Ask Lena Health Questions and Answers 2008 Archives
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December 16, 2008 My father, who reads you all the time, has heart problems but seems to be doing okay on his medications except his legs are swollen and beginning to become kind of purplish up to the knees.  Do you have any herbal products that would help cure this?
We would very much appreciate any suggestions you may have.

December 9, 2008 Love reading about you HELP I have WARTS. I have had warts on my hand for years i have done SO much and  spent so much money and still have the warts.  Is there any thing you know that would help take away the warts?  I'm a healthy 31 yr. old female.
Thanks Letha

December 2, 2008 A long and varied question about diabetes, weight loss and varied other health problems.

November 25, 2008 I have the worst smell from deep within my nose. .I have chronic sinusitis, but cannot take certain antibiotics to get rid of it. I am being told a surgical-sinus-cleaning is my last resort to getting rid of these bugs that are creating the foul smell...Have you seen this and if so what cured it?

November 18, 2008 This may not be a real health issue or it might but can you tell me if you think spam or scams are bad for one's health to be scammed on the internet and the worse thing is you can't do anything about it?  What happens to them?

November 11, 2008 Q#1: I just run across your website and was puzzled as your site seems to dwell on the fact that you think prescription antibiotics are bad for you. Why? and what's wrong with penicillin as it's been around for many years? If what you say is true what alternatives do we have when a serious infection happens?

Q#2: About a week ago, I woke up, feeling as if my hand had "gone to sleep." The feeling did not go away; numbness and a tingling sensation in my left pinkie and ring finger, extending to the heel of my palm and up the arm. It currently feels this way, along with stiffness in the joints and arm. I spoke to a paramedic with a local ambulance service, and he said it sounded like a pinched nerve; and that I should see a neurologist.
(I have an appointment tomorrow with my general practitioner) What is your opinion on the possibilities? I'm hoping it is not carpal tunnel syndrome or anything requiring surgery.

November 4, 2008 I am 51 years old and recently diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease. I am not able to walk very far until my legs are hurting so bad that I cannot stand it and have to rest a while until it lessens before I continue and this is making my life miserable. I have been prescribed some medications but the side effects listed leads me to think I don't want to take them and they make me feel mentally off and tired. Is there anything natural that could take care of this, as I don't like the medications and how it makes me feel?

October 28, 2008 My husband has a question but he is embarrassed to ask you and I know you don't like to answer questions regarding another's problem but could you make an exception this time? Our marriage may depend on it as he is becoming depressed because of this problem and I am worried about him.
 
He is 45 years old, has developed the inability to get an erection or even desire sex and this is very hard on our marriage as I feel he doesn't care, even though I know this illogical because he assures me that's not the case. The TV advertisements call it ED. Anyway, this started after he was diagnosed with high blood pressure and too much cholesterol and they have put him on medications for both. He has been a diabetic since his late 30?s and I don't know if that is part of the problem or not since this problem developed after he started the blood pressure and cholesterol medications. He and I want to know how to get off the medications and also if there is something to control Diabetes without insulin?

October 22, 2008 I'm concerned that my thinning hair is due to the fact that I do not drink milk as I'm allergic all my life and I take calcium supplements occasionally but not real regular. I'm thinking that my thinning hair and dry skin is due to the lack of calcium in my body? I would like your opinion on that. If it's not lack of calcium then what could cause hair falling out and extreme dry skin?

October 14, 2008 My father is in the hospital and diagnosed with Subarachnoid hemorrhage.  They say he has a loss of electrical impulse, which they have yet not been able to identify exactly where or why. I'm not clear on what either of those are, can you give me a simple explanation that I can understand? I just thought myself if there could be some form of mineral deficiency associated, or something which could help. I browsed the web looking for links between mineral deficiency and subarachnoid hemorrhage, and came across your website. Could a mineral lack cause this? You write that balanced minerals completes electrical impulses in the brain, do you think it would help him?

October 7, 2008 I have recently had CT scans on my Liver for Cyst, the Dr. says it is simple cystic disease.  The last CT scan showed that I now have a small cyst on my kidney as well.   So then I had a 24 urine sample done and blood work for my kidney.  It showed that my creatine is slightly high and my protein is about double normal .  What can I do about correcting this issue? My wife is terrified she will be left a widow soon.. So I’m asking what this all means health wise as my Dr. acts like it is nothing serious. But he wants me to have a CT every three months, which sounds like what he says doesn't agree with his request? I do not want to do that but don’t know if that is a good move on my part… I am concerned having a CT scan so often may be dangerous.  I read that they can cause kidney damage, and after my second one I developed the kidney cyst.  What do you suggest I do about this to help relieve my wife as well as my mind?

September 30, 2008 It has started again, my doctor is pushing me to get a flu shot. At my age, 70 she says I definitely need to have one but I don't want it as each time I have one I end up with some kind of virus or cold within a week or two after having the shot and I feel that shot causes it. I am saying no to the doctor and she wasn't really happy about it but I am not quite sure what to do to prevent the flu from happening?  I see that the news media has started their little blurbs about getting the flu and pneumonia shots and if we don't will be sorry. Well not in those words but that is unspoken.... Do you know if the flu shot can cause colds and such as my doctor says no but I know it seems so with me? I'm not quite sure what supplements to take, when to take them and how much to take for prevention so could you tell me what supplements would be the best prevention? 

September 23, 2008 I'm a 45 year old female and for the last year or more what I eat gives me such pains to the point I can't stand it and therefore I don't want to eat due to the pain and this leaves me getting very thin. My hair is dry, brittle and falling out and my skin is dry to the point I can't seem to use enough moisturizer to make a difference.  Help!  What do you think is my problem and can it be corrected naturally?

September 16, 2008 I'm curious how difficult Life Transfusion Liquid Minerals are to digest?  I have a very sensitive digestive system.

September 9, 2008 What is the substitute for foxamax or bonivia for increasing bone density?

September 2, 2008  Q1.  My eyes almost always bother me.  I have to wipe them often from excess tearing and also I have bags under my eyes that I would love to be able to get rid of.  What would you recommend? Q2.  Early this spring I had the flu or something and the Dr. Said it was viral.  It was one of the worst flu cases I have ever had and it took about 6 weeks to get over.  Since then I have had pain in the back of my head and neck that just will not go away.  Sometimes when I turn my my head I get a sharp pain in the top of my neck and in the very low back part of my head.  When I shake my head that produces pain in the same area, but it's like it's inside my lower back skull.  Just wanted to know your opinion if this might be a bacterial infection (instead of viral) of some kind inside my head and what I might do to get rid of it.

August 26, 2008 I am inquiring about my eyes.  They feel somewhat like they have some pressure in them, and I have a hard time keeping them open later in the day.  they itch, and hurt, and at times feel like they are kinda full of dirt/sand.  I rub them, and it helps minimally.  I have a hard time using drops, as I have a very hard time wanting to put things in them.   I have had enough crap in my eyes over the years, and its a hard row for me.  I have used a wet washcloth to try and ease the discomfort, but its very short lived.   Any idea, or possible thoughts on the matter? 

August 19, 2008 My husband has high blood pressure and recently got put on meds. He's been told to goto a  low salt diet. I've been a real fan of high quality sea salt since it seems to have so many health benefits. Should he also avoid that?
We have a 13+ year old cat who suffers from hyperthyroid.  We are wondering if there is a holistic treatment rather than her present RX which is a generic for Tapazole (methimazole - 5 mg) BID.

August 12, 2008 What is considered "high blood pressure"? What is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States? What is an optimal blood cholesterol?

August 5, 2008 My doctor has no answer for me so I'm hoping you do? I am plagued with Leaky Gut syndrome, can it be repaired? How to live with this or if it can be healed. Can you help?

July 29, 2008 I am a 29 year old guy from Ireland, i have suffered with psoriasis for the past 5-6 years, It is on my elbows and knees, sometimes gets better and other times breaks out worse than before, I have tried allsorts of medication, creams, herbs, I just don't know what works and what makes it worse, Do you know of any ways that have worked in the past? Your answer and help is much appreciated.

July 22, 2008 I am 48 years old, female I am currently taking simvesatan for high cholesterol - I have been experiencing cramps in my feet severe enough to actually begin to twist my toes this normally happens at night when my feet are up on the bed.  I have to jump out of bed and walk around until it stops.  Then in the past 4 days I've been having a pain on my left upper side (back) near my rib cage - if this is a kidney stone is there anything that I can do?
 
I have also been battling with my weight - I lost (2) of my sons (one in a car accident & one was murdered) in the past year.  The stress and lack of sleep has taken its toll - my doctor originally put me on Luxipro which helped however I'm not one for prescriptions so after about 7 months I took myself off.  I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome x 2 - I feel like I'm doing pretty good with the exception of one thing - when I get nervous for some reason my voice begins to shake as if I'm afraid. (anxiety?)  Unfortunately, my weight has increase about 25 lbs and I can't get it down. I'm not sure if these are all intertwined but if I can take an alternative for this I will

July 15, 2008 I have breast fed three children, but have not breast fed any in at least 3 1/2 years.  I now have green stuff coming out of my nipples.  What could this mean?

July 1, 2008 I was bitten by an insect, maybe a tick, had the bull's eye but wasn't tested till about 7 months later and had fluid around the  heart, had walking and joint problems that came and went. This was in  July, 2005.
 
One doctor diagnosed me with Lupus last April and I started prednisone and started that Malaria medicine they put you on and kept getting worse.  By September another doctor thought I had Lymes  Disease which made the most sense to me and I was put on antibiotics  which I am still on.  That seemed to help me the most but I am still struggling.  I play trumpet professionally and this has impacted me immensely.  I can't bare to be in the sun for even a second barely.   I also stopped having my period the same month after the bite.  As I write, I have pressure in my head.  Does your kit include everything that's listed? 

June 17, 2008 I seem to have a body gone wild the last few years. I'm 35 years old and think I've become a furry animal or werewolf! The doctors have no explanation as to why and only want to give me steroids, which I refused. My body has hair growing on my face, stomach and just about every where I never had noticeable hair before and no matter how much I exercise or diet my weight has continued to rise for the last few years. Can you give me an idea how to stop this? Can it be stopped? Your answers always seem to make sense so can you help me?

June 10, 2008 I was recently diagnosed as bi-polar, which may explain why the depression prescriptions given to me over the last few years did not really worked for me. I am in my first trimester of pregnancy and my doctor says I cannot start any medicine for the bi-polar problem until the baby is born. Are there any natural alternative, for bypolar disorder, that I can use during my pregnancy? I am still taking Prozac, and am not sure what problems that may cause my baby. The doctors are concerned about post-partem depression, which I had with my last delivery. What can you suggest?June 3, 2008 I have a high PSA reading; Prostate. I am somewhat worried that I might be developing Cancer. My Hospital Doctor will be doing that horrible invasive Biopsy sometime soon. Is there an effective way of lowering this PSA reading? I am aged 65 just six days ago.

May 27, 2008 I keep reading that antioxidants reduce the effect of chemotherapy. You say cancer treatments should include large doses of antioxidants. Which is the best?

May 20, 2008 An article I recently read of yours on taking Vitamin C you wrote that people who smoke and/or drink caffeine substances need at least 1500 mg vit c per day. I can't even take 800 mg without my eyes looking 'bloodshot'? I had a little nausea and slight headache although I think my headache might have been due to my sinuses...lot of sinus problems lately. Don't remember about being flushed... Do you have any clue as to why this happened? 

May 13, 2008 Does maybelline Great Lash mascara have mercury.  If so can you tell me names of other that don't have it?

May 6, 2008 I have Arthritis in my knees, hips, ankles, and have had pain in my hands, elbows, wrists, etc. I am told I am a candidate for hip replacement, but am getting cold laser, acupuncture, and homeopathy injections , hoping that I won't have to have the replacement..  I take Glucosamine, and MSN, in addition to a whole gamut of food supplements from the Shaklee Co. I try to eat carefully, avoiding sugar as much as possible, no colas, I I have found that I am sensitive to yeast and most grains. Do you have any more suggestions, or know of any new treatment for Arthritic joints?

April 29, 2008 What was the protocol for your daughter's thyroid cancer? As a child I had an adenoma of the thyroid and they removed my thyroid. Now, 60 years later, I have an adeno carcinoma in the larynx area,

April 22, 2008 I am a 58 year old female who takes 10 mg. of Synthroid for low thyroid.  Is there an alternative that is natural?

April 15, 2008 What is your latest upto date recommendation on vaccines for children?  I hear & read many pros & cons from both the medical & holistic communities but I would like your opinion.

April 8, 2008  Q1: Do you think inhaling of camphor is good or bad for a humans system? Q2: I asked about a lung transplant but my pulmonary doctor said I'm not a good candidate for a lung transplant since I only have one good lung. I also had cancer treatment a few years ago that affected the one good lung. I'm no spring chicken as I'm in my 70's and at my age what do I have to lose in having a transplant,

April 1, 2008 I hope you can help me. I have issues relating to sex. I get UTI's regularly after having sex and now take one antibiotic (every night that I have sex) to prevent the infection. Well, that is working but gives me yeast infections on a regular basis. I often get bacterial infections that require more antibiotics. I have one partner and have had this problem for years. I recently read about peroxide douches preventing bacterial infections and stabilizing the pH balance. However, I also have read that women should never douche. I started taking probiotics about two months ago but I can't really tell a difference. Any suggestions.

March 25, 2008 I have had my gallbladder removed a few years ago with no resolution in my pain problem. I have episodes of vomiting and diarrhea that nothing seems to stop and I've been told I have ulcers and given several different medications but the pain and the problems continue. I end up in ER two or three times a month from the pain and vomiting and now the doctors simply give me a pain shot and send me home with no help stopping these episodes.
 
I experience severe upper torso pain to the point I cannot stand it and my family thinks I'm dying and keep taking me to ER. I do not want to go back for just pain shots I want to know how I can stop all these problems? I have lost so much weight this last year I look like a broomstick.

The pain starts just under the right rib cage but almost immediately seems like my whole torso especially the back kidney area is excruciating burning and severe bending over type pain. I end up throwing up and can't hold anything down, the reason for pain shots along with something to stop the vomiting, which doesn't really work well until the pain stops on its own. All the shots do is knock me out and I somewhat sleep off and on through the pain.
 
Lena, I'm at my wits end and my brother-in-law told me what you did for his heart and thyroid problem last years and he is really doing great so wonder if you have any ideas and can help me?

March 18, 2008 I have a problem with dry eyes and wanted to know if they have a solution using the silver water for dry eyes?

March 11, 2008 You emailed detoxing information to do along with my “get healthy protocol” but my neighbor says I shouldn’t detox since I have had my gallbladder removed? Is she right?  What is the need for a cleansing detox since I don’t have a gallbladder? 

March 3, 2008 Dr Garland's protocol recommends Milk thistle and I've not yet started that part of the protocol as someone told me I could have problems.  I would like to know if it's okay to take Milk Thistle on an empty stomach? What can I expect if I do? Thank you for simple Kidney Stone dissolving recipe!

February 18, 2008 I am looking to make some changes in my health but not sure where to start. I've been on medications for many years now and things continue to get worse and not better even with the mediations. It started with diabetes which I take medication and insulin now I've been diagnosed with a fatty liver and high cholesterol. I have been obese most of my adult life and my cholesterol is said to be high and now am on medication for that?  Can you help me out at all with something natural?  What do you recommend?

February 11, 2008 I have these small sores that started as blisters on the back my shoulder, they look almost like chicken pox that I had as a kid. Well the sore and blisters are sort of almost below the shoulder in the back. The pain is unbearable and I'm ready to give up wearing clothes, which means I have to leave my job, because the pain is getting to me. I also have pain running down the same arm and my side sort of under my arm that feels like nerves are exposed but no sores or blisters. My coworker tells me it looks like what she had diagnosed as Shingles and I should go to the doctor but I don't want to waste my time as I know they can't really help with shingles except to give me pain medication and muscle relaxers as they did her. Is there something else I can do to speed up healing and do you think it could be shingles?

February 4, 2008 I have a problem when I try to stand on one leg  I loose my balance. Can you give me some ideas as to why. I'm 77 years old and have never had this problem until just a few years back.

January 28, 2008 My father has macular degeneration - he is 85 and completely blind in one eye and only peripheral shadows in the other. Is there hope for him with your macular degeneration repair kit? Have you ever heard of reversing lack of site when it has reached this point?

January 21, 2008 I have what my doctor labeled as "acid reflux" though I don't quite have all of the symptoms that says it is acid reflux? Sometimes a pain seems to locate itself in the right side of my chest, sometimes the left, and sometimes it feels as though it could be right at the sphincter between my esophagus/diaphragm.  Sometimes I feel pain between my shoulder blades, though I have had some minor back muscle problems in my life and this may or may not be related.  I could not connect the feeling with any particular food intake?  I walk 30 min. 3 to 4 times a week.   I do not wish to "pop pills" and chose to do some researching of various nutritional philosophies and therapies and am curious what your suggestion would be for alternatives to this problem?

January 14, 2008 My son was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome and a moderate/severe dilated aortic root 2 years ago.  He is 16 yrs. old and is currently on 25 mg bid of atenolol.  The atenolol is so the blood doesn't push so hard against the aorta as to make the wall weaker.  The dilation hasn't grown since he was first diagnosed and I don't know if that is because of the atenolol or just because and there probably is no way of knowing this.  My questions are......What is the atenolol doing to his system and is there something else that would do the same thing for him.  Should he be on any type of supplement because of the Marfan's and/or the dilated aorta?

January 7, 2008 Their are two questions this week. A very short one with a very short answer then one that requires thought and work! First; Gerry writes: "My question for you is about recurring sores on the soles of my feet. They appear as calluses, but become cracked and bleed, much the same as my hands do in the wintertime. Initially, it only happened on my right foot, but occasionally occurs on the left foot as well. I assumed it was some type of fungus, such as athlete's foot. I tried an antifungal spray, but it has done no good. I tried using tea tree oil, and it worked. But the problem keeps recurring. What could possibly be causing this?" The second question: Bill writes; "I have been told that baking soda can be used to bring up ph level of water...one Tbl. spoon per gallon. What is your answer?"