DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 72-year-old female with osteoporosis, for which I take Fosamax; curvature of the spine from childhood; and arthritis in my right knee, right hip and in at least five spots on my spine. I also take medication for gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol and severe sleeping problems. I’m 4 feet 5 inches tall (lost 2-1/2 inches to osteoporosis) and weigh about 160 pounds.
In 2007, I took a nasty fall and hit the back of my head on the counter, drawer pulls and marble tile floors of my kitchen. I put ice on my head and went to my local pharmacist, who told me not to wash my hair for four days and everything would be fine. (We were on vacation on the island of Crete, and there were no doctors on call.) [Read more...]