Community ClicksQ: It seems living in the Pacific Northwest is a health hazard because of lack of vitamin D.
Not only have I been diagnosed with low vitamin D, practically everyone else I know also has this problem.
Many of my irritating but nonsubstantial symptoms went away after getting my vitamin D level up to normal.
I wish doctors had found it years ago. I think doctors should check it every time you visit from the time you are born.
A: The sunshine vitamin might well be in short supply in a climate dominated by clouds and rain.
Even people who live in sunny places like Arizona or Florida can have low vitamin D levels, so getting tested is a very good idea.
Q: I was excited to read about canker sores in your column.
They also are called aphthous ulcers.
I have suffered for many years with extremely painful mouth ulcers.
I read a magazine article that mentioned a study done at Ben-Gurion University in Israel.
They found that patients given 1,000 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B-12 for a six-month period experienced a substantial decrease in breakouts or even a complete cure.
I have been on this regimen for six months to date, and if I experience any sore, it lasts for only one day, then disappears completely.
I recommend that people who have recurrent canker sores check with the physician first, and then consider 1,000 mcg of vitamin B-12.
It has made a major
difference in my life.
No more suffering, no more pain.
A: We tracked down the study you read about. It was published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (January-February 2009).
The investigators used a sublingual (under the tongue) form of vitamin B-12.
They concluded, “Vitamin B(12) treatment, which is simple, inexpensive, and low-risk, seems to be effective for patients suffering from RAS [recurrent aphthous stomatitis, or canker sores], regardless of the serum vitamin B(12) level.”
Q: I am a midlevel prescriber (a clinical nurse specialist) who has submitted 37 adverse-event reports to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch program regarding generic lamotrigine.
Most of the adverse events involved a loss of response, but many involved a loss of response and additional side effects that did not occur with brand-name Lamictal.
The FDA has acknowledged receiving my reports, but it has not investigated them.
When a generic for Lamictal first came on the market, I was enthusiastic, since I knew my patients would be paying less.
But after so many patients had serious relapses of their mood disorders or other bad experiences with several generic lamotrigine formulations, I am no longer enthusiastic.
I believe that the generic equivalents of Lamictal differ markedly in bioequivalence, enough so that they may actually cause harm to patients.
I worry that the problems with generics are more
pervasive than we are willing to admit.
A: We, too, have received complaints about the generic form of Lamictal (lamotrigine).
This antiseizure drug also is prescribed for bipolar disorder.
Here is just one example: “Has anyone else had problems with generic Lamictal? I have taken this for years for bipolar disorder, with great results.
“In the past few months, I have had a couple of terrible depressive episodes and thoughts of suicide.
“I wondered if the meds had just stopped working.
“Then I realized I was switched to the generic a couple of months ago.”
Others have reported problems with another generic epilepsy medicine, levetiracetam (brand name is Keppra).
To read about generic-drug problems, click on www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q: I had colon surgery last year, and as a result, I suffered from embarrassing, smelly flatulence.
Fortunately, I found a product called Devrom (www.devrom.com).
It has changed my life!
A: Stinky gas can be extremely embarrassing. Devrom contains bismuth subgallate.
A similar compound, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), is effective against odorous flatulence (Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology, August 2001).
It is possible to overdose on bismuth, so don’t get carried away.
Too much bismuth could harm the nervous system or kidneys.
Pepto-Bismol also can interact with several medications.
We offer many natural
suggestions for overcoming gas in our new Guide to Digestive Disorders.
For a copy, send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. G-3, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Or download it for $2 from www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q: For two consecutive years after a prolonged, forceful cough that lasted one or two months, I totally lost my voice.
My ear, nose and throat doctor diagnosed me with chronic laryngitis and prescribed medication and lozenges.
They offered no relief.
Then I was told by the old women from our home place, the Philippines, to avoid cold drinks and to take “salabat.”
That’s ginger tea in our dialect.
My voice returned.
Ginger tea also is good for sore throat and hoarse voice.
A: Ginger has a long history in treating nausea, vomiting, flatulence and other digestive disorders. It also has been used for congestion, cough and bronchitis.
Thanks for letting us know how well it worked for your laryngitis.
Another reader had a great experience with ginger for a persistent cough: “Ginger is amazing!
“I had a really dry cough that went on for three weeks.
“I tried antibiotics, mucolytics, gargles and anesthetic lozenges, but they didn’t work.
“Then my father suggested that I chop some raw ginger root, chew the pieces like candy and suck the juice out of them.
“I tried it, and the following day, my cough was gone.”
Q: I am desperate to find a way to relieve my headaches.
I have been prescribed at least a dozen different drugs for tension headaches and migraines.
Here is a partial list of what I have tried in vain: propranolol, gabapentin, divalproex and nortriptyline.
I have taken as many as 12 Motrin pills in a day.
Imitrex helps my migraines but does nothing for my daily tension headaches.
I would love to have a more natural way to control my headaches.
What can you tell me about feverfew and riboflavin?
A: Frequent use of pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen may actually result in rebound headaches.
That is, the medicine may actually be setting you up for a vicious cycle of more frequent headaches.
The herb feverfew, the B vitamin riboflavin and the mineral magnesium all have been shown to be helpful in preventing migraines (Clinical Journal of Pain, June 2009).
Other natural approaches include the herb butterbur and the supplement Coenzyme Q10.
Acupuncture and biofeedback also can be helpful.
We are sending you our brand-new Guide to Headaches and Migraines with more detailed information on these approaches.
For a copy, send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. M-98, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
It also can be downloaded for $2 from www.peoplespharmacy.com.
