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4B – Daily News – Saturday, August 28, 2010 FEATURES Sacked subordinate significantly steamed Dear Annie: I just got fired yes- terday. In all my 18 years of work- ing, I have never been fired. I was completely blind- sided. My boss never addressed any issues she had with me. Yester- day, she called me into her office and simply said, ‘‘It’s not working out. I don’t think you’re a good fit.’’ like camphor. Any food Grandma sends home with us tastes like chemicals. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar I was outraged at her approach and ‘‘reason’’ for firing me. She’s new and has never been in manage- ment before. I am the sec- ond person she has fired since she became boss six months ago. My question is, should I contact her supervisor and let him know how things went down? I don’t want to be spiteful. I simply want to express how unfair and unreasonable I believe she was. — Kay Dear Kay: You certain- ly have little to lose by reg- istering a complaint with a supervisor, and it could help this woman do a bet- ter job in the future. But please keep in mind that she may have been hired precisely to thin the ranks, and unless you were indis- pensable, you were des- tined to be canned. We wish you the best of luck finding another position and hope it’s better than the last. Dear Annie: Our grandparents are in their 80s and have been using more and more mothballs around the house. After a 10-minute visit, we smell Grandma and Grandpa are very involved with their community and attend functions smelling like mothballs. I’m sure they cannot smell it them- selves. We have mentioned it to them, and they insist they only have a few in the closet with their wool clothing. We are con- cerned about their health. Please alert your read- ers that mothballs can be toxic. Here are some safe- ty tips and alternatives to save your woolens without poisoning yourself: 1. Air out your clothes in the sun, or run them through a warm clothes dryer before wearing them. 2. Clean your clothes prior to storage. Moth lar- vae rely on perspiration residue for essential vita- mins. 3. Store woolens in air- tight containers, such as plastic storage zipper bags. 4. Line closets with cedar. 5. Use natural repellent sachets made from herbs such as lavender, lemon and santolina instead of mothballs, and check with your local health food store for other natural remedies. 6. Only use mothballs according to the directions. Thank you for getting the word out. — Con- cerned Grandchildren Dear Concerned: Mothballs may contain naphthalene, a chemical associated with anemia, headaches and seizures. Newer mothballs likely contain paradichloroben- zene, which has been linked to kidney and liver disease. If you can smell the mothballs on your grandparents, it means they are overexposed. Make them a gift of some cedar balls or herbal sachets, and insist on replacing the mothballs at your next visit. Dear Annie: I’d like to respond to ‘‘Gargantuan Freak,’’ whose husband and family members think she’s so huge at 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds. I am 22 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weigh 125 pounds. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called gargantuan, Amazon, giraffe and other such names. I’ve learned it is all about how you carry yourself (and of course forgetting all the insults). My tallest friend is barely 5 feet 4 inches tall, and I’ve finally worked up the confidence to wear heels out when I’m with her. Embrace your body. It’s the greatest thing you’ll ever own. — Long-Legged Freak 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.ne t, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. When the meds stop working DEAR DR. GOTT: A neurosur- geon told me that I have a genetic familial tremor. He prescribed Mysoline, 50 milligrams four times a day. Well, either I have become immune to it or it just doesn’t work. Your thoughts, please. DEAR READER: Familial refers to a hereditary disease or dis- order seen in some families and not in others — thus, your genetic tremor. Essential, tremor affects mil- lions of people across the United States. It is a disorder of the nervous system that causes involuntary tremor or shaking, primarily seen in the hands, head and eye- lids but never the feet or legs. Other signs and symptoms are generally not observed when a person is asleep. It differs from other disorders such as Parkinson’s or disorders that are the result of head trauma. Essential tremor is commonly observed in the elderly. It is not dangerous; however, it can affect a person’s ability to pick up a cup of coffee, eat with a fork, apply make- up, shave and a host of other day-to-day activities we so commonly take for granted. Symptoms can be worsened by such things as temperature extremes, caffeine, emotion- al stress and fatigue. Dr. Peter Gott “Consumer Tips on Medicine.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newslet- ter, 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 DR. GOTT: I have a ganglion cyst on my knee. There’s no pain, but it’s rather large — the Mysoline (primidone) is an anticonvul- sant prescribed to control specific types of seizures. It works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The medica- tion may help control your tremor, but it will not cure it. I don’t know the reason your physician prescribed the Mysoline, but you might speak with him or her about a trial switch to propranolol, a beta blocker used to treat tremor, hypertension, rhythm disorders of the heart and migraine headaches. As with all drugs, this medication carries the poten- tial for side effects, including edema of the feet and ankles, nausea, constipation, diar- rhea, shortness of breath and cardiac arrhythmias. It should not be taken by any- one who has been diagnosed with a second- or third-degree heart block. I sound like a broken record when I often repeat that a drug manufactured for one rea- son can be successfully prescribed for another. Therefore, I don’t at all question the reason your physician chose one medication over another. The real concern here is that what was once working no longer is. Make an appointment, and express your concerns. It appears time for a change. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report size of an egg. Have you heard of taking premium calci- um montmorillonite (red clay) to dissolve these types of cysts? Thank you for your expertise on this matter. DEAR READER: No, I haven’t. Calci- um montmorillonite is among a group of specific clays that has been recognized for years as a detoxifying agent and bacterioci- dal. It is known to contain no less than 67 minerals, including calcium, iron, magne- sium, potassium and manganese. Several years ago, the American Journal of Nutri- tion even wrote an article on the healing properties of clays. Having said even this much, I cannot endorse using it to rid you of the “ganglion” cyst. A ganglion cyst generally develops along tendons or joints of the wrist or hand and is a noncancerous fluid-filled lump that feels like a water balloon. They don’t generally appear on the knee. Many cause no pain and simply go away without treatment. Others are uncomfortable and may require inter- vention. They are caused by osteoarthritis or injury to the tendons and joints. I question whether you may have a Baker’s cyst, otherwise known as a popliteal cyst. This is a swelling behind the knee. Again, it may not cause any pain in some people and may be extremely uncomfort- able in others. If not a Baker’s cyst, you could have a tumor or popliteal artery aneurysm that should be identified by your primary-care physician or specialist. If you are sure of your diagnosis, see your physician to have him or her discuss methods of removal. I’m sorry, but I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned on this one to go out on a limb. I know I have recommended some rather unusual remedies, but not this time. For a copy of “Compelling Home Reme- dies,” send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167.