DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 63-year-old male friend has pericardial effusion.
He had increasing shortness of breath and general weakness for about two weeks before having a procedure to remove the fluid. During it a liter of blood fluid was extracted but the biopsy was negative. He has never had any other heart problems but is being treated for emphysema.
He will have follow-up echocardiograms because the fluid is apparently reappearing. [Read more...]
Follow Physician Advice For Heart Condition
April 14, 2009 By
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Needs Monitoring
April 7, 2009 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 79-year-old female. I had a CT scan and ultrasound screening in September 2008. At that time they found an abdominal aortic aneurysm. One doctor said it was 4.8 centimeters but another said it was 4.2. Both told me that that nothing would be done until it reached 5 or 6 and at that point surgery would be recommended.
My question to you is, what do I do now?
DEAR READER:
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are potentially fatal areas of bulging or ballooning of the large blood vessel that supplies the abdomen, pelvis and legs. They can occur in anyone but are most common in males over 60 with one or more risk factors.
Those factors include emphysema, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, being male, and certain genetic factors. There is no known cause. [Read more...]
Daily Column
March 12, 2009 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I had a mastectomy at the end of 2005. The drain was removed 30 days later. Following that, I developed a seroma. Subsequently, I had to have it drained about every three weeks. Then in March 2006 I had a pulmonary embolism and was put on warfarin. I was advised at that time I had to continue it indefinitely because of a personal history of superficial phlebitis and family history of related conditions.
To date I still have a seroma which must be drained once a month and now my surgeon wants to do another surgery to see what is wrong. Have you ever heard of this problem?
DEAR READER:
A seroma is simply a build-up of fluid that usually follows surgery, especially mastectomy (breast removal). In most cases it disappears on its own. Some seromas may need to be drained, occasionally more than once. [Read more...]
Unsuccessful Knee Replacement Needs Follow-Up
December 16, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
Last October I had my second knee replacement. I really don’t think it was done correctly.
Before had the surgery, my left knee cap would slide to the left and lock. The doctor told me to should be replaced. Now, after the surgery, it continues to do the same thing. I often have to take my hand and push it back into place. It happens a lot when I go up and down stairs. Does this sound right to you?
DEAR READER:
I am not an orthopedic knee surgeon. You were told you needed a knee replacement because of a problem with your knee cap, yet after the surgery you still have the same problem. This to me suggests that something was not done correctly.
I recommend you return to the surgeon who operated on you and ask why you had the knee replaced if it did not fix the problem. [Read more...]
Sunday Column
December 14, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing to you as a last resort for my ongoing problem.
In April 2005 I had an abdominal aortic aneurysm which burst while I was on the operating table. Against the odds I lived.
In July 2005 I developed two hernias which were treated non-invasively. In April 2006, I developed three hernias which were again treated non-invasively.
In May of 2006 I had surgery on my left carotid artery because it was 95% blocked. I was fine until March 2008 when I had to have surgery for another hernia. I have enclosed the hospital papers with this letter for your review.
Aug 2008 I returned to the same hospital because of more hernias. The doctor said they could not operate and that I would have to be seen by a specialist at a nearby medical university hospital or the Mayo Clinic. [Read more...]
Daily Column
November 18, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
A while ago you received an irate, irrational letter from a self-proclaimed “consumer advocate” protesting your advice to an 88-year-old man to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm repaired.
Six months ago I had the same procedure. Three months later I had a hernia operation. I recovered with no complications. I was 89 at the time of both surgeries and just had my 90th birthday. I am in good health and enjoy life.
I look forward to reading your column every day. Keep up the good work.
DEAR READER:
Since that particular article came out, I have received hundreds of letters similar to yours. It would appear this “consumer advocate” is not well liked by the consumers. Perhaps he or she should find another profession.
Thank you for writing and sharing your experience with me and my readers. [Read more...]
Daily Column
October 18, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have had eight abdominal hernias and six operations in the past three years. The same doctor has performed these operations using mesh each time and each time another hernia comes on in a different location of my stomach. This is highly rare to have so many surgeries — my stomach looks like a tic-tac toe board.
I’m 60 years old and carried mail for 34 years. I retired at the age of 55. I don’t know if my occupation has anything to do with my weak stomach lining or not.
My questions are, should I change doctors? Is there any other new procedure besides mesh? Does wearing a truss help any, and how many surgeries can be done on a stomach without causing further damage?
DEAR READER:
Hernias occur when soft tissue protrudes through a tear or weakened area of the lower abdominal wall. [Read more...]
Daily Column
August 28, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I read your article about a person who seems to have the same progressive neurological disorder of the spinal discs that I have. I have enclosed the doctor’s report of my MRI.
I am a 74-year-old man. I currently take one Ultram tablet three times a day and one Lyrica tablet twice a day. I have also had two hip replacements in the past 20 years.
When I get up in the morning, my left leg feels like someone has attached an electric wire to it. I also have a great deal of pain in my shoulders. The electrical feeling in my leg and the pain in my shoulders last until I take the Ultram but then I still have some trouble standing or walking for too long. The Lyrica seems to help because by about 10 am I am able to get up and move around somewhat better. [Read more...]
Sunday Column
August 3, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
My wife had a colostomy because of a bowel obstruction in January 2006. She has had a great deal of suffering since it reversed in June 2006.
It seems like she has to go to the emergency room of our local hospital every three or four months because of severe abdominal pain. The pain always comes from the same location, the area where the two sections of intestine were reattached.
During her follow-up visits after the surgeries she was told that because of her persistent pain that she is in the 25% of patients who have chronic pain because of adhesions and scar tissue build-up at the incision site. The excess tissue is also causing parts of the intestine to collapse, leading to periodic blockages and pain that are treated with IV antibiotics and pain medication in the hospital. [Read more...]
Sunday Column
July 27, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently read your article about a lady who had disc problems. I had similar problems with pain and following an MRI was told I had vertebral compression fractures. I immediately saw a chiropractor who told me I was a good candidate for a procedure called “Balloon Kyphoplasty”. After the surgery I had immediate pain relief and I feel so much better. My life is back to normal. I highly recommend this to anyone else suffering from these fractures.
By the way, I am an 80-year-old female.
DEAR READER:
Balloon kyphoplasty is a relatively new procedure used to correct painful compression fractures of the vertebrae. These fractures are often the result of osteoporosis.
The procedure is done through a small incision near the vertebrae. A small, deflated orthopedic balloon is then guided into the fracture site where it is then inflated. [Read more...]