DEAR DR. ROACH: My 81-year-old father takes 100 mcg of Synthroid. Due to the high cost of insurance, and the need to change his Medicare policy, we are trying to lower his prescription costs. One way is to get the generic. His doctor told us today that the Food and Drug Administration allows a 40 […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a welder, and I often use acetone to wipe minor cuts and abrasions in the workshop. It stings pretty good, but it gets rid of the dirt, grease, etc. What do you think about that? — D.S. ANSWER: I think that is not a good idea. Acetone is a powerful […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I have been married for over 50 years. A few years ago, she began accusing me of having an affair with a much younger woman, with whom I have never shared a private moment or conversation in my life, nor have I ever wanted to. When I try to […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Due to diabetes and radiation treatments for prostate cancer, I have nerve damage to both feet. I was on was Lyrica, and I had to switch to gabapentin 300 mg because of the cost of Lyrica: It was approximately $1,000 for a three-month supply. I also take Metanx. I would like your […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 74-year-old woman in good health. I was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum on my left leg. I was in a lot of pain. Can you tell me the cause of this rare disease? Also, is there a special diet I should be on? — H. ANSWER: Pyoderma gangrenosum is an […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 71-year-old grandmother who is very concerned about the health of my 18-year-old granddaughter. She has had the following symptoms for the past seven years, at least: earache, headache, swollen glands, sore throat and cough. I have accompanied her to many doctor visits, and talked to the doctors and the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter has had symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome since her 20s. She is now 64 and has been doing fairly well. She is ambulatory and curious about her future. — P.B. ANSWER: Guillain-Barre syndrome is a type of acute muscle paralysis that occurs after an event, usually an infection. (Campylobacter jejuni, a […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A few months before my 94th birthday, I developed tiny pimples and an unbearable itch on my scalp. Two different dermatologists tried shampoos and sprays, and a biopsy showed that I have no disease (like cancer), just psoriasis of the scalp. It has not gone away. Is there any kind of antibiotic […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read that wearing a bra increases the risk of breast cancer, since a bra prevents drainage of lymphatics in the breast and this lymph fluid contain toxins. Is this true? — P.P.L. ANSWER: No, this isn’t true. The idea comes from a 1995 book (not a peer-reviewed scientific study), which had […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My brother, who is 48, has a leaky aortic valve. It is a birth defect in his bicuspid valve. His health is otherwise excellent. We have lined up a good surgeon. The problem is that my brother does not know which type of valve to get: mechanical or tissue. The doctor will […]