I have taken Paxil for several years for depression, but last spring the drug didn't seem to be working. My doctor prescribed another antidepressant called Wellbutrin, and I have recovered nicely.
Ever since starting this new medicine I have a tremendous appetite for sex. I am a 64-year-old woman and have never experienced anything like this before. Can you explain what's going on?
In 1987 Dr. Theresa Crenshaw and her colleagues reported that bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) could improve sexual interest in men and women with low libido. Researchers confirmed this observation last year in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. Interest in sex more than doubled in women who previously had little sexual desire.
For some, such a reaction can be quite disturbing. But those who have experienced sexual difficulties on antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft may benefit because Wellbutrin might reverse this undesirable effect.
We would like to send you our "Guide to Female Sexuality," which provides more information about the benefits and risks of Wellbutrin and other sexual stimulants. Others who would like a copy should send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. Z-2, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
A few months back you recommended a shampoo called Nizoral for itchy dandruff. I've suffered from seborrheic dermatitis which is itchy dandruff with a vengeance for years, and coal tar shampoos no longer work for me.
I tried the Nizoral, and it completely eliminated my dandruff and itching after I used it three times. Now I only need to use it once every two weeks. Overall, it's a very effective cure.
Regular use of any one kind of dandruff shampoo might reduce its effectiveness. Alternating the type of shampoo you use perhaps using a zinc-based product such as Head & Shoulders for a month or two, then switching back to a coal tar shampoo such as Ionil-T Plus or Neutrogena T/Sal might improve your response.
My father drinks one or two glasses of red wine daily. He insists it is his "medicine," keeping his heart and brain healthy. It has become a family joke, especially because he insists that it has to be good wine.
We asked him where he got this idea, and he cited your newspaper column. Is Dad's "medicine" really as good for him as he says, or is this just an excuse?
Scientific studies document the value of moderate wine consumption in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's and heart disease. The most recent research comes from Italy, where investigators studied more than 15,000 people over age 65.
Those who regularly consumed some wine with meals were significantly less likely to show signs of mental decline than teetotalers.
Heavy drinking has a detrimental effect on mental abilities as people age, however. And alcohol can interact dangerously with many medications, including aspirin, acetaminophen and some blood pressure drugs like verapamil.
We are sending you our "Guide to Drug and Alcohol Interactions" for more details. Others who would like a copy should send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. K, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC. 27717-2027.
My teen-age daughter had three warts on her foot. We heard that vinegar might get rid of them, so we tried it. The vinegar soaks worked like a charm.
We have heard from many others that vinegar can be effective against warts.
Warts on the sole of the foot, called plantar warts, can be hard to treat. But according to a report in the Cleveland Clinic Quarterly, they often respond to soaking the feet 30 to 90 minutes weekly in warm water (110 degrees). Adding 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water might improve the chance of a cure.
My mother heard from her brother that cod-liver oil is good for arthritis, so she is taking a tablespoon of this foul-tasting stuff at least once a day and sometimes twice. Is there any evidence that it could be beneficial?
Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and might have some anti-inflammatory action. This could ease arthritis symptoms for some people.
There is a drawback to cod liver oil, however. It is high in vitamin A. Swedish researchers have reported that women getting too much vitamin A from regular doses of cod-liver oil are more prone to weak bones and hip fractures.
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. (Jan. 2, 2002) confirms that excessive vitamin A in the diet can contribute to osteoporosis and fractures. Your mother should consider a different form of fish oil and consult her doctor about the appropriate dose.
I am only 25, but I have had several blood clots in my legs that caused intense leg pain and swelling. One episode occurred several days after a long flight from Tokyo.
The doctor put me on Coumadin for six months, but I no longer need to take it. Would aspirin prevent a blood clot when I fly again next month, or is there an herb that might work?
Aspirin does not appear to be very effective in avoiding deep-vein thrombosis, nor are we aware of any herbs for this purpose.
Compression hosiery, however, can be very helpful in preventing blood clots from forming in the legs. Search for support or compression hosiery on the Internet to find suppliers.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 235 E. 45th St., New York, N.Y. 10017, or e-mail them via their Web site, www.peoplespharmacy.com.
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