Q: The doctor said I have degenerative arthritis in my neck, low back, both hands and both knees. He prescribed Flexeril, 10 mg. He did not tell me the causes of my balance problems, the heaviness and weakness in my legs and the rashes. He took a blood and urine test and said I should not worry about the rashes. He also said that the bacteria in my urine were normal for a woman. I feel sick and exhausted all the time and have difficulty standing. I am 52 years old. What type of specialist could help?
A: You may want to see a rheumatologist. There are certain kinds of joint conditions that can involve the skin or cause fatigue. Flexeril is a muscle relaxant, which can cause extreme sedation in many people and won't help with joint pain. Many types of arthritis will respond to an anti-inflammatory diet (limiting animal fat and eating fruits, vegetables, fatty fish, nuts and seeds), acupuncture and regular exercise. I also recommend a fish oil supplement (4,000-6,000 mg/day).
Q: I read in the Balanced Living Magazine that you recommend Ketoconizole for tinea versicolor. Is a prescription required to obtain Ketoconizole, or can it be purchased at a health-food store?
A: Ketoconizole (Nizoral) must be prescribed by a physician for oral use. There is a low-dose shampoo that is over the counter and can be applied to the skin once or twice weekly, similar to selenium shampoo. It may not be as effective as the oral route, but is certainly worth a first try.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for a natural remedy for those who feel they may be in the early stages of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
A: Drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice may help, if it is caught early enough. Golden Seal has antibacterial effects and may be helpful if taken immediately. The dosage is 250 mg, two to four times daily. This herb may theoretically interact with medications or have possible side effects if taken in large doses, so patients should be advised to use with caution. If you have a fever, back pain or if your symptoms persist or begin to worsen, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Many patients have recurrent urinary tract infections. I recommend drinking plenty of water, avoiding pop and drinking 6 oz of cranberry juice daily. Some experts advise taking probiotics (lactobacillus species found in yogurt) to help prevent UTIs as well.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Seek the advice of a medical professional before making any changes to your diet, supplements or medication.
Tanya Edwards, M.D., M.Ed., is the Medical Director for the Center for Integrative Medicine and is a staff member in the Department of Family Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. As a Family Practice physician, she sees patients at the Cleveland Clinic Independence Family Health Center, and will begin wellness consultations at the new Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center. For the past seven years, she has been teaching complementary and alternative medicine courses at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
Some questions in the “Ask Dr. Edwards” column appear courtesy of NetWellness.org.
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