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Shingles patient doesn’t experience pain due to vaccination

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was reading your recent column about shingles. Several years ago, I contracted shingles, even after getting the shingles vaccine. It hit me in my left eye, so I went to my eye doctor. (I wasn’t sure what the problem was.) He took one look at my eye and diagnosed me with shingles. He gave me an antibiotic that cleared up the problem. At no time was I in any pain, which I attributed to my getting the vaccine. Do you concur with my observation? I’m aware that getting shingles can be very painful. — L.J. ANSWER: Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the chicken ...

The GOP isn’t always the best party for conservatives

Columns

I often get asked for my advice on how to vote. I’m the first to concede these requests come from a very niche slice of the electorate — that tiny remnant of people who know who I am, value my opinion and share my exasperation with both parties. I am going to answer the question. But first let me explain why I don’t like it. I think too many pundits on the left and right fall into the habit of confusing or conflating the fortunes of a party with that of their philosophy. Many come by this tendency honestly. As the parties have polarized ideologically, it’s a natural ...

Blood Crisis

Letters to the editor

Sherry Nealon-Shrive Wilkes-Barre The American Red Cross is facing only the second national blood crisis in its history — and donors are urgently needed now to help ensure hospitals have the blood products patients depend on every day. While thousands have stepped up since the emergency blood and platelet shortage was announced, the blood supply remains vulnerable. Additional donors are needed now to help protect patient care. Seasonal challenges in the weeks ahead could place additional strain on the blood supply. End-of-summer travel and back-to-school activities can ...

Man wants to treat arthritis with GAE, rather than knee surgery

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 74-year-old male who’s in otherwise excellent health. However, I have severe arthritis in my knees to the point where it keeps me up at night. I keep reading about this treatment called GAE (genicular artery embolization), and since I only have about a good 10 years or so left on this planet, I wanted to know your thoughts on this treatment. A full knee replacement requires a year of physical therapy, so I’d rather not do one. — P.C. ANSWER: GAE uses biologically inert material (absorbable gelatin microspheres) to block specific abnormal blood vessels ...

Vote Republican for one-man rule

Letters to the editor

Tim Mannello Williamsport In November, vote Republican if you are fine with: Policies that make groceries, rent, homes and medicine harder to afford every year. Tariffs that raise prices and crush small businesses. An administration pushing rapid, unchecked growth of massive data centers. A war that drags on long after leaders promised it wouldn’t. Foreign policy that creates more enemies than solutions. Energy spikes brushed off while Americans pay the price at the pump. Funding freezes, staff cuts and FEMA shake ups that weaken disaster response, food safety and ...

When privilege turns against America

Columns

There is a question increasingly worth asking: Why do some of America’s most privileged young people seem to have become among its harshest critics, not merely challenging policies but speaking as though America itself is fundamentally corrupt, oppressive or unworthy of their loyalty? This is certainly not true of every young white American. Millions love their country, serve in the military, volunteer in their communities, build businesses, raise families and appreciate the opportunities America has afforded them. Nor is criticism inherently anti-American. Some of our greatest ...