Becoming an Optimist
Dear Dr. Karpel: My children accuse me of being negative and pessimistic. They say I always “see the glass as half empty.” I’m 67 and I feel that I’m realistic. I have several chronic illnesses and have had a hard life. What is there to be positive about? I’m...Changing Marital Structure
Dear Dr. Karpel: My husband and I have been married for almost 55 years. Since my husband’s mild stroke about 5 years ago, I’ve had to take over all of the decision-making regarding the larger decisions and financial issues. He’s still very with-it and gets around...Coping with Chronic Pain (Follow-Up)
Dear Dr. Karpel: I actually printed out your recent column on pain. Both of my parents suffer from chronic pain. My dad recently developed severe idiopathic neuropathy (meaning “without a known cause”). He is completely depressed as he always viewed himself as an...Coping with Chronic Pain
Dear Dr. Karpel: I’ve had pain in my knees for 5 months. The doctor can’t find the reason. I’m taking pain medication, but he won’t raise the dose any higher. I don’t want a higher dose, anyway, because I don’t like the medication. It makes me dopey, and I try not...
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