Patient Questions Doctor Who Prescribed Hrt

March 20, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am 72 years old. I had a hysterectomy in 1983 and have been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) almost since then.

I have read many articles lately about the dangers of HRT, both long- and short-term. However, my primary care physician is adamant that the benefits outweigh the dangers and he continues to prescribe them for me. I respect and trust this physician and have been his patient for more than 40 years, but given the fact that my sister had a double mastectomy (of which he has been made aware), I wonder if continued use of the hormone is safe for me.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Thank you in advance for any comments you may make. [Read more...]

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February 20, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have a wound on my breast my doctor has me treating with iodine and Neosporin. Every time it begins to heal I pick the area and find I’m right back to the beginning.

What do you think I should do?

DEAR READER:
Initially, I recommend you speak with your physician about having the wound cultured to determine why it isn’t healing. Perhaps you have an infection that isn’t being eradicated. You may require a prescription antibiotic instead of iodine and Neosporin. The testing will provide the answer.

Then, ask if you can cover the wound with a dry, sterile dressing or use other methods to deter scratching. You must allow the wound to heal on its own without continually irritating it.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Consumer Tips on Medicine”. 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.

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January 30, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
For the past several months I have been experiencing burning sensations in different areas of my body. They may occur on the top of my foot, near my shoulder, the back of my hand, chest, or other areas.

I went to my nurse practitioner who wasn’t sure what was causing this. She called in the physician whose office she works in, explained what I was complaining about and he just shook his head.

I’ve had osteoarthritis for years for which I take Celebrex twice a day. I also take Celexa for depression, Nexium for reflux, multi-vitamins, vitamin C, calcium and omega 3. Would you have any idea what is causing the burning sensations? They’re very uncomfortable, even though they only last a few minutes at a time. [Read more...]

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Drug Not Recommended For The Elderly

January 22, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please give your opinion on Seroquel being prescribed to a patient with dementia. I’ve heard it is a dangerous drug when given to the elderly as it can cause death.

Also, should this drug be given long term?

DEAR READER:
Seroquel is an anti-psychotic medication used to treat conditions such as bipolar disorder. It is not approved for behavioral problems related to dementia. Black box warnings for elderly patients with a dementia-related psychosis indicate an increased risk of serious side effects, including pneumonia, heart attack, stroke, and death.

The product is available in doses from 25 to 300 mg tablets or capsules by prescription only. When the drug is prescribed for the elderly, the recommended initial dose is 25 mg daily. [Read more...]

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Cellulitis Needs Follow-Up

December 25, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 91-year-old female who would like to find out all I can about cellulitis. I’m hoping you can help me with whatever you know about this very painful, distressing condition.

It has reared its ugly head several times during the past few years. Once I ended up spending several days in the hospital. This was preceded by a high fever and chills. Many times I’d awaken with my clothes wet from the fever having broken. Another time a lump started forming on my right thumb knuckle. The area got red, sore, and looked like a big boil.

Still another time my right hand and fingers swelled up, only to subside with antibiotics. At times my eye swells and my lips are affected. In fact, my lower lip is now covered with thick, heavy crusted scabs that burn and itch.

I can’t see a doctor for almost a month and am at my wits’ end. [Read more...]

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September 27, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 67-year-old non-smoking, non-drinking female who lives a very healthy lifestyle with exercise, good nutrition, average weight, etc. I have no history of heart disease in my family, yet three weeks ago I wound up in the ER with atrial fibrillation that required an over-night stay for observation, followed by a nuclear stress test and the wearing of a heart monitor. I’ll meet with a cardiologist in a few days to discuss the results.

I’ve taken Fosamax for almost seven years for mild bone loss and recently read of a scientific study indicating the drug can cause heart abnormalities — including atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, blood clots, and stroke! I stopped taking the Fosamax immediately.

Is my atrial fibrillation a chronic condition now or does the discontinuation reduce and eventually end the symptoms? [Read more...]

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August 12, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I’m 82-years-old and have COPD. My problem is that I suffer from a rash on my legs from the knees down. My doctor says it doesn’t look like eczema, but like blood under the skin.

I had my blood checked to see if it is too thin, but that test was negative. A thyroid test was slightly low, but I haven’t talked to my doctor about that yet to see if there is a connection. My medications are Spiriva, Albuterol and Armour thyroid. I was previously on Symbicort, but it made my tongue swell and become raw, so I was switched to the Spiriva that doesn’t work as well. I’ve been on the thyroid medication for 50 years and expect to have to take it for the rest of my life.
I really would appreciate your input.

DEAR READER:
Your Spiriva prescription has an uncommon side effect of rash for a very few individuals. [Read more...]

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June 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
What are statins and how do I know if the pills I take are statins? What are they for and what are the side effects?

DEAR READER:
Statin drugs are effective in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart attack and death in patients with known coronary artery disease. Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), and Crestor (rosuvastatin) fall into the statin category. If you are on any of these medications, you are taking a statin.

The most common side effects are elevated liver enzymes and leg cramping. If you are on a statin, your doctor should schedule periodic laboratory testing to determine if your levels are within normal limits. If the cholesterol level remains high despite the medication or the liver enzymes start to rise to dangerous levels, he or she will likely make a determination [Read more...]

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June 21, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have what my doctor calls a staph infection on my legs. It is now breaking out on my back. It seems as if the medication he gave me isn’t doing any good. Can you recommend treatment?

DEAR READER:
Staphylococcus (staph) is a type of bacteria that can lead tp infection of the skin. It can cause sores that may be swollen, painful and appear as a boils, furuncles and pus-filled lesions. There are over 30 different types of staph on the skin of up to 30% of all healthy adults. In the majority of cases the bacteria do not present a problem because of natural protective workings of the body. However, when skin is compromised because of a cut, scrape or other breakdown of the skin surface, bacteria can slip in and infection results.

Illness can range from very mild requiring no treatment to very severe which can be potentially fatal. Virtually anyone can develop an infection. [Read more...]

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June 13, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have two questions that many of your readers might like to have answered.

First, my wife was given a prescription that instructed her to take one pill three times a day. She is of the opinion that she is to take the pill morning, noon and evening in the same time frame as breakfast, lunch and dinner. When I saw the instructions, take one pill three times a day, my thoughts were that my wife is to take one pill every eight hours.

Second, my wife is 78 and I am 86. We spend more time than I like in our doctor’s waiting room. As soon as we check in to wait for our appointment, my wife reads magazines that sick people have handled while waiting for their appointments. I think my wife’s habit is not the best thing for her to do.

DEAR READER:
Generally speaking, a medication prescribed three times a day signifies morning, noon and night. [Read more...]

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