DEAR DR. ROACH: We just learned that a 30-year-old woman who was six weeks pregnant with twins had a heart attack during a spin class and is now lying in a coma in the hospital. The woman was then diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old woman who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia decades ago. I suffered before my diagnosis and have suffered since with every single symptom that defines this disease.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 77 and have an enlarged prostate. My PSA score has been between 5.2 and 5.9 ng/mL for years. Recently, my internist had me take a PSA test, and it was 9.5 ng/mL.

I am a 73-year-old man. I exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and have not eaten beef or pork in over 40 years. In spite of all of this, I was diagnosed in January 2022 ...

I'm 58 years old and was diagnosed with high blood pressure back in 2021. Since then, I've been prescribed atenolol, which slows down my heart rate.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is 80 years old and a survivor of liver cancer after receiving four years of immunotherapy. On a recent follow-up visit to his oncologist, the doctor told him that he has a heart murmur.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old woman who has been using Estrace vaginal cream weekly for several years. I am in excellent health, work out daily, run half-marathons and have my own business.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 71-year-old woman who still works full-time as a teacher.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been taking Plavix (clopidogrel) for 15 years because of a mild heart attack that resulted in three stents. Next month, I am having a prostate MRI and biopsy. The urologist told me to stop taking clopidogrel seven days prior.

DEAR DR ROACH: I am a 60-year-old female. I was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in 2020.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have achalasia, which I understand is quite rare. Can you tell me the cause, and is it in any way related to the COVID vaccination?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Are there any nonsurgical ways to repair an inguinal hernia, like exercise, diet or walking? I believe I caught mine early on. The mesh does not seem promising. — R.K.

My husband was diagnosed with ampullary cancer. He has a tumor the size of a marble. We are told this is an aggressive cancer. My concern is that they are giving him chemotherapy ...

I am 77 and have been suffering from an enlarged prostate for 20 years, waking up six times each night ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: For four years, I have been taking 2 mg of alprazolam at night to sleep. For the past six months, I have noticed that if I take it at 10:30 p.m., I usually cannot fall asleep until 2:30 a.m.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm an 88-year-old female who has been diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife, 69, has had issues for several years with high counts of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 80-year-old woman. Three years ago, I had breast cancer surgery.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been a registered nurse for 55 years. I'm writing in about my 42-year-old son who recently suffered a focal seizure while driving.

DEAR DR. ROACH: The U.S. Food and Drug administration granted traditional approval of Leqembi (lecanemab) for the treatment of early Alzheimer's disease.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What are your thoughts regarding histamine intolerance when eating high-histamine foods? I am a 65-year-old female who has suffered from sinus problems since my late teens.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 73, and in the last few years, I have experienced headaches for the first time in my life, and I do not know the cause. I am in excellent health otherwise.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 73-year-old active male whose health is generally good.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please tell us about the safety of taking 5 mg of finasteride for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). One urologist prescribed it, claiming that it is safe and prevents serious bladder and prostate problems.

DEAR DR. ROACH: How can you actually tell with at least a moderate degree of certainty that you might really have a heart or blood pressure problem, as opposed to just having an anxiety attack that is less serious? -- D.S.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My primary care doctor has ordered that I get an MRI scan with and without contrast dye.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What’s the difference between homeopathy and allopathic medicine? — H.L.

DEAR DR. ROACH: A friend recommended hyaluronic acid for joint pain in my wrist and hand.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in January 2012. I am aware of when it comes by how I feel -- a little out of sorts, but no shortness of breath, chest pain or light-headedness.

DEAR DR ROACH: I am having significant issues with my hip replacement that was performed 10 years ago. It can get quite painful after kneeling, lifting heavy objects or sitting in some chairs for extended periods. My MRIs show no issues.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has been diagnosed with Paget's disease. I would like to know more about it; this is the first time I have ever heard of it.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 60-year-old male. In April 2020, while watching TV, I developed dizziness, changes to my vision, difficulty standing and walking, and sudden deafness.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I think I have a middle ear infection. I noticed it last night. It doesn’t hurt except when I swallow. Otherwise, I feel fine. Should I wait 24 hours before seeing my doctor, or should I try to see him today?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 75 and have had Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia for three years, which has been treated with ibrutinib (Imbruvica) and is now in remission.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a female over 90 years old who has been urged to take an essential oil wolfberry supplement with a drop of frankincense to prevent cancer.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My friend uses an Inspire device for sleep apnea. It bothers him during the day when he feels it stimulating his tongue. Can you tell me about this? — R.S.

I am 54 years old, and I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation that comes and goes. I was prescribed Xarelto...

Have you ever heard of "fibromuscular dysplasia"? My mom was diagnosed with this blood disorder ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on PSA testing and have a simple question. You mentioned that a PSA test could do more harm than benefit in men over 75.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband experienced seizure-like episodes, without tonic/clonic body movements, in high altitude while traveling and being physically active in Colorado and skiing in France. Both episodes happened at least 12 hours after physical activity.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Last November, the outside of my left leg above my ankle started hurting badly. At its worst, it felt like someone had hit me with a bat.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had breast cancer in my right breast when I was 45. I had a lumpectomy, underwent radiation treatments and had seven lymph nodes removed. My breast doctor told me not to use my right arm for any injections.

I'm a 71-year-old healthy female who has struggled with my weight all my life. In the '90s, I thought I had finally found the solution in fen-phen.

I am an 86 year old woman in good health, and I run and walk regularly. ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old woman. I have asked my doctor for genetic cancer screening and was told I didn’t need it unless I had symptoms. I had a hysterectomy, but I still have my ovaries.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you please address how to use compression socks?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Do people with pacemakers need to be concerned about wireless devices? -- B.L.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been advised by my sports medicine doctor to never take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs because they are detrimental to my health. Do you agree with this advice, or is there some way to take them safely?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am male, age 65. I exercise regularly. A shortness of breath led me to get a chest X-ray, which showed that I have emphysema.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am writing in regarding my husband, who has had nocturia since around the age of 24.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I happen to be on 200 mg of hydroxychloroquine daily for my rheumatoid arthritis. There are mosquitos carrying Plasmodium vivax here, and so far, four people have contracted the disease. Does hydroxychloroquine offer any protection?

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband was diagnosed with hemochromatosis 13 months before he died.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 90-year-old woman, and I consider myself reasonably healthy, except for one problem. I have severe lumbar spinal stenosis.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What are the symptoms for cold agglutinin disease, and how is it diagnosed?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Have you ever heard of a "low blood pressure stroke"? That was my husband's (incorrect) diagnosis several years back when he suddenly could not move his arms and legs.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife (age 59) has very poor leg strength.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you noted that "atorvastatin can increase blood sugar." Is this true of all statins? If not, are there statins that are better or safer for someone with diabetes in the family?

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband and I are confused about the guidelines concerning when older men should be screened for osteoporosis.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 64-year-old man who had an ultrasound six months ago that revealed a 1.9-cm echogenic nodule in the right lobe of my liver.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 74-year-old woman who loves to read the newspaper every morning. I have a problem that’s not serious, but annoying.

DEAR DR. ROACH: During my recent visit with my optometrist, a retinal embolus (a Hollenhorst plaque) was discovered in my right eye.

DEAR DR ROACH: I am a 60-year-old man and suffer from chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. I have had bouts of prostatitis since childhood, but the last few years, it has been almost constant.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have reached the beginning of osteoarthritis after a meniscus trim from years ago. Can platement-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or anything else, regenerate cartilage? — E.C.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I took ibuprofen for my osteoarthritis, but developed hives. Does this mean I'm allergic to all NSAIDS?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 76 and have been bothered by sensitive skin, usually dryness on my back and itchiness on my ears.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 79-year-old female. I am in generally good health, but have a question about RhoGAM.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My partner is 71 and was diagnosed with heart failure one year ago, but one month later, he was diagnosed with an iliac arteriovenous malformation (AVM).

DEAR DR ROACH: Would you please clarify what it means to be immunocompromised?

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mom had a throat and palate infection that was treated in 2017, and about two weeks later, she had a heart attack.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 76-year-old male who has had nighttime urination problems for many years.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a port put in for chemotherapy. I have a red scar on my chest and a smaller one near my collarbone.

DEAR DR ROACH: I am 83 and in great health, with mountain biking about four times a week and generally staying active.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two months ago.

DEAR DR. ROACH: When my doctor told me that as a vegetarian I needed a B12 supplement, I didn’t take it seriously, and went with nutritional yeast to supply it.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Some months ago, my doctor used a QuantaFlo test to measure circulation in my legs.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm confused by the relationship between my blood glucose level and A1C.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 30-year-old and otherwise healthy grandson has been suffering from and treating hemorrhoids for two years.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have some questions about adult men getting circumcised.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I will be undergoing a thyroidectomy to reduce the chances of thyroid cancer, given my family history, a CHEK2 mutation and ongoing thyroid nodule growth.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Which diet styles in particular are associated with a lower risk of heart disease?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm an 83-year-old male. I eat a plant-based diet, and I exercise at my local YMCA at least three times a week.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old female who has had four benign breast biopsies/lumpectomies in the last 25 years. I’ve also been dealing with extreme itching on one side of my breast.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there a possibility of having some type of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), even though it doesn't show up clearly in the blood work?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have seen news reports of many positive results from people using INNOVO, the FDA-approved shorts that provide electrical pelvic muscle stimulation, to possibly eliminate incontinence entirely.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My older friends and I talk about your column once in a while, and we all read it every day. Thank you. One thing we all wonder is, how do pills work? How does the medicine know where to go?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I've been experiencing pain in my chest, dizziness and shortness of breath on exertion.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column about the MESA calculator.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 73-year-old husband was just hospitalized for an emergency appendectomy. Pre-surgery, he had a low-grade fever and some stomach tenderness -- symptoms that he thought was a stomachache.

DEAR DR ROACH: My 73-year-old wife has been diligent in getting her mammograms done, plus blood tests and doctor's visits every three months.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In your recent column, you addressed a situation concerning insulin resistance, including weight gain.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a hemorrhoid. It’s not small, but it’s not huge. At times, it itches or gets inflamed and feels sore for several days.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I see supplements advertised on television that are supposed to clear "brain fog" and do many other beneficial things.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I live in a large community. More and more of my peers are using THC gummies sold over the counter at smoke shops as a substitute for smoking marijuana.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband’s brother and paternal uncle were both diagnosed with bipolar disorder. His uncle struggled miserably for decades before his death; his brother has been in and out of institutions and outpatient programs for years.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you referred to a U.K. source that stated "all-cause mortality is very significantly reduced in people who have had the COVID vaccine, compared to unvaccinated people."

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would appreciate any insight you can give me regarding a diagnosis that I was given after my last colonoscopy.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 82-year-old, reasonably fit woman. I am having cramps at night in my feet and legs, causing me to wake three or four times a night. Getting up and walking helps, as does applying a hot washcloth and using Voltaren on the cramping areas.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What causes the growth of new teeth at my current age?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 61-year-old male, and I'm currently taking medication for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband had surgery the first time he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Five years later, he had a recurrence. We investigated his options and decided to go with the proton therapy

DEAR DR. ROACH: What can you tell me about a prescription of 145 mcg of Linzess, and why a doctor would prescribe a pill over $500?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a 72-year-old male friend in excellent health. Approximately six months ago, he had difficulty breathing and subsequently had fluid drained from his left lung.

DEAR DR. ROACH: A friend who is a breast cancer survivor recently had another friend who survived uterine cancer, but learned she had bone cancer after five years of being cancer-free.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 55-year-old perimenopausal woman who developed asthma a few years ago.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in my 70s.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I worked in a building from 1975 to 2002 that is now being torn down due to asbestos. The people who worked in the building didn’t know at the time of any asbestos exposure. What problems could we potentially have?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I so appreciated your recent column on arthritis -- specifically osteoarthritis. I'm a big exerciser; however, I have always heard that this arthritis is caused or exacerbated by wear and tear. I was surprised to hear otherwise!

DEAR DR. ROACH: There is much mainstream news recently about the health risks of using natural gas appliances.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 85-year-old female who has had primary biliary cirrhosis of the liver for many years. I have been on 300 mg of ursodiol taken three times a day for all those years, with no problems until now.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Due to a slight genetic risk of breast cancer (my Tyrer-Cuzick Model score was 20.6%), my doctor wants me to get breast MRIs with contrast annually.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband is an over-the-road truck driver, and he is 68. He has been on metformin for a long time, and I have been reading that this medicine does not help bring down blood sugar.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would like your thoughts as to the danger that high levels of radon gas pose to owners and residents of a first-floor condominium.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with a UTI on my yearly physical urinalysis, but had no symptoms.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had been on hormone replacement therapy for 20 years or so and was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m an 82-year-old, very healthy woman. In February 2020, I had a viral infection that was relatively mild. One unusual symptom was that I lost my sense of taste and smell.

DEAR DR. ROACH: After many bouts of pain in my left leg, I was referred for an MRI.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My left elbow has been bothering me for eight years. When I bump it, there is a terrible pain, like an electric shock.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am having trouble finding a reliable recommendation for the daily supplement zinc.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is there anything I can do to relieve the pain and suffering from oral lichen planus?

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.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old male who has used cannabis for 51 years.

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.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been taking yearly Reclast infusions for osteoporosis, because I have trouble taking oral medications of any kind. Over several months, I developed severe joint pain so bad that I could hardly get around.

I am 63 and was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2020. I had my prostate removed. ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: My ex-wife and I are both 72 and have known each other for about 15 years. Soon after filing for divorce in 2019, she became very ill with an ulcer, followed by lung cancer and the onset of dementia.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My nephew, 62, is a stroke victim. He resides in a board and care facility, bedridden and in diapers. There has been some cognitive damage, although he is able to speak coherently.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'd like to have your thoughts on what value the NAC supplement may have for reducing cravings for marijuana or nicotine?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why doesn't rheumatoid arthritis have any medicines to help treat it?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 80-year-old man in relatively good health. About 30 years ago, I contracted a serious UTI that affected me while at work. I was very cold, shivering with chattering teeth.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I've been hearing about tianeptine being sold at gas stations. Is it really dangerous? — S.F.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please give me your opinion on the drug Rybelsus.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 74-year-old woman with good cholesterol numbers and normal blood pressure. I’ve exercised regularly since I was 17 (that’s 57 years), and weigh 98 pounds. Still, my doctor is giving me a strong sales pitch to take a statin.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My question regards the results of my fasting glucose tests for the past couple of years.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would it be possible for you to explain my recent diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS)? Apparently, 3% to 5% of the population over the age of 50 show this blood abnormality.

For over 20 years, I have experienced difficulty with getting enough sleep at night. I typically get between five and six hours of sleep per night. I fall asleep quickly at about 10 p.m., but wake up early, unable to fall back asleep.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been diagnosed with vitamin D toxicity, according to the blood work from a month ago -- my result was 122 ng/mL.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am taking terazosin and finasteride for my enlarged prostate.

Could you please give me some information regarding irritable bowel syndrome? I am taking carbidopa/levodopa for restless leg syndrome. I also take Unisom to help sleep onset. Do the meds I’m taking have any relationship to the IBS?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have read that there is a correlation between the use of statins and suicide in men over 60, especially if they have suffered chronic depression.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife, who's 66, walks two miles every morning at a moderate pace.

I am a 64-year-old female and weigh 130 pounds. I’m 5 feet, 8 inches tall. For years, off and on, my primary doctor would tell me that my sodium level was low. Recently, my doctor said that if my sodium level is low again, I need to see a kidney specialist.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had a BMI over 40 for the last 20 years, and I have not been able to lose weight or keep the weight off.

DEAR DR. ROACH: At 57, I slipped on ice and broke my right hip. During my hospital stay, I believe they gave me a Fosamax shot through IV.

I was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in June through a yearly wellness check. I had no prior symptoms or issues. The cancer was in the limited stage and did not spread to the brain, nor any other part of the body.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 84-year-old woman. Unfortunately, I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease this past month. (Of course, I am mightily researching now.)

DEAR DR. ROACH:I am 78 years old. I had a hysterectomy in 1976 due to excessive vaginal bleeding, but I still have my ovaries.

Is there anything that I can do for pain after having shingles? I had shingles 18 months ago, and I still have pain on my right side in my breast and arm.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Are oral antibiotics ever prescribed to treat chalazions in addition to eye drops and ointment? I have had two this year for, seemingly, no reason.

DEAR DR. ROACH: How do I know if I have arthritis? My left leg makes a slight cracking noise in my knee when I walk down the stairs, but no pain.

Will I continue to test positive for COVID-19 antigens even after I recover from the virus? I tested positive using the free, at-home COVID-19 antigen self-test a week ago, and I tested positive again yesterday.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother and both of her sisters had breast cancer in their 30s, with my mother eventually passing after her third bout at age 43.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently caught a quick news headline on breast cancer stating that there are now findings of cancer in women who have had breast implants. What can you tell us about these new findings and studies?

I am an 86-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, stage 3A.

I am a 72-year-old male in good health who was told this week that my eyes have shown the beginning of glaucoma.

A good friend of mine experienced what appeared to be a mild heart attack and went to his physician to have it checked out immediately. The tests found acute blockages in the arteries around his heart, and his doctors performed a triple-bypass heart surgery two days later.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 46-year-old woman who exercises daily for health, strength and stress relief.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Help! I am caught in a feud between my primary care doctor and my oral surgeon.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I suffered a lower back injury in 2001, with crushed and bulging discs in the L2, L3, L4 and L5 vertebras.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm an 80-year-old male who learned from a much younger male about the tremendous improvement he's had in his life since undergoing a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) procedure.

I am 77 and have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am taking Fosamax and taking all the steps recommended for strengthening bones. But I have two questions...

I've been seeing a man - he's 75, and I'm 77. He uses the blue pill; however...

I have several family members with autoimmune diseases. I read about a study from Germany where people with lupus were treated with CAR T cells, which proved effective. Will this treatment be available for other autoimmune diseases?

DEAR DR. ROACH: My dad has been on hospice care for several months now.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you please provide details on which cholesterol numbers to pay attention to?

I was confused by your column the other day, as well as the response regarding weight loss to a writer who is losing height due to aging and/or osteoporosis. Would it be possible to please obtain more information?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have always wondered if it matters if you swallow a bunch of pills in one swallow or if it would be better to space them out. I take a bunch, like Eliquis, dicyclomine, gabapentin, etc.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, and along with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I have been taking 1 mg of anastrozole daily.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old male who has been very active throughout my life. Two years ago, through a fall which resulted in a compression fracture of the T12 vertebra, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a health scare about my prostate, but fortunately, I was able to get it treated successfully.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an active 70-year-old female in good health. I have an issue with sleep that is affecting everything in my life, because I am tired most of the time.

I disagree with your recent column about the glucosamine/chondroitin supplements. I have arthritis in my lower back. I am taking this supplement each day, and my lower back pain is completely gone.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend with multiple health problems, mostly digestive and throat, who has recently discovered the supplement astaxanthin through his treatment with a nutritionist.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 73-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

DEAR DR. ROACH: No wonder COVID-19 doesn’t go away — people don’t seem to take it seriously anymore.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 72, and I have had arthritis for three years: two years in both knees, one year in my right hip and the base of my spine.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a senior, and I shower in the evenings, regardless of what time I go to sleep. There are times I shower after midnight as well.

My eye doctor told me I’m in danger of an “acute attack” of narrow angle glaucoma and that I need iridotomy in both eyes right away.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In my 40s, I developed lumps in the palm of my hands.

Dear Dr. Roach: I had a surprise heart attack two months ago. (I have no family history of heart attack, and my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers were good.)

When sitting with friends, I’ll have my first drink of beer. Within a minute, my face gets bright red, ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was told by my doctor that I need a tetanus booster shot, but when I was 17, I cut my foot and needed stitches.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently had a surgery, and prior to the surgery, my doctor ordered some routine blood tests.

There are those of us who, because of knee or hip pain, or other reasons, are not able to walk briskly. Does that mean that we shouldn’t bother to walk at all?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 71-year-old female with no children, but I did have an ectopic pregnancy at age 43.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Both my husband and I just had the flu. We initially suspected that it was COVID, but the tests were negative.

My 38-year-old daughter has an impacted stomach. The doctors gave her antibiotics ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife's handicap parking placard expired, and she asked her primary care physician to fill out a renewal application.

My husband and I recently achieved the near impossible task of becoming attached to a family doctor!

I am a 59-year-old female in good health... My question pertains to Pap smears.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old male diagnosed about 15 years ago with mild coronary artery disease, with some blockages in my peripheral arteries.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old woman who recently had an ECG prior to my knee surgery.

I have osteoporosis. My mother had it very badly, so I was screened and treated early. I’ve had a five-year-long Reclast prescription, and I worry about my chance of a femur fracture. I just wonder if you know anything about Evenity.

I am a 71-year-old woman diagnosed with coronary artery disease. My latest calcium score was 801. My right coronary artery was 80% blocked, and the left artery was 25%.

In one of your columns, someone asked if it was helpful to just rest during the night, and how did that compare to sleeping if one is unable to sleep.

I was diagnosed with atherosclerosis two years ago. I also had calcium in my carotid artery. I feel like a walking time bomb.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had gastroparesis for many years.

DEAR DR. ROACH: You've argued against veterinary ivermectin. It's the same ivermectin that's safely used for adults.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 65-year-old female, non-smoker, with very dry eyes living in a dry climate.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Two weeks ago, my friend got COVID a week before she was scheduled for her second booster.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm a 68-year-old woman in good medical/physical condition. I run three times a week and work out with weights regularly.

I am a highly active 74-year-old female. I walk a mile and a half every morning (my dog insists), then do two step-aerobic classes with weights, two serious weight workouts with a trainer, 1-3 miles on an elliptical walker and 2-4 hours of horseback riding, plus miscellaneous activities and yard work each week. My left hip is getting a bit wonky.

My husband will be 83 in September and was recently diagnosed with an ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm measuring 4.8 cm. Five centimeters is when they do something. ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 55-year-old male in good health and was diagnosed with a slightly enlarged prostate several years ago.

DEAR DR. ROACH: For sleep, my boyfriend (78) takes Ambien when he needs it, a few times each week. The instructions on the bottle says "take as needed."

My brother has low blood platelets and anemia. He will be 73 this year and has had three back surgeries. What causes low blood platelets? Can anything be done to raise platelet count?

DEAR DR. ROACH: While reading one of your recent columns, I learned that all water, except distilled, contains electrolytes.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is the best medicine for arthritis? My doctor prescribed diclofenac sodium, and another doctor said it will damage my liver and kidney with prolonged usage.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have been trying to increase my upper body strength, but am having difficulties. I am almost 70 and female, and have been moderately active.

DEAR DR. ROACH: As a 90-year-old man in mostly good health, I have been taking one Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) pill per day for several years now preventatively for recurrent urinary tract infections.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would like to ask you a basic question about COVID-19 booster shots, since no health authority seems to answer it directly.

I am a 72-year-old woman in good health, but I have been plagued for years with muscle cramps and spasms in my legs. My physical therapist suggested magnesium supplements.

I am a 68-year-old man, and I recently had a 30-minute TIA. I spent one day in the hospital and had many tests done...

I am an 80-year-old female and have been on 10 mg Elavil for 30 years to help me sleep.

Your recent article on electrolytes reminded me of my mother’s experience. At 89, she was dizzy, fainting and falling....

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 60-year-old woman at the end of a five-year regimen of hormone therapy.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a healthy 76-year-old woman, and over the years I've tended to accumulate earwax and periodically have it removed.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a woman, age 68. When I was 12 years old, I was five feet, five inches tall. Now I am four feet, eight inches tall. I have scoliosis plus degenerative arthritis of the spine and walk bent over.

Dear Dr. Roach: Our family dog got sick and needed to be admitted to the veterinary hospital, where she was diagnosed with leptospirosis.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 77-year-old male. I'm 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weigh 145 pounds, with difficult-to-control high blood pressure.

About a month ago I started having very hard stools...

Dear Dr. Roach: I am now 78 years old. My mother's two brothers died of heart attacks at 55 and 65, so when I was in my 50s, I had a calcium scan of my heart.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Sixteen years ago, at age 56, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 HR+ breast cancer.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am concerned that my 33-year-old daughter will have breast cancer.

DEAR DR. ROACH: How do you diagnose bipolar disorder? Do you need a blood test, or can it be diagnosed by a person's actions? -- A.Y.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 88-year-old male suffering from a fatty tumor located on my gluteus maximus.

I am an organ transplant recipient who has received both COVID vaccinations and both boosters. ...

Dear Dr. Roach: Does losing weight fast when you are first trying mean you will always gain it back?

My spouse, now 61, had shingles two years ago. Though the rash cleared up quickly, the nerve pain has never subsided.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am 77 and exercise regularly. I just got a fitness tracker to monitor my heart rate, etc.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 72-year-old female in relatively good health.

A few years ago, when being prepped for a colonoscopy and gastroscopy, I had an IV line inserted into my right arm with a sedative in it. As I waited to pass out, I noticed a large air bubble ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: In early November 2021 my son, who is 30, was diagnosed with Addison's disease and was treated with cortisol.

Dear Dr. Roach: We are learning a lot about short-term to long-term impacts from COVID-19, especially on the cardiovascular system.

My son was recently diagnosed with factor V Leiden. He has had heart issues since he was 12 (chest pain, irregular EKGs with no explanation and intermittent irregular heart rate).

Dear Dr. Roach: I have a question for your column. What is the number of LDL cholesterol that would necessitate taking statins?

Dear Dr. Roach: Can you explain electrolytes? How can we make sure we keep our electrolytes in the normal range within our body?

Of all the drugs on the market for treating high blood pressure, which one is the best with the least side effects?

Dear Dr. Roach: What is dissociative identity disorder? There are a lot of movies and TV shows about it.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old male in fairly good health.

I heard that air fresheners and fabric softener sheets may cause lung cancer.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I work with a group for people with a type of cancer resistant to chemo or radiation, and many of the members have had to have numerous, life-altering surgeries, including amputations.

Dear Dr. Roach: What is an ectopic pregnancy?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have struggled with IBS and GERD since I was a small child. I have had multiple gastroscopies and have been on countless medications over the years for my issues. I’ve followed every diet and lifestyle change that my doctor has suggested, with, at best, moderate results.

Dear Dr. Roach: Would you comment on some information I discovered about statin drugs, which I think reveals some nefarious numbers on behalf of the drug companies?

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I are both in our late 60s. She has gotten three doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and I have gotten three doses of the Moderna, only because that was what was available when we got our first dose.

I am a 62-year-old female. After about two weeks (sometimes less) of taking water-soluble vitamin supplements, I experience severe abdominal discomfort or a burning sensation.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have started a long-term treatment taking a "cocktail" of four different antibiotics (Bactrim, Rifadin, Zithromax and Myambutol).

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would you please offer your take on this situation regarding pain management and opioid use?

Naps are a big part of the day for most of my adult friends. Please comment on their significance and any techniques that increase their value. What are good times of day to nap? What about length of naps?

I have a question about blood clot history and pregnancy. I’m in my mid-30s, married without children, and just experienced my first blood clot.

What causes heart explosion? I heard that it can relate to a heart attack.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’ve been on Cymbalta for 16 years. I had had panic attacks, and my doctor suggested it, along with talk therapy. After a year, my therapist told me they weren’t made to be used long term and I should eventually wean myself off them

DEAR. DR. ROACH: I saw a recent reply to a letter about estrogen and wanted to ask my own related questions.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I take telmisartan for high blood pressure.

My wife had nasal polyps removed many years ago and within a year was diagnosed with adult asthma. She also contracted MAI several years ago...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 82-year-old male. I have been taking finasteride and tamsulosin for two years now for enlarged prostate.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm an 82-year-old man. I've had breathing difficulty due to nasal passage swelling for most of my adult life.

Approximately five years ago, I was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer. My urologist referred me for radiation therapy, to be followed by Lupron ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter was diagnosed with a fecalith after a day of pain and nausea.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have chronic urinary tract infections.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 74-year-old female, currently in good health. I had a complete hysterectomy at age 54, and stage 2B (ER positive, HER-2 negative) breast cancer at age 65, with lumpectomy and radiation.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Last summer I had two abdominal surgeries, which were very traumatic (total of 17 days in the hospital), as well as severe pain and a very difficult recuperation.

Dear Dr. Roach: I recently fainted for the first time in my life, requiring a trip to the emergency room.

I was wondering if you could explain why some vaccinations seem to completely protect against a disease, while others do not. For example, smallpox was completely eradicated by vaccination, and the hepatitis B vaccine is good for life and 98% to 100% effective...

Dear Dr. Roach: At a recent visit with my ear, nose and throat doctor, he commented that frequent use of antihistamines with decongestants can lead to blocked eustachian tubes. Is that statement correct?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am wondering if the claims of the health benefits from the manufacturers of saltwater hot tubs are factual.

Dear Dr. Roach: I read that seniors are strongly advised to get seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

Dear Dr. Roach: My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in March 2020. We recently learned on our own that prednisone greatly affects blood sugar.

Dear Dr. Roach: I need some guidance on the use of estradiol.

I am an 82-year-old man and started experiencing shortness of breath about 14 months ago. The condition continues to deteriorate.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 79-year-old woman who was diagnosed with heart failure six years ago.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have suffered from constant headaches for years.

I am a 76-year-old man in good health. Around February 2021, either just before or just after my first COVID vaccination...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a retired 76-year-old female in good health who exercises regularly.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 79-year-old woman with osteopenia.

I read your recent article about spleens. Our daughter, who is 54 years old, recently had an MRI or CT scan due to another issue and the doctors were baffled as to what they saw.

I was diagnosed with the factor V Leiden mutation a few years ago, after having a deep vein thrombosis. Then I got COVID-19 ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 69 years old and have multiple sclerosis, for which I have been taking Aubagio (teriflunomide) for five months.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Up until recently, the recommended amount of sleep was seven and a half to eight hours per night.

My 87-year-old mother was diagnosed with rectal cancer in May 2021 and passed away in September. After her diagnosis, she informed us ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why does non-small cell cancer have such an unwieldy name?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Television is full of ads touting testosterone and other body supplements that are supposed to take a 40-something male and turn his body back into a 20-year-old again.

I’ve been taking levothyroxine for 30 years. I take my daily dosage at about 4 a.m. and eat breakfast at 6:30, more or less. I usually have the same breakfast...

DEAR DR. ROACH: Is COVID-19 infection a cause of heart block?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy 79-year-old female who recently underwent a right total knee arthroplasty. In a routine post-operative X-ray there was indication of early osteopenia in my long bones.

I suffer from frequent allergic sneezing and coughing. Every day I seem to sneeze and sniffle. ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had slightly elevated glucose levels (104-109) for several years. I found a dietary supplement of cinnamon, vitamin D and chromium.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Would it be reasonable for me to ask the tech to aspirate the plunger when I go for a vaccine?

I switched from drinking caffeinated coffee to Swiss water process decaffeinated coffee about two years ago. ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 85-year-old male. I walk a mile every day, have a pacemaker and hearing aids, and use a CPAP machine.

DEAR DR. ROACH:I have high blood pressure, and I hope that you can advise me.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, I’ve noted within the medical community a dramatic increase in resistance to prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines at the same time.

DEAR DR. ROACH: When should a person have cataract surgery, and can you ever have them removed?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 65-year-old man in good health.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I live in a very dry climate, and I struggle with dry skin all over my body. Lately I have been having a lot of dry, flaky skin in my ear canal. I have no ear pain, and my ears are not itchy

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an active 76-year-old man.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you tell me why the Johnson & Johnson vaccinations only requires one shot to be considered fully vaccinated as opposed to the others that require two shots?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in January and February this year, with moderate pain for a few days several days after the second vaccine.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had osteoporosis for a while and recently had a bone density test that again confirmed that I have it.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My sister recently had chest pain during exercise and now she is on metoprolol, but the cardiologist hasn't explained to her the reason for the medication.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 68-year-old female smoker in good health aside from having osteoporosis.

My nurse practitioner just ordered blood tests, including blood sugar and cholesterol. He said I didn’t need to fast for either of them, but to inform the lab that I wasn’t fasting. ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I would like your advice on the supplement berberine.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I'm 71 and have had both Moderna COVID-19 vaccination shots.

I’m a 67-year-old man who was recently diagnosed with diabetes. I have had both Moderna doses for COVID-19.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old woman in good health.

DEAR DR. ROACH: The rims of my ears both get so sore I can't even sleep on them. What can I do? — W.W.

DEAR DR. ROACH:My father died two years ago at age 73. For about six months, he had been experiencing excruciating back pain, which surgery didn’t help. A few years earlier, he had been treated for bladder cancer.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am one of four daughters, ages 69 to 61.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had COVID-19 in February 2021. I had no fever, no loss of taste or smell, lasted two days with no persistent symptoms at all! I was cold and tired, and that is all that I experienced.

You recently wrote that minoxidil (Rogaine) provides some benefit for hair growth. My friend broke out in hives after using it.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 71-year-old male. I had a heart attack at age 50, and my doctor inserted four stents in my heart.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a woman, in my late 80s and have been healthy my whole life.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 75-year-old female suffering with very painful “end-stage, bone on bone” osteoarthritis with bone spurs of both shoulders and rotator cuff damage (tendonitis).

DEAR DR. ROACH:You stated in a recent column that there is no evidence to support taking vitamins D, C and zinc when treating/preventing COVID-19.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What can you tell me about cannabis products containing delta-8 THC? — M.O.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband had many tests for bacteria in his urine. Three months ago, he had no protein in the urine; two months ago, the number of protein was 20; one month ago, the number was 100.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a friend whose 50-year-old son is healthy except for having had his spleen removed in his 20s after an auto accident.

I know you are not a dentist, but I have a question connected to high blood pressure, which I've had for 20 years.

I am a 67-year-old woman in good health. I received two doses of the Moderna vaccine. Within 16 hours of receiving the second dose I developed what was ultimately diagnosed as transient global amnesia after an extensive workup at our local hospital.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia when I was 5 years old.

DEAR DR ROACH:I am a 70-year-old man in good health. I have had regular colonoscopies since my 50s, but I wonder about the wisdom of a colonoscopy at my age.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My 61-year-old husband has had 24 squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer) surgeries on his scalp in the past five years. He has used dandruff shampoo (Head & Shoulders brand or similar) for the past 36 years or more.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 71-year-old female in very good health.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why is it that no matter what time a surgery is scheduled, the rule is "no food or drink after midnight"?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you elaborate on “long COVID”? Specifically, do people experiencing long COVID carry the virus for an extended period? Are they contagious during long COVID, or does the term refer to lingering symptoms but not necessarily testing positive?

DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter is still nursing her 10-month-old son.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, in the middle of all the news about the newly circulating delta COVID-19 variant, a friend of mine flew to Mexico with her husband and teenage daughter for a five-day resort vacation.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old male who has been experiencing an increase in breast size (slightly more on the left than the right) over the past year.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In a recent column, you wrote that there is no risk to family from shedding after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you explain the difference between the delta variant and the common cold? How is one to know if an illness is the common cold with cough for weeks or the virus!

DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor recommended both pneumococcal vaccines for me. He recommended the PCV-13 (Prevnar) first, followed two months later by the PPSV-23 (Pneumovax).

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have read about the benefits of having a glass of wine per day for women, or two glasses for men.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you address problems that may or may not be aftereffects of COVID-19?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have chronic venous insufficiency. My doctor tells me there is nothing for it but compression socks, and I cannot put them on. — S.G.

DEAR DR. ROACH: At what point in COVID-19 does a person’s do not resuscitate order become an issue?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Why aren't the hospitals nationwide mandating all personnel be COVID vaccinated? I am getting conflicting information.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old female, and I am in my 10th week of shingles.

How does one manage natural immunity to COVID-19 if one has an autoimmune disease?

DEAR DR. ROACH:I have been having colonoscopies regularly since 1990.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently I was diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency after symptoms of unexpected and sustained diarrhea for three months.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My hairdresser is being evasive about whether she has been vaccinated for COVID.

DEAR DR. ROACH: About a year ago, my 77-year-old wife started to have some trouble speaking, and in some cases remembering or forming words.

DEAR DR. ROACH:I need help with my mother's question (she's 86). She reports hearing glass breaking or being smashed.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is heatstroke? I exercised a lot in the heat yesterday, and today I feel dizzy and nauseated, even though it isn't as hot as yesterday.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old man with chronic back pain. I first started having serious back pain in college after spending much of my time hunched over a drawing board.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a healthy woman. I recently had a whole-body thermography exam that highlighted my thyroid rather dramatically. Should I get a blood test for my thyroid and/or an ultrasound? — E.D.

DEAR DR. ROACH: As I seem to be highly prone to urinary tract infections, I've been using vaginal Estrace for decades.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am responding to a recent letter from a reader anxious about undergoing a colonoscopy.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old polio survivor with severe osteoarthritis in my left shoulder, which is the side also affected by polio.

My husband suffers from trigeminal neuralgia. This is often very painful for months at a time...

DEAR DR. ROACH: My daughter is approximately 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 66-year-old white male who is very physically active.

I have written many columns on COVID-19, which has become a major cause of death and disability in all of North America and the world. I have consistently recommended the available vaccines, and tried to identify their (modest) risks and (dramatic) effectiveness.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 86-year-old woman, and my sister is 91.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am interested in your perspective on intermittent fasting. I am in a walking group of seniors (all 65+ years).

I am a 77-year-old woman. I have had problems with insomnia for at least 50 years, but it is much worse now.

On Nov. 2, 2020, I had a total right hip replacement. The surgery was successful, and the incision has healed completely. ...

How is preventive medical care handled when an individual is traveling to a remote location?

A recent column discussed shortness of breath on exercise. My aunt had this exact same scenario...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a recently diagnosed diabetic. Can you please give me advice on how to reverse it if possible?

Can you tell me about food poisoning? I often hear the term, but it seems to mean different things to different people.

I have a dilemma. I suffered an aortic dissection nine months ago and was put on labetalol. I have bounced back well...

Can you comment on the lack of a test that truly demonstrates the effective level of immunity an individual has from receiving the COVID vaccine?

I’ve started using coconut oil instead of milk and sweetener in my coffee. ... I want to make sure I’m not doing any harm.

Dear Dr. Roach: Are medical advances going backward? If not, why are so many people dying in their 50s and 60s?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you get long COVID from symptomless post-vaccine infection?

DEAR DR. ROACH: A year ago, I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. A colonoscopy found no problems. An endoscopy found a small raw spot on my stomach lining; it was not bleeding.

DEAR DR. ROACH:I recently watched a TV program about vaccines.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have recently been diagnosed with a cholesteatoma in one ear, which has resulted in significant hearing loss.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an 80-year-old female in good health except for a diagnosis of osteopenia. My primary care doctor has prescribed medication for my osteopenia. I have periodontal disease and have been advised by my periodontal specialist not to take medication for osteopenia.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I recently donated blood to our local blood bank, which I have done many times in the past.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My sister-in-law believes that the COVID-19 vaccine will cause side effects that aren't known yet.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was just diagnosed with nocardiosis.

DEAR DR. ROACH: At a recent appointment I discovered that my nurse practitioner (about 45 years old) doesn’t plan to get a COVID vaccination as he says it’s unsafe and that all of us (vaccinated ones) are just guinea pigs.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor has prescribed IVIG therapy for my peripheral neuropathy.

My neighbor was very ill with COVID-19 about three months ago.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a vaccine-related question for you that also might be of general interest.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Please write about food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

DEAR DR. ROACH: If a patient has been fully vaccinated with one of the COVID-19 vaccines within the past three months and subsequently develops symptoms of COVID-19 and tests positive, does this patient need to quarantine/isolate?

I’m an 84-year-old male who has recently found relief from lifelong strain in bowel movements by using stool softeners.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My father was diagnosed with protein S deficiency, but there isn’t much information on it.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a very active 66-year-old male who had three stents put into my right coronary artery about 10 years ago after I had two heart attacks. I have not had any problems since then.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question about omega-3 fatty acid intake, either through fish consumption or by dietary supplements like fish oil.

I have had plantar warts on both feet for decades.

I am 79 years old, at a healthy weight, and I exercise often. Recently I had a blood test that showed several markers for lupus.

How effective are COVID vaccines for people taking immunosuppressive prescriptions?

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could you say something about depression? What can it do to you in the long run if it isn’t treated? -- Anon.

DEAR DR. ROACH: In October 2018 I was treated for syphilis, and had a VDRL titer of 1:128. A few months later, the titer was 1:8, but has stayed at 1:8 since then. Why hasn’t it gone down? — Y.Y.

DEAR DR. ROACH: When I was growing up, people would discuss their ulcers and complain of pain related to an ulcer. You never hear that word anymore. Why is that? -- Anon.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My son has been experiencing what he thinks is neuropathy in his arms and fingers.

I was very reluctant to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to its rushed status and unknown long-term side effects.

I am a 92-year-old woman in reasonably good health. I weigh about 145 pounds and have shrunk down to 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

I’m a 67-year-old male. For most of my later adult life (50s to the present) I have had a very low libido.

I am one of legions of women with osteoporosis and considering a bisphosphonate or similar medication.

I have a question about prescription pain relievers.

Over the past year of pandemic lockdown, I have worked hard at reducing calories to lose weight and increasing my exercise on an elliptical trainer.

I have had both COVID-19 vaccinations and am planning to donate blood. Would any of my immunity pass on to the person receiving my blood? — D.J.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 77-year-old female. I am current on all vaccines, but I do have a question about the pneumococcal vaccine.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have seen several doctors for my TMJ: my primary doctor and dentist, an ear nose and throat doctor, the dental hygienist and also "ask Google."

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I are grateful to have recently received our second Moderna vaccine.

Could you please explain the science behind the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine?

A few years ago, my sister was diagnosed with an IgA deficiency, which is an autoimmune disorder.

Please provide some clarity on family get-togethers in the new age of post vaccinations.

Why do older people tend to get lightheaded (not vertigo) and therefore become liable to trip or fall?

I am a 76-year-old female in reasonably good health.

For over six decades, I have lived with smokers.

DEAR DR. ROACH: What is causing my hair to fall out? What can I do to stop it? I’m 72 years old and female. Could I be hypothyroid? — L.O.I.

Your recent column on melanoma piqued my interest.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband recently died from anaplastic thyroid cancer.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 55-year-old female. I have always been in excellent health, but this year, my routine bloodwork showed that my creatinine is 1.08 (high) and that my GFR is 58 (low).

With all the masks, hand-washing, sanitizing and social distancing, will we all have weak immune systems when life goes back to normal?

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a problem with chronic urine infections. I am 78 years old, and suffer often from it.

I am currently on rituximab immunotherapy. I have had my first Moderna vaccine, and my second shot is scheduled in four weeks. My oncologist is not sure how the rituximab affects the immunization and the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Could you please provide your recommendations on how we should conduct ourselves after we get the COVID vaccine? Please include an explanation of how immune we actually will be. — T.S.

I’ve had regular swab tests for COVID-19, which have always been negative.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have had low GFR readings ranging from 53 to 37 for the past 15 years. I'm an 87-year-old female in good health.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife and I tested positive for COVID-19 on December 20, 2020. Due to our ages, we qualify to receive a vaccine now.

I have had over 50 vaccinations in my life (I’m 78), most of them while I was in the military.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 78-year-old woman. Last September I had severe pain in my right hand. The pain was so bad that I had to go to the emergency room, where they did an MRI.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My doctor recently retired, my new one is very concerned about my systolic blood pressure, which was 150.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother was diagnosed with right frontal lobe meningioma 17 years ago when she was 83 years old. Surgery was successful in that most of it was removed and it was found to be nonmalignant.

I participated in a research study and received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Nov. 30.

I am a 73-year-old male with continued pain in my right foot and ankle for the past five years.

I was sick for two weeks at home with the coronavirus and made a complete recovery. Why wouldn't recovering from the virus be at least as good as getting the vaccine?

About two weeks ago, I received the vaccine for COVID-19.