Listerine eases shingles pain
Q. Three weeks after a shingles attack, I was suffering excruciating nerve pain across the right side of my scalp and behind my ear. Acetaminophen with codeine was not working.
One morning at 3, I finally turned on the light, grabbed my laptop and searched for websites that might offer alternative remedies for pain relief. At PeoplesPharmacy.com, I discovered that several people recommended applying amber Listerine mouthwash directly to the affected areas.
I was skeptical but desperate, so I went to the bathroom, soaked my washcloth in Listerine and rubbed it gently into my scalp. Wow! Within three minutes, I felt relief, and for the first time in weeks, I slept with the right side of my head on the pillow. It was wonderful to feel pain-free, even for a few hours.
A. Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir or valaciclovir can speed healing if taken at the first sign of shingles (a painful rash or blisters on one side of the body). The pain can be excruciating and may last a long time.
Some readers report temporary relief with topical Listerine, and others say that oral L-lysine aids recovery. For those wishing to avoid shingles and the risk of lingering pain, a shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is available.
Q. I have high blood pressure, but my medicine raises my uric-acid levels and triggers gout flare-ups. I’ve heard that the DASH diet could bring my blood pressure down and might be good against gout, too. What is this diet?
A. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The first scientific study of this approach (a diet rich in vegetables and fruits and low in fat and meat) was published 15 years ago (New England Journal of Medicine, April 17, 1997). It lowers blood pressure nearly as well as medication, and also helps reduce uric acid (Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, December 2010).
You can learn more details on the DASH diet and other ways to control blood pressure naturally in our book “The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.” It is available online at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com or for $16.95 plus $5 S&H from Graedon Enterprises, Dept. Q&H, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
Q. Eight weeks ago, I was given a steroid shot in my right hip. For weeks afterward, I had severe pain in the back of my head, my vision was blurry, and my whole body hurt so much that I had to cancel a business trip.
I am back to normal, but now I am worried I might get meningitis. What should I do?
A. Contact your doctor immediately to find out whether the shot you received came from a contaminated batch. Although the likelihood of meningitis is low because the shot was not into your spine, there have been some other complications when tainted steroid was injected into joints.
Q. Last year, my doctor prescribed metformin to control my appetite. I lost 20 pounds, but the drug gave me five bowel movements a day as well as gas.
My doctor suggested half a pill plus probiotics and digestive enzymes. I still have the same problems. I do not have diabetes, but I am still about 20 pounds overweight. What else can I do?
A. Metformin is a diabetes drug not approved for weight control. Unlike other pills for type 2 diabetes, it doesn’t lead to weight gain, but it can cause significant digestive distress. You might benefit more from a “health coach” who specializes in eating behaviors and exercise programs.