MS may not be as scary for some

September 25, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have noticed every time you mention multiple sclerosis in your column, that you write with such gloom and doom regarding this disease. Surely you realize that there are many people walking around with this diagnosis and you would not even suspect that they have been diagnosed with MS.

I, myself, was diagnosed in 1994. My first neurologist told me to take a multi-vitamin and come back to see in him six months. When I returned, he said, “I thought you would be a lot worse by now based on the results of your MRI, so maybe you don’t have MS.” I asked, if I didn’t have MS, then what did I have? He responded, “I have no idea, but keep taking your multi-vitamin and come back to see me in six months.” Needless to say, I did not go back.
[Read more...]

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

Rare disorder has limited treatment options

January 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: About a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with NMO, or Devic’s disease. I have a mild case so far. It started with shingles and morphed into the NMO. My left side is numb, with my left hand hypersensitive. The right side of my neck is what bothers me. I cannot get it, my hips and shoulders to stop aching. The treatment for NMO is steroids, and I am also on Imuran.

There isn’t much information on NMO/Devic’s. Do you have any idea how to treat this kind of pain? Any natural pain alleviations?
[Read more...]

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

MS linked to constipation

November 3, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My son has progressive multiple sclerosis and is suffering with abnormal bowel movements. They’re very hard and large. His doctor recommended Colace, Fleet enemas and suppositories, but they don’t seem to help. His diet right now is baby food, hot cereal and pureed prunes, along with electrolytes and other liquids. He also takes vitamins and lots of medication for depression.

We try different things every few days but are running out of ideas. Your information has been so valuable. I read your column every day in our local newspaper. Any suggestions?

DEAR READER: For readers who may not fully understand multiple sclerosis, this disorder occurs when the body’s immune system attacks itself, destroying the protective sheath that covers the nerves. [Read more...]

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

Will MS respond to herbals?

August 17, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Please give me information on multiple sclerosis. Do you recommend any holistic or natural supplements that are helpful in treating the condition? My 41-year-old daughter-in-law has just been diagnosed with it. Thank you. Your column is very informative.

DEAR READER: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the protective sheath covering the nerves. This, in turn, interferes with signals between the brain and the remainder of the body, resulting in nerve deterioration.
[Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: ,

MS sufferer has salty mouth

May 7, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a friend who has MS. She has a new problem that the many tests she has taken have shed no light on for the cause or remedy. Everything she eats tastes salty, and she has a salty taste in her mouth all the time. Needless to say, this has affected her appetite and is causing her much anxiety. She only takes medication for high blood pressure, as well as a monthly vitamin B12 shot and a recently added weekly vitamin D shot. Do you have any idea what would cause the new symptom? What can she do to get rid of it?

DEAR READER: Multiple sclerosis is generally considered to be an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. From your brief note, it is my guess that your friend has had the condition for some time. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: , ,

New Treatment For Ms Needs More Research

March 15, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a loyal reader of your column and am currently using generic Vicks on my infected toenail and am seeing real results. Your willingness to explore different types of treatments for diseases has inspired me to write. I would like to inform you and your readers about low-dose naltrexone (LDN).

I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1982. I have the relapsing/remitting type. There was no treatment for MS in those days and I had to wait many years before one was available. In 1997, I started taking Betaseron. I only had Medicare so I was able to get the medication directly from the manufacturer at a discounted rate.

Then when Medicare part D took over, I could no longer get it at the discounted rate and it was still very expensive. I was frantic to find a solution. Then during one of my regular MS support group meetings, a woman came to talk about LDN. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With:

Words Of Wisdom From A 14-Year-Old

December 24, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 14-year-old boy with both parents affected by two different and very rare illnesses. First, my 39-year-old father has had tingling and numbness in his legs for a year. This month he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or MS. He can barely walk now.

Then my mother had two weeks of non-stop agonizing migraines. She had an MRI that showed an unknown type of growth in her brain causing double vision and the smelling of things that weren’t there. The growth is twice the size of a golf ball and doomed to kill her without surgery. She’s scheduled for an operation in two days.

The point of this letter is not for your help or anyone’s sympathy. It is to tell people that things aren’t always what they seem. Those readers with constant migraines should see a doctor. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Daily Column Tagged With: ,