From: sbharris@ix.netcom.com(Steven B. Harris) Subject: Re: Swollen scrotum Date: 01 Jun 1997 Newsgroups: sci.med In <5mofhn$cke@sjx-ixn8.ix.netcom.com> Michael R. Mitchell <mitchel4@ix.netcom.com> writes: >My 59 year old brother has had a swollen scrotum for over a year. He has >had many different tests, all of which were negative. He has been >diagnosed with lymphdema. Other than high doses of penicillin, he has >never been given any assistance. He has seen at least 15 urolgoists with >this problem, only to be told it is something he will have to live with. >Does this man have to live with this problem for the rest of his life >with no relief? He has had several surgeries that may account for some >problem with his lymph system. He has had appendicitus, gall bladder >surgery and colon surgery in which he was cut horizontally instead of >vertically. Any suggestions. Thanks. Bioflavonoids in many many studies cause slow (months) decrease in high protein edemas by decreasing capillary leak, and by stimulating macrophages to get rid of interstitial protean. In Europe, your brother would be treated with high doses of various bioflavonoid preparations. Unfortunately, there are no approved ones in the US. The best I can recommend is that you try to make do with mixed citrus bioflavonoids (such as the Twinlab preparation, taken several times a day), and perhaps also several capsules at a time of grapeseed extract ("grapenol"), also several times a day. As noted, the effects take weeks or months. Good luck. Steve Harris, M.D. From: sbharris@ix.netcom.com(Steven B. Harris) Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition Subject: Re: Rutin, bioflavioids Date: 29 Mar 1999 17:24:33 GMT In <7do61v$hj6$1@gxsn.com> "Jarlath Lavin" <Jarlath@psynet.net> writes: >Does anyone have any info. on the above, and the possible contradications >with, Warfarin, diuretics, beta-blockers and ace inhibitors as I am on >all of these for my BP control. > >I have marfan syndrome, have had extensive surgery (aortic valve, >ascending and arch). I am 37, and my right foot looks like a 80 year olds >who is a chronic smoker ( I am a Clin. Psych. Working with the elderly). >I continue to have a patent aortic dissection which extends to my right >femoral artery, I also have had three post op. DVT's and now my right >foot is turning black, it is all mottled (brown spots), presumably form >poor circulation. > >The docs in UK tell me there is nothing I can do or take, I do not accept >this. > >Thank you, > >Jarlath Lavin Some of the bioflavonoids have mild anti-platelet activity which could in theory be a problem with your coumadin, but in practice, since even aspirin is now sometimes given with coumadin for situations in which clotting is relentless, bioflavonoids might add something. But then, so might aspirin. Many of these compounds are powerful antioxidents with properties not understood fully. Most of them stimulate macrophage activity, which assists in clearing protein from the extravascular space-- something that needs to be done to clear edema fluid. Others are 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, rather like the new drug Zilutin, and cause decreases in several leukotrienes. Some of these are mediators of inflammation and indirectly activate platelet activity. Talk to your doc about the coumadin interaction. Is the problem with circulation in your foot due to arterial insufficiency due mainly to the disection? Such problems never create edema. Rather, you get wasting of muscles, slick red hairless toes, etc. Vitamin E 800 IU per day (also a mild coumadin interaction, but nothing that can't be deal with by careful monitoring) and pentoxyphiline/Trental may be worth trying there. Or are the problems mainly DVT related? For DVT and associated edema bioflavonoids do seem to work (albeit slowly, over months). One common European product is Daflon. You might also consider copper (2-4 mg/day) and vitamin C supplements, to give your collegen it's best chance. And stay on those beta blockers! |