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.

Vegetarian diet works for patient with Hodgkin's
In the past, a reader of your column extolled the virtues of eating meat. Here is my humble opinion on the subject. I am a 56-year-old male who is 99 percent vegetarian. If I were responsible for all my own meals, I could easily make that 100 percent.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Drug interactions could cause 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 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.

Porphyria treated by hematologist
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 Can bilberry improve vision?
Q: I'm sending you information on bilberry, which helped the World War II airmen flying their planes at night. I've been taking these pills since I read about them in an article in Woman's World magazine. (I don't remember the date.) It was about how the berry can help eyesight and night vision. I can now drive at night with no problem. The oncoming car headlights are no longer bothersome. I use bilberry with lutein. It is inexpensive, and I purchase mine at Walmart. I know this will help a lot of people, so please let your readers know about this wonderful product.

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.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Important correction for psoriasis treatment
Q: I recently wrote you regarding my experience with psoriasis, for which my husband (a pathologist and professor) recommended that I take fish oil and vitamin D3. I had very good results and wanted to share them with your readers.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Long-term pain requires diagnosis
Q: I read your article in the newspaper about fibromyalgia and was very interested. My 77-year-old husband just had his physical. Everything was great, and he is a picture of health. He wonders how this can be when he complains to the doctor every time about how he hurts so much. He suffers from all the things you mentioned in the article that go with fibromyalgia, yet no test or doctor can tell him this is what he is suffering from. He has had a lot of blood tests done, and everything always comes back normal. They just tell him that there is no test for this disease and no cure.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Hepatitis C needs liver specialist
Q: Everywhere I have looked, all I can find about hepatitis C is that it is fatal. I have not seen anything in your column about this condition before.

Dr. Peter Gott healthy living Is sun exposure healthy?
Q: Does the human body store up vitamin D? I ask because I enjoy basking in the sun.