ArcaMax

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband woke up with double vision about three weeks ago. It appears that his left eye is turned inward and does not move with his right eye. He's had a prescription for prednisone that did not help. An MRI has ruled out a brain tumor, and blood tests have ruled out myasthenia gravis.

An optometrist has prescribed prism ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 66 years old and have had highly episodic and infrequent shooting pains in my outer right knee on and off for the past five or six years. It's like an intense burning sensation or electric shock to the bony outer part of my tibia directly below the knee, and it only lasts for a few seconds.

But when it occurs during sleep...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I want to point out a serious health concern. My daughter turned 40 last year and got her mammogram, which came back with a shocking diagnosis of stage 3 microinvasive carcinoma. She underwent three surgeries, the last of which was a double mastectomy.

I read that cancer incidence increases with hormone usage greater than five...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman in reasonably good health. Two months ago, I had a seizure in my doctor's office during my annual checkup. I woke up in an emergency room in a large metropolitan hospital.

I take ramipril for high blood pressure, which is controlled. I am now taking levetiracetam for seizures. I have never had a ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 74-year-old man. I have a DEXA score of -3.3. I take 1,200 mg of calcium with vitamin D daily. I lift weights and swim two to three times a week. My doctor put me on Prolia, and I had six months of infections. He switched me to Fosamax, and my blood pressure was 201/121 mmHg.

I found a Phase 4 clinical trial showing ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a complete hysterectomy in my late 40s due to endometriosis. I am now 68 and have been on 0.1-mg patches of estradiol since. Should I ask my gynecologist to do a hormone study, or should I just not worry? I have an annual checkup with her and a mammogram every year. -- J.S.

ANSWER: While many doctors no longer prescribe ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a healthy and fairly active 62-year-old female. My blood pressure and cholesterol levels have always been very good, and there's no history of heart issues in my immediate family. At my last checkup, my total cholesterol was 178 mg/dL; my LDL was 81 mg/dL; my triglycerides were 61 (all a bit high for me); and my HDL was 87 mg...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have low serum cholesterol but a high coronary calcium score, and I was told to take magnesium supplements to bring my calcium score down (in addition to daily aspirin and a statin). What are your thoughts about magnesium to bring down a high calcium score? -- D.B.

ANSWER: A coronary calcium score is a measurement of calcium...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: When I have appointments with my physicians (at our local, highly rated academic health system), they no longer do a physical exam. But in the after-visit note, there is a documented and complete physical exam that doesn't reflect reality. This happened on all types of visits, including annual visits and pre- and post-surgery ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 70-year-old woman. I have Type 2 diabetes, and my morning fasting blood sugar numbers are all over the place. It's very frustrating. I take glipizide and metformin. Could you tell me how to correct the numbers? -- L.C.

ANSWER: Unfortunately, I can't give you specific advice without a whole lot more information, but I ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 83-year-old man. Except for blood pressure medication, I've never had any heart-related health issues. Earlier this year, I experienced six or so episodes of a fast, irregular heartbeat. After seeing a cardiologist, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I was prescribed Eliquis and amiodarone.

After doing a little ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 61-year-old male in excellent health. I do not drink alcohol. About four months ago, I noticed a dramatic change in my facial complexion. I developed an acne-like rash, primarily on my right cheek. I also developed two pretty large pimples, one under my left eye and one on my right check.

The dermatologist diagnosed ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old woman who isn't prediabetic or diabetic. My BMI is 31.2. My doctor has prescribed a trial of metformin for weight loss as an alternative to starting Ozempic or one of the other weight-loss drugs. I have lost three pounds in a month, which is a start; exercise and healthier eating is also encouraged. What are ...Read more

DEAR DR. ROACH: Two years ago, I was diagnosed with atypical trigeminal neuralgia. This causes me constant and extreme face pain, like a vise-grip on my face. Once an MRI confirmed no brain issues, and after multiple medications including Botox injections, I was put on nortriptyline, which immensely improved the pain. I am 61 years old and ...Read more