ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would like to know your opinion on the hepatitis B vaccine and its pros and cons. I'm a 39-year-old man who is thinking about potentially getting one. -- Anon.

ANSWER: Hepatitis B is a viral illness that can cause both acute and chronic liver disease. It's much better to prevent it than treat it.

Among adults in North ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 63 years old, and four weeks ago, I was diagnosed by my gastroenterologist with erosive esophagitis after an endoscopy. I was placed initially on Protonix, but I didn't improve much. So, I was switched to 20 mg of Voquezna, and after eight weeks, I am starting to feel better.

I have painful osteoarthritis in my right hand...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband (age 71) received a diagnosis of polycythemia vera a few years ago. I understand this variety of polycythemia isn't caused by smoking, but we know that smoking does make it worse.

For most of his life, he's had a history of smoking with some short periods of not smoking, and he continues to smoke several times every...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a reasonably healthy 80-year-old man who is fortunate enough to have a partner of a child-bearing age. She would like to bear us a child. I am concerned about any potential problems with my old genes and any birth defects that might be caused by them. Please help us decide. -- R.B.

ANSWER: This is a question I hear from ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: A few months ago, you wrote about the benefits of the shingles vaccine. At 63, I'm one of the 1% who has never had, nor been exposed to, chicken pox. I was tested in 2022 for varicella-zoster virus antibodies, and the results were negative. My current physician wants me to get the shingles vaccine, even though I can't get ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you kindly tell me about the current status of paregoric? Has it been banned by the Food and Drug Administration? Is it available anywhere in the United States? I remember using this product occasionally as a teenager back in the 1960s. It was a miracle drug for stopping diarrhea, and it was available over the counter. ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 71-year-old man with a physically active lifestyle, and I have a strong passion to control my A1C and cholesterol levels by eating the right kind of food. I am taking metformin, atorvastatin and losartan to assist in controlling my blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.

After turning 70, I was having difficulty ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was wondering whether Ozempic might be prescribed for somebody who gained weight due to antipsychotics or drugs for depression. I read some years ago that the weight gain associated with antipsychotics had something to do with blood sugar levels (or some other metabolic reason). -- K.

ANSWER: You are quite right that many ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed with low cortisol and put on 15-mg hydrocortisone tablets daily for life by my endocrinologist. I was told that if I get sick with an infection, I should double the medication. I am 77, and my pharmacist told me that this medication shouldn't be used long-term. I worry about the side effects, but I hear ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 47 years old and 6 feet tall. I weight 185 pounds, exercise regularly, and am in overall very good health. I take 5 mg of Crestor and a multivitamin daily.

I recently took a generic 12-hour, maximum-strength nasal decongestant to manage typical sinus pressure and congestion. Within an hour of taking the medication, I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am interested in knowing how long it might take for someone who discontinued all medications that have been taken for years to have serious or dire consequences? I started seeing a cardiologist five to six years ago, mainly as a preventive because of a family history of cardiac and stroke risk with both of my parents/...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old female. Recently, I had some blood work done, and my doctor decide to put me on Lipitor based on my LDL results. After reading the side effects, I am hesitant to take the drug. My LDL level is 128 mg/dL, my HDL is 49 mg/dL, and my total cholesterol is 192 mg/dL. Over the years, my numbers go up and down. I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 75-year-old woman who is active in many ways. I did the swimming leg for a triathlon female relay team, which was 2-3 miles in the open ocean. So, I am baffled by my recent diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG)! Reading as much as possible for a clue, I found a (nonvalid) study stating that seniors who began taking statins ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with several liver cysts over 15 years ago. My primary doctor and I follow the growth of the cysts by ultrasound, and one is increasing in size. We did an MRI with and without contrast to take a look at the cyst. The radiologist stated that the cyst looked "complex" and, for a lack of a better word, unusual.

A ...Read more