Dear Dr. Gott: My husband is 48 years old and suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. He is on immunosuppressive therapy.

Three years ago, he came down with a mild case of shingles. Would you advise him to get the new shingles vaccine considering the aforementioned facts?

Dear reader: No. Several groups of people should not receive the vaccine.

They include women of childbearing age or who are pregnant, anyone taking medication that affects the immune system, those with an allergy to any of the vaccine components, and people with a history of primary acquired immunodeficiency (such as HIV).

Because your husband is on immunosuppressive therapy, he is not a candidate for the vaccine.

His age also is a factor. The shingles vaccine is primarily recommended for people age 60 and older.

You and your husband should speak with his primary-care physician and rheumatologist. They are familiar with his case and can address your concerns.

Dear Dr. Gott: I just love you and your column. I wish you were my personal physician. I have tried your "Certo with grape juice" remedy for arthritis.

Sadly, it didn't work for me. However, in today's column, a patient wrote in telling you how it helped her IBS.

Then it dawned on me that you're supposed to drink the stuff, not rub it on your joints. Which, by the way, is what I was doing, and it is very messy!

Just thought you might like to know that you have to "spell it out" for some of us! I am going to try again and I hope to get better results this time. Thanks!

Dear reader: Several readers have sent me letters touting the value of Certo and grape juice in helping reduce the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome.

This was certainly news to me. Remember that the combination should be swallowed, not simply rubbed in over a painful joint.

If you want a product that you can rub into the joint, rather than drinking, I recommend using castor oil or Castiva.

Castiva is a cream with a castor-oil base and comes in warming and cooling formulas. Castor oil is rubbed onto the joint(s) twice a day.

The Castiva can be used as often as needed. Certo is liquid pectin. Brand does not seem to make a difference in effectiveness.

It is found in the baking section of many grocery stores. Castor oil can be purchased at most pharmacies.

Castiva is available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, or online at www.castivabrands.com.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports "Understanding Osteoarthritis" and "Dr. Gott's Compelling Home Remedies."

Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

Doctor Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," available at most chain and independent bookstores, and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook." Write directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.