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Struggling with disrespectful patients

Dear Annie: Last week, I was caring for a patient named “Mr. Thompson,” who had come in with severe back pain. After completing my initial assessment, his daughter, “Sally,” arrived and immediately demanded that I give her father “the strongest pain meds you’ve got.” I explained that we had protocols to follow and that the doctor would need to approve any narcotics. She became furious, yelling, “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you see he’s suffering? Just give him something!” I calmly assured her that we were doing everything we could to manage his pain, but she ...

Praluent lessens chance of heart attack in woman with FH

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 69-year-old woman who was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). I used statins for over a decade but developed vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS), which only went away when I stopped the statins. They weren’t very effective; on a statin, my total cholesterol was still 226 mg/dL. Without medicine, it was 310 mg/dL. When I was put on Praluent by injection once a month, my cholesterol went down to 182 mg/dL. Although I don’t have many side effects, it is very expensive. My question is: Do I need to be on the medication as long as I am exercising and ...

Learning to coupon can save you a ton of money

Dear Heloise: I don’t usually write in to things, but the letter from the woman who uses coupons, much to her husband’s embarrassment, hit a nerve. My husband (now retired) always goes through digital coupons online and clips the ones we use. Last time, we saved about $80! I love him for it. He is great at saving money while still buying what we need! Just wanted to give a different perspective. Thanks. –– Pat D., An Avid Fan of “Hints From Heloise” Dear Heloise: I was stunned when I read the letter from one of your readers who said her husband was mortified by her ...

Horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are people who, for whatever reason, are intimidating but don’t mean to be. Then there are people who either secretly or overtly have an intent to overpower. Remind yourself that you have the final say. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s a day for cleaning, building, fixing or growing things. You’re inspired by those with a similar work ethic (see Capricorn and Virgo), and teaming up benefits your productivity exponentially. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s frustrating that you don’t have more time to focus on your projects, but the progress ...

‘Dog Man’ bites off $36M, taking over No. 1 spot

NEW YORK — DreamWorks Animation’s “Dog Man” fetched $36 million in ticket sales at the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday, making it the biggest debut yet in 2025. It was a big opening for the Universal Pictures release adapted from the popular graphic novel ...

The cause of a longtime cough is unclear

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 70-year-old female in excellent health, and I have a very healthy diet and fitness regimen. But I have had a persistent dry cough for 20 or so years. After seeing many doctors, it was determined to be acid reflux. I was then prescribed various acid-suppressing prescriptions such as Pepcid, Prevacid, Protonix, etc. When one didn’t seem to help, I was prescribed another, but the cough persisted. I now see a cardiologist for heart palpitations (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) and an ENT doctor for the cough. A recent endoscopy showed no damage to the ...