Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/6457
A workshop entitled "Veterans Aid & Atten- dance Benefits: A Part of Estate and Long Term Care Planning" is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Feb. 4, at The Terraces, 2750 Sierra Sunrise Ter- race, in Chico. This workshop is designed to educate peo- ple about the basics of Veterans Aid & Atten- dance benefit, which provides income to help pay for eligible seniors' stay at assisted living facilities. In addition, partici- pants will hear how these benefits play a part of estate and long term care planning, and how annuities have advan- tages and disadvantages in long term care plan- ning. Those attending will have an opportunity to share their experiences and get answers to their questions. Panelists include Cliff McFelter from the Butte County Veterans Service Office, Neil Harris, a certified elder law attor- ney, and Nicole R Plot- tel, attorney . The program will be moderated by Tatiana Fassieux, program man- ager of Passages' Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, and co-sponsored by The Terraces. This event is free and seating is limited. Regis- tration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 3. Reg- ister by calling 894- 5429. More information about this event or other long term care planning questions may be obtained by calling 1- 800-434-0222. Passages helps older adults and family care- givers with important services to empower them to remain confident in their ability to sustain and enjoy independent lives. For more informa- tion about Passages' ser- vices go to www.pas- sagescenter.org. DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 80- year-old woman in good health. I am not overweight, walk at least two miles every day, and my blood pressure is normally within the accepted range. I had foot surgery for a hammer- toe and got a small infection in it. The doctor gave me the antibiotic cephalexin, and my foot healed well. Three weeks after taking the antibiotic, I developed a twitch in my left eye, and the following day, the left side of my face was twitching and felt strange. I went to my primary-care doc- tor to find out what was happening, and he told me that my blood-pressure medicine was not working. He increased the dosage from 25 milligrams to 50 milligrams per day. I told my doctor that I thought it was a reaction to the cephalexin, but he said that it couldn't be from the drug because too much time had passed from when I last took it to when my symptoms began. My blood pressure continued to spike, especially in the middle of the night. I felt bad and went to the emergency room at my local hospital and told the doctor there that I thought my problem was from the cephalexin. She asked if I had vomited when I took the medication, and I told her that I hadn't but did have some stomach upset, which had gone away when I ate soda crackers and cheese to settle it. Two days later, I went back to the emer- gency room. My blood pressure this time was 224 over 100 and something. I was immediately admitted because they said I could have a stroke due to having such a high blood pressure. This time I underwent an electrocardiogram (EKG), a chest X-ray and an MRI. They all came back fine and showed no damage, but the doctor thought that I had had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). I was given a prescription for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and sent home. I will never take penicillin or cephalexin again, but I would like to know whether there is an antidote for an adverse reaction to the drugs. I even called the 800 number on the bottle to ask for an antidote and was told to call the emergency room. DEAR READER: I am afraid that you are not going to like my response any more than you liked that of your primary-care physician, the ER physician or the person at the 800 number. If your symptoms did not start until three weeks after stopping the medication, the cephalexin was not to blame. It would have cleared out of your system by then. Accord- ing to my "Physicians' Desk Reference," 90 percent of cephalexin is excreted in the urine within eight hours of ingesting it. Reactions to medications occur primarily during the course of treatment or shortly thereafter. Those that induce problems fol- lowing treatment are typically the result of long-term steroid or nar- cotic use and due to abrupt cessa- tion, causing withdrawal symp- toms. Adverse effects from taking cephalexin include allergic reac- tion (hives, swelling, rash), dizzi- ness, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, headache, hallucinations, agitation, confu- sion, abdominal pain, stomach upset, heart- burn/indigestion and more. Typically, stom- ach upset can be avoided by taking the medication with food or on a full stomach. Allergic reactions should be reported immediately to a physician to determine whether over-the-counter antihistamines can be used or whether the reaction is severe enough to warrant hospitalization. Any side effects experienced should resolve within a few days to a week after discontinuing the antibiotic. (You'll note that I did not mention anything about fluc- tuating blood pressure. This is because I could not find reference to this as a known side effect.) Now, to your refusal to take penicillin. Rarely, those allergic to penicillin may also be allergic to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics that cephalexin belongs to; how- ever, this is not always the case. Stop blaming the antibiotic for your current problems, and start working with your physician to determine what the problem is. Are you on any other medica- tions that may be interacting with your blood-pressure medications? Have you changed your diet or exercise habits? Were you experiencing any abnormal stress just prior to your symptoms? Perhaps you should be under the care of a cardiologist, who can examine and test you for a variety of cardiac conditions that may be the cul- prit. I am unclear as to what you mean by an antidote for cephalexin. Stopping the med- ication should eliminate any side effects experienced, and for those who develop an allergic reaction, antihistamines typically reduce side effects until the drug is excret- ed from the body. Severe cases may require stronger drugs and hospitalization, but this is rare. Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." 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Paid for by the committee to elect William Murphy Dear Annie: I am a 23-year-old girl, and my best friend, ''Natal- ie,'' is my room- mate. We have been best friends since childhood and have a strong bond. We went to the same high school, now attend the same college and even studied abroad together. The problem is, Natalie has a tendency to be a storm cloud of negativity. Even though she has a great boyfriend, lots of good friends, plenty of money and a terrific family, her ability to always focus on the negative is begin- ning to wear on me. For 10 years, I have fought my hardest to make her smile no mat- ter what it took. Two months ago, I threw a surprise birthday party for her. She'd been telling me for nearly a year that she couldn't wait to have a great birthday with her friends away from home. I did my best to pre- pare everything perfect- ly and spent a lot of money and energy. But I felt it was worth it for my best friend. Every- thing seemed to be going perfectly until she began crying at the party. Afterward, I asked her what was going on. She said she wasn't getting enough attention at the party. Annie, everyone was fawning all over her the entire night, but some- how it wasn't sufficient for Natalie. After this, I started to withdraw from her. No matter how hard I try to please her, it's never good enough. Right now, I don't want to do anything more for her because it's too painful. Am I out of line to feel this way? What can I do to make her happy? — Best Friend Forever Dear BFF: Nothing. Natalie isn't simply a ''storm cloud of nega- tivity,'' dear. She's a bottomless pit of emo- tional need and sounds a bit self-absorbed, as well. Your efforts will never be good enough. The best thing you can do for her is recommend she get therapy to find out why she is unable to appreciate the good things in her life. Dear Annie: I am a 65-year-old man, mar- ried to my lovely wife for 40 years. I love her more now than when we first met. Our sex life used to be great but, as expect- ed, has slowed over time. A year ago, my wife told me we will no longer be having sex. She said she no longer wants or enjoys it. She has a vaginal dry- ness problem, and her desire has gone to zero. She moved into the guest bedroom, claiming I snore too much. She also avoids all affectionate contact. We hardly kiss anymore, and I am not allowed to touch her or even see her body. She is a very attrac- tive woman. I have no idea if she has a problem being with me or if it's age related. She will not discuss it or talk to a doctor. I miss being inti- mate with her. Does this happen to all couples our age? — Frustrated in N.J. Dear N.J.: Not all couples, but unfortu- nately, it is also not uncommon. It is likely age-relat- ed. Your wife isn't inter- ested in intimacy any longer, and she doesn't want to encourage you by kissing or touching. The problem is her unwillingness to discuss it or find ways to work on it. Tell her she is risking the marriage, and ask her to come with you for counseling. We hope she will. Dear Annie: ''Going Gray'' doesn't want to color her hair. She knows the gray makes her look old enough to be mistaken for her hus- band's mother or her son's grandmother, and she still chooses not to color it. Why would she need a snappy comeback? It's her choice. She can't have it both ways. — What's the Problem? Dear What: We agree. If she chooses to let her hair go gray nat- urally, she should not be surprised to be mistaken for someone older. It comes with the territory. But we don't believe she was looking for any- thing ''snappy.'' Rather, she wanted something to correct a mistaken impression. 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, P.O. Box 118190, Chicago, IL 60611. Best friend is a major buzzkill Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar FEATURES Antibiotic not to blame for blood pressure Dr. Peter Gott Veterans Aid & Attendance workshop announced