DEAR DR. GOTT: Do you have any information on “bee sting therapy” for the chronic pain of fibromyalgia?

DEAR READER: This therapy dates back more than 3,000 years in China and involves placing live bees on strategic pressure points of a patient’s body. It is similar to the needles used in acupuncture, but in this instance, the therapy uses the stingers to control the pain of diseases such as rheumatism, arthritis, shingles, lupus, herniated discs, MS, diabetes and fibromyalgia. The treatment relies mainly on the poison of the bees, which can help blood circulation, ease pain and reduce inflammation.Following a sting, our adrenal glands produce cortisol, a natural hormone with anti-inflammatory properties. Supposedly the therapy jump-starts our immune systems to trigger the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. Some specialists in the field believe a characteristic of the venom is the presence of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, which help heal conditions involving nerve disorders.There are several bee venom products available on the market, but topical and ingestible products apparently will not provide complete relief, perhaps because our digestive enzymes break down these products and render them useless.Most research and studies have been directed toward managing multiple sclerosis, but that field is expanding to include arthritis and numerous arthritis-related disorders. Of importance is that up to 5 percent of our population is allergic to bees; therefore, patients seeking to use this therapy must always be tested first. One downside is that some patients simply can’t endure the injections because of the pain involved.In answer to your question, this therapy that has been around for more than 3,000 years is still in its infancy in the United States, and because insufficient research has been documented, the jury is out on whether it is the answer to a more pain-free existence for fibromyalgia and arthritis sufferers.Readers who would like related information can order my Health Reports “Fibromyalgia” and “Osteoarthritis” by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order for each report to Dr. Peter Gott, P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title(s), or print an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.com/order—form.pdf.—————-DEAR DR. GOTT: Ever since I was a youngster, I’ve drank more than other kids. I’m now in my mid-40s, and it’s not uncommon for me to drink more than a gallon of liquids a day — a cup of coffee in the morning, a can of Coke during the day, and close to a gallon of water and other drinks. Almost all of it is water.There are times now before I go to bed when my mouth gets dry and I’m thirsty. I know some of my meds do cause dry mouth. I have been tested for diabetes numerous times because the doctors want to rule it out as soon as they hear how much I drink. My blood work is always very good, and I wonder if my dry mouth is anything to be concerned about since it is a relatively new symptom.

DEAR READER: The urge to drink excessive fluids has many potential possibilities other than the diabetes your doctors are looking for. Heart, liver or kidney failure, specific drugs such as diuretics and anticholinergics, psychogenic polydipsia (excessive thirst), diabetes insipidus (a condition in which the kidneys are unable to conserve water) are but a few possibilities. I assume you have eliminated salt from you diet — both from meal preparation and adding it to foods when eating. You should also avoid canned and other foods high in sodium.I recommend you make an appointment with your physician and request additional lab testing to possibly include a CBC with differential, serum calcium level and perhaps more based on your medical history.

—————-Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com.To contact the doctor, address letters to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.