Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/8309
Friday, March 26, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Stiff neck has many causes DEAR DR. GOTT: Since June of last year, I have experi- enced a very tight neck that makes sleeping and dri- ving difficult. My doctor seems unconcerned but did recommend a physical thera- pist. While mas- sage feels good, it does not take the pain away, nor does it make it any easier to turn my head. My left side is tighter than my right and throbs when I lie down, turning into an all-head-involved headache. Dr. Peter Gott concerns. Per- haps you can consider a trial period of other medications and/or eliminate one or more. Treatment of your neck pain depends on the underlying cause. You may require an X-ray, If you have any insight or direction as to what I need to do, I would be grateful. I have tried everything except acupuncture, which I think I will do next. By the way, I am 70 years old and in excel- lent health otherwise. I do take amlodipine besy- late for blood pressure, vitamins C and D, calci- um, red yeast rice for cholesterol-lowering properties, glucosamine, MSM and an 81-mil- ligram aspirin. Plus, I have been on OsteoValin for a year as a substitute for Fosamax, which I took for five years. I need help. DEAR READER: Neck pain is a common condition that can result from a number of disor- ders and diseases, including poor posture, herniated disc, degenera- tive disc disease, pinched nerve, whiplash from an auto accident and strain. The pain can be minor to severe and cause tingling, sensitivi- ty, headache, dizziness, tight shoulders and a host of other unpleasant and often debilitating symptoms. Because you are tak- ing OsteoValin and were taking Fosamax six years ago, I assume you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. OsteoValin is a nonpre- scription supplement designed to prevent fur- ther bone deterioration. One of its three key ingredients is strontium. Overuse of the supple- ment can result in headaches. Amlodipine besylate can also cause headaches and muscle pain. Speak with your physician about your CT or MRI, which are all noninvasive procedures used to determine exact- ly what is occurring and what the best course of action might be. It is important to rule out whether a pinched nerve or other nerve problem is to blame. In the interim, consid- er heat or cold packs, physical therapy, over- the-counter topical anal- gesic creams (perhaps containing capsaicin or menthol), muscle relax- ants, acupuncture, mas- sage, hydrotherapy or yoga. Your physician or local hospital’s physical- therapy department should be able to guide you. To provide related information, I am send- ing you a copy of my Health Report “Manag- ing 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 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to men- tion the title or print an order form off my web- site at www.AskDr- GottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: What is the process for using clear iodine on nails? DEAR READER: Clear iodine can be applied with a cotton swab directly onto nails to combat ridges and splits. The product will work best if applied before bedtime, after showering or at other times when the hands will not be immersed in warm water for a period of time. 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.” Long-time beau has fallen for another Dear Annie: I am a widow and have been going with ‘‘George’’ for almost 15 years. It began with me inviting George over for a homemade meal. Then he took me out to dinner, and it just grew from there. In the beginning, we did have sex, but that stopped a long time ago. George is 78, and I am 75. other. How can I make him see what a fool he is being with this other woman? I want to get back to our regu- lar life. — Wanda and Wor- ried Dear Wanda: Sorry, Annie’s Mailbox We belong to the same church and have many of the same friends. George told me from the beginning that he never wanted to marry again. I also didn’t want to remarry and lose the military benefits I received through my late husband. Though we keep separate households, everyone con- siders us a couple. Our families feel we are practically married. I thought it was a relationship that would last a lifetime. Three days ago, George delivered a shock. He said he has reconnected with an old friend and plans to marry her. She lives in another state, but they rediscovered each other about a year ago via e-mail, and when he attended a funeral in her area, he went to visit her. He says they are ‘‘in love.’’ Annie, I have invested years in this man. We spend all our free time together. I have seen him through three serious surgeries and always go with him to his many doctors’ appointments. I am too old to start up with someone new. I love George, and we are so used to each by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar honey, but George is head over heels — and not with you. Your comfortable old relationship cannot compete with the excitement of the new one. We urge you not to cling to the remote possibili- ty that he’ll change his mind. Wish him well, and move on. We know it won’t be easy, so please enlist the support of your friends and family to get through this. Dear Annie: Eighteen months ago, my husband passed away sud- denly. We had been married 42 years, with three children. My hus- band’s brother, who I thought cared about us, has vanished from our lives. I know he is also grieving, but I don’t understand why he would stay away. And it’s not just him. Some of his friends have abandoned us, too. I am struggling to understand why this is happening. I put on a happy face for my children’s sake, but my world is gone. I still need some connection to my husband through his brothers and friends. After 42 years, I thought I could count on them to provide that. Let people know that when some- one dies, the loved ones they leave behind are still alive and feeling alone. — Grieving in Kentucky Clinic will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat- urday, April 10, at Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W. East Ave., in Chico. This clinic is a free event where children are screened for problems that the Shriners Hospital in Sacra- mento can treat. No appointment needed. Just show up. Treatable problems include sco- liosis, rickets, neuromuscular dis- orders, hand and back problems, Dear Kentucky: Grieving peo- ple can sometimes do inexplicable things. Your brother-in-law may feel too vulnerable in his own mourning to be around you. We hope time will bring him back into your orbit, but do continue to reach out to him and say that the children miss their uncle. Dear Annie: I read the responses from women who took exception to the opinion of ‘‘Sex Therapist,’’ who seemed to be excusing men’s use of porn. I looked at porn and quickly real- ized that what I got was a piece of paper with colored ink on it. Any woman would be more emotionally rewarding than that. There is no sub- stitute for the real thing. I think some men want the bene- fits of sexual stimulation without the cost of romantic involvement. Boy, have they missed the point. How could you NOT want to share with a real human? I admit that sex is fun. But for me, nothing gives the same emo- tional boost as simply holding that woman, my best, my special friend, in my arms. This is what matters. The rest is details. — A Pilgrim 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. Free screening for children’s health problems Shriners Hospital Screening leg length discrepancies, congeni- tal hip problems, cleft lip and palate, orthopedic problems asso- ciated with cerebral palsy and burns. Information or questions call Brad Azevedo at 879-9199. China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT 10% OFF TOTAL BILL with coupon Expires 4-30-10 COUPON Open 7 Days A Week LUNCH Buffet Adult: $6.99 Mon-Sat. 10:30am-3:30pm DINNER Buffet Adult: $9.99 Mon-Thurs 3:30am-9:30pm Fri-Sat 3:30-10:30pm Carry-Out Buffet Lunch $3.50 / Lb. • Dinner $4.50 / Lb. All Seafood $6.50 / Lb. SUNDAY $ Buffet 10.99 All Day DRINKS with coupon FREE Expires 4-30-10 COUPON 343 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530-529-5888 (No Checks) “11 DAYS OF ROUND-UP!” 10 DAILY ADS In the DAILY NEWS April 7 – 17 Community events Hurry! 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