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2B Daily News – Saturday, July 2, 2011 FEATURES Readers’ responses round-up Dear Readers: As promised, one more day on counseling: Dear Annie: Is counseling help- ful? You bet. Every person sees a situation differently. Counselors give us a viewfinder into the other side so we can empathize and understand. They teach us that con- flict is normal and healthy and give us the skills to fight fair. Coun- selors help us see how our past experiences may affect our current circumstances. They let us vent our frustrations without being judg- mental and guide us to change for the better. Counselors teach us to stop wishing for someone who doesn’t exist. — Problem Gone From California: My husband and I went to counseling every week for three years. The coun- selor was terrific, and I learned a lot about how to cope. However, at the end of three years, I asked my husband whether he was planning to make any changes, and he said, ‘‘No.’’ So I said, ‘‘Why are we wasting the money?’’ Maryland: Back in the late 1980s, I was a new- lywed college student working a late shift at a job I hated. I had developed the inconvenient tendency to burst into tears at random moments for no appar- ent reason. I found a certified social worker by Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar blindly picking a name from my health plan’s list of providers. I can’t believe how lucky I was. After five sessions, he looked me in the eye and quietly told me, ‘‘I can’t take your money anymore. You’re tired. Get a job you like with regular hours.’’ I fol- lowed his advice, and things got better immediate- ly. Kentucky: For my girlfriend and me, counsel- ing has been nothing but a waste of time and money. We’ve gone through several counselors, each with no results. We’ve been told things such as, ‘‘Just keep working at that, and it will get bet- ter,’’ ‘‘Go out and buy this book, it will help you,’’ and ‘‘If this isn’t working, you can’t be trying hard enough. Greensboro, N.C.: My wife left me for another man, and I became a single father raising a trou- blesome son. My sister suggested counseling, and one day, on impulse, I drove to a family counseling center and sat in the waiting room. A woman asked if I needed help, and I said, ’’I think so.‘‘ She did- n’t say anything, but the waterfall came. I couldn’t stop talking, and so many things rolled out of my mouth and eyes that they surprised me. When I got outside of the building, I felt 30 pounds lighter. It was all I needed to focus on the things before me from then on. Fairfield, Conn.: When I separated from my wife of 11 years, I was totally unprepared to live alone. I missed my kids and was not sleeping well. One Sunday when I was distraught, I went to a phone booth and called a number for help in the Yellow Pages. I spilled my guts about my life, and this person gave me the name and phone number of a counselor and arranged an appointment. This counselor was an angel from heaven. He pushed me to confront my mother’s death, which I had never gotten over. Now, 31 years later, I’ve been remarried for 28 years and am doing fine. Over the years, I have learned to realize that not all women are going to leave me. Seeking help was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. Dear Annie: I was diagnosed with bipolar dis- order, and doctors begged me to get therapy along with medication. I absolutely refused. But after five years, I gave it a chance. What a huge differ- ence it made in my life. I found my counselor through social services because I had no insurance. Also, Catholic Charities is a great place, and they charge on a sliding scale if you don’t have insur- ance. — Better in Pennsylvania 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. Overusing supplements can cause long-term damage DEAR DR. GOTT: I have a friend whose husband consumes well over the recom- mended doses of liq- uid and tablet forms of mineral supple- ments. He purchases approximately $1,000 worth each month. It consists of liquid vitamins, liq- uid calcium, glu- cosamine pills, liquid minerals, tablets of Prost (a men-only sup- plement), selenium, OPC, Sweet Eze, and more from a mail-order supplier who is a veteri- narian. He also takes liquid glucosamine, flaxseed tablets and cin- namon tablets. He is adamant about keeping this daily regi- men. He also is a Type 2 Dr. Peter Gott diabetic and has been for most of his adult life. He is an OCD per- sonality and has become downright mean over the years. Is it pos- sible to suf- fer intoxication of some sort from all this over- dosing on supplements? His doctor just shakes his head and doesn’t really address the issue with my friend, saying, “He’s going to do what he’s going to do, and there’s nothing I can do until he decides to ques- tion it.” The doctor has put him on medication for Tehama Family Fitness Center Not satisfied with your body or level of fitness? Take advantage of Tehama County’s Premiere Fitness Facility for FREE, and bring a partner! • Free 2 week couples membership at Tehama Family Fitness Center • Bring a friend or family member with you and we will issue both of you a 2 week membership for free, no strings attached! We want to encourage you to train with a partner, so we are only offering this offer to groups of 2 only. • For non-members only. Must arrive in a group of 2 to redeem your 2 week pass. • Offer limited to one per person, offer available through July 2011. See why our members get results! This ad must be present to receive your pass 2498 South Main St., Red Bluff 528-8656 www.tehamafamilyfitness.com cholesterol, and instead of taking it properly, he loads up two weeks before a checkup and then stops right after. I think this is a lame response, but it’s none of my business except that I am witnessing the breakdown of my friend’s health from all the stress and strain she undergoes daily. There must be other elders who are doing similar things, thinking they are doing some- thing good, but is it really? DEAR READER: There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Those in the first category, if taken in excess, typical- ly cause little or no harm and pass out of the body through the urine and feces. Those in the second category, how- ever, are stored in the body, and when exces- sive amounts are con- sumed, can cause seri- ous, even potentially life-threatening conse- quences. Minerals also carry the potential for serious or life-threatening side effects when consumed in high doses, especial- ly when taken long term. Unfortunately, your friend’s husband’s physician is absolutely correct that he cannot do anything about the situation. It is similar to trying to help an alco- holic or drug addict who doesn’t want help; you cannot force some- one to change who isn’t ready. Also, as with the alcoholic or drug addict, bodily damage may be occurring, including mental and emotional changes. It’s my belief this individual is uninten- tionally causing himself damage in his misguid- ed attempt to be health- ful. An otherwise healthy person can get most, if not all, of his or her vitamin and mineral requirements simply by eating a proper, bal- anced diet. Some sup- plements may be recom- mended for vegetarians, vegans, or those with certain food allergies or intolerances, such as those who are lactose- intolerant. I urge your friend to seek counseling. Trying to deal with this situa- tion on her own clearly isn’t causing a change in her husband and is resulting in deteriorat- ing health on her end owing to stress. While she may love her hus- band, she cannot contin- ue this way. She should take a step back and perhaps visit an out-of- town friend or family member for a few days. This would allow her to relax and think about where she wants to pro- ceed from here. Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Vita- mins and Minerals” by sending a self- addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing, or print an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.co m/order_form.pdf. DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been successful in keeping my glucose lev- els down to a safe level by using chromium polynicotinate for about three years now, but I wonder if Plavix has any effect on the use of remedies that help reduce blood glucose level. Since being on Plavix, my levels have increased about 25 per- cent and have been hard to reduce. I have also been using cinnamon (1,000 mg twice daily) recent- ly, and for the first time, I’m down to 105 today. I enjoy your column. DEAR READER: Chromium polynicoti- nate is a combination of chromium and vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid, niacin) that may prevent diabetes or delay the need for insulin. How- ever, additional research is required before a determination can be made for patients with Type 1 diabetes. Niacin has long been used for the treatment of high cholesterol. Plavix is commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots following heart attack, stroke and specific disorders of the heart. Cinnamon or cin- namon bark has been purported to lower blood sugar and choles- terol levels in some individuals. I must admit there are conflicting reports of whether Plavix affects blood sugar lev- els adversely. There- fore, I recommend you discuss your medica- tions and supplements with your prescribing physician and be guided by what he or she feels is appropriate for you. 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.co m. Tehama County’s Personal/Professional Service Directory AT YOUR SERVICE! $ 9900 3 month commitment Attorney Local Bankruptcy Attorney Jocelyn C. 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