Daily Column

August 7, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I had been bothered with knee pain for two weeks. While I know that’s not a long time for some people, I’d never had the problem before, so two weeks felt like an eternity. I thought I might have arthritis or simply wrenched my knee without remembering it.

Because I really don’t like taking any drugs, a friend gave me cooling Castiva to rub on the knee. I tried it and the pain disappeared a short while later. After only one treatment the pain was gone. I don’t know if all topical salves work in the same manner, but I had to share my experience with you so others might be helped.

DEAR READER:
While all products don’t work for all people, I’m glad you had favorable results with Castiva. Many of my readers have tried it and found it be beneficial. Like you, many of them also did not like taking medication. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

August 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’ve had restless legs syndrome for almost four years. After many medications failed, my wife bought Bigeloil gel, a veterinary aid, from our local co-op. When I use it, the jerking stops immediately. It’s good for minor arthritis and sore muscles, too.

DEAR READER:
This is one product I’ve never heard of, but I will pass it along for what it is worth.

Other aids for pain include Castiva in a warming or cooling form that contains capsaicin and is a topical ointment for arthritis relief, topical castor oil, Hawthorne berry, omega 3 oil, and purple grape juice and pectin. Thank you for your tip. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

June 25, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m at my wit’s end. My problems are all musculoskeletal in nature.

I’m a 65-year-old woman. Last August my right knee began hurting and I could not bend it. I don’t remember injuring it. After an X-ray that was negative, my doctor gave my knee a cortisone shot and I followed up with physical therapy for eight sessions. That helped until I wrenched my right foot while going down a step. My knee also twisted with the action. It was first believed there was a hairline fracture of the 5th metatarsal and my foot was in an air cast for eight weeks but it turned out the injury was to the tendons and soft tissue, not bone, confirmed by an MRI. After nine visits to the physical therapist for my foot I was “almost” better and I started resuming my daily activities. That’s when my knee started the same problems all over again. To make matters worse, [Read more...]

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June 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: You wrote a few weeks ago about using Castiva as medication for arthritis pain. My 94-year-old friend thinks it should be taken by mouth. Please provide an explanation for use.

My friend lives alone, eats heartily, and is up-to date on current affairs. She currently gets a cortisone shot in her hip as often as she is allowed to, but the pain returns before she qualifies for another shot.

What creams or ointments without side effects do you recommend that can be used topically for bursitis, arthritis and inoperable pain? Thank you for your input.
[Read more...]

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Daily Column

May 28, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My right thumb pained me constantly from arthritis. I read about the castor oil treatment you recommended and although it seemed like a stretch, I thought “nothing ventured, nothing gained“. I rubbed a few drops every night over the painful area and after a few days, the pain subsided. As long as I keep rubbing the oil on, I’m pain free. I still don’t have strength in that thumb, but it’s wonderful not to have constant pain. So, one more advocate of the castor oil treatment.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for sharing your experience. There are numerous endorsements for arthritis, including grape juice and pectin, anti-inflammatories, over-the-counter Castiva, and prescription drugs. Plain castor oil is simple and effective. If it works, stick with it.

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Daily Column

March 24, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Here is a little more about Castiva for arthritis. I’ve been putting it on my arthritic hands for more than a year. It has really helped, allowing me to continue playing the violin, knitting and crocheting. (Not to mention typing just as fast as I always have!)

I have not seen anyone mention this but I want to tell those who might be “put off” by this treatment because they think it will be oily and messy; it isn’t. I rub it on my hands at night, put on some soft gloves and go to bed. In the morning, my hands are not the least bit oily — just baby soft and smooth.

Now for the most important part of this letter.

Recently I was diagnosed with gout. I had a bad episode a couple of years ago but didn’t know what it was. When I had another episode, my doctor diagnosed it. I have learned to watch for the first signs of an attack (pain and discomfort in my big toe). It happened again recently so I tried rubbing castor oil on it. Instantly — and I do mean instantly — the pain disappeared. I put on a sock and went to bed. I didn’t have any pain all night. About an hour after I woke up the pain came back, so I put on more castor oil. Again, instant relief.

My podiatrist told me that gout is a form of arthritis so perhaps this is why the castor oil did such a good job. In fact, it worked better on my gout than on my arthritic hands! It might not work if the gout gets really bad before it is put on. I don’t know since I was diligent about putting it on as soon as the pain came back. I think the trick may be to catch it as soon as possible. I hope this helps some of your readers as much as it has helped me!

DEAR READER:
Thank you for writing to share your experiences. I had not heard of castor oil relieving the pain of an acute gout attack. So far the most popular method has been cherries. For this who experience gout, I recommend eating a handful (10-12) cherries (dried, fresh, frozen or canned) each day. This should prevent an attack. Another option is to eat 15-20 cherries each day once an attack has started. This should reduce the severity and duration allowing for more normal daily activity. Some readers have had success by drinking cherry juice rather than eating the fruit. I am glad to say that now there are several options (including prescription medication) to treat or prevent acute gout.

Folks, let me know about your experiences using castor oil for gout.

To give you related information, I am sending your copies of my Health Report “Compelling Home Remedies” and “About Gout”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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Daily Column

March 10, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I just love you and your column. I wish you were my personal physician.

I have tried your “Certo with grape juice” remedy for arthritis. Sadly it didn’t work for me. However, in today’s column, a patient wrote in telling you how it helped her IBS. Then it dawned on me that you’re supposed to DRINK the stuff, not rub it on your joints. Which, by the way, is what I was doing and it is very messy!

Just thought you might like to know that you have to “spell it out” for some of us! I am going to try again and I hope to get better results this time. Thanks!

DEAR READER:
Several readers have sent me letters touting the value of Certo and grape juice in helping reduce the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome. This was certainly news to me. Remember that the combination should be swallowed, not simply rubbed in over a painful joint.

If you want a product that you can rub into the joint, rather than drinking, I recommend using castor oil or Castiva. Castiva is a cream that contains castor oil base and comes in warming and cooling formulas. Castor oil is rubbed onto the affect joint(s) twice a day. The Castiva can be used as often as needed.

Certo is liquid pectin. Brand does not seem to make a difference in effectiveness. It is found in the baking section of many grocery stores. Castor oil can be purchased at most pharmacies. Castiva is available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, or online at www.CastivaBrands.com.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Understanding Osteoarthritis” and “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

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