ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, to my surprise, I came down with bladder cancer. I am a healthy 66-year-old man who is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 215 pounds, and a lifelong nonsmoker. I drink a few beers monthly and don't take any meds.

It was very surprising that what was thought to be kidney stones came back as papillary noninvasive bladder cancer. ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was gardening and stabbed myself in the arm with pruning shears over the weekend. It just occurred to me yesterday that I'm not sure how long it's been since I got my booster shot for tetatnus. So, I checked, and I last had a booster shot nine years ago. Do I need a booster now? -- M.M.

ANSWER: For adults who have had the ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 53-year-old healthy male, and I always request to check my PSA levels each year. My 57-year-old brother's new doctor denied his request for a routine PSA check on their initial visit. She said that the test now produces more false positives and unnecessary procedures and surgeries, so she said "no" and wouldn't order it.

...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a reasonably healthy 76-year-old woman. I eat a healthy diet, avoid processed sugar, and work out usually twice a week, plus one day with a personal trainer. I am a breast cancer survivor. I drink 5 ounces of wine with dinner on weeknights and slightly more on the weekends. I am in bed around 11:30 p.m. every night and ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a retired and active 73-year-old who plays tennis and regularly goes to the gym. I often take long naps and sleep for 2 or 3 hours. At night, I often sleep 4 or 5 hours. My understanding is that someone in my age range should be getting 7 hours of sleep. If I take a 2-hour nap, and at night I sleep 5 hours, am I getting ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a CT scan of my chest and abdomen for pain, and they made a note that I also had coronary atherosclerosis. What is this condition? Can medications help? Can it be treated without surgery? -- P.D.

ANSWER: A computed tomography (CT) scan gives multiple two-dimensional slices of the body and is very good at looking...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old female in fairly good health with a number of diseases/conditions that are fairly well-controlled. I take about 15 prescription and over-the-counter meds a day (including methotrexate) for my Sjogren's symptoms and other conditions, plus a statin.

Nine weeks ago, I had shoulder surgery for a torn bicep ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Any thoughts on milk thistle supplements in fatty liver disease that was diagnosed by an ultrasound due to elevated AST and ALT levels? -- B.S.

ANSWER: Milk thistle (sylmarin) has had mixed results in clinical trials regarding metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly called fatty liver disease). Although a...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, I almost experienced kidney failure from a probable infection. I am a male, age 68. My glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ranges from 44-50, and my weight is 132 pounds. My blood pressure is 110/60 mm Hg, and I enjoy various endurance sports.

Besides limiting my protein, salt and saturated fat intake and getting ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been taking 25 mg of amitriptyline for sleep for several years; I am 79 and have noticed occasional difficulty remembering some facts. I read that this drug can affect cognition. I don't believe that amitriptyline is really effective in helping me sleep, so I have discontinued its use, believing that the risk outweighs ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: My question is: What is the difference between prediabetes and diabetes, and which do I have? I am male, 85 years old, 170 pounds, and 6 feet and 1 inch tall. I was treated for heart disease with Coreg, Crestor, isosorbide, lisinopril and amlodipine.

About one year ago, the cardiologist added 5 mg of Farxiga for its heart and ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: How do I approach a problem my husband has without embarrassing him? I'm not sure why lately, but during sex, he just goes soft. I'm not sure if it's me who he's not attracted to anymore or what's going on. We have been married for over 20 years. He is 39 and in good health otherwise. I don't want to make a big deal of this, ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 80-year-old Asian woman. Each day, I walk 4 miles and do 30 minutes of stretching, as well as 1 hour of cardio, strength or balance exercises by following videos provided by my health insurance. Also, my brother and sister who are in their 60s and 70s have weak bones and muscles. It seems to run in my family.

In 2000, ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a female under 30 years old. For over a decade, I have been having severe health concerns. I am constantly retaining water and also have difficulty moving and completing simple tasks, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and numbness in my legs, arms and face. These are the main symptoms. This has been going on for over a decade...Read more