Sunday Column

April 12, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Your recent article about the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis was great. It was simply written so that the general public can understand.

I am writing to you now because I hope that you can explain psoriatic arthritis. This is a very painful, sometimes disabling, type of arthritis. Little is known about it, despite the fact that it affects a great number of people.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis also have psoriasis so they are doubly affected. They have to put up with the constant skin lesions on top of the painful arthritis. It is treated with the same biological medications as RA. I am a sufferer and am tired of trying to explain the difference so I hope you will be able to help get the word out in your column.
[Read more...]

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Knee Replacement Not Appropriate Treatment For Cyst

March 25, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Four months ago I injured my arthritic knee while getting into a car. I thought I had twisted it or strained a ligament because it hurt so much at the time. Four days later my knee was stiff and I could hardly move it.

At that point, I decided it was time to see my physician who concluded that I needed a cortisone shot because I probably had fluid on my knee. She referred me to an orthopedist for the shot. Unfortunately it didn’t help. I was then referred for physical therapy. After only two sessions, I was told I needed to go back to the orthopedist. The physical therapist wouldn’t tell me why but called ahead to the doctor and spoke to him directly. When I got there I was told I had a Baker’s cyst and would need a knee replacement. I was further advised not to rush into the surgery because the cyst might improve to the point where the pain would lessen to a manageable level. [Read more...]

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Sunday Column

January 25, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and my greatest wish is for you to write one column on this subject. I am sure you will please millions of people with RA by informing people of the difference between arthritis and RA.

Everyday I run into people that notice when I limp or move slowly in pain and ask what’s wrong. I inform them I have rheumatoid arthritis and before I can finish my sentence they are telling me how they have the same thing and start telling me how bad it is in their knee, etc.

When I question them, I realize they have normal aging and osteoarthritis. People do not understand RA patients and the difference because both have arthritis in the name.

Please dedicate one column to this subject. Your column will help educate the public as it has helped educate me on so many disorders. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

November 14, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My wife was convinced by the ladies at the pool that MonaVie is the best thing this side of the river (and probably the other side too!) for reducing cholesterol, etc., and that we should get started on it right away. I am concerned about the safety and possible side effects. What can you tell us about it?

DEAR READERS: Your letters are just a sampling of many I have received over the last several weeks regarding this supposed “superfood” juice. I am unfamiliar with this product so will base my answer on an information packet and several pamphlets.

The packet is from the AIBMR Life Sciences, Inc., Natural and Medicinal Products Research that claims to have done a clinical study on MonaVie. As you would expect, the results show that the juice is beneficial when taken regularly. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

November 14, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am hoping you can address the following in your column as lots of people in Pennsylvania and New York (and other states as well, I am sure) are counting on your advice.

I have recently come across a “juice” called MonaVie. It is made from the Acai berry from the Amazon and is made in Utah. It claims to have 19 fruits in it and is supposedly all natural with no preservatives. I have enclosed a newsletter I received about it that says it is loaded with antioxidants and glucosamine, it is advertised as a remedy for arthritis, muscles aches, joint pain and, of course, to ward off some cancers and much more. Please help.

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Daily Column

September 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Please discuss the difference between bursitis and arthritis.

I went to my orthopedic doctor because of pain in my hip. It starts in the joint and travels down the thigh and is especially painful at the tendon along the shinbone. I also have right leg weakness when pressure is applied or when walking upstairs. He said the pain was caused by bursitis, not arthritis. He showed me an exercise to try and told me to continue my regular walks.

I take over-the-counter pain relievers, use castor oil and Castiva. Should I continue using these joint medicines or should I use muscle creams to relieve the nighttime pain? I am 88 and do not consider this worthy of surgery but it would be nice to sleep though the night. I’m tired of having to wake up to take another pill.

DEAR READER:
Arthritis and bursitis [Read more...]

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Daily Column

September 1, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
About 25 years ago my sister injured both knees in a motorcycle accident. She has had eight surgeries and countless draining procedures and shots. In speaking with her yesterday, she mentioned that her knees are no longer bothering her and the swelling is gone. I was, of course, curious what wonderful thing could have caused this dramatic change. She said she started eating ¼ cup of raw pumpkin seeds a day less than two weeks before. She had heard that copper was good for reducing inflammation and that pumpkin seeds were full of it. Her husband is also eating the seeds daily for his knee problems and says he feels great again.

I was wondering if you had ever heard of this and what your opinion is.

DEAR READER:
Raw pumpkin seeds for knee pain is new to me, but if it works [Read more...]

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Daily Column

August 14, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
Recently you mentioned you can only buy fruit pectin in small boxes. We have a bulk food store and carry the product in 55 pound bags, selling it in smaller amounts by the pound. If anyone wants, we will gladly send the product via UPS. Our contact information is Maysville Country Market, LLC, 8593 Mt. Hope Road, Apple Creek, OH 44606.

DEAR READER:
Many of my readers have used fruit pectin successfully as an alternative treatment for arthritis. Therefore, because you are providing a service that can be beneficial for the relief of their pain, I am enclosing your information and thank you for forwarding it to me. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

May 24, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I enjoy your column and would like to respond to the lady who wrote in about bulk pectin. I do a lot of jam making each year and purchase my pectin in bulk. It is fairly inexpensive. I have found it widely available in both Pennsylvania and Ohio Amish communities. It comes in half pound, one pound and larger.

I get mine from Kauffman’s, 3097 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-In-Hand, PA 17505. I hope this helps your arthritis sufferers who use grape juice and pectin.

DEAR READER:
I was not aware that pectin could be purchased in such large packages. I am passing on this information and the address for the benefit of my readers.

Thanks for writing.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Understanding Osteoarthritis” and “Dr. Gott‘s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like copies 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(s).

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Daily Column

May 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 62-year-old female. I have no major health problems, but I do get stiff and sore occasionally. Sometimes I can go a few days with little pain and others it will be really bad. It usually happens after sitting for a while. Could it be arthritis? Is there any possibility (please don’t laugh) that it could be from the mercury in my fillings? I worry that the cause of the pain and stiffness could be poisoning my body.

DEAR READER:
I believe that your pain is caused by age-related osteoarthritis. Given the fact that it comes and goes, I do not blame any possible mercury in your fillings as the culprit.

The issue of mercury-induced illness from old fillings has, to my knowledge, been largely ruled out. Some consumers remain skeptical, however. Mercury can be very dangerous, primarily in those people exposed to moderate amounts regularly. Because a tooth filling is relatively small and contains very minimal amounts, I don’t believe you should be worried. If you are still concerned, visit an oral surgeon who can explain about older fillings. He or she should also be able to remove them and replace them with safer, modern material.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Osteoarthritis”. 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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