Seek help with superspecialists

Dear Dr. Gott: I have a nephew (27 years old) who has seen three doctors, and they can’t figure out what’s wrong with him. First he gets pain in his right side near his ribs and hip area, then he gets lightheaded, shakes and finally collapses.

At first, the doctors thought his gallbladder wasn’t working properly. Then they checked his appendix, then his liver, but he passed the tests with flying colors. The doctors are baffled.

Now they have him on nitroglycerine, which he puts under his tongue, to relax his muscles.

One week he got two of these attacks, and the only thing we came up with was that he had eaten pizza before he got his attacks.

A friend told me that in one of your articles she read you suggested that when people have seen two or three doctors who can’t make a diagnosis, they should go to a teaching college or school. Could you advise me on where to find such a school?

Dear Reader: Abdominal pain, faintness, tremors and collapse do not suggest to me any distinct diagnosis, so I’m afraid I am as baffled as his doctors.

Whenever I am unnerved by a challenging medical condition, I try to obtain help from appropriate specialists. I advise my readers in similar situations to do the same.

Most medical schools and teaching hospitals have sophisticated testing not available to other physicians. Also, such resources include superspecialists who take particular delight in difficult diagnoses.

I recommend that your nephew request a consultation through his doctor. This is important because, putting the pizza issue aside, if he were to have an episode while driving, the consequences could be horrendous.

I am sure that there are abundant resources in your state. Your nephew’s physician probably would welcome assistance in diagnosing and treating such a puzzling affliction. Let me know how this intriguing situation plays out.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: Are the ridges on fingernails and toenails indicative of an internal problem?

Dear Reader: Nail-ridging commonly accompanies the aging process. However, it also can be a consequence of vitamin deficiencies and glandular disturbances, such as pituitary malfunction, for which treatment might be necessary.During your next visit to your doctor, mention your nail problem. Perhaps he will order blood tests to identify a metabolic cause for this harmless problem.