DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, I read that the use of PPIs — namely Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec — elevate one’s chances of kidney disease. Since I have been taking Nexium for years now for GERD, I am concerned. I have tried doing without it or taking a substitute, but nothing works as well as Nexium […]
Advice
Cancer: Put your effort in to your own ideas
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jessica Szohr, 31; Ewan McGregor, 45; Christopher Walken, 73; Shirley Jones, 82. Happy Birthday: A watchful eye will be necessary when dealing with your reputation, status and getting ahead. You’ll face competition that will not play fair. Your precision and dedication will help you overcome anyone who tries to mess […]
Ending dog’s suffering is difficult discussion for wife
DEAR ABBY: How do I talk to my husband about putting his dog ”Sunny” to sleep? My husband is the most loving, caring, generous person I have ever met, and I don’t know how to tell him it’s time to let his best friend go. Sunny is 15 1/2 years old and can barely walk […]
The case for opiate use
DEAR DR. ROACH: I hope you will offer your opinion on my experience with opiate medication. My wife is now on a combination of morphine pills to address chronic shoulder pain resulting from a fall. The reason it became chronic is because of a misdiagnosis, followed by errant X-rays and three unnecessary surgeries. She has […]
High cholesterol cases should be checked for low thyroid
DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor has put me on atorvastatin 20 mg. I am 71, with high blood pressure, and my HDL (good cholesterol) is in the 30s. My total cholesterol is now good, at around 180. After some research, I found out that if you have a thyroid condition, you might not need to […]
Son’s sperm donation provokes mother’s ire
DEAR ABBY: My oldest son came to me nine months ago asking my opinion. He wanted to donate sperm to a black lesbian couple (for a fee) so they could have a biracial child. He told me he needed the money. I told him I didn’t approve because they are lesbians. (Sorry, I’ll be bashed […]
Gemini: Take care of your health and finances
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Katy Mixon, 35; Celine Dion, 48; Eric Clapton, 71; Warren Beatty, 79. Happy Birthday: Precision and dedication will be necessary if you are to reach your personal and professional goals. Waiting to see what others do will cost you. Believe in your abilities and strive to do your own thing. […]
Taurus: Offer love and affection
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Megan Hilty, 35; Lucy Lawless, 48; Amy Sedaris, 55; Eric Idle, 73. Happy Birthday: What are you waiting for? Take the initiative and be the one to make things happen. Your desire to be one step ahead of everyone else should motivate you to reach your mark. Do your best […]
Brother’s sudden death prompts single mother to be prepared
DEAR ABBY: My 29-year-old brother died suddenly last month. It was completely unexpected. He left behind a wife and 1-year-old son. Although they lived across the country, she allowed us to bring him home for his funeral and burial. I took care of a lot of the arrangements on this end, while she took care […]
No treatment advised for subclinical hypothyroidism
DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 67 years old and in good health. I had some thyroid tests that showed a mildly high TSH (6.7), but normal T3, T4 and free thyroxine index. I am not on thyroid medication, but my doctor said if the TSH gets much higher, we should talk about thyroid replacement. I […]