DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a blood clot in my lower leg. I was told that the clot moved to my lung. I had only a little pain in my leg, then some shortness of breath. The urgent-care office went crazy, telling me that I could die, and it scared me. They put me in […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter, who is 50, recently went to a urologist for bladder retention issues. She had several tests performed. My daughter’s doctor told her that the diagnosis is ”overactive stable bladder.” The doctor said that she would benefit from a procedure called ”Medtronic bladder control therapy.” A device is implanted through the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: For many years, I have had a screening colonoscopy due to a history of colon cancer in my mother. Over the years, they have removed polyps, and some were the precancerous type. I just turned 85, and my physician assistant does not recommend another colonoscopy because of my age. I am concerned. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 72-year-old, otherwise healthy man who was diagnosed about three years ago with Type 2 diabetes. I am on the medication Amaryl (glimepiride), 2 milligrams twice daily. My last A1C was 7.5, and I had a prick test of 140. I don’t know the acceptable ranges for the A1C. My doctor […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 83 and was recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. My doctor put me on Eliquis. I have had no problems with it, except the cost! Is there something comparable that is less expensive? — D.C. ANSWER: Apixaban (Eliquis) is one of the new oral anticoagulant drugs, often abbreviated ”NOACs.” They are effective […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 90-year-old mother has been a warrior over the years with her health. She had lung cancer and had her lung removed; had breast cancer and had her left breast removed; and had colon cancer and had a little of her colon removed. She’s been cancer-free for almost 10 years. About a […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I sustained a ruptured disc from shoveling snow and then underwent a microdiscectomy, after which I developed severe nerve symptoms. It took me years to get a correct diagnosis: I now know I have suffered from a debilitating condition called ”reflex sympathetic dystrophy,” or complex regional pain syndrome, for the past 14 […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Last year I had shingles. The shingles are gone, but I am still feeling the nerve pain. I have been taking 600 mg of gabapentin for it, but several doctors have told me that I need to get off of this medication. What’s the problem with long-term use of gabapentin? Is there […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a TIA in July 2016. I had lots of risk factors: morbidly obese, cholesterol of 255, elevated blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes (well-controlled, but still) and heavy drinking. Since then, I have lost weight (from 250 pounds to 205, so far), reduced my cholesterol to 172 (with statins and diet), […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 73-year-old woman. I have had migraine headaches with aura since my late 30s. I haven’t suffered migraine pain in years, but I still experience the aura from time to time. The aura has increased in size and intensity in recent years; even without the horrible pain anymore, it is […]