Talk to physician for information

May 3, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was told that I have lymphocytic colitis. I have been on Entocort for three months and am now on Lialda. I am seeing a gastroenterologist. I am told that this is an immune problem. Is this a long-lasting problem, and am I seeing the right doctor? I have had several UTIs, which I think are related, but the antibiotics have an adverse effect on me. I can’t walk and have pain in my arthritic joints. (I have severe osteoarthritis and see a rheumatologist.) Please help explain what I can expect long term.

DEAR READER: Based on your brief note, I can’t provide specific information. Are you on any other medications, such as an anti-inflammatory or other pain medication for your arthritis? Do you have any other health conditions? What antibiotics have you taken that appeared to adversely affect you? [Read more...]

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

Sunday Column

September 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 62-year-old female, 5’ 11” and weighed 165 pounds before all the problems.

In August 2007, during a four day stay at my beach house in Mexico, I developed watery diarrhea up to 12 times a day. Four days after returning home I saw my physician and he said I must have picked up a bug in Mexico. I have been going there fore 35 years and have NEVER gotten anything before, but thought there is always a first. He prescribed Cipro for seven days with no results so I was given another seven day round. When that failed to help, I was given Flagyl and had blood work and stool samples taken twice. Everything was negative. He then switched me to another medication but I was still having the watery diarrhea up to eight times a day, mostly during the morning and evening. I started losing weight. [Read more...]

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