Q - I was diagnosed some time ago with fibromyalgia and now take a lot of medication to cope with the pain and depression it causes. I try to keep going but by the end of the working week I am in excruciating pain. I am only 55 and I don’t want to have to take this medication for the rest of my life. Please help. 

A - Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain and tenderness in much of the body and sufferers include pop star Lady Gaga.

The cause isn’t known but it is thought to be due to a combination of physical, neurological and psychological factors. There seems to be a problem with the way the brain perceives pain and sufferers seem to be extra-sensitive to pressure on the skin. Even a light knock can cause severe discomfort.

Pain can also be affected by emotions, mood and sleep. Studies have shown that some sufferers lose deep sleep and wake up feeling unrefreshed.

The mix of pain and tiredness can lead to depression, then the illness can become a vicious circle with the depression making the pain worse. There is no cure and many people like you find themselves on medication for both pain and depression.

Specialist pain management programmes (available at hospitals) can be especially helpful, as these can help you cope with pain and lessen the impact it has on your life.

Psychological therapies can help you cope with the emotional aspects of pain and many people with fibromyalgia find cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) very helpful, improving their emotional wellbeing and physical health.

In most places CBT can be obtained on the NHS. Your GP should be able to arrange it for you. There is an excellent booklet on fibromyalgia on the website arthritisresearchuk.org, or you can call 0800 5200 520 for a printed copy.

Q - I have had intermittent claudication in my right lower leg for around three years and now have great difficulty walking even a short distance, especially on an upward slope. I have seen two NHS specialists who have been reluctant to carry out surgery due to the high risk factor. I am starting to feel similar symptoms in my other leg. Would I be right to pursue surgery?

A - Intermittent claudication is pain in the leg muscles that occurs when walking. When you use a muscle it needs more oxygen and normally this is provided by increased blood flow.

Intermittent claudication the arteries in the legs are narrowed from hardening and fatty deposits, so the blood flow is reduced.

Blood circulation is usually sufficient when resting but when you start walking the muscles can’t get enough oxygen, causing cramp-like pain. The narrowing of arteries cannot be cleared with medication and if symptoms are severe then the best option is surgery.

If a short length of artery is narrowed it may be possible to widen it with a balloon, followed by the insertion of a metal stent (an angioplasty procedure). Longer narrowed areas require a bypass operation, where an artificial hollow tube is attached to the artery above and below the narrowed area. This is a major operation, usually involving a general anaesthetic and several days in hospital. Many people with intermittent claudication have narrowed arteries not just in their legs but also elsewhere, especially in the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle.

This can make the operation very risky, especially in older people. Talk to your specialist about how risky it is for you so you can make an informed choice about whether to have surgery. In the meantime do all you can to stop your arteries getting narrower.

This means ensuring your blood pressure is normal and that your cholesterol level is as low as possible, which will almost certainly mean taking statins. Eating a low-fat diet, getting your weight down and not smoking are also important.

Even though your legs ache try to walk every day – just take a rest whenever you need to.

Q - I have been told that I need laser surgery to treat my glaucoma. What does this involve?

A- In glaucoma an increase in pressure inside the eye can, over time, damages the light-sensitive cells on the retina.

The fluid in the eye is constantly being replaced and as new fluid forms, some drains away through a network of channels.

There are several different types of glaucoma but in the most common form there is a partial blockage in the drainage channels. In the early stages it is often possible to reduce the pressure using eye drops which either reduce the amount of fluid that is made or increase the drainage.

But if these don’t work, surgery may be required. Generally the procedure involves using a laser to make tiny holes in the drainage area. It is done under a local anaesthetic and a special contact lens is put on your eye to help the specialist focus the laser beam.

You may feel a pricking sensation and notice some flashing lights but it isn’t that uncomfortable and only takes a few minutes.

● If you have a health question for Dr Rosemary please write to her in confidence at The Northern & Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6EN or email health@express.co.uk Dr Rosemary’s reply will appear in this column. She regrets that she cannot enter into personal correspondence and that, due to the volume of letters, she cannot reply to everyone. Find out more about her at drrosemaryleonard.co.uk