For colonoscopy, one dose of solution enough

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Q. I recently took my husband for a consultation before his colonoscopy. He wants to get the drink now to clean his colon and then take it again the day before the procedure. Is there any danger to this?

I understand he wants the doctor to get a good view of his colon and is afraid taking the drink the day before is not going to be enough. He also thinks he would possibly feel better if he took this.

A. Your husband may be watching too much cable television, where they talk about detoxification and colon cleansing. After he does this once, he might not be so enthusiastic about repeating the procedure right away. It is unlikely to make him feel better.

If your husband follows the doctor’s instructions carefully, his colon will be clean for the procedure. Side effects may include nausea, bloating, cramping and anal irritation.

Q. What kind of diet should a person adopt if he or she wishes to avoid potassium buildup? During a recent stay in the hospital, my husband’s test for potassium revealed a reading of 7. The medications enalapril and Aldactone were eliminated, and amiloride was substituted.

A. Potassium levels should normally range from about 3.5 to 5. When potassium climbs above 6, life-threatening heart-rhythm abnormalities can occur.

Taking blood pressure pills such as an ACE inhibitor like enalapril (Vasotec) together with the diuretic spironolactone (Aldactone) could have contributed to your husband’s dangerously high potassium levels. His potassium levels should be measured regularly, because amiloride also preserves potassium.

We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment, which lists high-potassium foods you might want to have him avoid. It also describes other ways to control blood pressure. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (58 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. B-67, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It can also be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com. Go to “Buy In Depth Guides.”

Q. Zoloft was prescribed for me after I complained to my gynecologist of feelings of great despair. He recommended Zoloft because he heard positive things about it for menopausal symptoms and believed there were few side effects.

Zoloft did take away my feelings of despair. It also obliterated my sense of humor and caused constant forgetfulness. After six years, my husband persuaded me to get off Zoloft.

I bought a pill cutter and started to reduce the dose very slowly. My brain retaliated. I became extremely dizzy, to the point of being bedridden. I thought I would not be able to withstand the withdrawal symptoms. Then I remembered having similar vertigo on a cruise ship. Although the Zoloft vertigo was much worse than seasickness, the acupressure wristbands worked!

I’m now Zoloft-free and have discovered that caffeine contributed to my emotional ups and downs.

A. We are glad the wristbands helped conquer your dizziness. This side effect can be troublesome when people stop antidepressants like Effexor, Paxil or Zoloft. Gradual tapering of the dose may help ease other symptoms such as sweating, nausea, chills, insomnia or headache.