Viagra Didn’t Help My Erectile Dysfunction Problem – Could a New Shockwave Blast Therapy Work? DR. ELLIE answers

I am 75 and since I had a tumor removed from my prostate in 2021, I have suffered from erectile dysfunction and incontinence. Nothing helped. I have now heard about a treatment called electromagnetic wave therapy. What do you think?

Dr. Ellie answers: Unfortunately, incontinence and erectile dysfunction are common risks associated with radical prostate surgery.

Although this can often be a life-saving surgery, it is still painful to suffer these side effects. Typically, the NHS offers tablets such as Viagra for erectile dysfunction. Patients are sometimes offered a vacuum pump, a device that helps maintain an erection.

Low-intensity electromagnetic shock wave therapy is a relatively new form of treatment. It involves directing energy waves to the penis over a number of sessions.

The treatment has long been used for kidney stones, but there is growing evidence that it helps increase blood flow to the penis and may even improve some nerve function.

This is encouraging because – unlike Viagra or a vacuum pump – it actually treats the underlying problems rather than creating a temporary erection. There is also some evidence that it also helps with incontinence.

However, it is still considered an experimental treatment and therefore not yet offered by the NHS for erectile dysfunction.

It is possible that patients could take part in an NHS research study; it would be worth talking to a urologist about this possibility. Some private clinics also offer it, but at high prices and with no guarantee of success.

My daughter is in terrible pain from a skin condition called folliculitis in her neck and scalp. She has been given antibiotics, steroids and painkillers, but nothing has worked for long. What should she do?

Dr. Ellie answers: When normally effective treatments do nothing to combat a condition, the diagnosis may be incorrect.

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles which then become inflamed and can form into hard patches that are extremely painful. In some cases, these spots can clump together, creating a large and painful mass called a carbuncle. However, even the most severe cases of folliculitis usually respond to antibiotics.

If the infection does not respond to the medications, a swab of the area should be taken and tested to ensure the correct antibiotic is being used.

This swab could also detect another possible cause of these symptoms: a bacterial infection called PVL-staph. It usually does not respond to normal antibiotics and requires specialist care from a microbiologist.

Another cause could be that there are too many bacteria on the skin in general, also called staph colonization, which means that infections keep coming back.

If this is suspected, a doctor may prescribe a longer-term treatment called decolonization, which involves regular application of antiseptic body wash and shampoo to remove bacteria from the skin.

Another possible cause of the rash is the inflammatory disease psoriasis, which leads to itchy, red raised patches on the skin. The scalp is one of the most common places where this can occur. Treatment includes steroid cream and injections that suppress the immune system.

My mother, 94, has a lot of excess mucus, which makes eating difficult. She was prescribed carbocisteine, but it didn’t have much effect. She seems to be losing weight now. The problem started after she was hospitalized with pneumonia earlier this year. What do you think could be the cause?

Dr. Ellie answers: Weight loss in the elderly should always be examined by a doctor as it could be caused by cancer. A small amount of weight loss is expected later in life due to a reduction in muscle mass, but if this is noticeable or persistent it should be reported to a doctor.

Overproduction of mucus can be caused by chronic bronchitis – an inflammation of the airways. This can be caused by smoking, but also by inhaling fumes or pollution. An attack of pneumonia can also make it worse.

Carbocisteine ​​is an effective treatment to reduce phlegm, but if the underlying cause is bronchitis, it is usually given in combination with inhalers to combat inflammation in the lungs.

A less common cause of excessive mucus is a condition called bronchiectasis, which occurs when the airways of the lungs widen, making them more vulnerable to infection. This can happen after pneumonia, but bronchiectasis can only be picked up via a CT scan in hospital.

Excessive mucus can also be due to heartburn, also called acid reflux. This is when acid is regurgitated from the stomach, causing the throat to become inflamed.

One way to find out if this is the trigger is to try buying a simple over-the-counter heartburn medication such as Gaviscon.

Drug shortage that is being ignored

Are you having trouble getting prescription medications that you need urgently? You wouldn’t be alone.

With my surgery, it seems like we are facing an almost endless drug shortage. Lately we have noticed a lack of eye drops, diabetes medications, antifungal medications and ADHD tablets.

It is incredibly frustrating for patients and takes valuable time away from GP visits as we have to find alternative options for patients.

So I am shocked that the government has still not announced a solution to solve this nationwide problem. It seems as if the ministers do not believe that it is really a problem.

Have you had trouble getting your medications? Has this affected your health? Write and let me know at the email address below.

When a slimming injection does not help

It feels like every week we hear about an amazing new way weight loss shots will improve the nation’s health.

Last week the government’s ambitious plan was to use the jabs – Ozempic and Wegovy – to help obese people back to work.

However, it strikes me that there is one patient group that does not seem to receive any benefit from these medications: those with the weight-related condition lipedema. It leads to abnormal fat deposits in the legs and arms, can be painful and make daily activities difficult. It is also more common in women.

However, so far there are no medications that can effectively treat lipedema. And we still don’t know what causes it.

I recently saw a patient who was really struggling and was shocked to discover that these weight-loss medications, despite all their benefits, were not helping her.

Are you suffering from a lack of lipedema treatments? Please let me know.