tell you how wonderful life is now that Dr. Tong has treated me.

The lady I work for found Dr. Tong and asked me to please come and see him. Thank God I listened. He told me from the very first visit that I would not lose my legs, and with his treatments, I would walk without a walker or a cane, and he said the pain would go away.

I have to say Dr. Tong has kept his word. I cannot praise him enough. I am so thankful I came to Dr. Tong for my treatments. For the past two years, I walk great without the brace, cane, or walker, and no more pain in my leg and hip and back. And, last of all, I still have both my legs.

Also, my diabetes was cured by Dr. Tong’s treatment. I have not needed my diabetic pills for the past two years. My blood sugar stays quite normal, even though I must be honest that I do not always follow Dr. Tong’s dietary recommendations. Before his treatments, my blood sugar levels were 180-200 or more with the two pills prescribed by other doctors. Now it is 100-120, and goes up to 140-150 when I have really indulged on my diet.

I am back now August of 1999 but, it's because of stress concerning my life and I'm sure he will help me get rid of this also.

Daisy B.

Listen to Daisy's Audio Interview from August5, 1999