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Wednesday, April 21, 2010 – Daily News – 5A FEATURES Medication linked to metallic taste Took break, now may be a father DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 80-year-old widow. Five months ago, I started having a metallic taste in my mouth, a sore tongue and a dry mouth. My first thought was that it might be a bad tooth or filling, but my den- tist ruled that out. Then I discov- ered the problems were because of citalopram, a medication I had been taking for one and a half years. My doctor cut my dosage in half, but that didn’t rid me of the side effects. I tried two other medications: One was the same with a different name, and the other made me nauseated. At the present time, I am not taking any of these. My problem now is that I don’t Dr. Peter Gott know where to go for relief. Nothing tastes good, not even water. Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciat- ed. I hope you can shed some light on my problem because so far I haven’t been able to get any answers. DEAR READER: The citalopram you were prescribed has a number of side effects, several of which include dry mouth, nausea, arthralgias and taste perversion. To switch to another name in the same category of drugs likely continued the problem. There are a great number of possible reasons for metallic mouth. Some of the more common causes are the use of antibiotics, medications taken for depression, heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney stones, hypertension, diabetes and calcium-carbonate supple- ments. Because you do not provide a medical history, I am unable to pinpoint a possible cause; however, a return visit to your physician or a specialist might be just the ticket. By ruling out condi- tions you do not have, you can better investigate any you are currently being treated for. While I do not profess to know specifically why the citalopram was prescribed, you might speak with your doctor to determine whether he or she could recommend something in another class of drugs that might work for you. Or ask for an opinion on a trial of St. John’s wort, valerian, tai chi or yoga. There are several reasons why some The Anderson River Park Century bicycle ride will be Saturday, May 15. Rider fees increase by $5. for those registering after May 9. Riders may register online at www.centurybik- eride.com. Mail in registration forms are available online people should not use herbs, so review your medication list with your physician before tak- ing any action. It is also impor- tant to understand that medica- tions are often prescribed for entirely different reasons than they were originally intended. In the interim, maintain good oral hygiene, making sure to brush your tongue when you brush your teeth. Consider using plastic utensils for eating to see whether the metallic taste disap- pears. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Vitamins and Minerals.” 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 website at www.AskDrGottMD.com. DEAR DR. GOTT: Recently, after being on my feet for up to 10 hours, I got a rash around my ankles and the tops of my feet, and sometimes it goes up my legs. Tender to the touch, it is more noticeable the longer I am on my feet. It disappears after a few days if I’m not on my feet constantly. DEAR READER: Common causes of foot rash are dry skin, heat exposure, fungus and spider-vein itch. If your feet are dry, rub them with a lanolin-based cream. If heat could be the culprit, change to footwear such as sandals or canvas sneakers, and wear light cotton socks. Fungal infection might be treat- ed with a topical medicated product or a trip to your physician for a prescrip- tion. Spider-vein itch is treated with elastic stockings and alternative reme- dies. 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. Dear Annie: I’m 24 years old and confused. I have been in an on-and- off relationship with the same woman for the past eight years. A year ago, I discovered ‘‘Samantha’’ had been hav- ing extended, all-night con- versations with ‘‘Andrew,’’ the same guy she cheated on me with in high school. I was so hurt that I broke off our relationship. We got back together a few months later, but dur- ing the break, I got involved with ‘‘Ava.’’ Ava recently had a baby boy and told me I might be the father. I have asked for a DNA test, but in the mean- time, I’ve become really attached to the child and told Ava she can call on me any time. Even if the baby is not mine, I would still want to be part of his life. The other potential candidate for fatherhood changed his phone num- ber and moved out of town. No child should grow up without a father. Am I wrong to want to be a father to this boy even though I’m back with Samantha now? — A Man with a Good Heart Dear Man: Becoming a father to another woman’s child could pro- foundly change the rela- tionship you have with Samantha. If the child is biologically yours, you have a legal obligation to care for him. If you are not the father, it is kind and generous of you to want to be part of his life, and we hope you will be. But if you intend to stay with Samantha, we rec- ommend you let her be part of the decision. Oth- or at your local bike shop. The sixth annual Anderson River Park Century has over 200 riders attending from the local area and through- out California, Oregon, Nevada and Washington. Riders enjoy the 25, 40, 60 or 100-mile rides, start- ing and finishing at Ander- son River Park. Longer routes climb through the foothills of southeastern Shasta County. Area Lions clubs pro- vide service for the riders including rest stops with snacks, drinks and lunch. All riders enjoy a pasta meal at the park upon com- Now Available Organic & Heirloom Spring Vegetable Plants 1 1/2 miles South of Red Bluff 12645 Hwy 99E (530) 529-2546 Thank you to everyone that helped make the Corned Beef & Cabbage Fundraiser for Will Murphy a huge success. Your support and generosity is greatly appreciated William Murphy in support of For Judge Of The Superior Court Office Two, 2010 Paid for by the committee to elect William Murphy WilliamMurphy4Judge.com Deep tissue massage therapy specializing in chronic pain & injury relief. your giddy-up? Been pushin cattle, Working horses? Got a hitch in A Better Path Located between Red Bluff & Corning Sally Eisinger, CMT 824-6860 PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT pleting the ride. Area busi- nesses like Tri Counties Bank, Safeway, Realty World-Tri Shasta Realty and Jim & I Aviation, erwise, you may have to choose between them. Dear Annie: My sister, ‘‘Crissy,’’ has been married eight years and has two young children and a third on the way. The problem is, Crissy bom- bards the entire family with pic- tures of her kids. I have two kids, and my brother has three. We all live in close proximity and see each other often. The only gifts Crissy ever gives anyone are huge, framed photographs of her chil- dren. It has become a fam- ily joke. My mom has complained to me that she has run out of room to put up all the pictures of Crissy’s children that she sends every birthday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. She may be relieved. It’s expensive to keep doing this. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar Annie, is it in good taste to constantly give framed photos of your family to others and expect them to display them in their homes to the point that it is intrusive? We love Crissy and her kids, but we are — Run- ning Out of Room Dear Running: You do not have to display every large photograph Crissy gives you. Exhibit the most current one, and put the others in a box or scan them into your com- puter. If Crissy asks where the pictures went, simply tell her you don’t have the space to display all of her photographs, although you’d love to have the pic- tures without the frames. along with many others sponsor the ride. Profits help area Lions clubs with numerous community pro- jects. Dear Annie: I share the fears of ‘‘Scared to be Alone,’’ who thinks someone may break into her house. I agree she may need therapy to deal with her phobia. But I also think she should engage the services of a licensed locksmith to see what additional security measures could be put into place. There are newer technologies now, such as light sensors around the border of the roof. With good security, her fears might go away. — Worth Looking Into Dear Worth: Thanks for the suggestion. Read- ers also recommended she invest in a state-of-the-art alarm system. These things should indeed help, but if she has a true pho- bia, no security measure may be enough. Dear Readers: Today is Administrative Profes- sionals Day. If you have assistants who make your job easier, let them know how much they are appre- ciated. 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. Anderson to host annual century bicycle ride for Lions clubs Check the website or call Ride Director Mike Ferrier at 941-9977 or email mike- ferrier@sbcglobal.net for more information. A & R Custom Butchering Meat Pack Specials 30 Lb. Pork Pack 5 lbs. Pork Chops 5 lbs. Country Ribs 6 lbs. Pork Steaks 4 lbs. Shoulder Roast 4 lbs. Boneless Ham 6 lbs. Breakfast Sausage 2.69 per lb. 40 Lb. Variety Pack 6 lbs. Chuck Roast 4 lbs. Top Sirloin 5 lbs. Pork Chops 5 lbs. Country Ribs 9 lbs. Whole Chicken 6 lbs. Ground Beef 5 lbs. Bacon 3.29 per lb. 30 Lb. Beef Pack 5 lbs. T-Bone 5 lbs. Rib Eye 6 lbs. Ground Beef 5.69 per lb. 5 lbs. Top Sirloin 4 lbs. Tri-Tip Roast 5 lbs. Beef Ribs 12600 Hwy 99E, Red Bluff Located 5 Miles from I-5 (530) 527-6483 20 Lb. Variety Pack 3 lbs. Chuck Roast 3 lbs. Whole Chicken 3 lbs. Pork Chops 4 lbs. Meatloaf 3 lbs. Breakfast Sausage 4 lbs. Ground Beef 2.99 per lb. Accepting E.B.T., Debit, Credit Cards Now