DEAR DR. GOTT: Perhaps, in the interest of patient curiosity, you could find the space in your column to address this matter. I believe most of your readers would be interested in your response.

The situation is, patients are waiting in the doctor’s waiting room, the doctor is running 30 to 45 minutes late, and the room is crowded.

In prance pharmaceutical reps, one after another. They are permitted to enter the inner office to see the doctor without waiting. Some are carrying boxes of lunches and other goodies. All are carrying samples of their company’s drugs.

Most of the waiting patients are becoming enraged that these people are delaying their appointments even more, and blood pressures are rising.

Do you consider this ethical? Is there a better way to handle this situation?

I see only one very small advantage to this: The samples of their drugs are available to the patients, if needed.

I hope you can respond to this matter to relieve a lot of our anxieties and help keep our blood pressures down.

DEAR READER:<$> Although this practice is, in general, ethical, it certainly is annoying for patients to be a priority less important than drug-company representatives. I suggest that you share your concerns with your physician. In my practice, I encourage representatives to visit with me when I am not holding office hours. The salespeople appreciate this consideration because they also have busy lives and don’t want to be stuck waiting, either.

DEAR DR. G:<$> I am a 74-year-old female with osteoarthritis. I was on Vioxx and was taken off that. I was on Celebrex and was taken off that, too. My doctor wants me to take Aleve. I also have stenosis of the spine. My legs are numb from my toes to my knees. It seems to get better after I’m up for a while, but the numbness in my toes never goes away. My doctor says my circulation is good.

My knee and hip joints hurt terribly. I have a hard time walking. Do you know of anything I could take that doesn’t have side effects, like damaging my liver or pancreas, or causing ulcers in my stomach? I would appreciate any help or suggestions you could give me.

DEAR READER: Some arthritis sufferers have had amazingly successful experiences with castor oil rubbed over their painful joints.

To that end, there is a new product called Castiva, available in both warming and cooling options. The natural ingredients in this product are reported to accelerate the absorption of the formula into the inflamed joint areas for faster relief. This medication is available over the counter, is completely free of side effects and might help to solve your problem. It is available at Walgreens or through your local pharmacy, or you can order it directly from the company at www.castivabrands.com.

To give you further information on your osteoarthritis, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Osteoarthritis.”