DAVE DRUM wrote in a message to THOM LACOSTA:

TL>What kinda of strength/dose are you using?

TL>Looks like this might really be worth a try.

 DD> Sorry, I am _SO_ far behind in my FIDO replies. I do a 400mg
 DD> capsule of  GS4 (a water soluble extract) in a cup of tea at least
 DD> once a day. It  enhances the action of my body's natural insulin
 DD> and seems to lower my  fasting glucose levels. 

I found some tablets in 400 mg strength....I am taking 1 per day, and I've
noticed that the blood sugar is lower.....and my appetite isn't nearly as
ravenous as before. 

 DD> I knew it was relatively effective when I began getting low blood
 DD> sugar  episodes (shakes, sweats, headache) shortly after beginning
 DD> usage. I  have dropped my dosage of Amaryl to 25% of what my
 DD> croaker prescribes.  

The affects are not so profound here.....that would really be great to be
able to reduce the meds....I am also on Amaryl and Actos.

 DD> The gymnema has also, seemingly, allowed me to start losing weight
 DD> once  more ... and, I if I can peel down to near 200# I may be able
 DD> to ditch  the other 2mg of Amaryl. The bad part is that the pee
 DD> pills that I have  to take are what caused the diabetes - a side
 DD> effect they didn't warn me  about. FEH!!!

Interesting.....I can attribute mine to heredity, bad diet and the real
culprit, lack of exercise.  When I did a lot of physical work, I never had
the problems with diabetes.

I do know that exercise is a big help.....I am now riding my bike between 1
and 2 hours a day......feel a LOT better.

Thanks for the tip about the gymnema....

Thom

cya,
thom
http://www.tlchost.net/echolist/ 
--- GEcho 1.20/Pro