Dear Dr. Gott: I have a prescription for ten milligrams of Lipitor to take once a day. My government prescription insurance covered it until this year, but my income was a little over the limit, so it was cancelled.I can't afford the cost of the prescription, so I've been taking a tablet every other day. This is OK. I'm 72 years old and feel fine. Dear reader: You may need daily Lipitor, but I can't recommend that until you have been on alternate-day therapy for several weeks and have had a cholesterol blood-level performed. If your level is satisfactory, as judged by your doctor, you can reasonably continue your current dosage schedule. If, however, your level has climbed back into a high range (above 200), you may have to increase the Lipitor to a daily dosage or change to a nonstatin alternative, such as niacin.

Work closely with your family physician to discover what is appropriate for you. Most drug companies have provisions that allow needy patients to purchase medications at reduced rates.

Your pharmacist can help you with this option. You may also consider asking for a prescription of Lipitor 20 milligrams (which is similar in cost to the 10-milligram pills) and then cutting the pills in half and taking half each day.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Understanding Cholesterol". Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title. Dear Dr. Gott: I take one adult low-strength aspirin every day. I have been told this can cause blindness. Is this true?

Dear reader: I am not aware of any visual problems stemming from low-dose aspirin therapy. Aspirin will delay blood coagulation, however, so it should not be used except under the guidance of your primary care physician.

Dear Dr. Gott: Within the past year, I've had gallbladder symptoms (nausea and a dull pain on the right side of my back) leading to an ultrasound, CT scan and a bone scan. Nothing showed up. Is it true that one can have gallstones that are not detected by any of these tests?

Dear reader: No. Gallstones should be obvious on one or more of the tests you had. However, "gallbladder sludge" may not be. I advise you to be examined by a gastroenterologist, who will assess the possibility of sludge as a factor in your symptoms.Once the cause of your nausea and pain have been diagnosed, you can then consider therapy, which could include gallbladder removal.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Gallbladder Disease." Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title. Doctor Gott is a practicing physician and the author of the new book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet." (Quill Driver Books, www.quilldriverbooks.com; 1-800-605-7176). Write directly to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016.