Relief from fibromyalgia pain

January 3, 2013 By

Q: I had fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and irritable bowel disease (IBD) for 12 years and suffered more than anyone should. My cure was getting an infected root canal fixed by a dentist that knew what an infection like mine can do to a person’s health.

One day after getting the dental work done, the pain started going away. After five days, I could run five miles with no pain at all.

The sad part is that everyone else with fibromyalgia could be cured just like me if they had the proper dental care. Dentists are prone to leaving infections going on in a person’s mouth since no one is telling them what harm they are doing. If you could take five people with fibromyalgia to a knowledgeable dentist, [Read more…]

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Apnea may be to blame

December 8, 2012 By

Q: I am writing about my husband (age 58, 195 pounds, 5’8” tall) of 39 years. Over the years, he has had a large variety of health issues, mostly pain in every part of his body, fatigue and drowsiness. He is on many different medications including Wellbutrin and Prozac for depression (for the past six years), Norvasc and Altace for high blood pressure (since he was 24), Nexium for heartburn, and Zyrtec and Nasonex for sinus problems. He takes daily OTC and prescription pain medication to deal with chronic and debilitating back and leg pain. He has been diagnosed with sleep apnea but doesn’t use the machine. In addition, he has suffered in the past from chronic kidney stones and has had his gallbladder removed.

When he was younger, he was extremely hyperactive, working from sun up to sun down, but in the last few years he is the opposite: exhausted and chronically fatigued with the ever present pain issues. He has been to many doctors and specialists over the years and had every problem thoroughly checked out. [Read more…]

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Patient’s questions require answers

December 6, 2012 By

Q: I have a problem that started around 2008 and can’t seem to find anyone to help me with the symptoms I am having. Off and on I have chest burning, abdominal pain, severe headaches, flushing, nausea, tingling in the face/arms/legs, neck pain, lower back and shoulder pain.

I have been to the emergency room no less than four times with chest burning and the doctors there can’t seem to give me an answer. Being a veteran, I have been to VA doctors several times to no avail. I’ve been to a gastroenterologist, physical therapist and a back doctor. Each one I see refers me to someone else. The tests I have had done should have revealed something by now. I have had a stress test, MRI, CT scan, several EKGs, X-rays, a colonoscopy, upper endoscopy and they even sent me to a mental doctor at the VA. I had seven sessions of blood work.
[Read more…]

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Pain dominates woman’s life

September 27, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been diagnosed with several health issues, including neuropathy of my feet and hands. I have suffered from fibromyalgia for over 25 years, RA and OA. I am not diabetic, although I have two brothers that are. I am overweight and also have sleep apnea and use a CPAP.

My latest problem is spinal stenosis involving C5, C6 and C7. It has been suggested I have injections to block nerves to relieve the pain from the stenosis and I also saw a neurosurgeon whose first question was “how long do you expect to live”? If it’s 10 to 15 more years, I might consider to put plastic pads between my discs. I am almost 78. Friends tell me to see someone who uses Reiki treatments and all my ailments will go away.
[Read more…]

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Woman’s cries keep family awake

September 14, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Last night was one of my worst. No one in my house was able to sleep because I made so much noise.

I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and take numerous medications. In the last few years it has become harder to sleep each night. I moan, groan, talk, yell, mumble, etc. while I sleep. I usually do not hear myself but everyone else in the house does. Sleep medication does not help me and ear plugs do not help others.

Do you have any ideas what I can do? No one wants to stay with me. I have had sleep studies with no answers. I need help.
[Read more…]

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Are lost tooth and body pain linked?

September 14, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband, age 59, recently lost a tooth. He dentist “glued” it back in place with some sort of bonding substance. Since then, the tooth frequently loosens and falls out. My husband now keeps a super glue on hand and reattaches it himself.

Around the same time his tooth fell out, he started complaining of pain traveling throughout his body. Sometimes it is in his wrist, which causes swelling, and other times it is in his hips, causing him to shuffle when he walks. Other times, he says he feels it’s in his blood, resulting in an all-over pain. He claims that he will often feel better after physical activity. He takes ibuprofen regularly to control the pain.
[Read more…]

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Reader needs alternative to pulled medication

March 6, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 73 years old. Owing to arthritis and many broken bones, I have been taking Darvocet with good results. Now the Food and Drug Administration (thanks to Public Citizen) has removed it from the market. I have now been put on a stronger drug (Vicodin). Are there any other medicines you could mention? I have not had much success with the new medication.

DEAR READER: In November 2010, the FDA removed Darvon (propoxyphene) and Darvocet (propoxyphene/acetaminophen) from the market. They also asked generic-drug makers to stop marketing medications that contained propoxyphene. This came after the manufacturer of the drugs completed a new study (at the request of the FDA) that showed propoxyphene put patients at risk of potentially serious and sometimes fatal heart-rhythm abnormalities. Propoxyphene was banned in the United Kingdom in 2005 and in Europe a few years later. It has been a controversial medication for decades.
[Read more…]

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Pain rules senior citizen’s life

November 25, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My mom is 92 and has macular degeneration, so someone reads her your column every morning. It’s heartbreaking to see the horrendous pain that she is in. It’s extreme from her hip down to the foot on her right leg, and it travels, as well.

She has severe arthritis — bone rubbing on bone in her hip because the cartilage is gone, and her sciatic nerve is being pinched. She has spinal stenosis and fibromyalgia as well, as far as we can tell.

She’s tried things from your column from time to time. She’s been to pain doctors, had five shots, acupuncture, seen a chiropractor and has had physical therapy. [Read more…]

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Cortisone-injection frequency up for debate

November 6, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Could you tell me how often someone can have cortisone injections? My mother had some in her shoulders. They worked great, but now the pain and stiffness are back with a vengeance.

DEAR READER: Cortisone can be injected into joints such as the ankle, knee, shoulder and other areas to relieve pain and inflammation. They have been known to help osteoarthritis, gout, carpal-tunnel syndrome, bursitis, plantar fasciitis and a host of other conditions. About 30 years ago, corticosteroids were given with great regularity. Today, however, a different approach is taken. Some physicians restrict a person to three injections a year, others to three in a lifetime. [Read more…]

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Soap under the sheets for cramps

September 14, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife follows your column in our local newspaper. She read about placing a bar of soap under the bedsheets, but needs more explanation. She suffers a lot of pains and seeks whatever help is available.

DEAR READER: The soap-under-the-sheets remedy is very simple. Place an unwrapped bar of soap under the bottom bedsheet nearest to the affected area. Some readers have had success using wrapped soap, as well. It was originally recommended for nighttime leg cramps but has also been found to be beneficial for other nighttime aches and pains in other areas, such as the shoulders, feet, back and neck. The soap may need to be replaced once in a while, say every three to six months, but it still retains its cleaning ability so it does not need to be thrown away. I suggest your wife try it since she has nothing to lose other than her pain.

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