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Alternative Medicine/Questions Answered by Expert Eric Brandt
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Abdominal Problems and Pain | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: I am an otherwise healthy 23 year old female. In the past 6 months, I've had 3 surgeries. The first ... A: The Extra Strength Tylenol is a good choice as it is easy on the stomach. Use ibuprofen sparingly. ... | |
| Abdominal Problems and Pain | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: I am an otherwise healthy 23 year old female. In the past 6 months, I've had 3 surgeries. The first ... A: You need to refer this question to your surgeon to determine a safe level of exercise and the type ... | |
| Seizures and Vitamins | 1/17/2012 |
| Q: Eric; I have epilepsy from a skull fracture 10 years ago--I am 47 yrs old. I take 300mg of dilantin ... A: Ginkgo biloba is a herb that has shown some promise in improving or preventing memory loss. It has ... | |
| Betaine HCl vs. Digestive Enzymes | 10/11/2011 |
| Q: My name is Igor, and I've read about the benefits of both betaine HCl and digestive enzymes, and ... A: Betaine is used to reduce levels of homocysteine. It is not a general digestive enzyme. Digestive ... | |
| Probiotics | 9/14/2011 |
| Q: Just to give you a little background, I am a 48 year old relatively healthy male, and currently take ... A: I do not see a benefit to adding more probiotics to what you are already doing. when choosing a ... | |
| Aloe Vera Juice | 9/11/2011 |
| Q: Eric Do you know anything about this? I have irritable bowel with the main symptom being bloating ... A: I have tried Aloe Vera juice for my inflammatory bowel condition. It did not work. There is a ot of ... | |
| cortisone and breathing problems | 8/27/2011 |
| Q: For the past few weeks I have had a tight chest and had difficulty breathing which may commonly be ... A: I am not in a position to make a diagnosis here. Chest tightness can be caused by heart problems, ... | |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | 6/13/2011 |
| Q: Eric I am male, 53. I have done two 'trials' with this on myself and have determined that it is ... A: Food supplements and alternative meds are not systematically studied as are traditional meds. In ... | |
| antidepressants | 6/11/2011 |
| Q: I have been on an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant for at least ten years. I am beginning to become ... A: Natural does not equal safe. If a substance is potent enough to be helpful, it is potent enough to ... | |
| prescription meds and ambisleep | 5/11/2011 |
| Q: I'm currently on Wellbutrin XL, elavil, and zyprexa. The first is for depression and the latter two ... A: Ambesleep contains valerian root which is similar to benzodiazepine in its action. I would not take ... | |
| Iodide or Iodine | 4/8/2011 |
| Q: Does Kelp contain iodide or iodine? Which supplement should I take: potassium iodide, or an iodine ... A: Iodine in Kelp is potassium iodide. The daily recommended allowance for iodine is 150 mcg. It does ... | |
| artherosclerosis | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: Do you answer questions on artherosclerosis? I have artherosclerosis which was caused due to ... A: Atherosclerosis is caused by fatty deposits along blood vessels. Diet low in fat, and controlling ... | |
| bipolar | 3/23/2011 |
| Q: ..my man, age 64, retired CFO, and I for three years, are totally compatible in our religion, sex, ... A: Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder. It can be managed with medications. Lithium, quetiapine and ... | |
| gabitril | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: if you never had a seizure and take gabitril is there a danger of you as a non-epilectic getting ... A: I have heard form many people who use this medication for sleep. None have reported seizures. The ... | |
| herbsd | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: i saw a natural product highly rated for sleep called ambesleep.it contained hops extract,valerian ... A: Both drugs are safe if used according to labeled indications. The bottom line is, off label use of a ... | |
| herbsd | 2/19/2011 |
| Q: i saw a natural product highly rated for sleep called ambesleep.it contained hops extract,valerian ... A: Valerian root is similar in action to benzodiazepines and has been used effectively in Europe for ... | |
| alternate toothpaste from aluminum laced stuff? | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: can you tell me what alternatives there are to aluminum laced brands like colgate or crest? I ... A: The health food store and some pharmacies sell a herbal source toothpaste called Tom's. Give it a ... | |
| hyperthyroid and graves disease | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: (1)25 milligrams of metropolol, and 1 asprin per day my hair is shedding profusely, my eyelids are ... A: Hair loss and acne are related to hormonal imbalance. Once the thyroid function is balanced the ... | |
| Trigeminal neuralgia | 1/4/2011 |
| Q: A good friend of mine was just diagnosed with "Trigeminal neuralgia." Any ideas of supplements that ... A: I do not know of alternative medications/supplements to help relieve the pain associated with ... | |
| kelp for thyroid | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: I am finding nothing but frustration with this whole thyroid stuff. I have been told by four doctors ... A: It is possible that there are variations between labs. Did you go to the same lab both times? As for ... | |
| Treatments for thinning hair | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: Do you by any chance provide information on how to treat thinning hair? Julian A: There are many reasons why a person's hair may be thinning. One reason is low thyroid hormone. Male ... | |
| kelp for thyroid | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: I am finding nothing but frustration with this whole thyroid stuff. I have been told by four doctors ... A: An elevated TSH means that your pituitary gland detects low levels of thyroid hormone and instructs ... | |
| Prescription Medicines/Herbs - Interactions? | 12/5/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering if Fo-Ti root, Horsetail, Stinging Nettle, Oregon Grape, Burdock, Red Clover, Citrus ... A: No one is going to be able to give you definite answer regarding drug interactions with herbal ... | |
| Lyrica and Neuropathic pain | 12/4/2010 |
| Q: I'm writing as a response to your comment on Lyrica. My daughter now 12 was diagnosed with RSD ... A: Depending on where the pain is, one can have topical creams and ointments compounded with ... | |
| medicine interactions | 10/24/2010 |
| Q: i recently went to a doctor i dont normally see and he didnt ask for an updated med list from me or ... A: It is a good idea to stay off lisinopril if are trying to get pregnant. Atenolol can lower blood ... | |
| magnesium | 10/21/2010 |
| Q: I am looking for something that will help an active senior such as myself recover quicker from minor ... A: I do not recommend running for anyone. There is nothing that would speed up repetitive injury other ... | |
| Safe Hemorrhoid Products? | 10/15/2010 |
| Q: Can you recommend a safer alternative to Preparation-H ointment and suppositories for someone with ... A: A safe product to treat hemorrhoids would be Anusol, or Anusol plus if you have a lot of itching ... | |
| borage vs evening primrose? | 10/13/2010 |
| Q: Eric I started taking borage oil and it actually has helped with fat loss in those hard to lose fat ... A: You can try evening primrose oil, but I would stick with what is proven to be effective. In your ... | |
| c | 8/18/2010 |
| Q: I have tried low calorie diets for months, running, every supplement in the store to try to lose ... A: CoQ10 is not promoted, nor known to help with weight loss. It is more likely your exercise and low ... | |
| Infection in the body | 7/6/2010 |
| Q: Eric, I've been taking an antibiotic eye drop for an infection in my eye (lots of sleep coming out ... A: The most proper way to deal with this infection is to do a culture of the exudate to see what ... | |
| natural herbs for anxiety/worry; bottled water | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: 2 questions please: #1 I recently began taking something called “HTP Calm” by Natural Balance ... A: The ingredients in your HTP Calm affect serotonin just the same as traditional SSRI's such as ... | |
| hypertension | 4/24/2010 |
| Q: can you give me some idea as to how to deal with hypertension on a budget? ( or is there no such ... A: limiting salt intake , smoking cessation, limiting alcohol intake and weight loss can go a long way ... | |
| acid reflux | 4/13/2010 |
| Q: have recently been experiencing some symptoms of acid reflux. Have been taking Norvasc/hctz for ... A: If the reflux is constant or on a daily basis you need to be assessed to rule out an underlying ... | |
| Cortisol? | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: Eric I am a 51 year old guy struggling with mainly abdominal obesity and bloating. I have determined ... A: I work out daily on an elliptical trainer 30 minutes per day. I lost 22 pounds in 4 months and waist ... | |
| Treatment for Dry Skin | 3/9/2010 |
| Q: I really want a herb or supplement that would work on my dry skin. I already take Omega 3's and my ... A: I am not aware of any internal supplements that will guarantee cure for dry skin. Zinc is known to ... | |
| Dilutions of 1:3000 Pepsin | 2/9/2010 |
| Q: I am a student trying to conduct a science fair experiment. I bought a bottle of 1:3000 25g of ... A: I assume you need 0.1 mg/mL final concentration. For 100 mL you will need 10 mg pepsin. Can you now ... | |
| Dilutions of 1:3000 Pepsin | 2/7/2010 |
| Q: I am a student trying to conduct a science fair experiment. I bought a bottle of 1:3000 25g of ... A: You do knot have enough to make this solution. You are trying to make a concentrated solution using ... | |
| Arthritus | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: do you know of a powerful (long lasting) internal remedy to take for cronic arthritus? A: There is no cure for arthritis. We manage the pain and try to slow down the progression of the ... | |
| Vitamin B | 1/22/2010 |
| Q: I recently discovered that I am gluten intolerant, as eating gluten free has helped with my bloating ... A: I would suggest an all around vitamin B supplement such as B-Cmplex 50 which is higher in vitamin B ... | |
| diabetic | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: I have now lost my health insurance and can't afford to buy my medicine how do I safely wean myself ... A: You do not wean yourself off medications that control your diabetes. The complications that will ... | |
| Herbal interactions with other herbs | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I have been taking a Shaklee supplement called Nutriferon and have done fine with it. It has a ... A: Herbal supplement are not systematically studied as to their interactions in the same way that ... | |
| Grave's disease - enlarged thyroid | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: When I was 21 I had a partial thyroidectomy. For several years I did not have to take any thyroid ... A: I too would be having a lot of thought about removing an entire organ. Once it is gone you can not ... | |
| Hypothyroidism | 1/7/2010 |
| Q: I have been on medicine for hypothyroidism for going on 10 years. I have been trying to lose my ... A: Watching calories and exercise is the only way to weight loss. The calories must not be from white ... | |
| Hip surgery & T.E.D. Hose | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I take care of my mom. She had a hip surgery after falling and fracturing her hip. Her hip is ... A: TED stocking will help the circulation if your mother is not as mobile as she should be. Stating in ... | |
| sub clinical thyroid | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: I have recently seen an endocrinologist for my symptoms of chronic fatigue, constipation, ... A: There is no sure treatment until the cause is found. Tiredness can be caused by low thyroid ... | |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: My sister in law is 21 years old and has RA. She is on hydroxychloroquine and diclofenac and ... A: I have no information on bee venom therapy. As to the pain issue, if it is ongoing your sister needs ... | |
| Omeprazole | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: I have been on omeprazole for acid reflux for about 3 years, I also have Erectile dysfunction which ... A: I have dispensed omeprazole for over 20 years to hundreds of patients. Not a single one complained ... | |
| Thyroid removal and problems | 9/17/2009 |
| Q: .after having my thyroid gland surgically removed{2006 and now we are in 2009)..I have never felt ... A: I am not familiar with Naturethroid. It is not a product available here in Canada. In general ... | |
| Thyroid and Lichen Planus | 9/14/2009 |
| Q: My mother suffers from an underactive thyroid and is taking thyroxine tablets on a daily basis. ... A: I do not have a treatment for lichen planus of the mouth. Avoiding tobacco and alcohol can help ease ... | |
| auto immune problems | 9/2/2009 |
| Q: my daughter is 20 years old and other than this problem i am asking about has been in relitivly good ... A: It is impossible to make a recommendation to treat an unknown condition. It would be helpful to have ... | |
| Percocet from mexico | 8/26/2009 |
| Q: My grandmother just got back from mexico and she says that she bought some percocete 500mg from ... A: I have never heard of Percocet in this dose. This is 10 times stronger than what is available here. ... | |
| Birth control | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: If a female is on birth control (oral contraceptive),and she has preexisting reoccurring problems ... A: Herbal medications are not systematically studied for interactions with regular medications. What we ... | |
| Alternative Medicine | 8/6/2009 |
| Q: I have been diagnosed with a Hiatal Hernia- they put me on 40 mgs of Pariet (20am 20pm). I've sinced ... A: There is not an alternative as potent as the PPI's to reduce acid production by the stomach. You can ... | |
| Thyroid issues | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: I am 28 yo female. I had my thyroid out 10 years ago due to nodules on it and being hypo. Was on ... A: It can take up to 3 months to build up the thyroid hormone level. It is too soon to assess, but you ... | |
| lateral left lesion, tongue | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: eric. after 3 biopsies over 3 years, i have been given a diagnosis of oral lichen ... A: Dental work used today is pretty inert. I have not heard of reactions to it. You may have OLP which ... | |
| R there any medicine to increase height | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: M age 24, height 5.3, r there any medicines to increase my height,if so please forward me the ... A: There are no medications that I am aware of that can be used in a person your age to increase ... | |
| spots | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: I have brown spots on my face and outer part of my arms.they get darker with the sun.how do i get ... A: Are you taking any medications that may cause your skin to tan unevenly or cause these spots? Dark ... | |
| cholesterol | 7/4/2009 |
| Q: I am a 55 year old women, been very active all my life, 125 lbs, no health issues except ... A: Niacin which is one of the B vitamins is known to reduce cholesterol. You need quite a high dose, ... | |
| Magnesium/Calcium | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: Eric I have been researching magnesium. I dont know if I am deficient, but I have never eaten much ... A: I am not a proponent of automatically adding magnesium supplemeny when a person is on calcium ... | |
| Vitamins | 6/15/2009 |
| Q: I am being treated by a Dr. for Bell's Palsy. I recently started taking certain vitamins for help ... A: Prednisone is a wonderful drug for the short term treatment. When taking it you should also ... | |
| Do i have Als? | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: i am an athletic 15 year old, about 5 days ago i noticed that my left thigh started to twitch, this ... A: You are not likely to have ALS. Of course no one can diagnose that over the internet. I propose that ... | |
| Red Rice Yeast and Gugulipid - Cholesterol | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: Brandt. I recently had Cholesterol testing done and found that my cholesterol had gone up since my ... A: There are well controlled studies involving food supplements from health food stores and traditional ... | |
| prescription medication | 5/12/2009 |
| Q: I am a diabetic, I have been taking 40mg of Lisinopril for 2 and a half years for mildly high blood ... A: Diltiazem is a common drug used to lower blood pressure. It acts by relaxing the muscles that line ... | |
| herbs to help kidney function | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: my father is today 81 years old and is being told that his kidneys are nowdadays not functioning as ... A: Kidney damage is not reversible. Does your father take any medications for other conditions? You can ... | |
| ear wax | 5/9/2009 |
| Q: Eric, Can you suggest the best/safest over-the-counter remedy for ear wax build up or a good one to ... A: Ear wax can be softened for ease of removal with a few drops of minerla oil or olive oil in the ear ... | |
| diet pills | 4/30/2009 |
| Q: I started taking relacore (a diet pill) directions say 1 pill 3xs a day after the second pill I ... A: I do not know the specific contents of this diet pill. Vitamin B often colors urine bright yellow. ... | |
| medicine | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a website on bipolar disorder. I want to include a section on alternative treatment/holistic ... A: A few comments about your website. There are several grammatical errors in the first page of your ... | |
| medicine | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a website on bipolar disorder. I want to include a section on alternative treatment/holistic ... A: I do not have information on alternative/holistic treatment for bipolar disorder but I am willing to ... | |
| irregular heartbeat | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: I have been plaqued by PACs for 10 years. I have been on atenolol and toprol but to no avail. EP put ... A: Irregular heart beat is a serious condition that if goes uncontrolled could lead to storkes, heart ... | |
| internal gas moving and fluctuating | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: For the last week, I have experienced horrific gas pain than comes and goes and moves around ... A: The Nexium wold help within 2 or 3 days if it is going to help at all. Are you able to pass gas? Is ... | |
| Alternatives to perscription drugs | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: I am desperate and I hope that you can help. Like many Americans, I have found myself unemployed ... A: Lyrica works for nerve pain and sometimes topical capsaicin can help that depending on the location ... | |
| Herbal replacement possible? | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: I take so many medications I'm worried its doing me more harm then good. Can you give me and herbal ... A: This is not a simple task. I can give a few suggestions but you should see a naturopathic physician ... | |
| Calcium lump | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: This question is going to pertain to a horse, as I cannot seem to find a vet who can recommend ... A: I do not know much about veterinary medicine but here are my thoughts if you can extrapolate from ... | |
| tri-sprintec | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: My daughter had non stop bleeding since beginning her periods two years ago.She is on tri-sprintec ... A: There is no evidence that oral contraceptives interfere with the absorption of nutrients or deplete ... | |
| vitamins and other non perscripton drugs | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: To Whom It May Concern: I've recently visited my home in the States and brought back with me with ... A: Use the 5-htp and melatonin when you can not sleep. Use the echinacea at the first sign of a cold. ... | |
| bv treatment CLEOCIN | 1/10/2009 |
| Q: i am 12 weeks pregnant and i have just found out i have bv. my doctor prescribed CLEOCIN ovules for ... A: There are no adequate studies of clindamycin in pregnant women. Animal studies are not always ... | |
| parasites or candida? | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: To start off, I'm male, 16. My stomach has been bothering me for about a year now... I decided to ... A: I do not know much about black alnut husk. The decription you give regarding you stomach ache and ... | |
| Pine bark // pycnogenol | 1/6/2009 |
| Q: I read an article and wondered if it is as good as they say. I am a class 2 diabetic for just over a ... A: I too have read that Pycnogenol can lower blod glucose in type 2 diabetics. I am not sure how ... | |
| natural hormones excessive underarm odor | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: I am in menopause and am on natural progesterone twice daily and testosterone and estriol. ( ... A: It is very likely that hormonal changes are responsible for the underarm odor assuming you are ... | |
| Cholesterol Test | 12/4/2008 |
| Q: I had a Cholesterol Test and this is the results:Chol:225, Trig:143, DHDL:50, VLDL:29, LDL/HDL ... A: The optimal ldl:hdl ratio is 1.7:1 Diet ans exercise can bring down your ratio. Also niacin ... | |
| Effects of alcohol on my body | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: . I am a 27 year old 130lb female. When i consume 1 alcoholic beverage even a wine cooler, my arm, ... A: Sorry I am not able to explain to you why you are experiencing these effects after consuming ... | |
| natural antibacterial | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: My son had a stool test recently that showed him to be high in several bacterias. It was suggested ... A: I do not know of any natural alternatives to antibiotics when antibiotics are warranted. An ... | |
| orthostatic tremors | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: Do you know of an alternative medication that would help these standing tremors? The doctors put ... A: Considering what your doctor prescribed I assume he/she thinks you have what is called essential ... | |
| xanax | 10/29/2008 |
| Q: about 2 weeks ago my friend gave me about 32 xanax 1ml pills (so called footballs)ive been anxious ... A: You can start weaning off by reducing the dose by half for a few days, then by half again until off ... | |
| Gastritis or...? Natural treatment? | 9/5/2008 |
| Q: Last night, I had a sudden horrible pain in my stomach. I was also constipated before this ... A: It sounds to me you have food poisoning. It usually last only 24 HRS. Two tablets of Imodium ... | |
| Neuropathy | 9/3/2008 |
| Q: I have been diagnosed with Neuropathy in my right hand due to a broken wrist from a fall 4 years ... A: This is a reasonable combination that can help this type of pain. Have ou tried any topical ... | |
| Hyperydrosis? | 9/1/2008 |
| Q: This kind of diagnostic question may not be what you are usually asked, but I see that you have ... A: I do not know of a lab test that would help determine the cause of the hyperhydrosis. If you think ... | |
| hypothyroid and carbs | 7/28/2008 |
| Q: Eric My doctor recently put me on a low dose of synthroid as I had all the symptoms although the ... A: Low thyroid function can result in being overweight. HOwever thyrois supplementation can not alone ... | |
| acid reflux | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: In a period of 3 months I dropped in weight from 180lbs to 125 lbs without dieting. My stomach hurt ... A: I think you need to go back to your doctor to diagnose the cause. It may be Helicobacter pylori ... | |
| ashwagandha | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: Eric Have you heard of this herb? It is supposed to be a wonder herb and also help stimulate the ... A: Sorry, I do not know this herb. Thyroid medications are not recommended for weight loss. In addition ... | |
| Diabetes and low body temp | 5/27/2008 |
| Q: I have diabetes which I treat with diet and exercise. A1C is usually between 6 and 6.5 (US ... A: I am still not coming up with any great ideas. Do you know what your body mass index is? Working out ... | |
| familial tremor | 5/23/2008 |
| Q: My doctor diagnosed me with familial or essentil tremors which are very frustrating for me. The ... A: My advice is to try the medications. Start at low dose and titrate until side effects or ... | |
| acid reflux | 5/18/2008 |
| Q: do you have alternatives to medication for this prblem, foods herbs A: reflux can be controlled by anti reflux diet depending on the severity of the reflux. A dietician is ... | |
| tremors | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: i dont know where to start but ill try. ok my hands are trembling when its at rest, also my thighs ... A: You may have what is known as essential temor. You need to see a doctor to rule out Parkinson's ... | |
| Hairloss and depression | 4/15/2008 |
| Q: One year and 2 months ago, I had an abortion. Although this is against everything i believe in, I ... A: Hair loss can be caused by hormonal changes and by low thyroid function. I am sorry you had to go ... | |
| Boost | 4/5/2008 |
| Q: I asked you about HGH a few weeks back. I followed your advice and got myself a treadmill,and since ... A: A word of advice about running. Run only eery other day. Your body and muscles need a recovery ... | |
| Always Cold | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: I imagine you need to know a little bit about me to answer this question. First I am 5'5" and weigh ... A: There are medications to improive circulation if the poor circulation causes ulcerations or cold ... | |
| Always Cold | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: I imagine you need to know a little bit about me to answer this question. First I am 5'5" and weigh ... A: There are 3 main reasons why a person would feel cold. Poor blood circulation, anemia, low thyroid ... | |
| Over-the-counter medication | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: Is there a law or policy that states how many purchases an individual can make on certain ... A: There is no specific law restricting the amount that can be purchased. The standard of practice for ... | |
| diabetes | 2/28/2008 |
| Q: I've just been told that my sugar was very high, I've been put on metformin, the dr. told me his way ... A: One way to avoid or lessen the need for medication for adult onset diabetes is losing weight and ... | |
| Birth Control Pills | 2/19/2008 |
| Q: I am 38 years old and recently stopped taking birth control pills after 24 years. I am finding that ... A: For 24 years you were on oral contraceptives. During his time you chemically controlled the hormonal ... | |
| DOPAMINE | 2/16/2008 |
| Q: ,my father was recently diagnosed with parkinson disease,,,reading alittle about it I was wondering ... A: Dopamine is naturally released in our body. I am not aware of any natural product that will ... | |
| Neuropathy | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: What are the brand names for gabapentin, amitriptyline and carbamazepine? Also, do they stop the ... A: At the current time we can only manage symptoms of neruropathy. If the neuropathy has a known cause, ... | |
| HGH? | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: Eric,My hero ;-) Sly Stallone reccommends older guys like myself(50) should take this. I would never ... A: Hu Bud, there is no miracle substance that will put muscle and get rid of flab. There is no ... | |
| energy | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: Eric I am in good health at 49,jusy passed a physical,and I try to eat healthy,no alcohol,not much ... A: In Alaska at this time of year you may suffer from lack of sunshine. We do here in southern British ... | |
| dopamine | 1/20/2008 |
| Q: I am female, 31 and have suffered for about 10 years from chronic mental tiredness and 'brain fog' ... A: The only way I know to increase dopamine in the brain is with the use of antiparkinsonian drugs ... | |
| Neuropathy | 1/19/2008 |
| Q: What are the brand names for gabapentin, amitriptyline and carbamazepine? Also, do they stop the ... A: The brand name for gabapentin is Neurontin. The brand name for amitriptyline is Elavil. The brand ... | |
| Side Effects from Rhinocort | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: Is it possible that is causes an increase in blood pressure? I am on medication to control ... A: The amount of steroid absorbed from intranasal administration is extensively and rapidly metabolized ... | |
| multivitamins | 1/17/2008 |
| Q: hey im a 17 year old junior in high school. i try to eat well but fear that im not gettin enough ... A: Taking multiple viatamins daily is a good idea. If you eat well you would not need to take 2 tablets ... | |
| Flintstone Vitamin for 87 yr old | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: I took my Grandma to the Doctor yesterday and she explained to her that she is unable to drink ... A: I thjnk that the doctor's suggestion is good. Vitamin supplementation is appropriate for someone who ... | |
| fucoxanthin? | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: Have you heard of this to help weight loss? Since september I have reduced my calories to 1500 a day ... A: Congratulations on the lifestyle modifications. Without a doubt the exercise and reduced carbs will ... | |
| Hypertension - Diagnosis? | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: I am in early 20s and mother of a 6 month old. My gynecologist said the surgery has to take place ... A: Hypertension often has no symptoms. This is why it is called the sdilent killer. Your GP can ... | |
| Combining herbal medicines. | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: I am currently taking ramipril and amlodipine for hypertension. I am thinking of taking on top of ... A: There is not adequate studies or information regarding the use of herbal medications along with ... | |
| raw thyroid glandular supplement | 8/25/2007 |
| Q: Although my tests come back OK,I am convinced I am borderline hypothyroid. I have most of the ... A: I have not heard of this product. Sorry I can not help you with it. I recommend consulting with a ... | |
| Medicine chapped lip | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: I am taking chemo for multiple myleoma and my lips continue to be dry and cracking, I was told that ... A: I do not know of this product either. I suggest trying Vaseline to lips to keep them moist or other ... | |
| capsules vs. tinctures | 6/28/2007 |
| Q: I have noticed that some supplements come in capsule and tincture form. Which is most effective? I ... A: Theoretically supplement in tincture are already dissolved and may be more readily absorbed. ... | |
| Pantothenic Acid And Pantethine | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: I started taking Pantothenic Acid And Pantethine having read that they are good for energy, ... A: I do not have an answer why you reacted the way you did to the pantothenic acid and pantethine. I ... | |
| throat noises | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I'm 18 years old and this all started about 2 and a half years ago. After eating or drinking liquids ... A: I think you may be eating/drinking too fast and swallowing too much air in the process. I think you ... | |
| STREPP THROAT | 4/10/2007 |
| Q: Does strep throat create nausea and dizziness to the point of falling A: These are the typical symptoms of strep throat. Symptoms appear suddenly and include sore throat, ... | |
| Chapped Lips | 3/5/2007 |
| Q: What can I do to keep my lips from getting chapped and not let it happen WITHOUT chapstick or a ... A: Chapped lips are caused by environmental conditions over which we have no control. Dry cold air will ... | |
| supplements | 1/31/2007 |
| Q: Can I take your time for a minute.. ? Unfortunatly I have a joint problem, the knee. The doctor said ... A: These supplements are not instant cures. They may help over a perio of time. Absorption is not ... | |
| fish oil supplements | 1/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a 3 year old son who has a speech delay. I have been giving him Nordic Naturals Omega 3,6,9 ... A: I have not heard of anyone overdosing on Vitamin E. It is fat soluble and can accumulate in fat ... | |
| Coral Calcium and other meds | 1/2/2007 |
| Q: Here is a list of the meds my husband takes with the coral calcium: Diovan HCT, Lipitor, Tricor, ... A: Caclcium can interfere with the absorption of some medications. However it does not interfere with ... | |
| constant urinanation | 12/24/2006 |
| Q: IT'S CALLED glipizide tab 5mgHi, not exactly sure which type of diabetes but as I mentioned before ... A: Glipizide stimulates te pancreas to secrete more insulin and it also helps the body use the insulin ... | |
| constant urinanation | 12/21/2006 |
| Q: I mistakenly said pressure pill when it was the half insulin pill the doctor prescribed. She hasn't ... A: Can you tell me what type of diabetes your mother has? Freque nt urination could mean that her ... | |
| constant urinanation | 12/21/2006 |
| Q: about 3 months ago my mom had panaceas surgery, she was recovering very well, until she went back ... A: Can you tell what blood pressure medication your mother is taking? If it is diuretic then it is ... | |
| ponaris oil | 12/7/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me if using ponaris oil (nasal emollient) during pregnancy is ... A: Ponaris oil containd eucaliptus oil which is not recommended to be used by pregnant mothers. Here is ... | |
| Rhinocort Aqua vs Ponaris | 11/9/2006 |
| Q: My 4 year old son suffers from severe allergies. He is currently taking Rhinocort aqua and Singulair ... A: An allergic reaction often triggers an inflamtory response to the allergen. Rhinocort is a potent ... | |
| blindness | 10/18/2006 |
| Q: my motherinlw is going blind. she is 77yrs. they say it is a desise in the eye stating with a m word ... A: The condition you refer to is likely macular degeneration. As far as I know there is no cure. There ... | |
| LGS,THYROID NODULE and more | 10/14/2006 |
| Q: Further ultrasound(since my first email) revealed that size of nodule has not changed,but picked up ... A: Souns as though the nodules are benign and of little consequence at this time. They might warrant ... | |
| LGS,THYROID NODULE and more | 10/7/2006 |
| Q: I have just received back my results from an intestinal permeability test and are as follows:- ... A: I do not have the expertise to interpret your gut permeability results. I would suggest to go along ... | |
| Synvisc alternative | 9/30/2006 |
| Q: I am against animal testing in all forms so when I read that Synvisc which I had for degenerative ... A: Synvisc is not availablr in synthetic form for knee injection. The alternative is to take oral ... | |
| low energy | 9/16/2006 |
| Q: Eric I am 48.I suffer from low energy and an inability to lose weight. I try to eat healthy and not ... A: Are you overworked at your job? Are you working too many hours? Shift work can also lower your ... | |
| Calcium Citrate | 9/15/2006 |
| Q: From where is the citrate part of this formulation derived? Is it from natural sources, or can it ... A: I do not know where the citrate in calcium citrate comes from. There are different brands and the ... | |
| Liver | 8/13/2006 |
| Q: Eric I am 48.Although I am a heavy drinker,I dont eat much and exercise a lot. I cant lose the big ... A: Years of heacy drinking may have damaged your liver. We can measure liver function with a simple ... | |
| hypertension- and imergency control | 8/13/2006 |
| Q: pl intimate natural medicines and herbs, food for mild hypertension..age 46 weight 98 kg..also guide ... A: There are no alternaives to traditional medicine when it comes to managing chronic or acute ... | |
| Not able to sleep! | 7/25/2006 |
| Q: I have a question. I have a really hard time sleeping at night, we have a lot of stuff going on in ... A: Tylenol PM ontains 2 ingredients; acetaminophen whic is a pain reliver and diphenhydramine which is ... | |
| Depression and anxiety | 7/9/2006 |
| Q: I did discuss it with my doctor and she said I could just stop taking the Lexapro and start right ... A: You can follow your doctor's advice. You are basically replacing one SSRI with a less potent one ... | |
| Depression and anxiety | 7/8/2006 |
| Q: What about B complex? Can that be taken along with Lexapro and Klonopin. I want to stop taking ... A: B-Complex is ok to take with your current medications. As for stopping the prescription meds, you ... | |
| Depression and anxiety | 7/6/2006 |
| Q: I have heard that St jonh's Root is good for depression. I have a chemical balance due to the ... A: You should not be takin St. Johns wort while you are taking Lexapro. The two drugs have similar ... | |
| Depression | 6/28/2006 |
| Q: I am attached to my PC, and I seem to be wasting my summer away not getting any exercise. I'm often ... A: Computers will take up as much of your time as you will allow them. Unplug it and join a health club ... | |
| joint pain | 6/25/2006 |
| Q: I am a 17 year old guy with chronic joint pain. My back, neck, wrist, anckles, knees, fingers, and ... A: I empathise with ou totally. I have an 18 year old, soon to be 19 who suffers with chronic pain od ... | |
| missed periods | 6/22/2006 |
| Q: im Niki mother of a 7year old daughter. After my 1st delivery i've put on loads of weight. The diet ... A: You first need to check to see if you are pregnant. If ou are, then this is not the time to go on s ... | |
| common warts | 6/12/2006 |
| Q: I have treated my common warts with OTC products, & now I see a cluster of black dots after the ... A: The three dots may be the roots of the warts. Not seeing the area it is impossible to make a ... | |
| need ot ask | 6/9/2006 |
| Q: hyperhydrosis ( sweating of hands & feets) prostate inflation smoking wish to hear from you ... A: There are few tratmentd for hyperhydrosis. You can get a compounding pharmacy to compound an ... | |
| 3 | 5/12/2006 |
| Q: How long will tinctures typically keep for? Do you believe http://www.peacefulmind.com/herbs.htm ... A: The shelf life of tinctures depends on the process and the stability of the active ingredient. The ... | |
| blepharitis | 5/3/2006 |
| Q: What may cure blepharitis? A: Blepharitis can be caused by bacteria. This type of blepharitis can be treated by antibiotics such ... | |
| lemon juice harm benefit..loss of sperm? | 4/30/2006 |
| Q: sir, one lemon juice with one glass water 2 or 3 times will be useful or any way harmful for male ... A: I have no knowledge about the effect of lemon juice when taken internally on the male or female ... | |
| Hypertension,diabetes,arthritis | 3/17/2006 |
| Q: I am 62 years non(smoker&drinker)man.No fish & chiken.My height is 5-4 inches & weight 134lbs.I have ... A: The data you provided did not come through in a readable format. Please send me an e-mail with the ... | |
| Alternative Supplement Brands | 3/16/2006 |
| Q: Is there much difference between the different supplemental brands on the market? There's such a big ... A: The big name brands would cost more due to higher advertising costs. Here in Canada they are ... | |
| Hormonal Imbalance | 3/16/2006 |
| Q: My problem is this, i am 28, fit, very active person who has maintained a weight of around 130lbs ... A: This is an unusual response to coming off the pill. Usually taking oral contraceptives results in ... | |
| question about calms forte | 2/16/2006 |
| Q: . I have a lot of trouble sleeping, and I am tired of taking prescription sleep aids and want to try ... A: I do not have personal experience with Calms Forte but I know people who have used it occasionally. ... | |
| diabetic | 1/8/2006 |
| Q: I am 26 yr old female from NJ and was diagnosed with diabetes in 2004. I am really trying my best ... A: To my knowledge there are no non-prescription, herbal, alternative medications which are as ... | |
| Treatment for acid reflux | 11/24/2005 |
| Q: I suffered from fairly severe acid reflux and indigestion. I have been taking 30mg of Prevacid as ... A: Chronic acid reflux requires chronic treatment. I do not have experience with apple cider vinegar. I ... | |
| frequent travel supplements/workaholism | 9/15/2005 |
| Q: Cheerio from London! I have taken nearly a year off from work to do some traveling and generally ... A: If you are going to abuse your body in this way, no supplement can reverse it. Work out a less ... | |
| ------------------------- ... | 8/10/2005 |
| Q: ------------------------- i think in USA its called "passion flower" if that helps? Followup ... A: Passion flower has sedative properties which explains why it makes you sleepy. The foggy eyes may be ... | |
| emergency in BP | 6/12/2005 |
| Q: pl inform immediate effective measures in emergency of hypertension who is not taking any medicines A: Treatment for acute hypertension depends on the severity of the condition and predisposing factors. ... | |
| occ. Blood pressure rise due to eating mistake | 6/11/2005 |
| Q: sir , what can be done immediately for the patient who has not regular bloodpressure but ... A: I am not aware of any foods/natural products that can lower blood pressure in an emergency ... | |
| Excessive Night Sweats | 6/6/2005 |
| Q: My Robert has night sweats so bad that the sheets need to be changed at night. Could you give some ... A: I do not know of a herb to solve this problem. It may be related to hormones. There has been a lot ... | |
| bump over eyelid | 5/28/2005 |
| Q: I have had the same problem for months... i have a bump on my eyelid and i have gone to an eye ... A: Sounds like your doctor thinks the bump is infected. The antibiotic is a good choice. Sometimes ... | |
| Hypertension | 5/9/2005 |
| Q: I am 55 year-old post menopausal female in good health. I have not very well controlled blood ... A: By your own admission you are overweight. A good place to start is to work on reducing your weight. ... | |
| Betaine HCL supplements | 5/6/2005 |
| Q: Do you know what the following terminology mean in betaine products? What's the difference between ... A: MF means national formulary. This a standard that the product abides by. 1:3000 and 1:10000 are ... | |
| Supplements that cause gastric distress | 4/7/2005 |
| Q: I am currently taking Prevacid after developing heartburn and stomach pain following taking Fosamax. ... A: Anything you put in your stomach can possibly cause gastric irritation and pain. I do not have any ... | |
| Kelp? | 3/17/2005 |
| Q: I am male,46,30 lbs.overweight.Although the tests came back Ok,I still suspect I have a sluggish ... A: You can find out if your thyroid is functioning properly with a simple blood test. It is called a ... | |
| children | 2/2/2005 |
| Q: I have a 2 1/2 year old couison, Luke. So sweet, but hyper and hands on. He's a hand ful, but in my ... A: I am not in a position to diagnose Luke, and neither are his parents. If they think he has a problem ... | |
| Antibiotics | 1/26/2005 |
| Q: I am wondering if people really need antibiotics for things like ear infections, sinus infections, ... A: In some instances the body can take care of these infections. However, depending on the severity of ... | |
| medicinal herbs. | 1/17/2005 |
| Q: Are there any herbs I can use to treat my condition of atrial fibralation that would take the place ... A: The is no substitute for regular medication for atrial fibrilation. Medication is predictable and ... | |
| calcium deposit in bones | 1/10/2005 |
| Q: Hi Subject:--Calcium deposit in bones I am 61 years old man.I have very high blood ... A: Most people need calcium to build bones. I do not quite understand why you want to remove calcium ... | |
| use of sildenafil 12.5mg twice in week | 1/9/2005 |
| Q: sir, whether use of sildenafil has any long term non-reversible side effect? any alternative natural ... A: I have not heard of long term adverse effects associated with using Sildenafil regularly twice ... | |
| Ibuprofin | 1/7/2005 |
| Q: I am concerned about stomach bleeding assosciated with the long term use of nsaids. Would ... A: I am not sure about the effectiveness of licorice in this case. I konw antacids and acid blocking ... | |
| Gluten sensitivity | 1/3/2005 |
| Q: I recently discoverd I had this(I am a 45 year old male) It explains my slow metabolism and ... A: Gluten free diet is the only treatment to avoid the symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity ... | |
| STREP THROAT | 12/13/2004 |
| Q: I HAVE A MILD CASE OF STREP THROAT, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT I CAN TAKE TO EASE THE PAIN WHEN I SWALLOW. ... A: You can gargel with Aspirin dissolved in water. It is a good anti-inflammatory to relieve the ... | |
| What can you tell me about... | 11/28/2004 |
| Q: What can you tell me about "Tahitian Noni"? Does it relieve many physical problems, such as ... A: Here is a n abstract from the medical literture. Cancer preventive effect of Morinda citrifolia ... | |
| throat problem | 11/24/2004 |
| Q: For more than a month now i have had trouble breathing, I find my self really gasping for air ... A: What you describe certainly fits in the pattern of GERD. Acid from your stomach enters the esophagus ... | |
| herb for diabetes | 11/22/2004 |
| Q: pl suggest whether any herb which can cure diabetes and improve beta cell function A: There are no herbs that can cure diabetes. The mineral chromium is said to help this condition. ... | |
| alternative medicine | 11/20/2004 |
| Q: I'm an extemely healthy and active 71 year old, hiking and swimming and professional artist. I'm ... A: I do not know of a "natural" diuretic that would as effective as hydrochlorothiazide. As for an ... | |
| Stroke? | 10/29/2004 |
| Q: I have a TMJ problem and sinus problem. Sometimes my face feels funny, my mouth feels tight and ... A: What you are describing fits more with symptoms of TMJ than with strokes. You need to see a doctor ... | |
| herb question | 10/7/2004 |
| Q: Hey Mr Brandt Past 2 days went to GNC Nutrition store and started taking sum nourishing multi ... A: Multivitamins may make your hair healthier but I doubt it will promote new hair grwoth or thicken ... | |
| Avelox | 10/4/2004 |
| Q: I wanted to know if the drug Avelox will help with a tooth infection? Thanks Frank A: Avelox is used for treating respiratory tract infections. It is not usually used for treating tooth ... | |
| Supplementation to alleviate extreme fatigue | 8/22/2004 |
| Q: I have been experiencing extreme fatigue since last fall. At that time, my doctor checked my ... A: Bee Pollen and Royal Jelly are generally safe. L-Tyrosine is not related to thyroid function. Your ... | |
| Hair Loss | 8/22/2004 |
| Q: I'm experiencing some hair loss and the actual strands of hair have become thinner and I'm thinking ... A: Estrogen changes such as occur around menopause can affect hair growth pattern. Also changes in ... | |
| perioral dermititis | 5/14/2004 |
| Q: I have been aggravated by red bumps/rashes around nasal openings, mouth, outer corners of eyes and ... A: There are no "natural" alternatives to tetracyline. Tetracycline is used to treat rosacea which is ... | |
| Nutritional Supplement | 5/2/2004 |
| Q: I was recomended by a someone to start taking Red Yeast Rice/Gugulipid to lower cholesterol. Is ... A: Red Yeast Rice and Gugulipid are two separate ingredients. Both have shown to be beneficial in ... | |
| health question | 3/30/2004 |
| Q: Is a raw diet with no animal products a good way to go ? What causes the plaque build up in the ... A: The risk factorsa for plaque deposits in blood vessels include: smoking, high fat diet, diabetes, ... | |
| The use of Iscador by Suzanne Somers | 3/19/2004 |
| Q: Suzanne Sommers used a herb called "Iscador" to build up her immune system when she was diagnosed ... A: Iscador comes from misletoe. Thank you for using Allexperts Please subscribe to my free newsletter ... | |
| PREMARIN | 3/10/2004 |
| Q: I had my yearly checkup and all has been good for 78 years and this past check up my liver count was ... A: Taking estrogens such as Premarin can affect liver function tests. The Laboratory should have been ... | |
| neuropathy | 12/29/2003 |
| Q: is there anything that will help this ,thanks A: There are medications that can help with the pain/abnormal sensations associated with neuropathy. ... | |
| neuropathy | 12/21/2003 |
| Q: i Have been told by my Dr. that I have neuropathy in the balls of both feet , would elavil help ... A: Neuropathy is a term used to describe abnormal sensations usually caused by damages nerve cells. ... | |
| Can you help? | 12/1/2003 |
| Q: Eric I am a 45 year old male.My doctor has run lots of tests and says I am fine,but he cant help ... A: There are ports that both Wellbutrin and Ginkgo may lower the seizure threshhold. The combination ... | |
Alternative Medicine
Answers by Expert:
- Eric Reiki Master/Teacher
- Suzanne Rose Lubkowski
- Milan Mehta
- Dr. Thomas M.Walter, M.D.
- Jayne Boyle
- Imran R.
- José Manuel Cruz
- Eric Brandt
- Shashank Shekhar Pandey
- Dorene Petersen
- karen clark stapleton
- Ronda Snow, Ph.D.
- Stephen Cooper
- Holly Bellebuono
- Kindred Beisinger penname K D Elizabeth Beisinger
- Dr. Leo Nollet
- Ask Suz
- Tonja Wells
- Thomas Sabalaske DO
- John Springer
- Sharon Erdrich
- Dr. Noah Edvalson
Eric Brandt
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I will answer questions regarding prescripion and non prescription drugs as well as commonly used mdicinal herbs. I will also answer questions on various medical conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, thyroid problems, diabets, menopause, parkinson`s disease, multiple sclerosis, depression etc.
Experience
I am a practicing hospital pharmacist with 10 years experience in hospital and 10 years retail pharmacy experience prior to that.
I have my own drug information web site at http://www.druginformation.bc.ca
I also publish an online newsletter. Subscription is free. To learn more go to
http://www.topica.com/lists/thecaplet
Publications
Contributed to an article in CNS Drugs. Currently publishing a free monthly nwletter. To learn more go to http://www.topica.com/lists/thecaplet
Education/Credentials
B.Sc. Pharm
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