Dr. Gott: Behold, the power of soap

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have bursitis in my upper right arm that I used to describe as a toothache in my muscle. It got to the point of being so painful that I had to quit using my arm to do anything and kept it tucked tightly to my side.

Then I read your column about putting a bar of soap under the sheet at the bottom of the bed for leg-muscle cramps. I decided to try it, but instead put it near my arm rather than my legs, and within two days the pain subsided. As of today, my doctor is amazed that I have almost a full range of motion back and that I am pain-free.

Thank you for printing suggestions for such simple and cheap pain-relief methods.

DEAR READER: Bursitis is a fairly common and painful arthritis-like condition. I am glad that you adapted one of my recommendations to suit your needs and found it so successful. I have printed your letter in the hopes that it will also help others.

So, folks, it seems that my soap-under-the-sheet remedy works for more than just leg cramps. Try experimenting and let me know the results.

To provide related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies” and “More Compelling Home Remedies.” Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a check or money order for $2 per report to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am seeking your interpretation of a report I received about the extent of an injury to my right eye socket. I want to know whether it is broken or otherwise damaged. Could you please explain the report results in layman’s terms?

DEAR READER: First, I would like to say that your physician should be your first source for information with regard to any testing. Also, I would have expected that if you were being evaluated for a fracture, the X-ray technician would have had you wait for the results to determine whether further care was needed. That said, I will now answer your question.

According to the final impression of the radiologist at the time of the test, you probably had a cold and there was a small injury to the eye socket, but it couldn’t be determined when that damage occurred because of the cold and tissue swelling. It was determined that there were no broken facial bones.

Based on the findings and in my opinion, the damage appears to be so slight that it likely won’t be of any consequence. Since the age of the injury couldn’t be determined, there is a possibility that you have had the abnormality for quite some time without knowing it.

Return to your physician, and get his or her explanation of the results. As I have said before, I cannot be used as a second opinion but rather as a source for further, general information. There is a lag time of several weeks during which the letters get to me, are opened, and are then reviewed. Then I must make my responses, have them put into column format, undergo editing and then, after all that, they can be submitted for final printing and distribution to newspapers around the country (and in some cases, other countries!). Everything takes time, but for fast responses, specifically geared to personal cases, a personal physician is always the best and surest step.