Q. Up until six months ago I had a successful and satisfying sex life. Now I cannot get a full erection. I don’t understand why I have developed this condition which was never a problem before.
Before I start asking about Viagra or one of the other drugs advertised for this problem, I would like to know what caused it. Any ideas?
A. First, ask your doctor to rule out any medications that might cause erectile dysfunction. If no drug is to blame, request a complete medical checkup. Many things, from hormone imbalance to circulatory problems, can contribute to this disorder.
Irwin Goldstein, MD, one of the country’s leading experts on sexual health, has told us that erectile dysfunction can be an early warning symptom of heart disease. Make sure your doctor checks for this possibility.
Q. What are some cures for ringworm? My grandson has it come and go. His mom is using Tinactin. Is there anything else?
A. Ringworm, despite the name, has nothing to do with worms. It is a fungal infection of the skin. It can be caught from infected people or pets.
Drugs used to treat athlete’s foot or jock itch can fight the fungus. The Tinactin (tolnaftate) his mother is using could help. Other antifungal creams or lotions may be even more effective. They include miconazole (Micatin, Monistat), clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex), ketoconazole (Nizoral) or terbinafine (Lamisil). These are to be used twice daily for at least three weeks to discourage recurrence.
Doctors sometimes prescribe oral antifungal medication (terbinafine or itraconazole), one pill daily for a week, in severe cases. Only his doctor can determine the most appropriate treatment. To prevent recurrence, ask whether pets in the home should also be treated.
Q. My wife and I are retired and depend on social security. My monthly check is under $800 and hers isn’t much more.
My wife had breast cancer last year and must take tamoxifen to prevent a recurrence. I am supposed to take Lipitor for my cholesterol, Toprol XL to control my blood pressure and Celebrex for a bad knee. Our combined monthly drug bill is over $300. With rent and utilities there’s not enough to cover all these medicines, so I stopped the Lipitor.
My neighbor buys his drugs from Canada and saves a lot of money. I have read that buying off the Internet could be dangerous. Is it safe to order prescription drugs online from Canada?
A. You are right to be careful about shopping for drugs online. There are scam artists on the Internet who may be selling sub-standard products. But there are also huge savings available from legitimate Canadian pharmacies dispensing quality medicines.
We are sending you our new Guide to Saving Money on Medicine with a checklist and Web sites for licensed Canadian online drugstores. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (no. 10) stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. CA-99, P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. The Web site www.medicineassist.org also has a list.
It is a mistake not to take your cholesterol-lowering medicine. By shopping from Canada, you may afford it. It is illegal to import prescription drugs, but at this time the FDA and Customs are not prosecuting individual senior citizens trying to save money on their medicines.
