DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 58 years old and have early stage prostate cancer. My PSA is 6.5. How do you know when “wait and see” is the right approach? If I do need treatment, what are your thoughts about high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)? Why don’t some insurances cover the procedure? — T.B. ANSWER: […]
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There’s more to a COVID-19 test than positive or negative
DEAR DR. ROACH: Considering things I’ve heard on the news regarding the accuracy of the COVID-19 tests for both the virus and the antibodies, what are the chances of a false positive or false negative? I understand that there are different “brands” of tests, for lack of a better word, and some are better than […]
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Most people with A1C of 7 do have diabetes
DEAR DR. ROACH: My recent fasting blood test showed my glucose number as 99, but the A1C said 7%. My doctor immediately wanted to put me on metformin, but I refused for two reasons: 1. I am a senior, 69 years old, and I heard this medicine’s side effects could be dangerous; 2. I am […]
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Anti-Parkinson’s medication also helps prevent influenza
DEAR DR. ROACH: About 20 years ago, I was prescribed amantadine to offset the side effects of psychiatric medications I was being given. I also have always been predisposed to serious flu complications, even though I did get flu shots. Amantadine not only helped with side effects, but I very seldom got the flu. Then […]
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If atrial fibrillation is on and off, why are meds full time?
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a male, 71, with a bovine aortic value that was installed 11 years ago. I went into atrial fibrillation six years ago and had an electric shock to stop it. That lasted a week, and was followed by an ablation, which kept me out of atrial fibrillation for five years. I […]
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Shortness of breath has many causes
DEAR DR. ROACH: A recent column discussed shortness of breath on exercise. My aunt had this exact same scenario, and it turned out to be lung cancer. She ignored it for a while, then when she got checked out, it was too late — she had stage 4 lung cancer. Please tell this person to […]
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Obesity is a contributing factor in a host of medical issues
DEAR DR. ROACH: We have been hearing for quite a while about the health risks of obesity, and these have become of even greater concern given the pandemic. The discussion usually involves connecting the higher risk to various medical problems obese people frequently have — for instance, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. I […]
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Vegetarian seeks healthy source of plant protein
DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been a vegetarian for the past few years, and I’m concerned about how to get enough protein without consuming meat from any type of animal. Until recently I was supplementing my diet with protein drinks and protein bars, but now I’ve been told that because these are processed foods, they’re not […]
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Stress test is the first choice for to look for heart blockages
DEAR DR. ROACH: My primary care doctor prescribed a cardiac calcium test after seeing me breathing hard while climbing onto the examining table. I don’t feel a need for it, as I am over 72 years old and it is common in this age. I checked with another doctor and he asked what if you […]
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Filler in meds is not the cause of reader’s symptoms
DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question about excipients, something you discussed in a recent column about thyroid medication. Twice in my life, I took Celebrex for orthopedic pain. The episodes were about five years apart. Both times, I suffered severe liver disfunction, turned yellow, lost weight and had dark urine and abnormal ALT, AST […]