91Ô­´´

Dear Dr. Roach: My doctor has recommended a CT calcium scan, but I have cancelled the scan because I am worried about the high radiation dose.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am confused about overall risk for heart attack and stroke for my husband and I based on our cholesterol numbers and other risk factors.

Dear Dr. Roach: My neighbor was very ill with COVID-19 about three months ago. He has now mostly recovered. He had his first vaccine shot recently and had a severe reaction — so severe that when he contacted his doctor he was sent to urgent care.

Dear Dr. Roach: I have a vaccine-related question for you that also might be of general interest. My sister and I are planning to go see my father on his birthday in Michigan. We have been vaccinated, and my father and his wife have been vaccinated.

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a very active 66-year-old man 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’m an 84-year-old man who has recently found relief from lifelong strain in bowel movements by using stool softeners. I would like to know if they’re habit-forming if taken once a day.

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? Why or why not? C.

Dear Dr. Roach: I have a colonoscopy scheduled for mid-May. I spoke with the physician assistant, and she read me the warnings about possible punctures and possible bleeding afterward.

Dear Dr. Roach: My father was diagnosed with protein S deficiency, but there isn’t much information on it. I’m unable to find a doctor who specializes in it or even knows about it.

Dear Dr. Roach: 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. The doctor wants to put me on hydroxychloroquine.