Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Dip in the lake relieves pain
Q: I was bothered by a large Baker's cyst after an injury to my left knee. I needed surgery to repair my knee, and my doctor said the cyst would disappear on its own after my knee got better. Well, my knee improved, but the cyst got worse. My doctor tried to drain it, but nothing came out. I was still advised against surgery unless it was absolutely necessary owing to the area and length of recovery time. Some days, the pain was so bad I could hardly walk. I didn't want the surgery, so I just dealt with the pain and hoped it would go away as the doctor said.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Alternative controls patient's RLS
Q: Your recent article on hawthorn berries and restless legs syndrome has changed my life. I use only alternative remedies and vitamin supplements, but I was so tortured that I was about to give in to a conventional option. The hawthorn berries worked immediately and have continued to be successful for more than two weeks now.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Large, rare aneurysm likely needs surgery
Q: My husband has a splenic-artery aneurysm. It is large, measuring 5.7 centimeters. It is on the bottom left side of his rib cage near the spleen and pancreas. In six months, it grew from 5.2 centimeters to its current size. I know little about this condition but have recently learned that it is rare, and not many doctors are familiar with this type of aneurysm. He has seen a heart and vascular physician, but didn't feel the doctor knew enough about the situation to do the surgery.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living In 80s, husband and wife seek answers
Q: I read your column every day and have found it informative. For example, several years ago, my wife was having stomach problems, and you told a woman with similar problems that she might be lactose- intolerant. My wife showed her doctor the article, and he said he thought he had checked her for that. It turned out that he hadn't and agreed to test her. The results were positive. Now, we both have problems that we hope you can help us with.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Vegetarian diet works for Hodgkin's patient
Q: In the past, a reader of your column extolled the virtues of eating meat. Here is my humble opinion on the subject.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Drug interaction could be cause of allergic reaction
Q: I am a 78-year-old female. Eight months ago, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. I was put on Coumadin, but take generic warfarin. Since the regimen began, I have itched all over, especially in body crevices. I have a number of lesions and, even as I write this, I have bandages on three areas of my torso trying to protect spots where the skin is raw from scratching because of the itch.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Health concerns stymie elderly patient
Q: I am 80 years old. My doctor doesn't seem too concerned that I've been diagnosed with diverticulosis involving the entire colon. How concerned should I be? Can this become worse? At present, I have little pain and no bleeding. When I told my doctor that I usually have pain in the morning, she said it was probably my spine giving me problems. A CT scan revealed stenosis and disc herniation, but my back condition hasn't worsened since 2002. What should I worry about most? Should I see a spine doctor in case I eventually get worse? Or should I concentrate on my diverticulosis? I'm afraid to exercise and have been very careful.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Clip causes a financial clipping
Q: I have a disputed claim with my local hospital and am becoming agitated about it. In 2005, I had a needle biopsy, and a clip was inserted in one breast. Then, in 2007, I was sent by my doctor for a routine mammogram. His requisition specifically called for a "routine screening." The hospital billed the service as diagnostic because of the clip. My insurance company will pay for one free preventative screening mammogram each year. However, diagnostic services aren't covered, and I have a $36.42 charge that insurance won't pay.

Fabric causes skin rash
Q: You recently published a letter from someone who wrote about a skin rash. The person had tried various creams, lotions and had been to several dermatologists for treatment and medication, with little or no help.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Fabric cause of skin rash?
Q: You recently published a letter from someone who wrote about a skin rash. The person had tried various creams, lotions and had been to several dermatologists for treatment and medication, with little or no help.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living What is porphyria?
Q: I am a concerned grandmother writing about my 11-year-old granddaughter. She was diagnosed with porphyria at the age of 2. Her hands and feet start hurting so badly that she has to put them in cold bath water for about an hour. She says it feels like needles running though her. She usually has a fan on her. Her hands also get very hard and cracked. Her nose is starting to scar from all the scratching because it itches. Lotion seems to evaporate. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Fibromyalgia pain can affect quailty of life
Q: I am a 63-year-old woman. For the past five years, I've had pain in my muscles and joints and suffer from chronic fatigue. It took me a long time to get a doctor to diagnose me because I have no health insurance. A rheumatologist finally diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, polymyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I also have diabetes and a sciatic nerve leaning on two herniated discs.

Put help to use in coping with fibromyalgia
Q: I am a 63-year-old woman. For the past five years, I've had pain in my muscles and joints and suffer from chronic fatigue. It took me a long time to get a doctor to diagnose me because I have no health insurance. A rheumatologist finally diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, polymyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I also have diabetes and a sciatic nerve leaning on two herniated discs.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Cause of abdominal fluid needs to be found
Q: I am hoping you can give me some answers.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Incontinence difficult to accept
Q: I'm going to be 90 next February. I'm quite an active woman and eat mostly health foods. I feel great, except for having trouble with "holding my water." I've tried many pills, but none seem to work. Is there anything on the market that can help me? I have absolutely no control. I wear Depends, pads, rubber pants and am desperate. I would appreciate any advice.

Time for more aggressive treatment of hemorrhoids
Q: I am a 58-year-old post-menopausal female. I have four grown children between the ages of 28 and 38, all of whom were delivered vaginally. I am a small person -- 4 feet, 9½ inches tall -- and I normally weigh between 95 and 100 pounds. Over the past few years, I have put on about 50 pounds and have had several surgeries, including an umbilical hernia repair, torn-meniscus repair, cataract lens implants, a partial thyroidectomy, two cervical fusions and a lumbar discectomy. I also have gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Many methods for curing hiccups
Q: My husband is an 80-year-old man who frequently gets hiccups, which sometimes last for days. They seem to come on for no reason and leave for no reason. The doctors he has seen don't know how to cure them.