Breaking News

Columns

Filler in Meds Is Not the Cause of Reader’s Symptoms

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a question about excipients, something you discussed in a recent column about thyroid medication. Twice in my life, I took Celebrex for orthopedic pain. The episodes were about five years apart. Both times, I suffered severe liver dysfunction, turned yellow, lost weight and had dark urine and abnormal ALT, AST and bilirubin counts, etc. My doctor said the reaction was caused by the sulfonamide base, or “excipient,” in Celebrex, and not by the active ingredients. Is sulfonamide used as an excipient in many other drugs? Should I be wary of them as well? Is there ...

Wife Tries to Coax Opinions From Man Aiming to Please

DEAR ABBY: This may seem strange, but my husband is too nice. His late mother, a domineering woman who always got her way, trained him not to have an opinion. Almost everything he says is crafted to be neutral so that nobody can possibly take issue with him. If I ask, “What do you want for dinner?” his reply is, “Whatever you want.” If I ask, “What make of car should we buy?” his reply is, “What kind would you like?” When I give him several choices, he tries to guess what I would prefer. He is a wonderful, kind, sweet man who will do anything for me. We both have ...

Insomnia, COVID Complicate Treatment of Depression

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an almost 69-year-old man in generally good health. Until the pandemic, I exercised regularly, but with Pilates studios closed I have only been walking. I have always been troubled with insomnia and have tried every sleep aid — both prescription and nonprescription — to no avail. That was until my internist prescribed trazodone 100 mg. Four years ago, I suffered acute anxiety with no known trigger, for which I was prescribed Xanax. After a heart attack, my internist wanted me off of the Xanax completely and prescribed Lexapro (escitalopram 20 mg). Since ...

New Relationship Founders on Sharing of Offensive Video

DEAR ABBY: A casual friend sent me a video of a comic doing a very lewd and vulgar routine. I was offended by it and forwarded it to my girlfriend to find out what she thought about it. She got very upset and told me I was being disrespectful to her by even passing it on to her. I should add that we met online and have been talking on the phone with each other for only a month during this shelter-in-place time. This incident nearly ended our new relationship. Was I wrong to send her the video? And what should I do now to save what I think is the most wonderful relationship I have ever ...

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?

Dear Savvy Senior, What happens to a person’s possessions if they die without a will? I’m almost 60 years old and have never gotten around to making one, but the coronavirus crisis has made it a priority. Will-less Willie Dear Willie, The coronavirus crisis has lit a fire under many Americans when it comes to getting their affairs in older. Currently, fewer than half of American adults have prepared a will or living trust. If you die without a will, the state you reside in will determine what happens to your assets. Every state has intestacy laws in place that parcel out ...

Hostess Gift

Dear Heloise: If you are invited to dinner and you ask what you can bring, and the hostess says, “nothing,” should I bring something anyway? — Henry in Nebraska Henry, you can always bring a hostess gift of flowers or a bottle of wine. The hostess might have her menu planned and not need anything for the dinner, but a nice little gift for the hostess is always appreciated. — Heloise MOTHER’S TOMATO SOUP CAKE Dear Heloise: When I first heard of this recipe, I thought it was a joke, but when I tasted it, I loved it! I was telling a neighbor about it, and she asked for the ...