Dr. Gupta this weekend

Please let us know whether Senator McCain is using any narcotics for pain control from the multiple fractures he had in the past

I am just worried that this may affect his ability to make decisions
Thanks

I am glad you are addressing mental status issues. From observation of any neuropsychologist or neurologist, it was evident that Ronald Reagan had developed a Cognitive Disorder and beginning stages of Alzheimer's before he ever left office. This was covered up/compensated for by others. I am very concerned about an elderly statesman taking office at age 72 (regardless of which party s/he belongs to). There should be yearly assessments. There should be some kind of mental standard put in place. Test them when they enter office and look to see if their decline is greater than expected at their age. You showed photos of how they aged across their years in the Whitehouse. I strongly suspect that their MRI's and their mental status exams would show significant decrements in some cases such as Reagan.

It never ceases to amaze me, how liberals still feel the need to bring down the presidency of Ronald Reagan. There has never been any proof that he showed any signs of Alzheimer's disease during his presidency. I would like to know the political affiliation of the doctor who diagnosed him from a televised debate. Not very scientific. And bouncing your head up and down like a "bobble-head doll" in response to your own question, does not make it so, Dr. Gupta. That segment of the show was beneath you. I am disappointed.

I watched your program "First Patient" last night. It was reported that
Franklin D Roosevelt passed away a month after his 4th inaugration.
However, that is not true he died on April 12, 1945.

I did enjoy the program very much.

Norma

Chula,
With all due respect, if McCain is taking pain relief from bone pain it would probably be NSAIDs, not opiads, which do not impair decision making. He would have to probably also have to guard with stomach preparation to guard against ulcers as a precaution. Opiads are usually used for more serious pain such as cancer or post-surgical pain.