I had an ECHO done about 2 years ago… it found that I had trace/mild pulmonary regurgitation. Cardiologist reports that it is a normal finding and that it will likely never cause me any issues. I am currently training for my first triathlon. Is it possible that this could limit my performance [...]
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Monday, January 22nd, 2007Family History of Cancer - Colon Cancer
Tuesday, January 9th, 2007My father passed away on 9/30 of colon cancer, we were really close and I am depressed but getting out of it. I am on Lorazepam for the anxiety. Since his death I have had a little discomfort almost right on the bottom part of the left rib. If I stand or lay down absolutely [...]
Continue readingSide Effects of Verapamil, Constipation, Abdominal Discomfort
Friday, January 5th, 2007My doctor put me on Calan a few months ago because I have been diagnosed with Right Ventricular Ectopy and Mitral Valve Prolapse. The pharmacy gave me the generic form called Verapamil. Since I began taking this medication I have gained weight and I have had problems with constipation and upper abdominal discomfort. [...]
Continue readingChronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms or Something Else?
Wednesday, December 27th, 2006I was hoping you could give me advice with regards to a series of symptoms that nobody has been able to explain, despite my seeing many doctors and having many tests.
It all started when I was 12 when I woke up randomly with back pain. I’m pretty active, so I wrote it off as overdoing [...]
Shortness of Breath, Bloating, Hot Flashes
Monday, November 27th, 2006I have been ill for a few weeks. I had mono about 5 yrs ago. I had blood transfusions about 10 yrs ago. Im a 27 yr old female. I have been bloated so bad you’d swear im 4 months pregnant but Im not and I have gotten my period 3 times [...]
Continue readingHigh Cholesterol - Role of Hepatitis?
Saturday, November 25th, 2006Dear Doctor,
I am a 34 yr old male who recently came back from the doctor with some not so good news. It turns our that my cholesterol is a very high 292 with an extremely high LDL count, a 219. I am relatively healthy and active; I am 6 ft tall and weigh [...]
Clammy feeling, on Birth Control Pills
Monday, November 6th, 2006I’m 28 and about 4 months ago I started to get this clammy feeling. It starts mostly when I get out of the shower and lasts for hours. I will be sweaty during this period also. I am clammy around my mid section, back of neck and just have this “icky” feeling [...]
Continue readingStatins and Grapefruit Juice
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006Why is one not supposed to have grapefruit or grapefruit juice when on Lipitor?
Dr. Joshua’s Answer:
Because they compete against each other in the liver - meaning that grapefruit juice will cause the liver to metabolize (eliminate) less Lipitor, possibly leading to increased and even toxic levels of the drug in the body.
Lipitor (atorvastatin) levels have [...]
Very High Blood Pressure
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006I am very concerned about my 25 year old son. He took his blood pressure with my wrist monitor yesterday evening and it registered 265/165. We do have a history of heart disease on both sides of the family. First question is how reliable are wrist monitors and should we really be [...]
Continue readingUnmotivated, Sleepy - Depression?
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006My son is 19. Since graduation from high school in May 2005, he has steadily become unmotivated to do anything. He started college, but then quit going. He works only occasionally. He sleeps all day, literally all day, then sleeps at night too. He doesn’t live at home because [...]
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