Tetracycline on acne is effective

Dear Dr. Gott: I am 37 and have acne. My dermatologist placed me on Septra. When I subsequently went to a new doctor, he was in total disbelief and discontinued the Septra. Are there any long-term effects from this antibiotic? What is my next step?

Dear Reader: As long as you don’t have an allergy to sulfa drugs, there should be no long-term effect from taking Septra. However, in my experience, this antibiotic is not particularly useful in treating acne, a common skin infection of unknown cause. I would prefer to use an old-fashioned remedy such as tetracycline. Ask your family physician about this and whether he would feel more comfortable referring you to another dermatologist for a second opinion.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am 100 pounds overweight and snore like a pig. Is my overweight problem the cause of my snoring? I never snored until I got fat, after I allowed my troublemaking brother and sister to talk me into divorcing my loving husband of 26 years. I was always 130-140 pounds and 5 feet 8 inches tall. Now I eat $50 to $60 worth of cake, cookies and candy a week and don’t care about my looks. At 53 years old, I am 210 pounds. I talk to myself all the time, too. Please, what’s your diagnosis?

Dear Reader: My diagnosis: Sleep apnea syndrome secondary to chronic obesity.

I agree with your analysis. You have let yourself go, fallen victim to a high-carb diet, become understandably angry at interfering family members and have lost pride in how you look. These are unhealthful changes that you have the power to reverse.

Although you could be helped by counseling (because of the trauma of your divorce), I suspect that you will need to address the issue of your 60-pound weight gain. This problem may be the cause of your other afflictions, such as snoring and talking to yourself.

See your family physician for the necessary advice and referrals. There is no question that you can be helped, but you do need to reach out for assistance.

To get you started, I am sending you a free copy of my Health Report “Losing Weight” which includes my “no flour, no sugar” diet. Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: What is your opinion about hypnosis as a cure for smoking?

Dear Reader: It is spectacularly successful in many, but not all, instances. Because it is easy and safe, I recommend it for patients who have unsuccessfully tried nicotine patches, which are cheaper.