DEAR DR. ROACH: In March 2009, a family member was having terrible flu-like symptoms accompanied by horrific headaches. The symptoms lingered on for what seemed like forever, getting worse, even with hallucinations and cold sweats. At first, the doctor he visited thought he had mesothelioma, but after numerous tests and much research, decided it wasn’t […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m prediabetic. I have known you and others to say not to eat any grain that is not whole wheat. Based on that, I leave off white rice, pasta and white rolls. I eat two whole-wheat rolls most days. Does that sound right? I am underweight. — S.R. ANSWER: It is much […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: We always hear about the negative prospects and effects of various diseases, but never hear about the effective benefits and longevity of medical control of them. I am a 76-year-old male in otherwise good health who was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation more than 15 years ago. I have religiously taken medicine (propafenone) […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 95 now and take no medications. My primary-care doctor wants me to take aspirin, even just the baby aspirin, twice a week. Some of the supplements I take do have blood-thinning characteristics, and for that reason I am fighting the aspirin recommendation. In general, is it OK to refuse the […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been having weird spells for about six months. They occur only occasionally and last a couple of days and nights. They awaken me out of sleep and are a little frightening. It starts with a burning sensation on the right side of my nose. I feel as if I have […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: As a psychiatrist, please allow me to offer the benefit of my expertise regarding the 90-year-old man who refused potentially life-saving surgery for bladder cancer. While it is certainly the patient’s decision, it was not clear from the letter whether his doctors had considered the possibility of depression having influenced his decision. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 81 years old and in excellent health. My blood pressure is low, and I drink several glasses of water a day. I get my kidneys checked by my doctor every three months. The last results of my GFR have been 62, 67, 66 and 58. I am very concerned because […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: Four months ago, I was in an automobile accident and suffered severe injuries — a collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken lumbar spine, broken/damaged teeth and mild traumatic brain injury. My recovery has gone quite well, except for the brain injury. I am a 53-year-old female who has always been in good health. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am currently 100 pounds overweight, and I saw a doctor on television promoting the use of Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. I am 65 years old and, because of cancer, I underwent a radical nephrectomy and have only one kidney. I suffer from neuropathy and must use a cane for balance […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 80 years old and just had a stroke. I was put on Coumadin. I also had a miscarriage at age 30 with severe hemorrhaging. I think I needed a transfusion. They told me I have a “factor” in my blood. I would like to know what a factor is and […]