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Wednesday, February 16, 2011 – Daily News – 3B Drugs devastate desperate dependents Tennis-elbow surgery questionable Dear Desper- Dear Annie: My husband and I are in our early 40s. We’ve been married for 13 years and have two young, beau- tiful, healthy chil- dren that I thank God for every day. After many years of marriage, I found out quite unexpectedly that my husband has Annie’s been a drug user on and off for a long time. It came out when he finally went for help. Due to the drugs, we lost everything. We had to uproot our children from the only home they’ve known in order to find a more affordable place to live. His drug use has put the family in a lot of pain and turmoil, and he vowed he would never use again. For a while, everything seemed good. But it didn’t last. We are a month behind in our rent, and I fear my husband is using again. He does not come home for days at a time and forgets to call. When he shows up, there’s always some lame excuse about where he’s been and where the money went. I will not argue in front of the children, and talking to him hasn’t helped. I am scared for our security and his health. I can’t take the lies anymore. He refuses help and insists he’s not using. I have no other fam- ily and cannot support us on my own. I fear for our future and don’t know what to do. — Desperate Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar ate: First contact Nar-Anon (nar- anon.org) for fami- lies and friends of drug users. If you belong to a church or synagogue, talk to your clergy about counseling and community pro- grams. You may need government assistance tem- porarily, and also look into job training and housing opportunities through state and city agen- cies. Whatever your hus- band is doing, he is not reli- able as a father or partner, and you will have to step up to the plate as best you can. Dear Annie: My son showed me the Facebook page of a 20-year-old acquaintance who is expecting a baby with her boyfriend. An ultrasound showed that the baby was seriously brain damaged and would likely die at birth. This gal named her unborn baby and created a website journal of her preg- nancy. Some of the entries were about her doctor appointments and shopping for a funeral home. Others were rants about fights with her boyfriend and his for- ays with other women. Her page includes professional- ly taken photographs of her lifting her shirt to expose her very pregnant belly. I was appalled at the publicizing of such a heart- wrenching, private situa- tion. Am I just old-fash- ioned? — A Private Person Dear Private: The fact Slow Food Shasta Cascade and Dairyville Nursery invite the public to learn about, swap or share seeds, seedlings and ideas for organic gardening. that something so personal is put into cyberspace and broadcast to everyone is, unfortunately, a common occurrence these days among young people who have no concept of privacy (or good taste). What used to go into a locked diary is now fodder for the world. However, this girl is going through a sad and difficult time, and sharing her story undoubtedly brings her comfort. Dear Annie: The letter from ‘‘Did Something Wrong Raising My Kids’’ infuriated me. She became disabled, and her grown children, who live with her rent-free, whine about helping out and expect to be paid to do it. I am an only child. When I was stricken with a brain aneurysm, Mom and Dad were there every day. When my Dad devel- oped Alzheimer’s and my mom had various medical conditions necessitating a nursing home, I returned the favor. I visited Mom every day. I did Dad’s shopping, cooking, laun- dry and errands. There was no hesitation on my part. Shame on children who abuse those who gave them so much. Get paid for doing Mom’s laundry? How much did she pay Mom to wash her clothes before? Hopefully, those kids will mature, apolo- gize and give Mom the love and support she needs and deserves — while she’s still around to accept it. — Infuriated in Con- necticut A seed exchange is sched- uled for 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, at the nursery, 12645 Highway 99E, Red Bluff, 529- 2546. FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been suffering with tennis elbow for almost a year with little relief. I have tried physical therapy, used Aleve, heat, cold and had corti- sone shots. Right now, I am trying deep-tissue massage that seems to help some. I continue to do stretching exercises. I have an office job and spend a good portion of the day using a computer. My elbow started to bother me last winter after we had more than a foot of snow and I shoveled a lot. Are there activities I should avoid or take part in to help? I don’t want to have surgery to correct this, as I’ve heard there is no guarantee of results. Do you have any suggestions? DEAR READER: Tennis elbow, tech- nically known as lateral epicondylitis, can result from a number of causes but is common following repetitive motion of the arm and wrist — such as when exe- cuting a tennis or other racket-sport backhand improperly, shoveling snow, using a computer mouse, or swinging a hammer for a living. Pain results from physical stress, overuse and inflammation that can radi- ate from the outer portion of the elbow to the wrist and hand. This may, in part, be the result of small tears in the tendons that attach the muscles of the forearm to the outside of the elbow. Diagnosis can often be made by phys- ical exam and verbal history of events that preceded the pain. Should questions remain, your physician might order an MRI or EMG to rule out nerve impinge- ment. X-rays are not generally helpful because they don’t reveal tendon tears, but they can rule out other conditions. Initial treatment is, as you attempted, with over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory pain relievers, followed by gentle stretching exercises, wearing a brace, or discontinuing the activity tem- porarily (two to three weeks) to allow the tendons to heal on their own. The use of an ice pack up to six times a day, an Ace bandage, acupuncture, massage or phys- ical therapy, or a cortisone injection Whether you’re a pro at get- ting a healthy start on your veg- etable plants or you would like to give it a try this year, come and join us. The emphasis will Dr. Peter Gott might provide relief. Devise methods to allow you to func- tion throughout the day with reduced pain. Adjust the angle of your computer keyboard, play racket sports every other day instead of daily, use two hands when hitting a backhand, take lessons to determine what it is you did wrong to injure yourself, wear a wrist brace if your hand is on a computer mouse for hours at a time, take brief breaks to perform gradual hand-stretching exer- cises, use a lighter hammer, keep an ice pack handy to reduce inflammation, and use your opposite hand when possible to lessen the burden on the one that causes the pain. When all else fails, speak with your physician regarding the pros and cons of surgery. He or she will likely want to know that you have attempted conserva- tive measures for at least six months because invasive surgery involves trim- ming tendon sheaths or releasing a ten- don from bone. Both may be performed on an outpatient basis, and your arm will either be placed in a sling or cast, depending on how extensive the proce- dure was. There is no guarantee surgery will improve your condition, and it will not be known for almost a month, so in my opinion, it’s not a choice to be made lightly. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order made payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title. 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. Seed exchange scheduled for Feb. 20 at Dairyville Nursery for experts and beginners be on organic gardening, and learning more about the Her- itage varieties that grow well in our area. If you haven’t already, come and check out Dairyville Nurs- ery, bring any vegetable seeds, seedlings or gardening tips you may have to share, or just come and join the fun. The busiest local information website in Tehama County! • 331,929 monthly page views • 48,644 unique visitors 2450 Sister Mary Columba Drive, Suite F Red Bluff • (530) 527-0414 GARY’S AUTO BODY & 24 HOUR TOWING, INC. 13540 Trinity Ave, Red Bluff (530) 527-8262 • (530) 528-8261 IF NO ANSWER CALL 529-7400 www.garysautobodyandtowing.com GROWNEY MOTORS 1160 Main Street, Red Bluff (530) 527-1034 22805 Antelope Blvd. in Red Bluff www.redbluffyamaha.com • (530) 527-1466 ATTORNEY AT LAW 741 Main Street, Ste 102,Red Bluff, Ca 96080 (530) 528-2000 dirvinish@yahoo.com DAN IRVING Please support these businesses that support RedBluffDailyNews.com INTERCITY BODY & PAINT 1355 Vista Way, Red Bluff, by the Airport (530) 529-2040 RANDAL ELLOWAY DDS, INC. Implants & Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry 2426 So. 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