Readers share what works for them

By Richard Harkness
Knight Ridder Newspapers

Many thanks to readers who share their helpful experiences. A sampling follows.

Gout:

Read your article with interest as I have had numerous gout attacks over the past 20 years. I was able to get through the attacks with the help of the dreaded colchicine. You described the side effects of this drug perfectly. You mentioned that allopurinol (Zyloprim) was the preferred drug for prevention of gout.

Osteoporosis:

I was diagnosed with osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis) and placed on once-a-week Fosamax tablets. My esophagus was affected, but I was told to continue taking it as “my body was adjusting.” Bad advice. Finally, Fosamax was stopped, but the damage caused was quite severe.

Eventually, I reluctantly tried the new Fosamax oral solution. There have been no esophageal problems with this once-a-week solution after eight months now. People having trouble with Fosamax tablets should consider this product.

Postmenopausal treatments:

• I’ve been on bioidentical hormones, as mentioned in your column, for almost a year. They have addressed all my post-menopausal symptoms as described by the woman who wrote the letter. I tried to find an endocrinologist or gynecologist through my medical plan, first Kaiser and then Scripps, but they had no one doing this work. So I e-mailed one of the doctors interviewed in Suzanne Somers book “The Sexy Years” and he referred me to a doctor in my area.

The compounded cream he prescribed has made the difference.

• I just finished reading your interesting article “Cessation of hormones causing libido to fade.” I too have been navigating through “menopausal mayhem” for the past three years. I have experienced nontraditional menopausal symptoms: violent “cold spells” (rather than hot flashes) and an increase in digestive disorders, such as gas and constipation. I finally resorted to the “low dose” estrogen-progestin pills/patches you mentioned and this alleviated many of the more debilitating symptoms.