Health Conditions

eczema

sundaymondays — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:25:45 GMT

I have eczema just right behind my elbows and around them. This is the reason why I don’t wear short-sleeved shirts/blouses. I try to hide them. Nothing my dermatologist (I think) is working for me. I’m going to talk to another dermatologist for another opinion. Can you suggest anything that I can try to get rid of the eczema? Thanks.

Lung Cancer

Muguet — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:19:42 GMT

A friend of mine has had cancer in one lung and has had both chemotherapy and radio therapy.

Chemotherapy August 2007. Radiotherapy November 2007, and a second radio therapy about 4 weeks ago.

He feels sick practically all the time, does not feel like eating and cannot eat late. He is eating as much as he can

and presently his weight is stable. He is a very intelligent man who was very active. His main problem is extreme tiredness

which gives him a terrible feeling of guilt when he does not do what he set out to do.

Homeopathic vaccination against swine flu

rhunt — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:41:54 GMT

Will taking influenzinum give protection against the 'flu? If so, what kind of dose should we take?

loestrin 20

leneandjeremy — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:58:06 GMT

is this safe to take for a first timer? can anyone tell me more about it please?

Moods

jane.cuthbertson@vantisplc.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:08:33 GMT

Hi i have been off and on seroxat for anxiety/depression for the last 10 years or so. I have been off them for about 5 months now and haven't been too bad except for the last 4 weeks. Iv'e noticed it gets worse a week before and during my period so am now taking 1000mg three times a day of evening primrose oil from Holland and Barratt and have noticed that it has stopped my period pain at least. I don't really want to go back on seroxat but if they make me happy and like my mam said it's quality of life not quantity, but i am just scared of all the bad press they get and if they are doing me more harm than good in the long run. Iv'e heard about the herbal remedies St John's Wort and 5HTP, but am so confused about everything and what to do for the best. I try to eat fairly healthish. Any ideas?

lack of oxygen at birth

sabracke01 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:27:26 GMT

A friend of mine has adopted a 1-year old boy from Kazachstan. He suffered from lack of oxygen at birth (I don't know the details), which shows in his development. Is there anything that can help this boy?

thanks,

Sofie-Ann

Parasites after gall bladder removal

sphillips01 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:38:31 GMT

I had my gall bladder removed 30 years ago. I know that if something about the op. is not done properly then parasites are always going to be problem. After well over a year taking herbal anti- parasitics I had a hair analysis done which showed no parasitic infection, but a sensitivity to green walnut hull ( a main ingredient in these products). I stopped the capsules and felt for the first time in years that I actually belonged in my body. My face looked years younger as well. Then a few months later, I was awoken in the early hours by a wriggling feeling in my right side and I realised that 'they' were back. Down hearted, I reluctantly restarted the herbal remedies and from the first day, my face swelled and I now feel as if I have a bullet proof vest attached to my abdomen - swollen, uncomfortable, but with little feeling.

The wriggling has stopped, but I know that this is going to be a life long problem. The area around the op. can be fairly taught like my other side or hugely flabby and puffy. I've tried hydrogen peroxide, but it eventually made me so nauseous that I had to stop. Any suggestions for long term health would be greatly appreciated.

Hormonal problems

epenaluna — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:22:17 GMT

My son's partner suffers very severe mood swings which make her almost suicidal in the latter part of her monthly cycle. She has tried all kinds of therapies, including medication from her Dr. She eats a totally organic diet, does Pilates regularly and runs every day to help herself. The first part of her cycle is reasonably OK although she seems to be on a 'high'. During the second half she plummets to the depths of despair. Since their daughter was born (she is nearly 3) her periods have been regular. During her pregnancy and whilst she was breastfeeding she was incredibly well and stable. If anyone has any suggestions as to what we can do to help her, we will be very grateful.

Peyronies

GR — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:50:50 GMT

Does anyone have information on Peyronies Disease … diagnosis, progression, treatments, specialists, etc.

Macular degeneration

heather pendlebury — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:43:09 GMT

My friend in the UK has just been diagnosed with Macular in one eye and has been told that she'll go blind. I know someone here in Perth who cured herself but it was 15 years ago and she's not sure of the diet etc that she followed. Is there anyone who has had experience of this who can give my friend some hope?

Chocolate

SueEBE — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:20:23 GMT

I don't know if anyone else caught the programme about dairy products (shown in the UK) - can't for the life of me remember the title of it - sorry about that. Anyhow, I was very shocked about some information that came at the tail end of it about the major chocolate producers. They use sustainable cocoa in the making of their chocolate but the palm oil they use isn't sustainable. What hit home for me is that my Cadbury's chocolate treat is at the expense of the habitat of orangutans - and I love orangutans. What made it worse for me was that the documentary presenter approached the manufacturers and gave them an alternative sustainable palm oil option, something that they could change to. Initially they said they were planning to change "sometime in the future" - when he pressed them they said 2015. How many orangutans will die in those 5 years because they can't be bothered to change - I mentioned Cadbury's but they aren't the only ones. Anyhow, that's too high a price for a bar of chocolate for me. Another habit broken!!

Sue

burning mouth syndrome relief

spaghettisue — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:48:21 GMT

Hi, I would appreciate anyone's information about any relief they have had for burning mouth syndrome. I have had this now for over a month, and am struggling to cope. Have been referred to a specialist, but don't know when I will get seen.

growth

margaret rodgers — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:36:02 GMT

My granddaughter who is 15 years old is only 4 foot 9 inches. This causes her to be depressed and fearful about being bullied. She started her periods at 12 years and an endoctrinologist said nothing can now be done to increase her height. Does anyone have experience of thi. what can we do to help her other than try to give her more confidence. Is there any way she might gain a few more inches

anti tnf treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

squirrelette — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:47:41 GMT

I'm about to begin treatment with Humira after a year on Methotrexate. I had a severe episode of inflammatory (rheumatoid) arthritis last year, on top of existing spinal pain from scoliosis, and although I was saved from certain death from haemorraging, the month before, by surgery on a burst artery I became so ill with the rheumatoid pain that I began to wonder it it was worth while struggling with such pain and limitation. What was the point of saving my life and then for me to be living with such savage chronic pain, despite strong opiates. I'm able to be more independent, thanks to a year on methotrexate, but I would love to hear if anyone else has had improvement with Humira. Also, I'm experimenting with different foods which might cause inflammation, any advice welcome.

Thanks for reading this

hip bursitis?

jfrith01 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:31:50 GMT

I fell heavily on my hip bone six months ago and since then have had continuing and worsening pain over the entire area, into my buttock and down the outside of my thigh. I am finding it difficult to sleep, to walk or to sit (not much left is there?). I have had xray and MR scan and everything is OK. I saw an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed trochanter bursitis and gave me a cortico steroid injection (horrible). I had a bad reaction for a couple of weeks then the pain settled a little for about two months but now it is back again with a vengeance. I am having physio but with no success. I am taking turmeric for the inflammation and am icing frequently but nothing seems to help much. Any suggestions?

implanted cardiac defibrillators

guy1 — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:45:21 GMT

What is the latest balanced opinion about these devices. I live in France where there is great enthusiasm for the latest technical and pharma approaches. I wonder if there is a potential to do more harm than good in patients post infarct, like myself, who on a day to day basis are well.

Excessive perspiring.

vicky — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:40:16 GMT

Hi, I have advanced Rheumatoid Arthiritis, an underactive thyroid, just been diagnosed with wet and dry macular degeneration. i am 66 years old ( female).

For the macular eye disease, I have an Injection of Lucentis into the white of my eye every five weeks. ( I have had just one so far. )

For RA I take 20mg methotrexate wkly. 9 predisolone tablets ( steroids ) daily, an infusion of Infliximab ( in a hospital unit ) 8wkly, also I take 125 Levothyroxine,i take HRT tablet every day too, also for pain relief, I take 2 co-dydromol at night and in the morning, and paracetemol during the day, for a long time I have experienced horrendous sweating of my head and back , mainly, which makes life very difficult, my hair is soaked in minutes, this can happen at differant times, usually :- morning, if I'm shopping, evenings, and sometimes during the night, my GP, suggested it may be painkillers ( co-codomol and Tramadol at that time, so I got myself off both eventually, and only took paracetemol, this DID reduced the sweating bouts, but didn't control my joint pain, three weeks ago, I was told to try co-didromol, wehich gave me brilliant pain relief, but alas the sweating has returned, I am at my wits end now, it is so severe that it trickles off my ears and nose, not a pretty picture, I need a pain killer which will control my pain, but not make me perspire, is there such a wonder drug????? desperate Victoria.

nutritional typing / metabolic typing

arhewitt — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:03:51 GMT

Call it what you will, has anybody ACTUALLY tried or used this diet to what effect did it work any side effects good/bad

i tried to speak to a couple practitioners but found one had stopped because of lack of interest and the other had stopped because her cholesterol

had gone up so much.

so who has tried it.

many thanks

Foot ulcers

jane1502 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:18:39 GMT

I am a 55 year old male diabetic with foot ulcers on both feet, depite bed rest, the use of an aircast and a course of oral antibiotics the ulcers are getting worse, any ideas.

Morton's neuroma

anne-close — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:48:33 GMT

Has anyone any suggestions on how to get rid of Morton's neuroma. About to try Serrapeptase and magnesium rub but wondered if anyone has experience of this.

Look forward to any advice, esp if anyone knows of emotional link.

Thanks

Constant tiredness and pain

jaleana — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:10:26 GMT

I'm concerned about my 48 year old sister who is perpetually tired with joint pains over the last seven years particularly the last three. She has had extensive blood tests to determine what the cause is but nothing has been found. Over the last seven years she has had successful treatment for Hep C, had to terminate a pregnancy as the baby would have been very disabled, her husband had a nervous breakdown and she was forced to raise their son on her own for the next five years. She has managed to hold down a very demanding position and in the last two years went back to uni and obtained a teaching degree but was only able to get through six months before deciding to just do casual teaching. In the last three months her husband had a life threatening illness, she hasn't been able to get any teaching work and they are suffering financially. She is on antidepressants and feels that they are working but there must be something wrong for her as she is constantly tired and sleeping badly. Any clues on what could be wrong?

Non-absorption of supplements

jwright03 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:12:29 GMT

I believe strongly in natural supplements and try to avoid pharmaceutical drugs, i have had PSTSD for many years, diverticulitis for the last 5 years. My one big habit is smoking, i know, i have tried many times over 25 years to quit.

My diet is rich in fibre and fresh foods, with no processed food. Take high doses of vitamin C.

I have tried many supplements and find that they are not being absorbed as they should. My last one i tried was Bioactive Coq10, took this for 4 months with no improvement in my self or body..Expensive 4 months..

Any ideas beside to stop smoking to improve my digestive absorption????????

Arthroscppy for Torn Cartilage

LinG — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:08:57 GMT

I have it seems injured my knee by crouching down - when I went to get back up it locked then became very painful inhibiting my walking. Since then if I do any long walks it becomes very painful at the back of the knee into the top of the calf and will lock up in bed; rest from walking seems to ease the symptoms; I am able to cycle without any detrimental effects.

I was referred to physio who thought it was a bakers cyst. Xrays showed nothing amiss however and I was referred to a specialist who said that his feeling was it is a torn cartilage and that an arthroscopy would confirm this. I have asked for an MRI, however, although he has put me on the list for one, his opinion is that if the mri shows nothing then he will still have to do an arthroscopy to see whats wrong. I did ask him the recovery time after an arthroscopy and he stated 2 weeks however I have since seen statements on the internet that recovery can be 8 weeks...as a self employed therapist who also loves walking and cycling that would be pretty nightmarish for me!!

Has anyone out there had an arthroscopy of the knee and can you tell me the implications with regards to being able to exercise and work afterwards - how affective is it for a torn cartilage, how long is recovery, is there any alternative...for example if I cycle more and do exercise to build up my knee muscles would that enable me to avoid an operation.

Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated.

Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Desease ( Barratts)

margaret.dunmore@tesco.net — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:06:55 GMT

My friend has been diagnosed with this Gastro - Oesophageal Reflux Desease and would appreciate any natural methods of help. Since she has been on the drugs she has developed a urinary tract infection. She has been trying to adjust her diet and has lost weight.

glioblastoma multiforme

jenny2 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:15:54 GMT

My cousin has recently been diagnosed with this brain tumour. He has received 6 weeks radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The chemotherapy will continue for some time. Other than complementary therapyies, do any readers know of any other treatment which could help. With this diagnosis, the prognosis is a life expectancy of 12 - 15 months, and it could be considerably less.