DEAR DR. ROACH: Why do people snicker when I tell them I have RLS? They wouldn’t laugh if they knew the amount of sleep deprivation I have endured during the 20 years it took to correctly diagnose it. I think if it hadn’t been for Sinemet (levodopa and carbidopa), a Parkinson’s drug, I would have […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: One week ago, my 99-year-old dad tripped over a metal strip that connects carpet to tile in a brightly lit concession area at a local movie theater and broke his left hip. Surgery was performed the next day, and he has been suffering the side effects ever since. Hospital personnel told me […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a rare type of colitis called collagenous colitis. The latest episode was set off two and a half years ago, when I took statins for a short time. I have not been able to get it under control since then. Asacol has not been successful, although it did work in […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: A recent column mentioned statin drugs and their effect on women. In August 2008, my internist said studies had shown that statin drugs for diabetics promoted heart health. At the time, my A1c was 5.8, total cholesterol 139 and LDL 75. He prescribed 5 mg Crestor every other day. By June 2009, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed with a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome, which developed within the past two years. I also have peripheral neuropathy not due to diabetes. I had thyroid cancer, and my thyroid was removed. I am on Synthroid. My physician is recommending that I seek operation for the carpal […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just found out that I have bone loss in my spine. What does that mean for me? Will I get so that I can’t walk? I am very worried. I am 82 years old. — B.F.H. ANSWER: Bone loss in the spine is almost universal in 82-year-olds, for both men and […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I enjoyed your informative article on spinal stenosis. I also have acute and chronic pain in my lower back. I am 75 years of age and have had vertebroplasty on seven vertebrae. I realize that my back will not be normal again. I am currently working with a doctor who uses osteopathic […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question regarding a medication that was prescribed to me. I originally had breast cancer in 2000 in my left breast when I was 43 years old, which also spread to two of my lymph nodes. I was treated with radiation and chemotherapy. I have been in remission all these […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My two girlfriends began a weight-loss program (we are all overweight by 35-50 pounds) with a medically supervised HCG program. They both have lost 20 pounds in three weeks. I know that the stock answer is that any severely restricted diet will give those results. But they both are full of energy, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I will be having a full knee replacement in early November. Because I am metal-sensitive, my surgeon will be using a titanium knee. He told me he would be using the Zimmer product. In researching on the Internet, I found that there are several lawsuits pending on the company’s products. Is the […]