ask-the-expert
Is there a difference between the prescription Zoloft and the generic version? I started taking Zoloft in 1994, but switched to the generic version over a year ago because it's free with my prescription coverage. I think I've gained weight since the switch. Is it possible that the generic version causes me to gain weight when Zoloft didn't?
I have recently been diagnosed with fatty liver disease. I have started taking milk thistle (two capsules a day), eating artichokes (after reading these were good for your liver), as well as cutting back on my food intake. I'm also eating lots of vegetables and beans, and plan to exercise more and drink less. Do you think these measures might help?
I have had acid reflux off and on in the past, but it has been much better recently. About one year ago, a doctor looked down my esophagus and into my stomach (a test he called an upper endoscopy). My esophagus was inflamed and I was told to take the medication Aciphex indefinitely. I rarely have heartburn and never need antacids. I certainly don't want to take this medicine forever. If I eat less acidic foods and don't experience heartburn, is it necessary to take this drug to keep my esophagus healthy?
I have recently started having a problem with swallowing foods. It seems like my throat muscles just stopped working. What could this be? It is really starting to bother me.
I understand that many of the antidepressants on the market are used to treat both depression and anxiety. I have tried three different antidepressants to treat my depression (Celexa, Zoloft, and Effexor) and they all cause me to experience anxiety as a side effect. Since these drugs are also used to treat anxiety, can you explain how this is possible?
Is it possible that, after 4 months of jogging three times a week for 45 minutes that the dosage of my antidepressant, sertraline, would need to be adjusted downward because my body is now creating the same antidepressant effect on its own?
Every time I eat dairy, I get diarrhea and have to run to the bathroom almost the whole day. But when I use products such as Lactaid, I get constipated. What is wrong here? Are there vitamins I need to take to obtain a healthy and normal bowel movement?
I get itchy rashes on my belly, arms, and legs. They look like mosquito bites at first, but after some time, the itch becomes less intense, and the color turns dark, leaving little dark dots on my skin. Sometimes a bit of fluid comes out of them. I have tried different kinds of medicines and ointments, but they never really solve the problem. What can these rashes possibly be? What can I do to get rid of them?
Are there any home remedies that I can use for eczema?
I have been struggling with a persistent pain on the right side of my belly. More recently, it feels like it originates in my back and wraps around to the front. My doctor ordered a bunch of blood tests and a CAT scan of my abdomen. Everything appears to be normal. My doctor is quite sure that this is a pinched nerve. Can you get this much pain from a pinched nerve? And the medications my doctor prescribed to treat the pain are so expensive. Any suggestions?