Ask Lena Health Questions and Answers 2010 Archives
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Lena Sanchez in the middle bottom row - 72 year-old Editor - with 1 son and both daughters  and 5 of 11 grand children - back row; oldest daughter, short (4'11") dark haired gal on left with her husband and two sons. Second son top right with two of his four children. Younger daughter (now cancer-free), bottom left and her daughter and fiancée on my right..

Ask Lena Health Q & A editor/writer
No hair dye, surgery or other altering done.
What you see is what you get 72 years of living!

Editor's Health Articles

List of many natural alternative health remedies!
 

For Suggested Common Health Problem Alternative Herbal Repair Kits CLICK HERE!
 

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January 12, 2010 My doctor swears by them, and I have been taking Lipitor for about a year and my elderly mother and father take a generic version of Zocor. Your article seems to imply that there is a problem with these drugs. Is that your opinion, or do you know something that no one else? Will these become the next Vioxx, or Celebrex scandal?

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January 26, 2010 My 35 year old brother has a Bipolar problem, diagnosed when he was 20 years old. His prescriptions kills his appetite so he very thin yet he still isn't controlled most of the time is there something that we can do with herbs or homeopathy that will work better?

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February 2, 2010 Q #1: My friend Janel said I should contact you with my concerns. She thinks you can help me. I am 45 years old, not overweight and eat fairly healthy but I have no energy and my mind seems to be fogging up and I can't think rationally at times and my job depends on a clear mind.  Janel thinks it's my blood pressure medication causing this because it started after my last physical when the doctor said my blood pressure 130/85 was too high and I needed to bring it down. She put me on Esidrix and I now spend a lot of time in the bathroom and my blood pressure is only a few points lower but I am not feeling well. I would like your opinion on why I have gotten so tired and my mind isn't working so well? What can I do to get back to feeling better?

Q#2: I am desperate. My 3 year old daughter has been diagnosed with MSRA and is in the Hospital. She is allergic to penicillin and they are trying several different antibiotics without success so far. I am so scared of losing her, what can I do? Please answer ASAP.

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February 9, 2010 My doctor says I am allergic sulphur and should not take any sulphur containing products? Does that mean I cannot take MSM, which I'm told is sulphur? Who is correct her or you? I am experiencing some joint pain that has been diagnosed as mild arthritis and would like to try something natural but don't know if I should take MSM or not? I believe some time back I read one of your articles that paraphrasing now, "MSM (sulphur), if ocean harvested and in its individual form is actually good for allergies and should not be shunned due to allergies...? Does that mean I can take ocean harvested MSM? I want to go natural to treat my arthritis and see if it will help me and I've read that MSM is good for it. Can you explain why ocean based sulphur is okay when my doctor says no?

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February 16, 2010 I am 25 years old and 8 months pregnant and I am having difficulty sleeping and I would like your opinion. I have tried valarian root to help to get to sleep, but I'm not sure it's ok for my baby? I asked my doctor and his response was to take Tylenol p.m. at bedtime but without pain or fever I would rather not. Do you have any advice for me as to how to get better sleep?

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February 23, 2010 About 4 weeks ago I began experiencing numbness in my fingers and toes.  I do not have the numbness when laying down.  My hands and feet are very cold (especially my right hand where I have more numbness).  The numbness coincided when I returned to a vegan diet.  I went for acupuncture yesterday that warmed my body and temporarily  alleviated the numbness.  The acupuncturist says I don't have enough red blood cells (going strictly on symptoms; she did not know about my blood counts).  She gave me Chinese herbs and suggested I eat red meat at least 1 time per week as well as yellow vegetables and cinnamon.  I saw your article on treating anemia.  Is there a particular brand of iron liquid minerals or meganutrient supplements that you recommend?  I want to get all my vitamins and minerals in balance.
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March 2, 2010 HELP! My mother thinks that I should give my kids something to lower their fever every time they have one but I don't. I believe I read an article of yours several years ago and have remembered it ever time one of my three children has a fever. I looked for it to show her and was going to print it out for my mother but can't find it again. Could you please reprint it so I can.

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March 10, 2010 My son is a healthy 34 year old mail who until recently started having seizures.. the first being on the 29th sept 09, the second 9th dec 09 the third 23rd jan 10 and the 4th march10 ... a cat scan and eeg have revelled nothing and the seizures have all been 20minutes after waking in the morning.. the last seizure was at 6pm after swimming in a cold river..they last only for a few minutes... heaps of blood tests and lead and mercury tests have come back normal... he is not on epilepsy medication as "they' don't seem to think that is the cause.... he is always hungry and eating every hour but never puts weight on.. in fact he seems to be loosing it!!! After eating he feels as though he has refueled his body and feels much better...if he doesn't eat he ends up with the shakes and jerky movements... he has been tested for diabetes and the results are negative..we are at a loss as to where to go from here because it has drastically affected his lifestyle to the point that he has had to give up work and driving...All the tests show that he is  a good example of a healthy young male... I'm wondering if maybe he could have picked up a bug or something that could cause the problem.. any suggestion would be most gratefully received....  thanking you... Helena.. a very concerned mother...

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March 16, 2010 I would like to know if I should take vytorin while using your product, Mind Power herbal formula, that I just ordered?
I was started on vytorin a couple of weeks ago because my cholesterol is 301 and HDL 50. I'm a 45 year old male 5' 6" tall and weight is 175lbs. My triglycerides were very high and they couldn't do a full cholesterol testing. I'm a jogger and do weight lifting a few times a week and eat very little red meat so I was shocked to hear these numbers. My doctor simply wrote a prescription for vytorin but didn't explain much to me. If you can offer any information on vitorin and cholesterol problem I would really appreciate it,

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March 23, 2010 I am 40 years old and have had years of hellish pain with no relief and the doctors all seem baffled by it and have branded me mentally unstable.  Years ago when it first started they removed my gallbladder, which didn't stop the pains. Sometimes it is so severe that I have bouts of vomiting and diarrhea that seems to go on forever until it stops on its own. I end up in ER at least a couple of times a month from the pain, vomiting and diarrhea. It is to the point when they see my name I think they simply load a shot of pain medication shoot it into me and send me home. 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. The pain shots 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. My life is useless at this point!
 
Lena, I'm at my wits end and my mother is happy with your advice and you helped her overcome her heart and thyroid problem and she is really doing great so wonder if you have any ideas and can help me? My phone number XXX-XXX-XXXX should you have questions.
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March 30, 2010 I am a new subscriber and I have looked through some of your articles but I can find none that give me info on diabetic medications. I have been reading some of the news stories of a controversy over diabetic pill dangers but what about insulin and I would like your opinion on taking insulin. I am 55, male and on insulin for about a year now. My blood sugar is not very well controlled on that even though I try very hard to eat what I'm told is best for me. I've developed high blood pressure and have been put on a blood pressure medication and was told diabetes caused it? I never feel like my old self, no energy, my mind is not as sharp as it should be either. Is this something I have to live with or are there alternatives for either or both? What is your take on the pill controversy?
 
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April 6, 2010 I just found your newsletter online and am fascinated by your answers to questions. I am a 50 year old woman and I'm taking 10 mg. of Synthroid for low thyroid but a friend told me that Synthroid is dangerous to my health and isn't really made for our thyroid I don't know if that is true or not?  I haven't gotten to anything in your newsletters, there are a lot of them that has answered my question. Is that true? Is there an alternative that is natural?

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April 13, 2010 I am 45 years old and had a complete hysterectomy several years ago to treat endometriosis. I am using Premarin since my surgery and this has kept me from having hot flashes, but has not helped my lost sex drive, dry vagina, depression, insomnia, anxiety, CFS, Fibromyalgia, at one point being almost comatose from fibromyalgia pain and depression.  Will Dr. Garland's Balanced Woman help to replace HRT after having a complete hysterectomy and/or will it help curb these problems? I want to feel like my old self but it doesn't seem to be happening with Premarin. I am tired of being tired and in pain.

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April 20, 2010 Good morning Lena what herbs or products do you recommend to prevent cancer in general? Also what products promote a healthy liver?  Thank you, Cassandra

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April 27, 1010 I suffer from arthritis of my knees, and neck and a friend says that shark cartilage could do wonders fir it, but I have a peptic ulcer that limits what I can take. Do you know of a natural healthy remedy for peptic ulcers? Do you know if patients with peptic ulcers have difficulty with shark cartilage? What would you suggest as natural healing treatments for either or both conditions? 

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May 4, 2010 I was diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia a couple of years ago and given Nexium to make it better. It has not made it better and my friend says you told her that Nexium and those kinds of medications can cause the same symptoms as a hiatal hernia making it feel as if it still exists. Is that true? What can I do to stop the medication and do something natural?

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May 11, 2010 After TURP surgery and over 40 days of Foley catheter use, my husband continues to have an ongoing bladder infection.  His testicles are now also enlarging.  He has been prescribed Levaquin and he is reluctant to keep taking it for obvious side-effects. What can he use to substitute for these antibiotics?

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May 18, 2010 You have helped me on numerous occasions and I I thank you so I trust you can do it again.
I have just been diagnosed with 'dry eyes'. That seems a misnomer since my eyes water all the time.  I'm told omega3 fatty acids will help? Is that true?
The doctor wants to cauterize my tear ducts to stop the eyes from watering too much. But I'm not sure I want to do that. Do you know of anyone that cauterizing has helped?

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June 1, 2010, My neighbor, who gets your newsletter says I should email you about my issue. My problem is that my doctor wants me to take cholesterol lowering drug and I hate taking drugs of any kind. I have no other health issues and am 60 years old work 40 to 50 hours a week. I take fish oil capsules and a multivitamin but with 250 cholesterol she says I need more than herbs or vitamins. I have refused the prescription but what is you opinion on taking cholesterol drugs? I would also like to know what herbs you would recommend.

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June 8, 2008  I suffer from mild To moderate acne, and have pigmentation marks left from prior acne.  Health otherwise is good. I've suffered from pimples/blemishes since  the age of 13, when the doctors prescribed me several antibiotics...  Which I believe have suppressed my immune system. I currently take the following supplements - garlic, acidophilus, drink carrot and cucumber  juice. I also take zinc and b vitamin complex. I look forward in anticipation to your reply

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June 15, 2010  have a horrible odor from my head ! It is really bad I feel that people around me can smell it!  I have had it for three or fours years and have tried all kinds of shampoos and scalp treatments but it only works for a day and then returns?
 
I used to get headaches also but after taking "Life Transfusion Liquid Mineral Complex" once a week for the past month, I have no more headaches (if I take it every day, I cannot sleep at night) is this normal.
 
Have you come across any one who has such problems? Can you help please!

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June 29, 1010 I have a problem with dry eyes and wanted to know if they have a solution for that and would using silver water help curb my dry eyes?

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August 24, 2010 I have a lot of gas and I am either constipated or have very loose stools off and on. Some nights I have such severe abdominal pain that it wakes me. The pain seems to be all over my chest from my crotch to my neck? I just started taking your liquid minerals and been taking Life Transfusion Minerals for two weeks now. I so much more energy and feel better but my abdominal problem has not gotten better. What can I do to relieve this pain and bowel changes?

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August 17, 2010 I started taking the Life Transfusion Ionic Liquid Minerals a few months ago but it has occurred to me that maybe a person could take too much liquid minerals, or have too much of one or two minerals in their body? Since lead and such are minerals can't we get too much? How much is too much minerals? Is there such a thing as a "healing crisis" where I would feel worse before feeling better?

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August 10, 2010 I am taking the highest doses of metformin that I can take, 5 a day, plus 1 glyburide 5mg with them. Still unable to control my blood sugar. I was on slow acting insulin and I started gaining weight, so I went off of it. I am a person that doesn't like to take medication at all. I want a natural alternative if there is one? My sugar is over 400 right now but I don't want to take too many pills. Can you give me some idea as to what I can do?

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August 3, 2010 I have pains in my neck, leg bones, arms and a burning in my chest and abdomen, more on the right than the left, and he can't seem to figure it out. Sometimes my skin feels bruised and hurts to simply touch it but I haven't bumped it so cannot figure out why? Doctor gave me a clean bill of health after a slew of expensive and invasive tests, but I'm still having the pains and I feel like I belong in a mental institution or am I a hypochondriac? Any help will be appreciated.

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July 6. 2010  I am a 70 year old male and my doctor tells me that I have a hypo thyroid and possible liver problems.  I am 50 plus pounds overweight and have very little energy and can't seem to lose it. I stay away from sugars and only use Splenda and foods labeled low fat. What else can I do? I currently take cholesterol medication and my last visit the doctor says my blood pressure is borderline and he feels I should start taking blood pressure lowering medication but I am going to wait to add that. I have notice my fingernails are beginning to thin and become brittle? I am currently taking Vitamin E and a multivitamin. What supplements could you suggest to help lower my blood pressure and detox my liver? Is there a supplement that will help my cholesterol? Is there anything that will help my nails?

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July 13,2010 I am desperately in need of you help ASAP. My gynecologist has said I need to have a hysterectomy because I have a Fibroid in my uterus and   I do not want this I think you wrote about this a few years back in your Ask Lena newsletter but I can't find it. So could you advise me on natural treatments so I can avoid surgery?

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July 20, 2010 I am treating a uti with Bactrim. I hate that I am doing this to my body...I feel like I am slowly killing myself! I am 57 and very healthy, and don't take any drugs at all but I panicked with this uti because I must travel next Week and need to be sure it's gone. but now I feel I made huge mistake and want stop taking it today (I've only taken 3 doses so far and feel no symptoms but I am afraid it is still lingering there. I was actually doing very well with herbs and d-mannos but I got to feeling better and ate some of the wrong foods and back it came....can you help me sort this out...

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July 27, 2010 I had a stroke about 9 years ago, called a lucunar stroke, and I refused the invasive testing I was offered, deciding on 'watchful waiting'.  I was taking an 81 mg. aspirin until I heard about Natto, and have been taking 100 mg. ever since.  Can one take too much Nattokinase?  Can it be taken together with aspirin? What other measures would you recommend to prevent major stroke? You may publish your answer so others may see alternatives!