I'm 63 and a long-term taker of the anti-epilepsy drug Tegretol. My problem is I can't stop crying – any happy event triggers bucketfuls, be it an unexpected visitor, John Wayne getting his man or even the creation of the BBC's winning Dorothy. I'm dreading giving my daughter away and making a speech later this month. How can I staunch the flow?
I'm intrigued by why you are crying so much. Is the stimulus to tears really emotional, or do you produce excessive amounts of tears all the time? Are there times at all when your eyes are dry? I've tried to find a connection between Tegretol and excessive tear production with no success, so you can probably rule that out. And as you don't mention other symptoms, I presume you are generally healthy. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking an anticholinergic drug just for the day or two around the occasion; this should dry up the tears, but it could also leave you with a dry mouth, constipation and maybe even difficulty in emptying your bladder. You may be switching one problem for another. Maybe you just have to cry – after all, it is expected of a father at a daughter's wedding. I cried a bit (though discreetly) at my daughter's.

My second largest toe on one foot has started to overlap my third toe. Is it OK to put padding between the toes to separate them, or do I have to pay to see a podiatrist to avoid permanent overlapping?
A podiatrist is a good first step. He or she will assess the cause and treat it appropriately or advise you on how to manage it yourself. You may even need surgical advice – your podiatrist will then refer you to your doctor. Simply putting padding between the toes may ease any discomfort but won't address the cause, and it is only likely to get worse. It is probably to do with a shortening tendon to the second toe, and if it continues, eventually the overlap will start to cause you considerable discomfort and make it difficult for you to wear shoes. So do get professional advice, even if you have to pay for it.

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