DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently underwent a procedure for an enlarged prostate, called Prolieve. I was told by my urologist that a complete reversal of my problems would take up to four weeks. However, after three and a half weeks my symptoms have returned (frequent urination, urgency and lower back pain).

This has affected me greatly and I would appreciate your opinion of my next course of action. The treatment took 45 minutes and was VERY uncomfortable. My next doctor visit is coming up and I would like very much to have your help.

DEAR READER:
Prolieve is a relatively new procedure. It uses microwave therapy to compress and heat prostatic tissue. The procedure claims to reduce the amount of tissue and relieve the primary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; prostate swelling). These symptoms include incomplete bladder emptying, frequency, urgency, straining, nocturia (nighttime urination), and a weak stream.

Prolieve is indicated for men with BPH who have a prostate volume of 20-80 grams and in whom drug therapy is indicated. The procedure takes 45 minutes and is done through the urethra (tube leading from the bladder to outside the body). If you would like more information about the procedure, I recommend you visit www.fda.gov/cdrh/MDA/DOCS/p030006.html or www.prolieve.com.

As for your next step, I believe an appropriate choice would be medication to shrink the size of your prostate, such as Proscar and others. I also suggest you tell your urologist about the return of your symptoms and ask his or her recommendations about further treatment options.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my newly updated Health Report “The Prostate Gland”. 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.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am so pleased with your column and always pass it on to others.

Vicks has to be one of the most important items in my medicine cabinet. A few months ago, I had a really bad sinus infection and relied on Vicks to help me breathe. I rubbed it onto my chest, neck and under my nose. After a few weeks, I noticed that I had some black spots under the folds of my neck. I easily wiped them away with a wash cloth and then discovered that about five small skin tags had disappeared. The smallest went first and now I am working on a few of the larger ones which are shrinking every day.

I was so inspired that I decided to try Vicks on the dry skin splits on my fingers. It healed them too! I then decided to try it on a small sore on my ear. Again, success. I have started to think that Vicks may be as close to a cure-all as ever will be, although I should probably be cautious about on what and where I use it!

DEAR READER:
Your experience with Vicks in not a rare phenomenon. Many folks use it, successfully, for a variety of ailments. Better still is the fact that I have not heard of any bad reactions to Vicks or its store-brand counterparts.

Continue to use it and let me know of any further success stories. If others have similar reactions, perhaps I will have to make a second or more comprehensive “Compelling Home Remedies” Health Report to include all the new alternative uses for Vicks and similiar products. Thanks for writing.