Question: My son recently was diagnosed as having ankylosing spondylitis. The doctor put him on Naprosyn and told him to do posture exercises. Is there any new treatment for this?
- Mrs. B.C.
Answer: Ankylosing spondylitis is a special form of arthritis affecting the spine.
Some ankylosing spondylitis patients lead productive lives without great changes required. A significant number of patients bear the burden of an unyielding spine bent forward into reduced mobility.
It is a special arthritis also in that the typical target is a young man in otherwise apparent good health. You do not mention your son's age, but ankylosing spondylitis can start out fairly early - with low back pain.
Time brings the gradual spine stiffening, to the point where merely trying to twist the neck and head to one side becomes painful.
The pain and immobility symptoms move from the lower spine upward, embracing the neck section.
Naprosyn is a standard anti-inflammatory drug fairly well tolerated in ankylosing spondylitis treatment. Indomethacin is another. If neither does the job, there is a bewildering array of substitutes to try.
Determination, itself strong medicine, permits the patient to arrange a sensible program and stick with it. The greatest successes are recorded among such patients.
Physical therapy is demanding, but I can't emphasize it enough. Your son should be sleeping on a firm mattress with a small head pillow. He should be constantly conscious of posture through the day until straightening the back becomes second nature.
Question: I have learned from your columns, and now I have a question of my own. I have severe nerve-type leg pain from a damaged back. I do Williams exercises daily, but am showing little results. I want to have surgery. Am I better off with a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgery specialist?
- R.M.C.
Answer: I have friends in both specialties, and I think any one of them could handle your needs. Ask your family doctor which individual surgeon he would call on to handle a loved one's problem.
Williams exercises are helpful in alleviating backache. There are many other therapies. The McKenzie exercises come to mind. Many YMCAs offer exercises for those trying to recover from a back injury. I like the personal attention you get there.
For a copy of my report on the spine, readers can write: Dr. Donohue - No. 3, P.O. Box 5539, Riverton, NJ 08077-5539. Enclose $3 and a self-addressed, stamped (55 cents) No. 10 envelope.
Question: I'm told I have chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I am doing well now, and improving with good nutrition, exercise and rest. Would herb therapy help me?
- M.M.
Answer: Yours is the most common kind of leukemia in the Western world. It usually appears after age 60 and often is discovered by chance findings, say on a blood test undertaken for an annual checkup.
Your checkup apparently showed high lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Am I right?
Your longer letter betrays your understandable fear and anxiety about the situation. It is understandable given the fact that death and dire symptoms are associated with the word "leukemia."
It should help you to know that chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a form that can smolder silently for years.
Chemotherapy can help improve the condition. I know of no herbs that would help.