DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 92 and consider myself very fortunate, health-wise. In the middle of the 1980s, I was diagnosed with sideroblastic anemia. My doctor in Florida did many tests to make the diagnosis and to figure out why my hemoglobin level went up and down. I moved to Mississippi, and the doctor here […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old man who recently experienced three episodes of lightheadedness. After testing, my cardiologist determined that these were not likely to be cardiac in origin. My concern is with the result of my 24-hour Holter monitor, which showed a little more than 1,000 isolated PVCs in 24 hours. I have […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Has the use of white powder, monatomic gold nutritional supplement been verified by the medical profession? Are the claims of mental clarity, long life span, disease cures, etc., accurate? — D.S.C. ANSWER: I thought I knew supplements pretty well, but hadn’t heard of monatomic gold. Monatomic gold is supposed to be an […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: An MRI shows that I have spinal stenosis. I have not improved with chiropractic care, electrical stimulation, medication (including hydrocodone, tramadol and a pain patch), physical therapy or three spinal injections. After the third injection did not help, I told the surgeon I would need back surgery, but he said I am […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have mild osteoporosis in one area. I was on Fosamax for seven years. I have been off for two years. My doctor is suggesting I go back on Fosamax. Your thoughts on treatment in my case? — A.B. DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been advised that Medicare will cover the bone […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently spent four days in the hospital for a respiratory infection. I was not admitted to my primary care doctor’s service, but had three names on my wristband. When I inquired as to who they were, I was told that they were hospitalists. They would see me and communicate with my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: One day, I woke up and my neck was bent forward. Now my chin almost touches my chest. How much worse can this get? One doctor said he may have to break my neck and reset it. I can’t look people in the face anymore; I’m looking at their belt buckle. — […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a very frustrating experience getting a prescription filled. This happens often, though I consistently follow the instructions of my pharmacy and doctor — phoning to have my prescription renewed a week before I run out, and going as often as is required. Last time, I had to call the doctor […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, who is 73 and in good health otherwise, had a colonoscopy in the summer of 2012 and was told that because no polyps or any problems were found, he did not need another test for 10 years. This October, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, which has spread […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 86-year-old male who unfortunately lost my sense of smell and, to a large degree, my sense of taste as a result of taking fluticasone propionate nasal spray (50 mcg, one spray in each nostril once a day). This drug was prescribed by my doctor. After finding out that I […]