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2B – Daily News – Thursday, August 19, 2010 FEATURES Drunken dad dispenses despair Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for 20 years. He was a drinker when I met him, but of course, I was young and naive and thought I could change him. When I couldn’t, I decided to join him. We had two children, and because of our drinking, the children were taken away from us for two months. If we wanted them back, one of the conditions was to go through an alcohol treatment program and attend AA. We both did this and were sober for three wonderful years, during which time we had a third child. is angry that he can no longer control their lives. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar The problem is, my husband got a job in a different city and started drink- ing again. Things have gone downhill ever since. We tell him often that he drinks too much and needs to get help, but he doesn’t see it. When he is drunk, he repeats himself over and over and causes drama with everyone around him. He yells at our adult children and Police reports The following informa- tion is compiled from Red Bluff Police Department, Tehama County Sheriff’s Department, Corning Police Department and California Highway Patrol. Arrest James Dunard Procari- one, 22, Red Bluff, was arrested Tuesday morning on Fifth Avenue in Los Molinos by the TCSD on suspicion of failing to appear in court on possess- ing a controlled substance. Bail was set at $50,000. Juvenile A girl was reportedly booked into the Juvenile Justice Center Tuesday evening after attacking her diabetic mother with a knife It seems he only cares about himself. He is not remorseful when he sobers up and instead sulks for days and stops speaking to everyone. I don’t know how to help him. I know that I don’t want to be with him anymore unless he changes. Any advice? — Confused in S.D. Dear Confused: It’s likely that your husband’s work relocation uprooted the sup- port system he had in place that helped him stay sober. Also, if he was a drinker when you met him, there could be a genetic component to his alcohol problem. Please contact Al-Anon (al- anon.alateen.org) at 1-888-4AL- ANON (1-888-425-2666) for help. Dear Annie: I work at a nursing home. I love my job, and my co-work- ers are the best. However, some of the other employees bring their children to work with them. Aside from the inap- propriateness of having children at a on Martin Switch Road. Violence A woman reported being battered Tuesday evening on Main Street and having her door kicked in. Theft •A break-in was report- ed Tuesday morning on Main Street. •A wallet was reported stolen Tuesday evening at the RBPD. BB gun St. Elizabeth Communi- ty Hospital reported treating someone for a pellet gun injury received Tuesday morning on Tehama Avenue. Scam A man reported a nursing home all day, it is unfair to the rest of us because these children both- er us constantly with questions about what we are doing. Some of these parents make decent money and should be able to afford day care or a babysitter. I know one woman has relatives her kids could stay with during the day, but she brings them anyway. I like to have peace and quiet at work and don’t want to have to worry about a child running around. Nursing homes are for the care of elderly peo- ple and are not day care centers for children. What can I do? — Con- cerned Employee at a Nursing Home Dear Employee: While we sympa- thize with parents who have difficulty finding day care for their children, nursing homes are not an appropriate alternative. The staff dispenses med- ications and handles other items that could be dangerous to youngsters, not to mention the possibility of children tripping up the residents. Talk to human resources and find out what the policy is and ask that it be enforced. check bouncing Tuesday afternoon on Adobe Road. The check was supposed to pay for the man’s win- nings in a contest, one he had received notification of in the mail. In order to receive the check the man was asked to send cash to the company. Vandalism Judith Martin reported a pair of tires were slashed Tuesday morning on River View Drive. The damage was estimated to be $70. Odd •A man reported see- ing someone brandish a gun Tuesday morning near the Tehama County Jail. Police, however, determined the man to be suffering from “reality issues” and admonished him for bathing in the sink. •A woman reported having a “horrible” expe- rience with a cable repair- man Tuesday afternoon on Givens Road. The repair- man reportedly became angry with her and scared her. Fire •A one-acre vegetation fire was reported at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Oak and Grant streets in Los Molinos behind the post office between the streets and railroad tracks. The fire was contained at 11:20 p.m. The last unit cleared at 12:49 a.m. No structures were involved and the cause is under investigation. Stressful job can affect health DEAR DR. GOTT: At age 50- plus, I took a job that was stressful to the extent it caused sleepless nights and loss of appetite. I resorted to taking an over- the-counter sleep aid, which left me with a headache and feeling slug- gish in the morning. To alleviate those symptoms, I took Excedrin for the headache and a caffeine bump. At the end of the year, my contract expired. I lost 20 pounds and was exhausted. is relatively com- mon. However, the reversal in your case is obvi- ously job-related. Let’s cover a Dr. Peter Gott few basic differ- ences between adrenal fatigue and hypothy- roidism. Adrenal fatigue carries no specific symp- I went to my physician for a regular checkup. Routine lab work indicat- ed I had an elevated TSH (6). My doctor asked about fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin and more. I explained the circum- stances of my former job and because of my age, I was at least peri- menopausal. I was still having periods every three weeks instead of four. I felt the symptoms I had indicated hypothy- roidism. I expressed my feelings and was pre- scribed levothyroxine, which was to continue forever. Well, I took it for six months and saw no improvement, except for a lowered TSH level. I gained back the 20 pounds and weaned myself off the medication. I still noticed no change in my health. My question is: Could adrenal fatigue or exhaus- tion from the stress and being perimenopausal be factors in the elevated TSH? Could they normal- ize on their own when the stress is removed? I understand there are car- diac implications with levothyroxine. I don’t suffer any issues, but there is a family history on both sides. At what point does the risk out- weigh the benefit? I cur- rently feel fine, my nails are longer than they have been in years, and my hair is OK, as is my skin. My energy level is acceptable, and I wish the 20 pounds stayed off that I gained back. DEAR READER: I can understand why your physician put you on levothyroxine, because hypothyroidism can cause fatigue, changes in hair texture and thickness, split finger nails, dry skin and irregular menstrual cycles. One striking dif- ference is that weight gain Mon.-Fri. 10:30 to 5:30 Sat. 11-3 40 Crafters in 1 Shop! 650 Main St., Red Bluff 530 528-2723 Come & Shop Crafter’s Boutique Or Rent a Space to Sell Your Crafts Gifts for family & friends Plenty of parking on Pine Street 645 Main St., Red Bluff • 529-2482 Monday Morning, 8am-noon Wednesday Evenings, 5-9pm Join us for neighborhood Bring your jars & ingredients. CANNING & PRESERVING www.californiakitchencompany.com $1 We’ll help you and provide equipment. Barber Shop $ Cheers 600 Open 6 days 570-2304 259 S. Main St. Tractor Supply Center Senior Cuts a jar toms of heart palpitations, no fluid retention, ortho- static hypotension, good flexibility of ligaments, thin and brittle nails, thin hair, insomnia, dry skin, cold intolerance and a craving for sweets. Hypothyroidism isn’t generally associated with palpitations and presents with fluid retention, no orthostatic hypotension, poor flexibility of liga- ments, normal to thick nails, coarse hair, sleepi- ness, normal skin, heat intolerance and a craving for fats. Stress plays an enor- mous role in health, affecting us in a variety of ways and worsening many medical conditions. Therefore, I cannot rule it out as having a bearing on the symptoms you have. My recommenda- tion is to have your TSH retested to determine what your readings are without the levothyrox- ine. Discuss the pros and cons with your physician. Maintain a healthful diet, get adequate rest, reduce the stress in your life, and exercise regularly. The body is a truly miraculous thing. Give it some time to recharge, but don’t hesitate to seek medical intervention if appropri- ate. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Thyroid Disor- ders.” 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. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com Thank you to all who donated to our Back To School Project. 529-4074 BOOK BARN Used Books Tues-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-2 THANK YOU RED BLUFF We are now celebrating our 16th Anniversary 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-2665 Jack the Ribber Come by for the Best Lunch in town • Ribs •Tri-Tip • Pulled Pork • Specials Tues.-Sat. 6am-8pm Sun. 10am-3pm Closed Monday 1150 Monroe St. 527-6108