Dr. Brian McDonagh, MD, stands out as a seasoned physician with an impressive tenure exceeding 30 years, primarily based in the Chicago suburban area. His career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to restorative medicine, a field he turned to, driven by a personal quest to address his own degenerative arthritic knee pain. Disenchanted by conventional orthopedic solutions, Dr. McDonagh explored Prolotherapy in 2006, discovering not only its efficacy in treating degenerative arthritis but also its profound impact on his own quality of life. His knees regenerated and they have been pain free ever since. Prolotherapy should be the first line of treatment for all degenerative arthritic joints. This journey of self-healing then led him to Neural Prolotherapy, now known as Perineural Injection Therapy (PIT), a groundbreaking approach he deemed highly effective for nerve-triggered disorders. PIT was discovered by Dr John Lyftogt in Christchurch, New Zealand, who made an invaluable contribution to Neurology, and who has taught over 3000 doctors around the world.
Driven by his positive experiences and the substantial healing potential of these therapies, Dr. McDonagh became a pioneer in advocating for their broader acceptance into some major neurological problems, especially Peripheral Neuropathies & Multiple Sclerosis. His expertise in PIT now extends to a wider array of neurological conditions, such as Crohn’s Disease, IBS, Chronic Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Migraine, Trigeminal neuralgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and Chronic Low Back Pain (eg., the Superior Cluneal nerve, L3). His innovative use of dextrose injection in PIT can eliminate pain while restoring normal function much quicker than usual, a great advantage for sport injuries. This is achieved by correcting the underlying neuropathy: a defective glycolysis within the nerves where the nerve C-fibers run out of ATP and depolarize, triggering spike protein formation and pain. The Dextrose temporarily restores C-fiber ATP (E) levels until the cell can recover its own ATP production. All of this occurs simultaneously at the affected nerves, turning off the stimulus/energy like a light switch, and pain relief usually follows within a minute. This has shown great results in rapidly relieving severe musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It was ideal for treating Peripheral Neuropathy from all causes. And not surprising, it worked great for Crohn’s disease, and also Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with early symptom relief, followed by “remission” a few weeks later. Also they don’t require DMTs and infusions. Dr McDonagh sees MS as a general neuropathy, and not a CNS driven disease. But it also makes MS treatment safer (no expensive toxic DMTs and Infusions) quicker and much more affordable to treat.
Dr. McDonagh’s educational journey began at the prestigious School of Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland, where he graduated in 1968. After internship and two years of Rehabilitation Medicine at Wayne State, Detroit, Dr. McDonagh worked in adult medicine and surgery in suburban Chicago. In a landmark move in 1980, he founded Vein Clinics of America after he discovered a more effective treatment (Ultrasound image-guided injection) for his own varicose veins. This marked a pivotal shift from in-hospital surgery to a minimally invasive outpatient treatment revolutionizing the management of vein disorders, swollen leg and venous leg ulcers. His pioneering work, was published in the Journal of Phlebology (UK) in 2002, and gained international recognition. It has since been adopted in most countries.
Dr. McDonagh’s career is a narrative of innovation, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of faster and better quality treatments. His favorite medical instrument is the injection needle because it can place a tiny amount of medicine at the “bulls eye” of the target where it is most effective., and much less chance of a side effect. His favorite solutions are inactive by Oral, IV and IM routes anyway. His contributions to medicine, especially in the realms of restorative and neurological treatments, underscore his role as a distinguished physician committed to improving patient outcomes. His popular innovations include Crohn’s disease, which can be deadly, he can turn OFF within a minute, using a dilute Dextrose solution, no exceptions and no recurrences. He says because he treats it as a Neuropathy which turns OFF the abnormal nerve signals. Simply put, he said that an abnormal nerve supply can cause an abnormal target function (disease) and so he concluded that an abnormal optic nerve could possibly cause blindness in Glaucoma. So he treated an almost completely blind man from glaucoma who’s vision improved about 15-20% after 2 days, but not much since. But he’s now more optimistic and looking for a better way to safely get more dextrose volume to the optic nerve in a much shorter amount of time.
27 References on Dextrose treatments:
1 Scripter C. Headache: Tension-Type Headache. FP Essent. 2018;473:17-20.
2 Robbins MS. Diagnosis and Management of Headache: A Review. JAMA. 2021;325(18):1874-1885.
3 Lam KHS, Su DC, Wu YT, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics (Basel). 2024;14(13):1380. Published 2024 Jun 28.
4 Lam KHS, Kersschot J, Suryadi T. A Novel Treatment of Fascial Pain With Glucopuncture: Three Clinical Cases. Cureus. 2024;16(5):e59544. Published 2024 May 2.
5 Fischhoff C, Vincent K, Ultrasound-guided Glucopuncture in the management of saphenous nerve entrapment in ultra-trail runner: A clinical case, World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2023, 20(03), 1803–1817
6 Kersschot J, Lam KHS, Teinny S, Nurhasanah L, Kesoema TA, Treatment of Failed Back Surgery Syndrome with Regional Sugar Water Injections: A Clinical Case. Medical Research Archives, dec 31, 2023
7 Kersschot J, Glucopuncture for Treatment of Fascial Pain in the Thumb. A Clinical Case, ISAR J Med Pharm Sci, 2584-0150, April 2024
8 Pandey N, Nayak P, Gahnolia V, A Randomized Control Trial on Efficacy of Analgesic Effect of 5% Dextrose Caudal Epidural Injection for Non-specific Low Back Pain. International Journal of Scientific Research, 2021, 10 (9), 11-13
9 Maniquis-Smigel L, Dean Reeves K, Jeffrey Rosen H, Lyftogt J, Graham-Coleman C, Cheng AL, Rabago D. Short Term Analgesic Effects of 5% Dextrose Epidural Injections for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesth Pain Med. 2016; 6 (1): e42550
10 Nasiri A, Rezaei Motlagh F, Vafaei MA. Efficacy comparison between ultrasound-guided injections of 5% dextrose with corticosteroids in carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Neurol Res. 2023 Jun;45(6):554-563
11 Ozge O, Derya G. Perineural 5% dextrose versus corticosteroid injection in non-surgical carpal tunnel syndrom treatment. Ideggyogy Sz. 2024 Mar 30;77(3- 4):121-129
12 Wu YT, Ke MJ, Ho TY, Li TY, Shen YP, Chen LC. Randomized double-blinded clinical trial of 5% dextrose versus triamcinolone injection for carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Ann Neurol. 2018 Oct;84(4):601-610
13 Lam KHS, Wu YT, Reeves KD, Galluccio F, Allam AE, Peng PWH. Ultrasound-Guided Interventions for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and MetaAnalyses. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Mar 16;13(6):1138
14 Hackett GS. Prolotherapy in whiplash and low back pain. Postgrad Med. 1960 Feb;27:214-9
15 Kersschot J, Mathieu T. Treatment of Painless Nodules With Glucopuncture in Dupuytren’s Disease in Men: A Clinical Case. Cureus. 2022 Nov 13;14(11):e31445
16 Kersschot J. Low-Dose Dextrose Prolotherapy as Effective as High-Dose Dextrose Prolotherapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis? A Double-Blind, Ultrasound Guided, Randomized Controlled Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2023 Jul;104(7):1154-1155
17 Kersschot J, History of Glucopuncture, World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(01), 1925- 1933
18 Lam KHS, Su DC-J, Wu Y-T, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose Techniques for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics. 2024; 14(13):1380
19 Li TY, Chen SR, Shen YP, Chang CY, Su YC, Chen LC, Wu YT. Long-term outcome after perineural injection with 5% dextrose for carpal tunnel syndrome: a retrospective follow-up study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 Feb 1;60(2):881-8873
20 Wu, Y.T.; Wu, C.H.; Lin, J.A.; Su, D.C.; Hung, C.Y.; Lam, S.K.H. Efficacy of 5% Dextrose Water Injection for Peripheral Entrapment Neuropathy: A Narrative Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 12358
21 Lam KHS, Su DC-J, Wu Y-T, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose Techniques for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics. 2024; 14(13):1380
22 Wu, Y.T.; Chen, Y.P.; Lam, K.H.S.; Reeves, K.D.; Lin, J.A.; Kuo, C.Y. Mechanism of Glucose Water as a Neural Injection;A Perspective on Neuroinflammation.
23 Cherng, J.H.; Chang, S.J.; Tsai, H.D.; Chun, C.F.; Fan, G.Y.; Reeves, K.D.; Lam, K.H.S.; Wu, Y.T. The Potential of Glucose Treatment to Reduce Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Apoptosis of Inflamed Neural Cells In Vitro. Biomedicines 2023, 11, 1837
24 Lam KHS, Su DC-J, Wu Y-T, Janze A, Reeves KD. Novel Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection with 5% Dextrose Techniques for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia Targeting the Greater Occipital Nerve. Diagnostics. 2024; 14(13):1380
25 Chung, E.; Yoon, T.G.; Kim, S.; Kang, M.; Kim, H.J.; Son, Y. Intravenous Administration of Substance P Attenuates Mechanical Allodynia Following Nerve Injury by Regulating Neuropathic Pain-Related Factors. Biomol. Ther. 2017, 25, 259–265
26 Topol, G.A.; Pestalardo, I.G.; Reeves, K.D.; Elias, F.; Steinmetz, N.J.; Cheng, A.L.; Rabago, D. Dextrose Prolotherapy for Symptomatic Grade IV Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study of Early and Longer-Term Analgesia and Pain-Specific Cytokine Concentrations. Clin. Pract. 2022, 12, 926–938.
27. A Novel Somatic Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Case Report of Hydrodissection of the Cervical Plexus Using 5%Dextrose-PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC89888540
Prolotherapy was very successful when introduced in the 1930s. While it should have been welcomed as a victory for cost-effective medical care, but it was denied by the healthcare insurers because it was “too good,” meaning it was not popular with the surgeons and hospitals who were losing money. So the health insurers declined insurance coverage for it: maybe the hospitals had better lobbyists. This is still the situation today, some 85 years later, where the insurers are still denying safer and cheaper treatments that push patients into unnecessary surgeries which carry more serious risks. It is unethical and it should be illegal. And Medicare is just as guilty. (Talk to your employer and congressman). Interestingly, I’ve had insurance company employees who had my non-surgical treatments, presumably covered by their employer (the insurer) because they were never concerned about the cost which is always a fraction of the surgical cost, plus there was no prolonged recovery with physical therapy and weeks or months off work for them. There are many other safe out-patient minor procedures that could replace existing high cost major surgical procedures, but healthcare insurers make a lot of profit from the sale of surgical coverage; it’s the most expensive portion of our health insurance. Put simply, the profit from selling ALL the surgical policies is far greater than ALL the costs of surgery! Healthcare insurers should have to follow ethical and cost-effective guidelines. It would improve the quality of care and significantly lower the cost of all health insurance which is precisely the reason why the health insurers object to medical ethics getting in the way of profit. We would all be better off if we had cost-effective medicine where the decisions are made by the doctor and patient.
Another excuse for denying health insurance coverage is that they say they only cover FDA approved medicines and not natural substances. This is in service to Big Pharma who cannot legally patent a natural substance, and who would prefer you use one of their high markup pharmaceutical products instead. However, the Health Insurers pay for hospital and ambulance use of D5W (5% Dextrose in Water), which is a pharmaceutical grade glucose solution used intravenously for many purposes. And IV Glucose is used in the ER to treat Hypoglycemia in Diabetics, so why can’t they approve Dextrose for Prolotherapy and Neuropathies where there’s no adequate alternative to treat NeuroGlycoPenia (low nerve sugar level) and relieve (and usually cure) Neuropathies? Prolotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritic joint degeneration, and has been around since the 1930s. It is still taught today as a post graduate specialty. It is also denied by the Health Insurers and it condemns patients to the same racket of unnecessary surgical risks where the financial cost of joint replacement is huge (by comparison) and the time lost to post surgical rehabilitation can be enormous. Health Insurers should not be allowed to direct patients into unnecessary surgery where there’s greater morbidity and mortality. That’s unscrupulous and unconscionable, and should be illegal with mega fines and loss of health insurance license. Removal of mandatory surgery would go a long way to reduce the cost of Health Care.
At our clinic, we believe in the power of innovative treatments not only to alleviate pain but to transform lives. Our patients’ success stories are a testament to our commitment to safer & more effective care by treating the cause where possible rather than the symptoms. Our approach has opened doors to new beginnings and restored hope where it was once lost for patients with debilitating chronic pain and Loss of Function.
We invite you to explore these inspiring testimonials and see for yourself how our innovative treatments are making a difference. If you are a doctor and are interested in using these methods, then call me at the number on this website.
Kenilworth’s LJ was a 19 year old violin music student when she presented at Dr. Brian McDonagh’s office with a painful, paralyzed left arm in April of 2022.
LJ began playing the violin when she was only 3 yrs old. She was a child prodigy, and played at Suzuki Violin. She attended the Music Institute of Chicago in Winnetka and had the honor to play Carnegie Hall while still in middle school. When she was 12 yrs old she began to have pain and weakness in her left arm, and had to stop playing her violin. After seven years of pain & suffering, she had no diagnosis of her complex condition in spite of seeing many specialists. LJ had all but given up. She moved on to theatre and other activities to spend her time, all along missing the passion she loved most, playing the violin.
When Dr. McDonagh saw LJ she hadn’t been able to play her violin. Her left arm had been deteriorating for 7 yrs. She came to his office after her mother had read an article about Dr. McDonagh and his specialized practice in “Winnetka, Kenilworth Living.”
Fortunately, Dr. McDonagh sees patients with many versions of pain and “loss of function,” and he recognized the combination of Pain with Paralysis as a Traumatic Neuropathy. Physical examination of her shoulder, arm and hand revealed sensitive nerves that confirmed his diagnosis. He concluded that her traumatic neuropathy was caused by overuse of her left arm from enthusiastic violin playing.
Nerves can become neuropathic from trauma/overuse, resulting in painful inflammation and loss of function, progressing to increasing paralysis. The symptoms occur from NeuroGlycoPenia, a low nerve glucose level. Near nerve injection of glucose normalizes the painful nerves in all conditions that patients have presented with at his office, and so treating these nerve sites with a glucose solution was all that she required. Her seven year disability disappeared within a few minutes, allowing her to be able to lift her left arm high above her head with no discomfort. She was then capable of resuming her violin career. When I met her at Dr. McDonagh’s office on a rainy Friday the next month, I could see the joy in both her and her mom’s eyes. It’s unfortunate to be so young and lose something that brought so much joy to your life. LJ will now be able to play her beloved violin for many years to come!
Whether you have Migraine, MS, Crohn’s disease, or other chronic painful afflictions that afflict us, Dr. McDonagh might just have the answer for you.
Written by Mike Stark, Publisher at Best Version Media • Mar 23, 2023
COMMENTS: LJ only required one treatment; she hasn’t had any return of pain. This is usual. Trauma from overuse can cause a painful paralysis by injuring (inflaming) the nerve supply to those muscles. This occurs frequently in patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which are usually treated surgically, but they can be relieved of their pain by a Dilute Dextrose perineural injection within a few minutes. It gives greater relief sooner than cortisone injections, allowing a much earlier return to sports activities.
My name is Christine. I used to be handicapped. Now, thanks to Dr Brian McDonagh, I am handi-capable! We first met in 1984 at a seminar. Dr McDonagh founded Vein Clinics of America and he was the pioneer of a new injection treatment protocol for varicose veins.
In 2008, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which progressed quite rapidly. I was in extreme pain 24/7. I had what is referred to as the “MS hug.” I was suffering with “locking fingers,” restless leg syndrome, and neuropathy in my feet. I was losing functionality to the point of having extremely limited mobility. Getting around required a cane, walker, or wheelchair. My previous doctor, a neurologist, prescribed Copaxone injections, as well as Baclofen and Tizanidine four times a day. I was so drugged that I was never awake for very long. These daily shots, and 8 pills a day, did not relieve my pain, they simply knocked me out … and then of course, I couldn’t sleep well at night. I was in constant pain, and I was beginning to suffer severe depression. Even with the side effects, I felt the meds were worth taking if they could help… but they didn’t. My condition continued to decline. Then, when I had a major exacerbation in October of 2019, I literally turned into a couch potato. My neurologist told me I could be bed-ridden or in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. When laying down, I couldn’t hold my head up … and standing upright was limited to just 5 minutes at a time. Simple tasks such as laundry, became an all-day job. My husband had to help me get into and out of bed and bath. He had to help me get on and off the couch and chairs … and most humiliating, on and off the toilet. My world was crashing down. The Copaxone shots were causing side-effects of necrosis, rapid heartbeats, back spasms, and hyperventilation. Sometimes it caused such pain that I actually had to scream. I couldn’t work. My husband’s ability to work was now limited. The high cost of my meds (over $4,000/month) drove us bankrupt. We lost our home and had to live in a house that I hated. Something had to change. Suicide was becoming a viable option. That’s when Dr. McDonagh came back into my life. We hadn’t seen each other in decades. But, when he found out from a friend what I was going through, he immediately contacted me to say he could help.
I was quite skeptical, but I felt it couldn’t hurt to try. OMG … after my very first session, my pain levels dropped by 50%. I was able to walk out of his office without my cane. This was huge! Thanks to his peri-neural injections, my pain became less with each session. His work on my shoulders was a Godsend. The neuropathy in my feet changed so much I could feel my toes. My neck could hold my head up. My restless legs had disappeared, and my locking fingers moved freely. The MS hug greatly diminished, and I could walk without a cane for short distances. I still use the walker for long distances because of chronic back problems. Nevertheless, I am now able to walk and be upright for 20 minutes at a time, so among other things, laundry has ceased being an all-day job for each load. Yes, I feel you should give Dr. Brian McDonagh a chance to help you; for me the results have been lifesaving. My husband is proud to tell people that he has gotten his wife back. My children do not worry about me taking my own life. My home is getting organized, and I can now travel to see my grandchildren.
Thank you and God Bless you Dr. McDonagh.
Christine Q
COMMENTS: Christine has led a normal life in remission since her treatments in 2017. All other MS patients have had similar “rapid responses and early remission.” My treatment is directly focused at the junction of “cause meets effect” of her MS, rather than just treating symptoms. I can normalize the nerves at the locations of the symptoms by near nerve injections of a dilute glucose solution. I can’t find compelling evidence of it being only a CNS disease, and therefore I’ve no use for DMTs & Infusions because “early remission” of her disease by injection takes care of tha much sooner. I like the injection concept because I can put a small amount of medicine at the “Bull’s Eye”(exactly where it’s needed) and get an immediate and better response.
Overall, I see MS as more of a peripheral or general neuropathy because it responds rapidly to local injection. I realize that this simplified treatment has the potential to profoundly change the future of MS, including treating most patients on an outpatient basis. The cost of MS drugs should disappear. This sudden and profound change in the cost of treatment may not be welcomed by the huge MS financial infrastructure, so I experience resistance. However, most Primary Care doctors would like to treat their MS patients this way, so call me if you’re interested: (847)612.2737 for text or voicemail. Also for MS patients who have questions or concerns.
I’ve had symptoms of Crohn’s disease since I was 7 years old. I struggled with eating, gaining weight, being extremely fatigued and with a general feeling of “brain fog’ when the symptoms were most severe, with cramping, 20+ visits to the bathroom, and utter exhaustion became the norm.
I had surgical resection of the terminal ileum, removing 24 inches of my bowel at the age of 22. Slowly life returned to a different norm but being out in public required a quick scan for bathroom locations at all times. Sugar, carbonated beverages, dairy, beef, pork and gluten had been eliminated for a healthier gut. Use of L-glutamine powder on a daily basis has been key, acting as a “wall paper paste” to help seal the leaky gut syndrome and assist in nutrient absorption.
Constant lower right quadrant abdominal pain ranging from a 3 out of 10 to a 9.9 out of 10 seemed to be what life would consist of with Crohn’s disease, spastic colon and random spasms.
I was examined by Dr. McDonagh who found evidence of a neurogenic cause to Crohn’s dis. He then gave me 3 small injections in the abdomen and the Crohn’s pain subsided within 30 seconds; immediate relief! I have not had any pain or Crohn’s symptoms since. And importantly, the frequency of bowel movements diminished to 2-4 per day with normal consistency (without any watery mucous stools). Mental clarity and focus have returned. Brain fog is gone and the fatigue reduced as my body healed. For me this was truly life changing. I cannot recommend this enough. The quality of my life has soared. Should the symptoms return I would immediately repeat the injection treatment.
Susan S.
COMMENTS: I treated Susan in 2017 and she had a rapid response with no more symptoms requiring treatment. This is now my typical and expected response for Crohn’s. Fatigue and brain fog are often associated with a high level of chronic inflammation. I understand why neither you or your doctor don’t believe my results are possible because traditional treatment is only symptomatic and often surgical, but my fast acting treatment is focused on the abnormal nerve supply that drives the high level of inflammation. I accept that no Crohn’s patient has ever had a rapid and permanent response to Crohn’s like this patient had in my office, but I’ve seen this rapid response in every Crohn’s patient since: Susan was my first Crohn’s patient. It works quickly in every case unless the patient has been taking opioids (usually for pain or diarrhea). Opioids block the C fibers in the nerves that supply the Crohn’s intestine. I’ve only seen one failure, and that was a patient on Opioids who denied it initially: you must be opioid-free for probably 2-3 months.
So how does it work? Our entire nervous system (brain, spinal cord and all our nerves) is dependent on Glucose for normal function, and glucose is converted into energy by a process called glycolysis. However, if the glycolysis becomes defective, it creates NeuroGlycoPenia (low nerve glucose level), and a spike protein which causes intestinal pain and dysfunction, i.e., Crohn’s disease. The near nerve injection of dilute Dextrose (glucose) corrects the defective glycolysis, and the nerve is normalized immediately, and so the Crohn’s energy/stimulus is turned off like flipping a switch. And that’s the end of your Crohn’s disease. I haven’t seen a recurrence EVER.
This same defective glycolysis occurs in many other neurological disorders (MS, Migraine, Neuralgias, Muscular Dystrophy, etc) all of which respond to the same treatment, a dilute dextrose solution injected near or beside the nerve supply without penetrating the nerve with the needle (which could cause further damage). This near nerve injection normalizes the nerve supply immediately, thereby turning OFF the severe pain, usually in less than a minute in Crohn’s. So, the new “take away” principle forthe target organs (until proven otherwise; so try it). Now that opens up a whole new idea for treating other Neurological diseases. I turn OFF the nerve-generated pain or dysfunction by correcting the defective glycolysis (in the nerve) injecting a tiny amount of dilute glucose. This is safer, quicker & more reliable.
This treatment is not yet used elsewhere because I haven’t treated enough cases yet to have it published it in a medical journal. This will probably take years to accomplish because these patients have to be followed up over months or years. It could be sooner if I had more Crohn’s patients, but I’m not a gastroenterologist and so I’m not on any referral list to receive Crohn’s patients. So, my progress is blocked. That’s medical politics.
I think some primary care doctors would like to treat Crohn’s this way. So, call me…..(847)612-2737 call (voicemail) or text. Crohn’s patients also.//
Many doctors and nurses don’t believe that Dextrose Water can do what I’ve described in this website, saying that it is only a placebo, just like “sugar pills, etc. I agree with them but there’s more to it than that. Dilute glucose normalizes dysfunctional nerves, and is the most powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic for neuropathic pain. This was the discovery of Dr. John Lyftogt in NZ, and he’s been teaching it around the world to enthusiastic doctors since 2010. He retired in Oct 2023. Dr.Steven Cavallino, MD is now teaching it in Ferrara, Italy.
An amusing experience: When I meet doctors regarding my work, they usually tell me that they don’t believe that Dextrose/Glucose can cure anything, and they begin to walk away, so I tell them that I’d like to test their confidence in that belief system by asking them if they would like to bet me $5,000 that it doesn’t work. None of them take the bet; that’s not my intention, but then in good spirits, they ask me to explain HOW it works. That’s my intention. I remember when I used to think that dextrose by injection was only a placebo.
Now I have included 27 published Medical References which they can easily verify. The take away lesson is that glucose water can normalize dysfunctional nerves and immediately regenerate the end organ (Crohn’s, traumatic neuropathy expressed as a painful paralysis, blindness from Glycoma, & dry eye, Trigeminal neuralgia, MS, etc. A colleague in St. Louis published an article on his successful treatment of PTSD using Glucose.
Wow Dr. McDonagh,
I can’t believe it! Best I’ve felt in 25 years. Incredible! What a gift you are!
Jodi,
Miniapolis, MN
I’m a 31 year old male who has been battling debilitating daily chronic migraine since I was 15. These migraines have frequently left me bedridden for months on end and have detrimentally impacted every aspect of my life. Over the years, I’ve seen multiple doctors, tried many, many medications, and attended multiple pain management programs and hospital stays, all in hopes of being able to regain some control over my life. Unfortunately, other than finding some temporary relief, nothing has worked to prevent or end a migraine.
When I met Dr. McDonagh for my first appointment, I was fairly skeptical of his PIT treatment, having essentially lost all hope for myself, but I recognized I should give it a try as I had nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain. How I wish I had known about him years ago.
Within 10 minutes of being injected with the first dose, the pain I’d been experiencing for the past 7 months and battling for 16 years went from a 9/10 to a 2/10. Sitting in his office, I was in disbelief and needed to pick my jaw off the floor. After returning for a second dose just a few hours later, my pain was completely gone.
It has been 3 weeks since treatment, and I remain migraine free and have no need to take any prescription pain medication. Dr McDonaugh has given me my life back. I can never thank him enough.
I hope my migraines are gone for good. Still, even if they return one day, I will be sure to return to him as soon as possible as I have never had any treatment or medication that works so well and as immediately as Dr. McDonagh’s PIT injections.
Peter V, Lake Forest, IL
Comment: Peter told me that at times during his 16 years of Migraine attacks he had episodes of Suicide thoughts. These are common with chronic severe pain. He even thought of the futility of coming in for my treatment because all previous treatment ideas and efforts to reduce his pain fell far short of his expectations. That changed when his pain disappeared within a few minutes of my Dextrose injections. The insight here is that there is difference between focusing on the treatment of the pain rather than treating the defective associated nerves. I use this new concept (treat the nerve, not the target organ) when treating ALL neurologic disorders, e.g., Crohn’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dry eye, etc, even some cases of blindness (Macular Degeneration, & Glaucoma).
I’m in my 50s. I had Migraine since age 13, with 2-3 attacks a month, each lasting 2-3 days. It was debilitating, and I could not function normally. About five years ago I had 2 injection treatments by Dr. McDonagh on the first day, and one treatment the next day. Relief was almost immediately. I’ve had no Migraine medicines since.
Stephanie S, Boynton Beach, FL
COMMENT: Her case is typical. Note that my dextrose injections stopped her pain “almost immediately,” as compared to traditional pain injections in the ER which can take hours to work. My treatment is different because I treat the cause (the low nerve glucose level), and not merely the symptoms (unnecessary, and much less effective). I think most doctors would prefer to treat their patients this way. So, call me if you’re interested to learn. 847.612.2737
It must be wonderful to have the ability to completely change another’s life for the better in such a huge way. Getting them out of pain. Just want you to know what I huge difference you have made to my quality of life. No more back pain after 20 years. Thank you,
Patty, Glenview, IL
COMMENT: Patty has returned to playing golf at 80 yrs. There are many possible causes of chronic low back pain (CLBP) but the most common and easiest to relieve is caused by the Superior Cluneal Nerve (L3); even Google agrees. The results are immediate.
For several years I suffered from severe arthritis pain in my right hand & thumb. Dr Brian McDonagh treated me in 2015. I had 3 treatments in his office and the hand was pain free. The thumb joint pain was persistent and required 3 additional sessions. I am pain free since that time with no additional treatments or medications. I highly recommend him.
Gerald I. Glenview, IL
COMMENT: I treat small joint arthritis using a dilute dextrose solution which is a great anti-inflammatory medicine for small joints. Patients like it when their swollen joints become small again. Their relief is immediate because the needle is so tiny(32G).
My mother-in-law suffered with shoulder pain for many years, and no other treatment helped her. She tried orthopedic treatments, physical therapy, massages, many different drugs, to no avail. Three visits with Dr McDonagh and she is pain free for more than 6 months now. I wish I heard about his neuropathy treatments years ago, it’s life changing.
Luciano, Buffalo Grove, IL
Traveling overseas to visit my daughter last summer, I found myself grappling with excruciating pain in my right leg and knee, which significantly hindered our mobility and travel plans. The discomfort was so severe that I felt like a burden to my family, especially when it came to walking or traveling. Despite my skepticism, my daughter persuaded me to see Dr. McDonagh for a complimentary consultation. At that point, I was almost resigned to the idea that surgery was my only remaining option.
To my astonishment, during my initial visit, Dr. McDonagh administered injections throughout my afflicted leg and knee. I experienced a slight alleviation of pain on the very first day, but it was the dramatic improvement after the second set of injections that truly took me by surprise. By the third and final day of treatment, I found myself walking normally, entirely free of pain—an outcome I hadn’t dared hope for. In a moment of sheer spontaneity and joy, I even ran across the street to hail our Uber, something I hadn’t done in years. The realization of my newfound mobility moved me to tears.
Seven months have passed since that transformative experience, and I remain completely pain-free. My journey from skepticism to gratitude compels me to recommend Dr. McDonagh unreservedly to anyone suffering from chronic pain. His treatment didn’t just alleviate my pain; it restored my freedom and quality of life.
Jose, visiting Chicago from Brazil.
COMMENT: Try Prolotherapy first even if the surgeon says your joint is too far gone because most of those cases do well with Prolo. I had my own knees injected in 2006, and they’ve been normal ever since. I was so impressed by my response that I decided to get proper training in Prolotherapy so I could offer it to my patients. Then I went on the Medical Missions to Honduras with a group of doctors to offer Prolotherapy. We treated hundreds of arthritic joints there. That clinic began in 1969 and is still in demand today.