DEAR DR. ROACH: Three years ago (at age 79), I had a mild stroke. I was in and out of the hospital during the same day, but I soon reverted to normal. However, two mysterious side effects did remain: First, although my right shoulder still works well (I can do weight lifting and pushups), it […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: What’s the best medication for Type 2 diabetes? — P.H. ANSWER: If I asked one of the students or residents I teach to answer that question, I would warn them that it’s a trick. The best medicine is none. In most cases, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and treated with a […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My urologist prescribed Elmiron for my interstitial cystitis (IC), and it worked well. But the cost became prohibitive, so he suggested Zyrtec at bedtime. While it’s not quite as good as Elmiron, Zyrtec is working for me. My question is, how safe is it to stay on Zyrtec indefinitely? — Anon. ANSWER: […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband had a small stroke last spring, causing a small loss of vision in his left eye. He is 81 and an otherwise active man. He has even been told by several doctors that he can drive. One doctor told him to stop using meclizine and Viagra. Another physician said that […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My spouse is still suffering from chest congestion, coughing and some laryngitis. She has never completely recovered from the cold she got in early November. She also had a bad case of COVID last April. Her symptoms have waxed and waned, but now she is wheezing in bed. (Interestingly and maybe relatedly, […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been taking 20 mg of teneligliptin with metformin to control my Type 2 diabetes. It has been much better than taking 5 mg of glipizide or other combinations with metformin, and there have been no side effects. Teneligliptin is prescribed in most countries, including Japan and Europe. Why it is […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a knee replacement about six years ago. At the time, I was in considerable pain, and it dissipated slowly after the operation. After about six months, I still had some pain, but the surgical doctor I used had retired. So, he just gave me my medical history and closed his […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a kidney transplant nine years ago. Other than a bout with COVID that landed me in the hospital a couple of months ago, I have been rather healthy and lead a normal life. I take a handful of pills each day that are mainly aimed at suppressing my immune system […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a retired male over 65 and a former occasional cigar smoker (I quit 15 years ago) as well as a former drinker (I quit seven years ago). About 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. I regularly did all the biopsies as required and took my proton-pump inhibitor […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old male in reasonably good health, but I do have some issues. I exercise daily and eat a fairly balanced, healthy diet. I am a Type 2 diabetic with an A1C of about 6.4%, and I take metformin. I also take triamterene, lisinopril and atorvastatin for blood pressure and […]