4 B
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Woman is fit,
but can barely
stand
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-
year-old female. Even though I use
gym weight machines for upper and
lower body three times a week, walk
daily for 2 miles and spend 15 minutes
on a motion trainer at the gym, I can-
not stand up easily after gardening on
my knees or getting on my knees on
the floor. Is there anything I can do to
regain the ability to get up off the
floor/ground without a struggle? —
S.C.
ANSWER: It sounds to me that
despite your good exercise regimen,
you may have weakness specifically in
your thighs — what we call “proximal
muscle weakness.” There is a very
long list of medical illnesses that affect
these muscles specifically (my text-
book lists 28 different diagnoses),
including common conditions such as
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You
might not like some people’s idea of a
surprise. But you could be in for a
pleasant shock when someone finally
sends a reply to a request you made so
long ago that you almost forgot about
it.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It’s a
time to expect the unexpected. So don’t
be surprised if a decision that just
recently seemed final suddenly opens
up and leaves you with another chance
to make an important choice.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20)
Taking a different tack on a work proj-
ect might rankle some colleagues. But
the positive results of your innovative
course soon speak for themselves.
Celebrate with a fun-filled weekend.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)
Meeting new associates can be awk-
low thyroid levels and vitamin D defi-
ciency. I would recommend a visit to
your doctor for a careful exam of your
nerves and muscles to see if my suspi-
cion is correct. Your doctor may sug-
gest a trial of vitamin D.
If no medical cause is found, I
would work specifically on strength-
ening the hip muscles, which extend
the thighs. A trainer at the gym can
show you those exercises.
DEAR DR. ROACH: Both of my
daughters are in their 40s and going
through menopause (according to their
doctors, so they are not guessing about
this). Both daughters are having such
severe migraine headaches that they
are missing work (and both are practi-
cally workaholics who usually are able
to tough it through physical problems).
The migraines occur almost every
time they have a period. Migraines are
not daily during that time, but episodic
(usually one per period). They do not
have migraines except during menses.
One daughter was put on estrogen,
which has helped her cramping, but
she still is getting migraines. The other
daughter has been referred to three
physicians who all told her there was
nothing that could be done but go on
estrogen. She is now 49 years old and
concerned that if she goes on estrogen
at this point, she will simply have the
same migraine issues again when she
goes off it and wonders if that is actu-
ally worth just delaying having to deal
with the migraines.
Is there any other solution besides
estrogen for severe hormonal
migraines? — S.S.
ANSWER: Estrogen-associated
migraine is common. However, it usu-
ally is the drop in estrogen that triggers
the migraine. That’s the reason many
women get migraines around the time
of their periods, as estrogen levels nor-
mally decline then.
For many women, migraines get
worse years before menopause — and
by “menopause,” I mean when periods
stop altogether. As the periods become
erratic, and sleep cycles are interrupted
by hot flashes, migraines become
worse, as they have in your daughters.
However, once periods stop entirely,
episodic migraines usually get dramat-
ically better on their own.
During the erratic time before
menses completely stop, estrogen
pills, cream or an insertable ring can be
used to maintain a more constant
estrogen level, which usually
improves the headaches. This can be
slowly tapered off when the periods
could be expected to be finished.
ward, even if you’re in a high positive
phase right now. Best advice: Make
them feel comfortable, and you’ll soon
forget your own discomfort.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) It’s a
good time for you social Lions to blow-
dry your manes, polish your claws and
look like the Fabulous Felines you are
as you make new friends and influence
the influential.
VIRGO (August 23 to September
22) Expectations run especially high
this week, and you should feel confi-
dent in your abilities to take advantage
of what might be offered. A colleague
has some advice you might find help-
ful.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) A recent flurry of activity leaves
you in need of a little breathing space,
and you’d be wise to take it. Close fam-
ily members should have an explana-
tion about an emergency situation that
just passed.
SCORPIO
(October
23
to
November 21) An insensitive act
makes a difficult situation more so. But
try not to waste either your physical or
emotional energies in anger. Move on
and let others fill the clod in on the
facts of life.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) It’s a good time to look
into that training program or college
course you’ve been considering. You
might have a good place to use those
sharpened skills sooner rather than
later.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Education dominates
much of your aspect during this week.
You might want to start checking out
those summer session courses that
could help advance your career plans.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Progress often comes in
fits and starts. But at least you’re mov-
ing straight ahead with no backsliding.
You should soon be able to pick up the
pace and reach your goals in due time.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Be wary of a deal that gives confusing
answers to your questions. Remember:
It’s always risky swimming in
unknown waters, so you need all the
help you can get to stay on course.
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