The Passionate Life Blog

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...

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...

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...

Dear Dr. Karpel: Last year my husband and I moved to a beautiful retirement paradise in Mexico.  We’re from a big city in the northern U.S.  I don’t miss the cold weather, the crowds, or the traffic.  Throughout my life, I’ve had bouts of depression and the cold,...

Dear Dr. Karpel: I’m 60.  I recently took early retirement and have saved up enough money to have a very comfortable long retirement.  I’ve always lived a “careful” life (that’s how I now have all of this money).  Deep down, I’ve always dreamed of moving to Colorado...

Dear Dr. Karpel: I wanted to update you about a situation that I wrote to you about last year.  At that time the chiropractor that I went to in my winter home told me that I was a hopeless case and sent me on my way, telling me I should see an acupuncturist instead. ...