Shingles Vaccine
​Can Prevent Complications

DEAR DR. ROACH: My boyfriend, who is in his 60s, got the recommended shingles shot a couple of years ago. Three weeks ago, he got a very bad case of shingles. It went from the front of his stomach, along the left side, to the middle of his spine. He has huge blisters, a red rash, pain and no appetite, and he constantly sleeps. The doctor put him on a regimen of valacyclovir. He was told to keep the area moist to avoid cracking and pulling of the blisters and rash.

I thought that if you got the shingles shot, you wouldn’t get the shingles, or at least you’d get only a mild case. His has not been a mild case. The doctor told him that the shot just gives a false sense of security. If so, why get the shot? — D.H.

ANSWER: I disagree with his doctor; it isn’t a false sense of security so much as it’s an incomplete sense of security. No medical treatment is 100 percent effective, and that includes vaccines. Even the best vaccines don’t work on some people, or can’t be used, which is why having a large proportion of the population vaccinated is so critical for a really infectious disease, like measles.

In the case of shingles, the vaccine prevents about 50 percent of shingles episodes from ever occurring, and it might keep others from being worse. (As an aside, it’s possible that your boyfriend’s case would have been even worse without the vaccine, but there’s no way of ever knowing for sure.) 

What might be the most important reason of all to get the vaccine is to prevent the dreaded complication of shingles — post-herpetic neuralgia. The rate of post-herpetic neuralgia in vaccinated people who still get shingles is 67 percent lower than in nonvaccinated people.

It’s not a perfect vaccine, but it’s a lot better than no vaccine. Its downside is seldom more than a redness at the injection site or a sore arm, and it has never been shown to transmit the virus. Post-herpetic neuralgia, on the other hand, can be exquisitely, disablingly painful and can last for months.

                                       • • •

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a twitching of my left eye. My face draws up when it happens. I went to a doctor and he gave me 15 Botox shots around my eye and said I will need them every three months. They help some. Can you tell me what it could be? — F.G.

ANSWER: This is a special type of dystonia, a movement disorder, called blepharospasm (blef-a-row-spasm). It’s an involuntary contracture of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which goes around the eye. Other muscles may be involved, giving your face the “drawn up” appearance.

The botulinum toxin the doctor injects you with partially paralyzes the muscle, preventing the spasms, but the toxin wears off. The condition is common, but in most cases is mild enough or intermittent enough that such powerful treatments aren’t needed. In a few cases, surgery is required. 

You can get more information about blepharospasm and other dystonias at www.dystonia-foundation.org.
                                          • • •​

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer
​individual letters, but will incorporate them 
in the column whenever possible. 
Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. 
To view and order health pamphlets, 
visit www.rbmamall.com, or write to
​Good Health, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.

© 2018 North America Synd., Inc.
All Rights Reserved

Penne With Spinach, Bacon
​and Mushrooms

1 box penne
10 slices bacon
1 medium onion
1 package sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 package fresh baby spinach
Grated Parmesan


1. Cook pasta as package directs.

2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large, deep nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain. Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet.

3. Add onion and mushrooms to skillet; saute 5 minutes until onion is golden. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add spinach; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes until wilted.

4. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Add pasta to skillet with some of the reserved pasta water; toss. Add more water as necessary. Crumble bacon on top of pasta and serve with Parmesan. Serves 6.

​Recipe courtesy Woman’s Day Kitchen. For more recipes, visit www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipes/.
© 2018 Hearst Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved

Crescent Meat Bake

From its caramel-color golden crust to the filling inside, this is a wonderful main dish.


8 ounces extra-lean ground sirloin beef or turkey breast
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (2.5-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Twin
1 cup chunky salsa (mild, medium or hot)
1 teaspoon chili seasoning
1 (8-ounce) can Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
4 (3/4-ounce) slices reduced-fat American cheese


1. Heat oven to 350 F. In large skillet sprayed with olive oil-flavored cooking spray, brown meat and onion. Stir in mushrooms.

2. In small bowl, combine tomato sauce, brown sugar, salsa and chili seasoning. Pour 1/2 cup sauce mixture into skillet with browned meat. Mix well to combine. Remove from heat. Place skillet on wire rack and allow mixture to cool completely.

3. On large baking sheet, press crescent rolls together to form an 8-by-13-inch rectangle. Spread cooled meat mixture on one-half of dough, long ways. Place cheese slices on top of meat. Fold over other half of dough. Pinch sides shut with fork. Form into crescent moon shape. Make slits over top for steam vents. Lightly spray top with olive oil-flavored cooking spray. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Meanwhile, in medium saucepan, pour remaining sauce mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until crescent is done. Cut crescent into 6 servings. Place each serving on a plate and pour about 2 tablespoons sauce mixture over top. Serve immediately.

• Each serving equals: 239 calories, 11g fat, 11g protein, 24g carbs, 878mg sodium, 173mg calcium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 Protein, 1 Starch, 1/2 Vegetable; Carb Choices: 1 1/2.

​© 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

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Behold the turtle.
​He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.

​—James Bryant Conant

Making the Most of Your Freezer

Freezing foods can help reduce meal preparation stress! Freezing is a quick and convenient way to preserve food while saving you money and reducing food waste. Check out these tips to ensure quality and safety. 

Maximize Flavor

Add seasoning to food before freezing or after thawing. Want to know which herbs and spices pair best with foods? Check out ISU Extension and Outreach, Words on Wellness Blog at https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/wellness/tag/spice

Containers & Packing

Use moisture resistant and leak proof containers. Make sure they’re sealed tightly. When using plastic and glass containers, allow extra space for the food to expand. If using plastic freezer bags, pack food tightly with minimal air.

Labeling & Storing

Label all items with food name and date. Store frozen ground meat up 3-4 months, fish 3-6 months, poultry 6-9 months, fruits and vegetables 8-12 months.

Safe Thawing

Never thaw food at room temperature!

• Refrigerator: Allow 24 hours to thaw and keep
food sealed.

• Cold Water: Run cold water continuously over bagged and sealed items. A bag of food may be submerged in cold water if changed every 30 minutes. Do not let thawing exceed 2 hours with the cold water method.

• Microwave: Only use if food will be fully cooked immediately after thawing. 

For more helpful tips, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation website at http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/gen_freeze.html

Adapted from NEWS (Nutrition Education With Seniors) Newsletter, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, August 2018. To receive the newsletter contact Kelsey Salow, ksalow@iastate.edu

• Don’t have a toothbrush holder? No need; just slip it into an empty water bottle, and you’ll have a secure holder, plus a water cup to swish with when you get to your destination.

• “If you accidentally overfill the coffeemaker, use a baster to remove the extra water. It works, and you don’t have to try to tip over the maker.” — I.D. in New Mexico

• Did you know that banana peels are an old-wives remedy for warts, facial acne and other pimples, psoriasis, light burns and even wrinkles? Simply scrape and apply, or for the case of warts, secure a small piece of peel over the wart overnight with a bandaid. Who knew they were useful as well as delicious?

• Make your cut flowers last longer with these simple steps: First, trim the ends to open up the stems, then remove all leaves that will be below the water line. Finally, add 2 tablespoons each of sugar and vinegar to a quart of vase water.

• “I finally broke down and traded in the shelves and shelves of my DVD collection for one of those CD binders. I took all the movies out of the plastic cases, and into the slots they went. I saved so much room, and it’s super-easy to flip through the pages to find movie you want to watch.” — C.A. in Ohio

• Keep a file folder with your magazine stack so that you can tear out any great articles or useful information before you pass on the magazine or recycle it. It will help keep you out of the stack trap — where you save a whole magazine to go through later simply because you like one article.

Send your tips to 
Now Here’s a Tip,
628 Virginia Drive,
Orlando, FL 32803.

​© 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

Do You Compare? Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Coming

It can cost you money not to review your Medicare Part D drug coverage annually. In one hour a SHIIP counselor can complete a review and let you know if you can save money and make sure you have access to the drugs you need. SHIIP counselors in Iowa have been saving people money on Part D costs for 28 years. In fact last year they helped Iowans save more than $26 million. 

Every year between October 15 and December 7th you can change your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Let SHIIP counselors make sure your drugs are covered in the lowest cost plan for 2019. Don’t wait. Call today to schedule your appointment. 

SHIIP can help you

• Check your current Part D or Medicare Advantage plan to make sure your drugs are covered at the lowest cost and with the least amount of restrictions

• Review your employer drug coverage and compare to other Medicare options

• Check to see if you are eligible for Part D Extra Help

• Understand your options if you do not currently have a drug plan

SHIIP is a free, confidential service of the State of Iowa Insurance Division. SHIIP counselors are available across the state to help answer your Medicare questions.

Call Sunset Park Place, 563-583-3384 to schedule your appointment today!

You will be able to enroll in or change your Part D plan for 2019 from October 15 through December 7, 2018.

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