DEAR DR. GOTT: Please help me. I'm so depressed and confused. My cholesterol was 232. My doctor put me on Lipitor. After a few months, he put me on Fosamax. I took a month's supply, and all of a sudden I was so dizzy. My blood pressure went to 162/80. I've never had a blood-pressure problem. Then, two different days, I forgot for a few minutes what day it was. One of my parents died of Alzheimer's. My doctor right away said I probably had the beginnings of it. I almost did away with myself. I've quit the medications. Now my blood pressure is 125/64. My daughter went on the Internet and found that Lipitor can cause memory loss and a lot of other things. I'm 70 years old. What do you think?
DEAR READER: Lipitor can cause memory loss and hypertension in some people. Although your cholesterol is somewhat elevated, I'm not convinced that statin drugs are the most appropriate therapy. I'd recommend niacin, flaxseed or omega-3 fish oil as a first step in lowering your cholesterol. I should also emphasize that very rarely, some women have experienced increased blood pressure that goes away when the statin medication is discontinued.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Understanding Cholesterol." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
DEAR DR. GOTT: Both of my hands are afflicted with Dupuytren's contracture. One of my doctor's said surgery can correct it. Another says to leave it alone as long as I can get by. Using just the six remaining digits is no big handicap, as I can play tennis, deal cards, etc. Dropping a cup or dish now and then has been my only problem. What do you think? Surgery or no?
DEAR READER: Dupuytren's contracture is a progressive tightening and thickening of the tissue under the skin of the palm. It is painless. This tightening and thickening causes the affected fingers to bend inward toward the palm and become frozen there, resisting extension. It usually begins in one hand, and eventually both hands become affected. Surgery can be curative.
Whether you have surgery now or in the future is up to you, but I would vote for repair now rather than later to reduce the complexity of the surgery and healing time.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "An Informed Approach to Surgery." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
Doctor Gott is a retired physician and the author of the new book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores.
DEAR READER: Lipitor can cause memory loss and hypertension in some people. Although your cholesterol is somewhat elevated, I'm not convinced that statin drugs are the most appropriate therapy. I'd recommend niacin, flaxseed or omega-3 fish oil as a first step in lowering your cholesterol. I should also emphasize that very rarely, some women have experienced increased blood pressure that goes away when the statin medication is discontinued.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Understanding Cholesterol." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
DEAR DR. GOTT: Both of my hands are afflicted with Dupuytren's contracture. One of my doctor's said surgery can correct it. Another says to leave it alone as long as I can get by. Using just the six remaining digits is no big handicap, as I can play tennis, deal cards, etc. Dropping a cup or dish now and then has been my only problem. What do you think? Surgery or no?
DEAR READER: Dupuytren's contracture is a progressive tightening and thickening of the tissue under the skin of the palm. It is painless. This tightening and thickening causes the affected fingers to bend inward toward the palm and become frozen there, resisting extension. It usually begins in one hand, and eventually both hands become affected. Surgery can be curative.
Whether you have surgery now or in the future is up to you, but I would vote for repair now rather than later to reduce the complexity of the surgery and healing time.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "An Informed Approach to Surgery." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
Doctor Gott is a retired physician and the author of the new book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores.