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Monday, March 29, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Achalasia tough to swallow Dad’s sex change may hurt kids DEAR DR. GOTT: I was recently diagnosed with acha- lasia. This all started a year ago when I had trouble swal- lowing food. One doctor stretched my esophagus, after which I could hardly eat any- thing, and drinking hot or cold beverages was no good, either. I also had a Botox injection in the lower sphincter of my stomach to relax it. Do you have any suggestions for some relief? I have now lost about 50 pounds and can’t afford to lose much more. I’m a 74-year-old female. Please help. ing surgery, or request a second opinion. Achalasia isn’t pre- ventable; however, treatment can go a long way toward reducing complications. DEAR DR. GOTT: I have Dr. Peter Gott DEAR READER: The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Achalasia is a disorder of the lower muscular ring where the esopha- gus and stomach meet that makes the body less effective in moving food. This occurs in part because the stom- ach does not relax as it should during the normal course of swallowing, and it is why you received a Botox injec- tion. Symptoms include weight loss, chest pain that may radiate to the back, neck and arms (similar to a heart attack), difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids, coughing and reflux. Diagnosis is made through esophageal manometry, a test to mea- sure the pressure inside the lower part of the esophagus. A barium esopha- gogram or an upper GI X-ray will reveal any esophageal enlargement with narrowing at the bottom, as well as the absence of peristalsis (rhythmic smooth muscle contractions that propel food through the digestive tract). Therapy often consists of either bot- ulinum (Botox) injections to prevent spasms, widening of the lower sphinc- ter or surgery. You have already under- gone two of the three common treat- ment approaches. Perhaps the next step is to speak with your physician regard- 2 been having recurring urinary- tract infections. I’ve undergone cystoscopy and ultrasound, and even had dye in my kidneys. All looks fine. I’ve been taking Vesicare. Do you have any sug- gestions? DEAR READER: Request a clean- catch urine and sensitivity test, even if one has been done in the past. Any bacteria can be cultured and tested against specific antibiotics to deter- mine which one will be most effective in treating the infection. Then ask your physician about low-dose antibiotics for perhaps as long as six months, or single-dose medication at the start of symptoms. In the interim, drink 100 percent cranberry juice daily. Drink plenty of water and avoid feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches. If you remain unsuccessful in controlling this unpleasant disorder, request a referral to a urologist. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections.” 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 mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. 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.” Welcomes Best BBQ Around Cooked Fresh Daily B.B.Q. FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE Weekdays ‘till 6pm Saturday ‘till 3pm 22825 Antelope Blvd. 528-0799 Photographer & Western Artist Linda Rosser 40 years of “Red Bluff Round Up” Photos Plus 34 frames of Lane Frost on Red Rock Friday April • 2nd 5-7 April 10th • 10-4 April 17th • 12-3 623 Main St. 527-5180 $ Money $ 2 Lend Cash 4 Notes McKinley Mortgage Co. CA DRE # 01773837 Call 530-241-0977 800-909-1977 COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2995 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Dear Annie: I have been married to ‘‘Jerry’’ for 15 years. Four years ago, I discovered he was a cross- dresser. I was understanding about it, and even went shopping, bought clothes and tried on shoes for him. I agreed to go away with our kids so he would have Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar ‘‘private time’’ to dress up on a regular basis. I asked him whether he wanted to make this a per- manent lifestyle, and he said no. However, he’d often make flip comments that led me to believe there was more to the story. Last week, I snooped and read an e- mail in which he told a friend that he was excited and nervous after his first appointment with a trans- gender surgeon. I am heartbroken, but deep down I suspected this was coming. My issue is how to explain it to our children, who are only 5 and 7. Quite frankly, I don’t want them to be around their father when he’s dressed up. I don’t want him coming to their school and sports events if he appears as a woman. I am terrified of having people find out — not for me, but for the teasing and bullying that will undoubtedly be directed toward our children. Jerry doesn’t know that I am aware of his plans. I have been in therapy for a month and am working toward what I need to do to prepare for divorce, but I am overwhelmed by the issues that are going to arise for the kids. — Mar- ried to a Woman Dear Mar- ried: You have been remarkably tolerant and understanding. In spite of that, your husband chose to keep you in the dark about plans that will have a huge impact on the family. This is tremen- dously unfair of him. Your children are young enough to be accepting of Daddy’s new orientation, but we strongly recom- mend counseling for them, as well. Talk to your therapist about an appro- priate referral, and then discuss it with your hus- band so you can help the children together. Dear Annie: My in- laws are devoted Catholics. ‘‘Steve’’ and I did not marry in the church, nor did we have our children baptized. In spite of this, we are close to his parents, and I know they love me. Recently, a close fami- ly friend died. My in-laws made a donation to the church for Mass cards in the person’s memory. They got one for them- selves and one for each of their sons and their wives, including us. I asked them not to do this, but they did it again when a second friend died last week. I respect their ideas on religion and wish they could respect mine. Steve says it gives them comfort and they do it at their own expense, so I shouldn’t mind. I feel it’s my place to send a card in my own way. — Frustrated Daughter-in-Law Dear Frustrated: If you feel the need to make your religious feelings clear to others, by all means send your own condolence card with wording of your choice. However, if your in-laws make a donation to their church in your name, there’s really nothing you can do about it, so please try to let it go before it becomes more of an issue than it needs to be. Dear Annie: I need to respond to ‘‘Not a Fan,’’ who is having problems with her selfish husband and his plasma TV. The more I think about the plasma pig, the angri- er I get. How selfish of him not to share the TV. As a man, I say tell him the kitchen belongs to you. Let him find his own food, eat somewhere else and clean up after himself. I take care of my wife and family. We share everything and enjoy each other’s company. My fam- ily would let me watch TV by myself if I wanted, but it would be missing something. — Honorable Husband in Kentucky Dear Husband: You sound like a good guy, but ‘‘Fan’s’’ husband is clue- less. We suspect if his wife followed your sug- gestion, it would only escalate the hostilities. We’d let him keep his TV and watch in another room. To all our Jewish readers: A happy and healthy Passover. 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.n et, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. PAID ADVERTISEMENT I For information on participation in Kids & Families call (530) 527-2151 P.A.W.S. (Partners for Animal Welfare & Safety) A Volunteer Program Dedicated to the Prevention of Litters, Not the Destruction of Unwanted animals. HOW CAN YOU HELP? CALL US! 528-8018 Please leave your number we WILL call you back P.O. Box 8908, Red Bluff CA 96080 THE VACUUM MAN 440 Antelope Boulevard Suite 6 VACUUMS (Hoover Spirit • Ready-Vac • Sharp • Sanyo • Panasonic) SEWING MACHINES NEW & RECONDITIONED, REPAIRS, BAGS, PARTS, ACCESSORIES V 1995 $ Service with coupon acuum 440 Antelope Blvd. Suite 6 Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-8644 Member of the Better Business Bureau P.A.W.S. (Partners for Animal Welfare & Safety) Call in number 528-8018 Start time: 9:00 a.m. April 1st. Your patience is appreciated. Remember that we still have the Food Maxx share cards, no cost to you, and their use helps in support of this certificate program. Call any day, except the 1st, to request one. A big thanks to Food Maxx! To Qualify: Your last certificate would have to have been issued Jan. 2010 or earlier. (One per household per 3 months.) Value of certificates: Male Cat, $30, Fe Cat $50, Male or Female dog $60. Certificates are payable toward a spay or neuter only. We do not pay for shots or other services. Treat your certificate like money, do not loose or mislay it and be sure you take it to the vet on the day of surgery. Reservation is by call-in only and only on the 1st of month! PLEASE NOTE; When you call in for any- thing...please listen to our outgoing message! That massage is changed when there is need to announce any changes that may become necessary. The calls will be accepted by the volunteer starting 9:00 A.M. and continue until all reservations are filled. This only takes about 1 hour, keep redialing. We have limited supply and high demand. Please know we understand the frustration of trying only to find them all gone! Again, please listen, if the message comes on in lieu of the volunteer...you will be informed of the status. P.A.W.S. Says...Information for those requesting a spay/neuter certificate April 1st Accepting Enrollment for 2010-2011 Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Call (530) 527-7040 Serving Tehama County Since 1970 R H Bud’s T L C O O O H M C M S U N N T I A I Y S C