Growing Bolder Community

Dear Pharmacist, I read your facebook post about people with asthma and how they should be dairy free. I feel better after just one week. I also read where you recommend two supplements for asthma which I just started (Coleus Forskholii and N-Acetylcysteine). You are saving my life Suzy. What else? --J.R., Rockwall, TexasDear J.R.,My answer will set you back about $10 per month. If you have even...

Dear Pharmacist, I took your column regarding hormone replacement to my doctor. He’s never ordered progesterone, just estrogen because of the hysterectomy. For eight years, I’ve suffered with occasional hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and I can’t lose weight. Anyway, three days later, his nurse called to say he did some research, and wanted to add bio-identical progesterone to my...

Dear Pharmacist, I met you at a book signing, and didn’t want to hold up the line to elaborate on my health concerns. You said I should not be taking “unopposed estrogen” and I don’t know what that means. If you recall, I’m post-menopausal, I had a hysterectomy, and my doctor prescribes estradiol tablets. --L.Y., Baltimore, Maryland Answer: I do recall saying that. It scares me that...

Dear Suzy, My teenage daughter downs several diet sodas a day. She insists they’re a healthy, weight-loss alternative to regular sodas. Should I be concerned? --E.L., Phoenix, Arizona In a word, YES. Several studies published this year suggest diet soda is not the healthiest beverage on the shelf. At the end of each of these individual studies researchers say something like, Hey, this...

Dear Pharmacist, I’m plagued by urinary tract infections (UTIs) and I hate the side effects of the Septra antibiotic that I take daily. I’ve heard that drinking cranberry juice cocktail can help. Should I try that? --B.K., New York City Dear B.K.: Chronic UTIs are miserable. You’ve no sooner escorted one out the door, than a new infection rears its ugly itch. It’s hard to believe that...

Dear Readers, We’re at the peak of the cold and flu season right now, and if you feel like you’re encircled by an army of hostile viruses, it’s because you are. I’ve been inundated with your emails about what you should do or take to prevent falling ill. The single most important thing you can do to prevent colds and flu, believe it or not, is to wash your hands well and often. Now,...

Dear Readers, Here are the most interesting products that became available in the past year, 2010. I wish you all a very happy new year! Dream Water, OTC: Try the “Snoozeberry” drink, it’s a delicious way to fall asleep because the blueberry-pomegranate drink contains all-natural sleep-inducing ingredients like GABA, melatonin and 5-HTP. Sold at pharmacies....

Dear Pharmacist, I’m frequently confused by all the choices when I’m trying to select an over-the-counter (OTC) product from the drugstore. Is it OK to ask the pharmacist for help? I’ve tried at times, but they are always busy and I have to wait. --P.R. New York Dear P.R.,Absolutely! Pharmacists are trained to be drug information specialists, so we can save you time, money and perhaps...

Dear Pharmacist,How can I save money at the pharmacy. It gets real expensive, especially at this time of year.–T.A., Tulsa, Oklahoma Dear T.A., My customers used to joke and say it was the high cost of living! Here are my tips about how to save some money at the pharmacy: Buy generic prescriptions. This could save up to $400 a month, depending on the drug. Generics are supposed to be...

Dear Pharmacist, My older sister had a mastectomy earlier this year. I understand that breast cancer runs in families, so now I’m scared to death so I’m getting tests done myself. Can you offer advice from your natural perspective? --R.Y. Seattle, Washington Dear R.Y., Let me say upfront that an anti-cancer lifestyle -and there is such a thing- is also an anti-breast cancer lifestyle....