Health Experts
GP
Our GP answers your health questions
Advice on mixing medicines and supplements, bunion surgery fear, stiff shoulders and more
Thigh tremors
Q: I am a 65-year-old man, slightly overweight but in good health. For two years I have had a problem with tremors and discomfort in my thighs when I am standing. I have to sit down or move around. I can’t stop to talk to a neighbour, stand to wash up or in the shower or wait in a queue without these unpleasant sensations. The problem lasts for a day or two at a time and comes on without any obvious trigger. My GP says it’s restless leg syndrome and I just have to live with it but it makes me feel low.
A: Your symptoms do sound very unpleasant and could certainly be due to restless leg syndrome, although this is usually worse when you are in bed at night. I think it would be worth asking your doctor to refer you to a specialist - either a neurologist or a consultant in care of the elderly. This would help confirm the diagnosis and, if it is restless leg syndrome, there are new tablets which can help to treat it quite effectively.
Stiff and painful shoulder
Q: I have been suffering for the past six weeks with stiffness and pain in my right shoulder. I can’t get my right arm up my back to unfasten my bra. My GP prescribed a gel rub which I use twice a day and the condition has improved somewhat but seems to be taking a long time. Do you think I will get the full use of my arm back in the course of time? To start with the condition was also painful when lifting my arm up to the front but this has now improved. I’m 74 and female.
A: It sounds as though you have got shoulder tendonitis or capsulitis, an inflammation of the muscle tendons that causes pain whenever you use the affected muscle. This will normally get better with time - but it can be a long time and since it can be quite incapacitating many patients are offered an injection of steroid into the affected area. In about 70 to 80% of cases this can give almost immediate relief over a few days. An alternative is physiotherapy, but this can take a lot longer to produce an improvement. Your doctor may be able to do an injection himself or may refer you on to a specialist.
Bunion surgery fear
Q: I am due to have surgery to remove a bunion on my right foot but I am concerned because I have arthritis in my big toe that is going to be fused and I will be in a plaster cast for about six weeks. At the moment although this bunion is unsightly and I can only wear certain shoes. I am reluctant to go ahead with the operation as I will still only be able to wear the same type of shoe but I will have no movement at all in my big toe. Any advice as to whether I should go ahead?
A: Have you discussed this with the surgeon who is planning to operate on your foot? If not, perhaps you could see your GP about it as he will have received a letter about your case from the hospital. Fusion of a stiff, arthritic big toe is usually only done if walking is painful, as it will usually solve the problem and make the foot painless. Without seeing you it is hard to give definite advice but, if you are having doubts, it would be sensible to postpone the operation until you have had a chance to discuss it further.
Boosting platelet level
Q: I am having chemotherapy for liver cancer. However, my platelet count has become so low (72) that the treatment has been stopped. Is there anything I can do to increase the platelet level? Would more exercise help, or special food or supplements?
A: It is an unfortunate fact that chemotherapy can destroy healthy blood and bone marrow cells as well as cancer cells and that treatment often has to be interrupted to allow blood and platelet counts to recover. There is no specific treatment to speed up the recovery but it is generally helpful if you can eat a normal healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. It would be worth discussing with your oncologist or cancer care nurse whether they have any other suggestions.
Mixing medicines with supplements
Q: I am 72 and have high blood pressure and an underactive thyroid. My drugs are: Telmisartin 80; Felodipine 5; Bendrofluazide 2.5; Levothyroxine 10; Crestor rosuvastatin 10. I am taking glucosamine 500mg with marine chondroitin 400mg and omega 3 1000mg and am concerned the intake of potassium salt in the glucosamine sulphate. Can you please advise whether this will react with my blood pressure tablets.
A: I think it is unlikely that your glucosamine and other medication will react with your blood pressure tablets, or increase your potassium levels, particularly as bendrofluazide commonly lowers potassium. However, your GP will normally do blood tests every year or so to check your medication is suiting you, and this will include a measure of your potassium level. So if you have not had a blood test lately why not ask if you could have a check, and mention your glucosamine and other over-the-counter medication to him.
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Reader comments
elderly man 80's recently got circulation booster intensity level up to 79. next time maybe 60. sometimes 48. can you explain the reason? both feet abnormally swollen but I feel down a bit. don't overdo it only 30 minutes a day split three ways.been doing a week.thank you ted wyness
Posted by: edward wyness | 18/04/2008 17:22:24
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.