DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have been told that the kidneys are the seat of emotions. Is this true?

I have chronic kidney disease and have to take shots of Procrit. I heard that this miracle drug has side effects, like blood clots and heart attacks. How dangerous is it for me to continue with this drug? – E.H.

ANSWER: The kidneys are not the seat of emotions. They make a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells. When the number of red blood cells dips, erythropoietin increases their number. Without it, anemia results. Many of those with chronic kidney disease develop an anemia because their kidneys aren’t making enough erythropoietin.

Procrit is a manufactured replica of erythropoietin that does the same job the natural substance does. It has spared chronic kidney patients the need for blood transfusions. However, it does have serious side effects that must be guarded against. It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and heart failure. When Procrit is given to raise the blood count to the point where transfusions are not necessary and where people feel more energetic, but not to the point where the blood count is perfectly normal, then the drug’s dangers are greatly lessened.

Procrit is also used for people who are anemic from cancer and from cancer therapy. They, too, have to exercise caution in its use. For some cancers, it appears to cause a recurrence, and it should not be used in those instances.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have heard that you should not take calcium supplements with medications. It negates their effectiveness. Please let me know. I want to keep up my calcium, but I need my other medicines too. – J.C.

ANSWER: Calcium can interfere with the antibiotics tetracycline and Cipro, the osteoporosis medicine Actonel and with thyroid hormone replacement medicine. Those medicines should not be taken at the same time as calcium. Have your pharmacist check your medicines to see if calcium interacts with any of them.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My dog has Cushing’s disease. Can humans catch it? We eat off the same dishes. – I.G.

ANSWER: Cushing’s disease is an overproduction of adrenal gland hormones and is caused by a tumor of the adrenal glands or of the pituitary gland.

You can’t catch it from anyone, including your dog.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com

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