DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you discussed an antihistamine and montelukast for allergies. We use pure essential oil. Lavender is better than drugs. — J.O.S. ANSWER: I consider any substance that is taken to relieve a medical symptom or to cure or prevent a disease to be medication, or a drug. For centuries, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My resting heart rate is between 90 and 120, averaging 106 over the past week. I feel no pain or discomfort, but even mild exercise causes my heart rate to shoot up. I have had bloodwork (including thyroid levels), an electrocardiogram (Holter monitor), an echocardiogram and a treadmill stress test. All of […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a widow in my early 70s and am not sexually active. I had my last Pap smear and complete gynecological and breast exam in 2014. My Pap smear was negative, and my gynecologist said she didn’t think I’d need Pap smears anymore since they had been negative for over 10 […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old male. I receive testosterone injections (in the butt) from my provider every three weeks, and have been receiving these injections for roughly five years. My provider reviews my bloodwork every six months before he writes a prescription renewal for testosterone, which I then take to his office for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old male. I recently switched from testosterone patches to AndroGel. My testosterone levels have gone up considerably, and I have seen some improvement in my erectile dysfunction. I suspect just a little more testosterone might get me a usable erection. My physician said to rub the gel into my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old female breast cancer survivor. I’ve been taking Arimidex for five years, and plan to continue for another five. Through the years, my bone density scans have been normal, up until this year. I’m now on the edge of osteopenia. My oncologist now recommends Prolia. After reading about the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column regarding the woman with Parkinson’s disease experiencing a loss of taste, I was wondering if you have read about the Miracle Fruit. It’s an African berry known for enhancing flavor experience, and cancer patients reportedly have experienced an ability to taste food after eating this. I am curious […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A few months ago, I had routine follow-up thyroid tests, and my results were normal except for a slightly high free T4 level. My doctor decreased my medication dose to 137 mcg from 150 mcg; now my TSH is high (8.77), but my free T4 and T3 levels are normal. Fatigue is […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Yesterday, my right hand started shaking uncontrollably. It did not stop for two hours. Earlier this year, I found that it shook whenever I tried to write, and I had to utilize a note-taker. My left hand has had issues for years, shaking mostly when reading the paper or holding something. I […]