DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 80 years old, and a few years ago, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. My primary-care doctor referred me to a cardiologist (a college friend of his), who put me through every kind of test known to man. He then prescribed three medicines for me, including Lipitor because my cholesterol was 275.

Shortly after starting them, I began having muscle pain in my legs and had heard warnings about statins, including those from your column. I was already taking co-enzyme Q-10, so I knew it wasn't due to a depletion. I asked my cardiologist about a cholesterol-lowering medication without statins, but he said they weren't any good and switched me to Crestor, instead. It was still a statin, and, despite my concerns, I took it like a good patient. The pain returned, so I stopped it and started watching my diet more closely. My cholesterol dropped to 217. During my next doctor visit, I again complained about the statins, hoping this time the doctor would listen. Instead, he told me to find another cardiologist and left the room.

I left his office feeling pretty devastated. Was I wrong to refuse to take statins again, or should I have just let him think I was still taking one even though I wasn't? Should I really find another cardiologist?

DEAR READER: You should absolutely find another cardiologist. Yours was rude and out of line. Having tried two separate brands and experiencing side effects from both, it is clear you can't tolerate statins. While it is true that nonstatin cholesterol-lowering medications aren't as effective as their statin counterparts, they are a viable alternative given the situation.

Find a new cardiologist and explain your situation, and, if he or she isn't willing to work a little harder to help, then move on to another. Once you find someone willing to listen to and work with you, you should find your condition and outlook improving.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports "Coronary Artery Disease" and "Understanding Cholesterol." Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and $2 per report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am one of your faithful Canadian readers. I have been using Sure Jell Certo now for three years as a treatment for arthritis pain. When I first read your column, I laughed but tried it anyway. It worked! I questioned whether it worked because I thought it would or if I felt better because it truly worked. I found out once and for all when I went on vacation and forgot to take it with me. I felt awful and couldn't wait to get home.

I drink it with my morning pills every day. Because I don't like grape juice, I use 12 ounces of iced tea with half a package of the liquid Certo.

DEAR READER: Thank you for writing your success story. I chose to print it because yours is the first experience I have heard that doesn't involve the typical purple grape juice. My usual recommendation is eight ounces purple grape juice with 1 tablespoon of liquid pectin three times a day. Once relief is felt, go down to eight ounces of the juice with one to two teaspoons of liquid pectin once a day for maintenance.