Chitosan for weight loss

Can I take chitosan to help me lose weight?

Trust me, it is BS. You may as well drink your urine or anyone elses. That should tell you how great chitosan is. There is ZERO evidence that it can help people lose weight. Complete waste of money. The only people who advocate this crap are the people who manufacture it. Best advice if you want to lose weight- walk more and eat less.

Continuous or intermittent antipsychotic use

Recently I heard that intermittent use of antipsychotic was just as effective as continuous use for schizophrenia and other mood disorders? Is this true?

Antipsychotic drugs are useful for control of mood and behavior in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However the drugs do have potent adverse effects. Recently some experts have been suggestions that the drug therapy should be intermittent rather than continuous to avoid the adverse effects. The drugs should be discontinued when the patient is well and restarted if the symptoms occur.

However, a recent large study indicated that intermittent use of antipsychotic drugs is not effective and relapses are very common. In addition, when acute relapses occur, the police/ambulance have to be called and the patient taken to the ER and forced into treatment. Schizophrenics who relapse are not compliant and often have to be forcefully taken to the ER. This gets to be more expensive and creates additional havoc in the family. As of today, continuous use of antipsychotic is the name of the game and you should stick to this plan of management.

Topiramate for migraine

Recently I was started on topiramate for my migraines. Is this drug effective?

Yes it is. Several clinical trials have shown that anticonvulsants drugs like topiramate can help relieve migraines. The drugs are relatively safe. The down side is cost. One other benefit of topiramate is that it may also help you lose weight. Of course, you still need to exercise.

Supersentive hearing

Recently I have started to hear things that most people cannot. Is it possible that I have become supersensitive to sound?

I do not know much of your history, but perhaps a visit to a psychiatrist may help. Auditory hallucinations can occur and only the person affected can hear those sounds. If the psychiatrist visit is unremarkable, the next step in an ENT surgeon. But if these sounds do not bother you and your behavior and mood are normal, I would not worry about it. I assume you are not taking illicit drugs or any medications. More likely than not, the doctors will f..k you up by ordering zillions of tests and sending you for unnecessary procedures.

Teary right eye

Recently my right eye has become teary. The tears run down my cheeks and it is embarrassing. Is this an allergy problem?

The first thing I recommend is that you see an eye doctor. Do not see any other specialist because they will mess you up- the eye is not something you want idiotic healthcare providers to mess with. If the problem is in one eye, I doubt it is allergy but more likely an anatomical problem.

Normally tears drain in a duct located on the nasal side of your eye. It could be that the ostium (hole) is blocked and may need to be opened up. When the ostium is blocked, tears usually run down on the face. The procedure to open the ostium is rather simple and short. So see and eye doctor.

Prominent vein on my face

 I am a 28 year old female and have very visible veins on the side of my eye. The veins runs into my scalp. Is there something I can do about?

Yes, take some prozac. Some people have more prominent veins on the face usually on the side. These veins often appear prominent, blue and engorged. In thin people, they are conspicuous. This is normal. Why the devil do you want to muck around with something that is normal? These are not spider veins. So leave them alone: apply some mascara, wear a mask or something. The more you go to surgeons for some trivial crap, the greater the chance that they are going to mess up your face.

Crohn disease and weight loss

I have crohn disease and would like to take orlistat to lose weight. Any suggestions?

Are you crazy? You do not need orlistat but a psychiatrist. Crohn disease is not something you want to flare up if it is quiescent, Crohn disease is like a pit bull- if you mess with it, it will mess with you. It is a serious disorder which can make your life miserable. You should not take anything that will affect your bowel if you have crohns, without first speaking to your doctor. I certainly do not recommend orlistat. If you want to lose weight, walk more and eat less.