DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has been diagnosed with Paget’s disease. I would like to know more about it; this is the first time I have ever heard of it. I would like to know the treatments and how much damage affects the bones. He is 76, had prostate cancer and underwent radiation treatment. — […]
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The steroid drug prednisone often inflames herpes flare-ups
DEAR DR. ROACH: After years of controlling my herpes outbreaks, I began having severe outbreaks again. I noticed that they began after I had completed a week’s worth of prednisone. Since then, and after a few more steroid prescriptions over the years, I have been on valacyclovir, which has cut the symptoms of the virus […]
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Delayed treatment of a stroke results in lost brain function
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 60-year-old male. In April 2020, while watching TV, I developed dizziness, changes to my vision, difficulty standing and walking, and sudden deafness. I did not want to go to the hospital right away. I finally went to the hospital the third day after symptoms appeared. I was informed by […]
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How to best treat a middle ear infection
DEAR DR. ROACH: I think I have a middle ear infection. I noticed it last night. It doesn’t hurt except when I swallow. Otherwise, I feel fine. Should I wait 24 hours before seeing my doctor, or should I try to see him today? — J.B. ANSWER: First, let’s review the anatomy. The ear has […]
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Pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis comes years after losing left lung
DEAR DR. ROACH: In the 1950s, I worked for a plumber covering pipes with asbestos. In 1976, I lost my entire lung on the left side, operated on at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York. From that moment in 1976, I never had a problem with my other lung until about three months ago, when […]
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Imbruvica shouldn’t be withheld long before or after procedures
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 75 and have had Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia for three years, which has been treated with ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and is now in remission. A side effect of Imbruvica is bleeding, and it requires the drug to be withheld before procedures. I need a colonoscopy and a prostate biopsy now. Ideally, how long […]
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Wolfberry and frankincense do not prevent cancer recurrence
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a female over 90 years old who has been urged to take an essential oil wolfberry supplement with a drop of frankincense to prevent cancer. I recently had a mastectomy in my left breast. Please comment. — D.H. ANSWER: Wolfberry, also called goji berries, has been touted as a cancer […]
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A spinal spacer is one option to alleviate critical spinal stenosis
DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is 84 years old and has critical stenosis in his back. He is also diabetic (his A1C level is 8.8% with insulin), has high blood pressure that is under control, and takes amiodarone for his heart. He received an epidural for back pain, but it did not help. He is […]
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Inspire device causes discomfort due to tongue stimulation
DEAR DR. ROACH: My friend uses an Inspire device for sleep apnea. It bothers him during the day when he feels it stimulating his tongue. Can you tell me about this? — R.S. ANSWER: Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by the back of the tongue closing the airway when the muscles relax during sleep. (Snoring […]
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Heart becomes deconditioned to exercise after airbag injury
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old who used to walk up 75 to 90 flights of steps several days a week as exercise. After a steering wheel airbag went off and damaged my heart, I am afraid my ability to do that stopped. After years of medications, I am now on a pacemaker, which […]