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Q: Sharp stabbing pain in the back/top of the head: Hi doc Sawyer, I am from WI, and recently have been diagnosed with something called “occipital neuralgia”. My situation is the following: for about a week I have been experiencing a pain in the back-top part of my head. I don't consider it a headache because it comes and goes quickly, but it is sharp and repetitive. And it is in a specific spot, not a general area and the spot is sensitive to the touch. I have had headaches all of my life, including migraines for the past several years, and now I have this neuralgia. It is entirely different than any headache I have experienced. The pain is just insane, but it may only last briefly, like for 3-10 seconds and then repeats again. My first question is: when I search on the web I find the pain for this diagnosis as being located in the posterior neck region. Mine is right on top of my head on the right side. I do not feel anything in the neck area or at the left side at all. My other question is, will an MRI be able to tell what it is and is this kind of pain common to brain tumor? I don't have any other symptoms other than the spot being sensitive and occasional goose bumps. Thank you for any help and please help! Thanks, A.F. , Wisconsin.

A:  I am not a neurologist, and my advice is if you haven’t seen a neurologist about this problem, you really need to. The fact that there is a single spot that is sensitive to the touch suggests that there is indeed a problem with a nerve. So I agree with the opinion of your GP on occipital neuralgia, rather than a vascular problem. Brain tumor also seems an unlikely possibility, but the MRI should rule this out. It is important that the MRI evaluate your cervical spine in order to rule out nerve root problems there. One cause of chronic headaches that is often overlooked is occipital neuralgia. Occipital neuralgia is characterized by pain at the back of the head combined with point tenderness over the nerve itself. Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache that generally, but not always, begins in the neck and then spreads up through the back of the head, causing throbbing, piercing pain. Often the scalp becomes tender, and sufferers may feel really frightened. The direct cause of any neuralgia is damage and irritation to a portion of the nerve which innervates that spot- occipital nerve (occipital neuralgia) or trigeminal nerve (or trigeminus)- causing trigeminal neuralgia. Many nerves have a protective sheath of cells that prevents them from being irritated by everyday bumps. This sheathing also helps to suppress unwanted firings of the nerve.

Q: Should we request testing for flu? Hello, Doc, My husband has flu but has never been tested. Do you think he needs to be tested and how accurate are these tests? Is there any test that can diagnose whether he has already had  the usual flu or swine flu infection? E.B., MN

A: There are tests for flu virus A (H1N1) that are highly sensitive and do specifically identify H1N1, but these tests may take several days. The CDC does not recommend testing individuals for previous H1N1 infection. They do not recommend testing for A (H1N1) in case of uncomplicated cases either, but only for hospitalized patients with complications as Pneumonia Syndrome. Rapid testing for H1N1 is unavailable and unreliable because it is not sensitive enough to discover all cases of H1N1 and does not distinguish H1N1 from other influenza viruses.

Q: What must be done in case of energy depletion? Dr. Sawyer, 2 years ago I was diagnosed with obesity and Type 2 diabetes. I have been managing my blood sugar with some of the natural formulas and life style approaches you have recommended to me. But I found hard to follow a good exercise program, due to not enough energy. I have also done all thyroid tests as my MD advised me, but they all came back negative (completely normal). So, what should I do next? Do you have any helpful idea or info that it may help me losing weight? M.P. South Dakota 

A: There are many holistic formulas on the market that can help supplying your mitochondrias with the amount of energy needed for a good exercise program follow up. In case if you have tried most of them and nothing seems to work so far, you may look for an MD open to prescribe biovailable T 3 for a short while. You will check how this approach seems to work for you. As you know, there are two major hormones known as thyroxin (T4) which contains four iodide molecules as seen by the formula and tri-iodothyronine (T3) which contains only three. T3 is the metabolically active hormone, so people who are generally slim and trim show significantly elevated T3 levels comparatively to overweight or obese people. They have also elevated rate of a energy what is obviosly helping them losing weight. At the same time you must be extremely careful while trying the above approach as it is extremely easy to overdose or to reach the other side of the barriet- the so called "hyperthyroid" momentum.

Q: What can be done in case of enlarged spleen and simple cyst? Dr. Sawyer, My son has been diagnosed with a large (7mm) simple cyst on the top of his spleen coupled with an enlarged spleen. The surgeon has recommended a complete splenectomy due to the location, size, etc of the cyst. He is only 20 years old and I would hate my son to go without spleen until the rest of his life. Are there any alternatives? R.S. WI

A: I am sorry to hear about your son's health issues. Unfortunately there are not many alternative choices covered by clinical trials that can guarantee complete and secure eradication of the above problem. Please check for another "second opinion" MD who is experienced in the above department.

Q: What should be done in case of elevated CRP? Doc, after checking my routine blood test, my MD called me home and said they found highly elevated (almost triple CRP). Is that serious and what should be done for it? P.G. MN

A: I am sorry to hear about your elevated CRP but I am sure your MD offered some explanation on your question. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are generally associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events, such as general atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. But, it has been unclear whether CRP actually causes these cardiovascular problems, or rather is merely a "marker" for increased risk. This question has potential importance, since drug companies are working on developing medications aimed specifically at reducing CRP levels. Reducing CRP levels would not be expected to improve outcomes if CRP is merely a marker, and not a causative agent. Here is the moment to quotate a new Meta analysis published in Lancet (2009) that strongly suggests that CRP is only a marker for inflammation. Reserachers from Netherlands analyzed data from over 160,000 patients who had been enrolled in 54 randomized clinical trials, and (employing complex statistical techniques) concluded that CRP appears unlikely to be the actual cause of cardiovascular events. Until all of the above data will be sorted out, you can orient yourself to an anti-inflammatory diet and way of living and to proceed testing for the reason behind the triple CRP .

Q: A Thank you Letter. I came across your website, while doing research on my disease and found your literature research and analytical comments to be very straghforward and well thought out, showing all the pros and cons of a particular course of healing plan and action. We need more people like you out there! You also represent several products at your supplement chart site that are obviously available without prescription. I do agree 100% with your statements! Thanks so mych for what you do for the people- and please remember that everyone of us is appreciating your knowledge and explanation despite some of us maybe just read and then forget expressing their thankfulness. Thanks for all done from the bottom of my heart! F. G. Indiana.

Q: Whey Protein and Glutathione Connection: Firstly i would like to say your articles on your website are very interesting and i read them regularly ever since I found your website. I do have a question though, regarding my disease and on the need and the ways of improving glutathione levels naturally. I read your informative article on glutathione and in the article you have written that whey protein may increase glutathione levels. I have to agree with your statement, as I did some research on whey products and have seen that all the whey products have amino acids in them, does this mean that if any amino acid complex is taken I would be able to raise levels? D.Z.WI

A: Thanks for your beautiful words. Now on your question:  Whey proteins taken as supplements contain various amino acids which likely influence glutathione levels (see the literature data). There is a clinical trial that is proving that it is possible that certain amino acids do so also, but it is a quite questionable how to precise which ones of them, in what combination, which is the exact ratio and in what quantities influence levels of glutathione. You can focuse on improving overall health in various ways including wholesome diet, daily walk or exercise, 8-9h night sleep, meditation, etc.

 

 

Thank you Letter. Dr. Sawyer, I just visited your web site and read all about you. You are truly inspiring! It is so wonderful to see people like you and what you are doing for the World. I really enjoyed your info about H1N1. Thank you! K.T., MS