Shingles of the eye
Q: I am a 73-year-old female on no regular medications. I recently noticed a burning sensation on my face near my right eye. Within a day or so, my eyelid started swelling and became red and painful. I immediately called my physician and was seen that same day. I was diagnosed with shingles of the eye. The doctor gave me eye drops and pills to take every day. She said because I had come in before the infection had taken a real hold, I should expect to get better within a few weeks. Thankfully, I did, but it was painful. Could you please tell me more about this condition? Should I get the shingles vaccine?

Hot peppers not for hypothermia
Q: Will you please describe what happens to a person when he or she suffers from hypothermia? Then describe what happens to people when they eat hot peppers. I wonder why they don't use hot peppers to rewarm a hypothermic person quickly.

Should patient follow doctor's recommendation?
Q: What do you know about carnitine deficiency? I have lived with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy all my life and now am told my symptoms were likely misdiagnosed. Instead, I have GA-1 subtype of carnitine deficiency.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is rare, fatal
Q: In reading your column about the 72-year-old man with ALS, I have some questions. My husband, also 72, was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). His death certificate lists CJD as the cause. The family anticipated an autopsy, but it was not allowed because the coroners refused to do it due to the seriousness of CJD.

High potassium levels an issue
Q: I have been diagnosed with a high potassium level. I was told to add salt to more foods. I was also given a list of foods not to eat, including dried figs, molasses, seaweed, dates, prunes, nuts, avocados, lima beans, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, winter squash, beets, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes and much, much more. Can you tell me what I can eat?

Surgery is not the first approach to foot pain
Q: Could you please address the causes and cures for Morton's neuroma of the foot? Is surgery the ultimate answer?

No rest for weary
Q: I am an 87-year-old male in good health for my age. My main problem is sleep, or rather, a lack of it. I get the most sleep in a La-Z-Boy chair because when I get into bed, I can't stay more than a few minutes most times. I get up to go to my chair, get two or three hours sleep, wake up, go to bed, and ultimately get a couple of hours sleep. My doctor can't say what is wrong.

Pumpkins are for more than pie
Q: My 72-year-old husband has been seeing his urologist for several years for an enlarged prostate. He had burning during elimination, ran slight temperatures due to infections, and problems urinating due to the swelling.

Lengthy healing for post-concussion
Q: My 57-year-old husband was assaulted in May and suffered a concussion. The back of his head hit the pavement hard, and he was punched a number of times in the forehead. He is still experiencing dizziness and blurry vision. The doctor told him that he has post-concussion syndrome and says it may go away in a few months or it make take a year or more. He said there is a small chance that it will never go away.

Treatment needs more research
Q: The recent article on the difficulty in treating fibromyalgia (FM) reinforces the urgency in making available sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate (Meridia) to FM sufferers. Some doctors have found it to be successful in treating this widespread disorder. An 83 percent success rate was noted in an article in the September 2002 issue of Arthritis and Rheumatism journal. The article concluded that "controlled, prospective, long-term studies are needed to further evaluate the clinical utility of sibutramine in the treatment of fibromyalgia." FM sufferers who read your column may want to consult their doctors about this medication.

Night urination keeps reader up
Q: I am a 74-year-old male.In December 2000, I had cancer for which my prostate was removed. Approximately two or three years later, I began having discomfort in my lower abdomen during the night. It persists until I get up and void. This happens about every hour and a half, and I am able to urinate less than a cup each time. I don't experience any discomfort during the day and am able to void normally in greater amounts.

Letting nature take its course
Q: I have had a problem with severe constipation for many years. I have taken different laxatives and have been on milk of magnesia for a long time. I took a large dose of it last night and the night before, to no avail. I use Fleet enemas and suppositories, and strain with all my might to get any kind of action.

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. I was still advised against surgery unless it was absolutely necessary owing to the area and length of recovery time.

RLS controlled by alternative
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.

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.

Husband and wife seek answers
Q: My wife and I both have problems that we hope you can help us with.

ask dr. gott 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.

Health concerns stymie 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?

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 preventive screening mammogram each year. However, diagnostic services aren't covered, and I have a $36.42 charge that insurance won't pay.

ask dr. gott Fabric causes rashes
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.

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. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

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. Bilberries are inexpensive, and I purchase mine at Wal-Mart. Please let your readers know about this wonderful product.

Chest pain needs to be diagnosed
Q: I'm a 46-year-old female in generally good health. I don't smoke, drink rarely, eat right and exercise. I am a slim 109 pounds and 5 feet, 1 inch. My blood pressure and cholesterol are low. In the past 10 years, I've been sick only twice.

Seek another opinion on cause of stomach fluid
Q: My stomach filled up with about 6-1/2 liters of fluid. The doctor said it was the same as carrying a 6-1/2-pound baby.

Incontinence hard 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? .