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Friday, June 11, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES On Paget’s of the bone After nine years, still not accepted DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 83-year -old woman. One of my many health problems is bone Paget’s disease. When I was 72, my left thigh bent so bad that it frac- tured. My left leg was also shorter, and I had to have a rod put in from my knee to my hip. That did not stop the disease, but it helped a lot with the pain. Then my leg got shorter again, and I was told my hipbone was bending as the left thigh did. I went to a new doctor, who put me on Actonel for 30 days. He said he was sure that I would be rid of the Paget’s, which I really could not believe. For the past two years, every blood test I have taken for alk phos has been below normal. I think normal is 119, and my last test was 84. My hip is still bent, but has not gotten any worse. I recommend anyone with Paget’s see an endocri- nologist, and I hope they will get the same results as I did. DEAR READER: Paget’s disease of the bone commonly affects people as they age. It is seen in the skull, spine, pelvis, legs and arms and can be relatively isolated or widespread. We com- monly think that once we reach our full height, bones stop growing. This is incorrect. Bone is in a constant state of renew- ing itself throughout our lives. Paget’s is a distor- tion of that normal break- down and rebuilding pat- tern. In the early stages of the disease, bone breaks down faster than it can rebuild. As the dis- ease progresses, the body generates new bone at a faster-than-normal rate. This results in pain, tin- gling, weakness and mis- shapen bones that can fracture easily. Fortu- nately, Paget’s is slow in progression. Diagnosis can be made through X-rays, bone scan or lab testing. Because many people don’t have any symptoms in the early stages, a physician might choose to order an alkaline- phosphatase test (the alk phos to which you refer) periodically on patients 40 and older. Dr. Peter Gott X-rays will indicate deformi- ties, bone enlargement and areas of bone reabsorption with bowing — all characteristic of Paget’s. A bone scan can determine which bones are affected. This test can identify Paget’s even before it can be seen by simple X-ray. Treatment, if indicat- ed, might include oral or intravenous prescription medications. Oral forms appear well tolerated but carry the unwanted side effect of gastrointestinal irritation. In this instance, intravenous medications may be used but are generally not pre- scribed for more than six months because of resis- tance to one brand name over time. Switching to another drug in the same category is then recom- mended. Intolerance to bispho- sphonates might be han- dled through calcitonin. This naturally occurring hormone works to regu- late bone metabolism and is commonly adminis- tered via self-injection. Side effects can include irritation at the site of the injection, nausea, facial flushing and more. My recommendation is to eat well and supple- ment your diet with 1,000 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium and between 600 and 800 IU of vitamin D daily. Take all precau- tions to avoid falls, such as removing scatter rugs and relocating electrical cords that may run across a floor, making you sus- ceptible to a fall. And stick with your endocri- nologist who can guide you along the way. To provide related information, I am send- ing you a copy of my Health Report “Osteo- porosis.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self- addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. Dear Annie: I am 60 and have been in a relation- ship with ‘‘James’’ for nine years. He is 76 and a kind man. When we met, his wife had died six weeks earlier. I had been widowed for four years. We live together in my home. I never go to his. James never treats me as a wife because we are not married. My children are OK with our relationship. His children, however, have a hard time accepting me. Only one of his daughters treats me nicely. When I met James, he felt like a ship that doesn’t make you happy. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Dear Annie: I’m the mother of a beautiful 9-year- old daughter who has autism. ‘‘Shawna’’ doesn’t speak or use the bathroom, but she is a very active child. My husband and I don’t have any friends or family who are supportive, because they don’t understand Shaw- na’s behavior (shrieking, grabbing food, hitting others and running away). When lifesaver. We’ve had great times together, but when it comes to his kids, I’m always left out. We also have no sex life. What do you sug- gest I do? I don’t want to be fighting all the time, yet I don’t want to be alone. It’s also very hard to find a good man. — Frustrated Dear Frustrated: If James began seeing you six weeks after his wife died, we can understand why his children might have had a hard time accepting you. And the fact that after nine years he doesn’t treat you as a lifetime partner indi- cates he still is not fully committed to you. His children can see that and use it to drive a wedge. If James doesn’t insist that they show you more respect, nothing will change. One of the major mistakes a woman can make is believing her life is only worthwhile if there is a man in it. Don’t be so afraid to be alone that you remain in a relation- Shasta College held its 60th Annual Commence- ment ceremony on Friday, May 28, in the Memorial Stadium at the Redding campus. There were 671 applica- tions for diplomas and about 407 confirmed partic- ipants in the commence- ment ceremony. Shasta College’s Excel- lent Educator of the Year and Math Instructor Robert (Bob) Bittner gave the com- mencement address. Chemistry Instructor Dr. Divan Fard was the com- mencement standard bearer. Toni Duquette, Classified Employee of the Year, car- ried the California flag. The following Tehama County residents graduated Cottonwood: Michael J. Abshier, Rosella Faye Argent, Jessica Ashley Bailey, Jodie Beers, Rode- lyn Maiquez Birr, Nicholas Anthony Brewer, Peter Ching Tao Chan, Leanne Ewald, Michael D. Gaither, Marci May Grell, Sheryl Grondahl, Siera Nicole we are at family gatherings, they treat her like a problem child and act annoyed at us for her ‘‘bad’’ behavior. I want to let people know it makes the parents feel very lonely and isolated. Taking care of a child with autism or any other disability is hard work. Please be more under- standing and supportive. Let them know you are there for them. — V.W. Dear V.W.: Autistic children are a tremendous challenge for the par- ents and are exceedingly difficult for relatives and friends who aren’t as emotionally invested. You cannot expect them to understand if they haven’t been educated. Please con- tact the Autism Society of America (autism-society.org), 4340 East- West Hwy., Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814, for support and help. Good luck. Dear Annie: ‘‘It’s Cold in Maine’’ was upset with her grand- daughter’s language on Facebook. One would think a 21-year-old col- Hayes, Jennifer Mary Hidalgo, Tiffany Christine Lee, Aaron Lemire, Patri- cia Sue Moskal, Doris J. Muniga, Janelle Rae Palmer, Michael Joe Pitts, Shawn G. Pitts, Shannon Kathleen Pozek, Mark G. Ratledge, Lisa Mary Reynolds, Cierra Danyel Rovera, Jesse Donald Royal, Brian L. Smith, Jolie Stapp, Donna Lee Whitehead, Ashley Dawn Wilson, Tosha Colby Wil- son, Westley Allen Wise, Katie Marie Woodward. Corning: Brent S. Bick- ley, Jennifer Dawn Briseno, Debby McCullough, Rosa Aurora Ruiz Montoya, Jean Lomeli Pebbles, Sheree D. Pollack, Brian J. Winter, Samuel Mark Zizzo. Los Molinos: Daniel Glaziner, Julia Diane Hensel Red Bluff: Ashley Adele Bill, Amanda J. Bline, Andrea Marie Borg, Leslie Spring Byrne, Kem- berly Anete Coley, Lauren Cowans-Hawthorne, Kristopher J. Darnall, Animal shelter knee deep into kitten season The Tehama County Animal Care Center is defi- nitely full swing into what is called the kitten season. Kitten season usually starts in spring and lasts until the fall during which time shelters all across the United States are over-run with cats and kittens. “We see a huge increase in cats and kittens 'dumped' on people’s porches during this time," said center Man- ager Mark Storrey. As of June 7 the center had 30 kittens and 13 cats on hand and with only 27 usable cat kennels it is a daily challenge to care for them all. “We are hopeful that the community will respond to these growing numbers by choosing to adopt from our shelter before going else- where”, Storrey said. The Animal Care Center charges $95 for a cat/kitten, of that $20 is the adoption fee and $75 is a refundable spay/neuter deposit. Cats receive their first set of shots, feline leukemia testing, a bag of kitten/cat food, a new parent guide and other information. “The most important part of being a responsible Have your brain turn into Or Join Summer SERRF 2010! pet owner with the growing population of cats is to spay/neuter,” Storrey said. More information is available by calling 527- 3439. lege student would be interested in projecting a more professional atti- tude on a Facebook page that might be seen by future employers. There will always be someone who will pull photos and comments out of cyberspace and often at the most inopportune time, ruining that job or promotion they worked so hard for. Skeletons have a way of falling out the closet. We grew up in a different time. Most parents want their children to be brighter, smarter and better edu- cated than they were, simply because it will take that much more knowledge and money to support them through life in the manner they would like. I’d like to share some great wisdom that my mother gave me: 1. I cannot stand between you and what will hurt you as you trav- el through life. 2. Think twice before you speak. 3. Never put anything in writing that will come back to haunt you. 4. Fools’ names and fools’ faces are often seen in public places. — Chicago Dear Chicago: Excellent advice for everyone. Thank you. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Shasta College commencement sees 407 graduates Sheila R. DeLeon, Shelia M. Doughty, Joshua Andrei Dugo, Becca Lee Elliott, Derek James Ellis, Diane C. Ellis, Jessica Joyce Espinoza, Claudia Berenice Fischer, Stacia Fortenberry, Ross C. Fortkamp, Lorena Anne Gleason, Rachel Melinda Gunsauls, Sharon Sammy Haytasingh, David Alexander Holloway, Lind- say Anne Lang, Andrew Emory Lish, Salvador Macias Marin, Laura Lynn Nasise, Laura Bess Nelson, Emerald Elizabeth Peter- son, Joshua Daniel Pomazal, Erin Elizabeth Purcell. Joseph Nathaniel Reno, Anita Rice, Jacob A. Rice, Angela Lynne Rohlfs, Michael Rolla, Timothy Dean Sain Jr., Candyce Marie Sannadan, Richard Douglas Shepard, Talia D. Shirer, Debra L. Stewart, Sadie Anne Thompson, Morgan N. Walker, Timo- thy James Wallace, Katrina Rose Wilson, Shelley A. Zimmerman. Credit Card Fraud It has come to our attention that someone may be contacting our advertising customers by phone, attempting to fraudulently obtain their credit card information. Callers claim that the customer’s credit card failed to process correctly. They falsely claim to represent our newspaper. They do not. If you are a customer of our newspaper, do NOT give out your credit card information to any parties calling you by phone claiming they are us. If we have any issue with your credit card, you would be contacted and asked to call our main phone number (530) 527-2151. Our collections department or sales rep will then assist you with any credit card issue. For bus schedule information go to www.tehamaschools.org