ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: Have you ever heard of a fully vaccinated 79-year-old woman getting a repeat case of shingles? This is actually my fourth time having it. My first occurrence of shingles was when I was 26 years old, and it was on my torso. The next two occurrences were on my forehead, and I got antiviral medication for them. They subsided ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: About eight months ago, I was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in my right knee. Over the course of six months, I received physical therapy and two cortisone shots and had fluid drained from my knee, but I still have pain when I walk. The pain level is about a 2 on scale of 1-10. But it's discomforting, and I walk with a limp.

...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is considering a hyperbaric chamber to see if it can possibly help him for possible post-COVID symptoms. He contracted COVID this past July, and his atrial fibrillation also started to act up at this time. He spent a week in the hospital and was so weak that he had to use a wheelchair to get home.

Two days after ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please write about the correct amount of water that people should drink. There's so much misinformation! -- E.N., MD

ANSWER: There is so much misinformation since a simple answer, like "more is always better," is easier than a nuanced answer. It depends on your age, activity level, the temperature and humidity, any medications...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: No parent should ever outlive their children. A couple of years ago, my son, who is now approaching 54 years young, was diagnosed with what I am told is an extremely rare illness called primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Since he required special bile duct tubes to be installed and repeatedly changed out, he had been waiting ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently underwent skin scratch testing for food allergies. I was shocked that among the positive findings was peanuts. I have eaten peanuts all of my life (I'm 55) and have never had any type of reaction to peanuts. I was given an EpiPen and was told to avoid peanuts.

The same skin testing results were confirmed by a second...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 57 years old and love Pepsi, Coke, and unsweetened iced tea for the caffeine, which greatly improves my mood and gives me more energy. Unfortunately, I am borderline diabetic and get horrible kidney stones. I need a caffeine replacement source.

Drinking more water does not do the trick. I gag trying to drink coffee. I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has been suffering from tinnitus for a couple of years now. His primary care physician referred him to an audiologist. He isn't a candidate for a hearing aid and has basically been told that there is nothing he can do, and there are no treatments available. He has adopted some sound apps on his phone to distract ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have bad knee arthritis. My doctor is suggesting a genicular nerve block. Is this a good idea? Will it fix the problem? -- P.O.V.

ANSWER: Chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis is a common problem in middle-aged and older adults. Before a person receives treatment, the diagnosis should be confirmed by an X-ray. First-line ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 75-year-old man. I keep my cellphone in my left shirt pocket every day. Recently, my left nipple has become very sore. I asked my general physician about it, and he wasn't concerned. I'm concerned that the electromagnetic field from the phone may be an issue. Is there any research on this, and should I have this checked ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 82 years old and in very good health. I have no major medical issues so far, but I work on my health as I believe in prevention. During the past eight months, I've had three colds, plus COVID-19 for the first time this past November. I remember the old days when we used to wear camphor necklaces every winter in order to "...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 35-year-old female. My doctor did a Pap smear and a human papilloma virus (HPV) test that was positive for one of the "risk types" (16, 18 and 45 according to my chart) -- but not one of the really bad ones. I am otherwise healthy. My Pap smears have always been normal.

I never did get my HPV vaccine. Should I get it? ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My niece was diagnosed with birdshot chorioretinopathy. Can you please explain what this is, which treatments are involved, and what the typical prognoses are? -- P.Z.

ANSWER: Birdshot chorioretinopathy is an inflammatory condition of the choroid and retina (the very back of the eye). The average age of diagnosis is 53. This ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Your recent column said that the "law" prohibits doctors from getting money from prescriptions. However, they get perks from pharma reps like dinner, golf, etc., and many push supplements on TV. Many "doctors" across the country make their income from prescribing supplements to patients for chronic fatigue syndrome or COVID. --...Read more