Diabetes may have far-reaching side effects

April 2, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was wondering if you could shed some light on something for me. My daughter is 24 and has suffered five heart attacks, is diabetic, and has had a collapsed lung and numerous blood clots. None of her doctor can really explain these problems but don’t think it is attributed to the diabetes. What do you think? Is diabetes enough to cause all her ailments?

She was never a drug user although she did use to smoke quite heavily. She has now quit after being put in the hospital for pneumonia and needing to be on life support for a month. During that time she also got foot drop which I understand is from being stationary in bed with no foot board. Is this permanent?

DEAR READER: Given the nature and severity of your daughter’s problems, I believe she may be suffering from some type of clotting disorder or a heart disorder. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Compression stockings for air travel

March 5, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I read with interest your column from about a month ago from a waitress whose legs felt much better while wearing compression stockings. With a family history of varicose veins and aching legs, it inspired me to try compression socks whenever I’m on my feet for a long period of time. They work very well!

My question is: Would you recommend wearing compression socks during air travel? I have heard about blood clots affecting people who fly and are seated for long periods of time. I thought the socks might alleviate that.

Thanks for a wonderful and informative column!
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

Uncommon condition has many causes

February 15, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 26-year-old son has been diagnosed with homocysteinemia. It seems that physicians don’t know a great deal about this. I know it is a genetic disease that has something to do with amino acids in his blood. The neurologist who confirmed the disease has told us that he has Marfan-like features (my son is 6 feet 7 inches, 160 pounds and has long limbs). He has had an irregular heart rate for many years that fluctuates from 40 into the hundreds. (His cardiologist said a lot of people have this.) His level was 16 at his last blood test. My research states that a normal level is between 3 and 7, but his family doctor (who admits not knowing much about the disease) said 12 could be normal. The neurologist said his count was high.

What is this disease and what complications can it cause? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Plavix and Prilosec like oil and water

March 11, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a heart condition and take both Plavix to prevent blood clots and Prilosec for stomach acid. I was recently informed there are new reports out that advise me not to take my Prilosec. What is this all about, and what are my options?

DEAR READER: Plavix is prescribed by physicians to prevent blood clots that could lead to heart attack or stroke in some patients. Prilosec (omeprazole) reduces the incidence of excess stomach acid. In November 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to patients not to take one if you are on the other. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: , , ,

Birth Control Pills Linked To Blood Clot Formation

March 12, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 24-year-old granddaughter recently had a stroke due to a clot because of her birth control medication. She got fast treatment and will be okay but now I am concerned about the other young women out there.

I have talked to several members of the medical community who say that this is primarily due to the medication, orthotricyclin. Manufacturers state that five percent of women taking it will develop a blood clot. To me this still means hundreds of thousands of women are at risk.

Please raise awareness about blood clots and birth control.

DEAR READER:
Consider it done.

For many years now, gynecologists and physicians have known about the risk of developing blood clots because of birth control pills. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

Daily Column

November 4, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently went on a trip that involved traveling 1100 miles. During that time I developed a blood clot in my right leg that moved into the bottom of both lungs. Because of this I had several tests done. One was a CT scan and during this they incidentally found what appeared to be a tumor on one of my kidneys. I was given the anticoagulant Coumadin to start immediately and told to check out the kidney problem when I got home.

When I returned home I saw my physician who was concerned about my kidney at first. I asked for a referral to a specialist who ordered another CT scan. Again, it showed I had a mass on my kidney. I was told that it was under 4 cm so it was caught quite early.

My urologist doesn’t want to do anything about the kidney right now despite the fact he feels it is cancer. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

Daily Column

September 15, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am writing in response to the gentleman in a recent column who said he had “sticky blood”.

I have factor V, double genetics which makes me a homozygote. There are many people who have had blood clots and are still under diagnosed for this genetic condition. Many doctors are unaware that it even exists. I was diagnosed after a family doctor recommended I have genetic testing following a blood clot in my leg at age 40. I am now 43 and live knowing the health risks of having homozygous factor V. None of them are good.

I am currently writing a college research paper on factor V and have learned how dangerous it can actually be. Please run a column on this matter to help educate those who have been afflicted by blood clots or have a strong family history such as mine does. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , ,

Daily Column

April 12, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 61-year-old male with no heart problems or recent surgeries. In June 2004 I developed a blood clot in my left lower leg which then resulted in a pulmonary embolus (clot) in my right lung. I was admitted to my local VA hospital and put on 5 mg Coumadin daily. My PT/INR was kept in the 2.0-3.0 range. I continued the medication until October 2006 when I was told I could stop it. All was well until February 2007 when I developed multiple pulmonary emboli in both lungs. This time I did not have any of the leg symptoms. I again went to the VA hospital where I was put on 5 mg of Coumadin every day. I was told that I would now have to take it for the rest of my life.

Because I did not understand why this was happening, I made an appointment with a hematologist (blood specialist). She took blood samples and did a genetic profile. Everything came back negative or normal. She concluded that I now have naturally “clotty” blood and I would have to live with it. There was no identifiable cause.

So now, Dr. Gott, my questions to you are: why, after 58 years of being a “normal blood clotter“, did the above happen to me? Will I really have to be on Coumadin for the rest of my life? Should the VA doctors be doing or have done more for me? Your opinions are appreciated.

DEAR READER:
I don’t know why your blood is now clotting in a dangerous fashion. Your hematologist appears to have run extensive tests and ruled out any genetic factors and disorders as the cause. Therefore, you will need to continue the Coumadin for the rest of life. If you were to discontinue it, you would run a very high risk of developing more pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lungs). You would also be at higher risk for heart attack and stroke if the clots broke off and were carried to your heart or brain. Sticky blood is especially dangerous and your physicians have taken appropriate steps to normalize your blood and reduce your risk of serious consequences.

Another option to explore, albeit unlikely, is lung cancer. In my practice I have seen several cases where pulmonary emboli were the only symptoms of lung cancer. If you wish to explore this option, I recommend you see a pulmonologist (lung specialist). He or she will most likely take a medical history, do an examination and order some imaging studies of your lungs.

Let me know what happens.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Pulmonary Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , , , ,

Treat the cause, not the symptoms

February 20, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My situation is a bit complex but I will try to make it as brief as possible.

In 1997 I was short of breath, had stress tests and a heart catheter which indicated an 80% blockage in one artery and 50% in the other two. In the artery blocked 80%, I had angioplasty and a stent put in. Relief was immediate.

I felt fine until recently. I have arthritis and attributed the pain my left shoulder and upper arm to that. It started approximately two or three months ago. About three weeks ago I experienced extreme shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue. At the hospital I was diagnosed with blood clots in both my lungs associated with a low INR. I was in the hospital for six days on a course of Coumadin and shots of Lovinox. I was discharged when my INR reached 2.1. I take 10 mg Coumadin daily and felt fine for about a week. Then back to the ER with shortness of breath. Tests showed no clots but my INR had fallen to 1.7. I then consulted with my heart doctor and he ordered another stress test. Again everything was fine.

This leaves me in a dilemma. Chest X-rays and CT scans show nothing relative to the lungs and the stress test shows nothing relative to the heart. However, I still continue to be extremely short of breath, fatigued and weak. As far as I know, I was never diagnosed with asthma or emphysema. I used to be a heavy smoker (2 packs per day), but I stopped more than 12 years ago.

Please give me your expert thoughts on this. Should I opt for a second opinion at a place like the Mayo or Cleveland Clinics?

DEAR READER: Yours is a complicated ailment. For example, why did you develop blood clots in your lungs? Could this be a symptom related to a primary lung disorder or a clotting disorder?

Based on the information you gave, I am fairly confident you have a clotting disorder. Your INR (International Normalized Ratio, higher numbers mean less clotting ability, lower numbers mean more clotting ability) is abnormal despite treatment with an anti-coagulant. I recommend you make an appointment with a blood disorder specialist (hematologist). Bring your lab work and test results with you to the appointment. This will provide background information and aid the specialist in his diagnosis. He or she may choose to order more specific tests. If this specialist doesn’t find anything abnormal, I believe that a visit to a top-notch medical facility is entirely appropriate.

You need to know why you developed blood clots and why your INR is consistently low. In other words, your doctors may be treating your symptoms instead of searching for the cause. This needs to be remedied. Let me know how this turns out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Blood — Donations and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

Daily Column

January 1, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
In May 2006 I had a stent implanted in my heart. Since that time I have had shortness of breath. I also occasionally have to stop and take one or several deep breaths which doing a variety of activities such as bending over, carrying light loads (up to about 10 pounds), going up and down stairs, and many more.

When I visited my heart specialist following my surgery and told him about the situation, he would only say it was anxiety. He continued to ignore my list of incidences and maintained it was anxiety. I have had anxiety before on various occasions such as when my car was totaled but I never had to stop and take deep breaths. I explained that this only began after my stent surgery and that I thought it was something other than anxiety.

Should I ask for a second opinion or is this normal after receiving a stent? Do I just have to live with it?

I have had a “chemical” thallium chloride stress test. To quote from my family doctor’s report it said “No definite evidence for ischemia on today’s examination”. I hope this helps you to help me.

DEAR READER:
Shortness of breath can be a sign of ineffective contractions of the heart muscle, known as congestive heart failure. It can also reflect anemia and lung problems such as blood clots, emphysema and other disorders. Although your heart workup was normal, I believe that you need further testing and agree that a second opinion is in order. Ask your family doctor to refer you to an internal medicine specialist.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , , , , , ,