DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there anything I can do to relieve the pain and suffering from oral lichen planus? — Anon. ANSWER: Nobody knows what causes lichen planus, an uncommon (less than 1% of people) skin condition that may also affect the mouth or vagina. It most often occurs during the ages of 30 to […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: As a 73-year-old woman, I had a coronary calcium scan done when my new primary care physician wanted to start me on a statin. He discouraged me from having the scan done, saying it wouldn’t change his recommendation. I had tried three statins when I was in my 50s, and all of […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent article about migraines. I’m a millennial who started getting brutal migraines beginning in 2001. I saw several neurologists and took different medications, but nothing really helped. In 2011, I started taking fish oil with high DHA daily. Since then, my migraines have dropped 95% overall, and it helps […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 82-year-old woman in good health. Last May, I began having migraine headaches preceded by an aura two to three times a week. They’re not as severe as they were when I was younger, but I hadn’t been having more than one or two a year since I was in my […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old male who has used cannabis for 51 years. During that time span, I graduated from high school and college with two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees, and I spent 35 years as an accomplished educator, motivational speaker and author. I have been married to the same person […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: In June 2022, I had a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit, severe sore throat and headache, and I tested positive for COVID-19 on a home test. I was 67. I called my doctor’s office the next morning and was advised to take Tylenol as needed for pain as well as tea with […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: I took Glucovance (metformin and glyburide) for more than 30 years. Then, because of worsening kidney function (high creatinine), I have been switched to just glyburide alone. I am also on Actos for my diabetes. I just joined Medicare Part D; however, there were only one or two plans that covered glyburide. […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: For the last few years, I have been taking yearly Reclast infusions for osteoporosis, because I have trouble taking oral medications of any kind. The infusion was given in February 2022, and over the next several months, I developed severe joint pain so bad that I could hardly get around. My muscles […]

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife is 78 and has had Alzheimer’s disease since 2011. Her meds are 5 mg of escitalopram daily, 10 mg of memantine daily, and 25 mg of quetiapine daily. Could this be the reason she has had almost black bowel movements for the past five months? She doesn’t have control over […]

DEAR DR ROACH: I have Factor V Leiden, but I have been wanting to do testosterone replacement therapy. I have heard that testosterone causes blood clots. Obviously, with FVL, that would be a huge deal for me. Is this true? Does it cause clots? Or is it safe for me to do? — R.C. ANSWER: […]