DEAR DR. GOTT: This is the third time I'm writing to you about my problem. I know the mail is going through because I ordered a $2 pamphlet for another problem, and that came back promptly. I'm sure there is a logical reason for you not answering my problem, nevertheless, I'm trying once more, for the last time.
This is my problem: Every night, when I lay down in bed, my legs keep jerking constantly. It isn't very conducive to a quiet, restful sleep. I tried soap in my bed, and it didn't work. (I don't have cramps in my legs.) Can you help me?
DEAR READER: I suspect that you are suffering from restless legs syndrome, a common neurological disorder. Ask your family physician to refer you to a neurologist for confirmation and therapy.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Medical Specialists." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
I cannot respond to every letter I receive. As I have stated before, I receive about 2,500 letters every week. For this reason, I do not reply to letters personally. Only those that I feel will reach a broad spectrum of people are put into the column.
I would also like to add that because of the sheer volume of mail, I do not receive every letter firsthand. They are sent to New York, where they are sorted and sent to me. Many people also mistakenly send questions to my newsletter-distribution facility in Wickliffe, Ohio.
This combination causes delays of sometimes weeks or longer, before the letters even reach me. Then they must be opened, sorted and read.
As you can see, this process is time consuming and why I constantly tell readers to speak to their physicians for specific issues.
I cannot take the place of a personal physician. I also cannot respond to readers claiming they need immediate help.
For readers too embarrassed to seek medical attention from their own physicians, I say, they have heard it all before. Physicians are supposed to be kind and caring. If your physician is not and treats you badly, then you need to find someone else.
Any physician who makes you feel bad about seeking help, regardless of the issue, should be ashamed of himself or herself and should not be in medical practice. I hope this will be the last time I must repeat this information, but as I still receive many letters, berating me for not responding personally, I fear it may not be.
Please cut me some slack, folks if you were in my shoes, you would feel the same.
This is my problem: Every night, when I lay down in bed, my legs keep jerking constantly. It isn't very conducive to a quiet, restful sleep. I tried soap in my bed, and it didn't work. (I don't have cramps in my legs.) Can you help me?
DEAR READER: I suspect that you are suffering from restless legs syndrome, a common neurological disorder. Ask your family physician to refer you to a neurologist for confirmation and therapy.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Medical Specialists." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
I cannot respond to every letter I receive. As I have stated before, I receive about 2,500 letters every week. For this reason, I do not reply to letters personally. Only those that I feel will reach a broad spectrum of people are put into the column.
I would also like to add that because of the sheer volume of mail, I do not receive every letter firsthand. They are sent to New York, where they are sorted and sent to me. Many people also mistakenly send questions to my newsletter-distribution facility in Wickliffe, Ohio.
This combination causes delays of sometimes weeks or longer, before the letters even reach me. Then they must be opened, sorted and read.
As you can see, this process is time consuming and why I constantly tell readers to speak to their physicians for specific issues.
I cannot take the place of a personal physician. I also cannot respond to readers claiming they need immediate help.
For readers too embarrassed to seek medical attention from their own physicians, I say, they have heard it all before. Physicians are supposed to be kind and caring. If your physician is not and treats you badly, then you need to find someone else.
Any physician who makes you feel bad about seeking help, regardless of the issue, should be ashamed of himself or herself and should not be in medical practice. I hope this will be the last time I must repeat this information, but as I still receive many letters, berating me for not responding personally, I fear it may not be.
Please cut me some slack, folks if you were in my shoes, you would feel the same.