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Dear Annie

Dear Annie: My spouse and I have longtime friends who visit from out of town several times a year. We've kept up this tradition for many years, and in return we also visit them. At first, these visits were enjoyable, but lately they've become a source of stress. It began with small comments — they said the guest bed wasn't comfortable and our towels smelled odd. Wanting to be gracious, my wife bought brand-new towels before their next visit. But then they complained the new ones were too small. On their following trip, the criticism shifted to our dishes and silverware, which they ...

To your good health

DEAR DR ROACH: In a recent column, you wrote about reducing cholesterol with the help of statins along with a PCSK9i, such as Repatha or Praluent. My question is: Are these PCSK9is at all beneficial if one cannot take statins? — D.C.S. ANSWER: Yes, PCSK9 inhibitors are very effective at lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart attack in high-risk people. Because these drugs are given by injection and are quite expensive, they are not usually the first-line treatments. We have decades of experience using statins, so they remain the first choice for most. However, if a ...

Dear Annie

Dear Annie: My husband and I recently went on an eight-day cruise to Iceland with two close friends. We have been friends for more than 40 years and have traveled together many times. Two days before we were to leave, I tested positive for COVID. I went to urgent care, and the doctor told me I ...

To your good health

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a pituitary tumor that was discovered over 25 years ago. For years, I had an MRI with and without dye every six months. Then it changed to once a year. Can you get damage from too many brain MRIs? — D.J. ANSWER: An MRI uses powerful magnetic fields to take pictures of ...

Dear Annie

Dear Annie: I wonder if you could shed some light on something that's been bothering me. I have five girlfriends I've been close with for many years. I keep their secrets, I don't talk behind their backs, and I've always treated them with respect. As we've gotten older and more serious about ...

Dear Annie

Dear Annie: My husband and I have a 3-year-old daughter, and we're trying to raise her with structure — regular bedtime, limited screen time and no sweets before meals. The problem is my mother-in-law. She watches our daughter twice a week, and despite repeated conversations, she ignores ...