DEAR DR. ROACH: My sister-in-law believes that the COVID-19 vaccine will cause side effects that aren’t known yet. She won’t get the vaccine, and she has persuaded my brother not to as well. Although he doesn’t agree with her beliefs, he won’t go against her wishes. My wife and I are fully vaccinated, but I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: At a recent appointment I discovered that my nurse practitioner (about 45 years old) doesn’t plan to get a COVID vaccination as he says it’s unsafe and that all of us (vaccinated ones) are just guinea pigs. I tried to argue, but he was the one holding the needle! He works for […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was just diagnosed with nocardiosis. Not knowing anything about it, I started to do some research and, like in most cases, going to the internet really didn’t help. My pulmonary doctor didn’t tell me much except to put me on sulfamethoxazole drugs. I reacted poorly and was switched to minocycline. Are […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m 74 years old, not overweight and in generally good health. Your recent article on spinal stenosis hit home. I’ve had six cortisone injections in the past year in my lower back and neck, which have helped tremendously. My pain management doctor prescribed gabapentin at 300 mg every night. I could not […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor has prescribed IVIG therapy for my peripheral neuropathy. As I understand it, this infusion will replace my antibodies with “good” antibodies. Will it replace my COVID vaccine antibodies? Or any of the other immune system antibodies my body has developed to fight off infection? — J.K. ANSWER: Only some types […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 77, active and in relatively good shape. I was diagnosed with a ventral hernia two years ago following open heart surgery in 2001. Now, the skin from my breasts to my waist is covered in thick scar tissue, which is growing thicker and bigger. It is causing much discomfort. I […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am confused about overall risk for heart attack and stroke for my husband and I based on our cholesterol numbers and other risk factors. We are both in our 60s, never smoked, have normal blood pressure, nondiabetic and occasional drinkers. I am normal weight, eat well and exercise, but nevertheless, my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor has recommended a CT calcium scan, but I have canceled the scan because I am worried about the high radiation dose. I have excellent exercise tolerance, my blood pressure is good, and my cholesterol levels are normal on lovastatin. I take two 81 mg aspirin tablets daily. My pulse is […]