Back again and this time to stay

I used to lurk here.  I left soon after Larry became an Angel Warrior -
mostly because I missed reading his posts, his jokes, his helpful advice
on health and computer problems. I even missed his battles to protect
the less-informed amongst us.  More importantly, he was especially kind
and helpful to me with my novel-in-progress.  

I signed up for this newsgroup because I had a trigger finger and I
thought it was some kind of arthritis and sought the comfort of
like-sufferers.  I soon learned that trigger finger is nothing like
arthritis, but I enjoyed the posts and I learned to understand about the
scourge that is arthritis. I continued to lurk though I didn't have
arthritis.  Now, it's different. I had knee pain and my doctor has put
me on glucosamine.  I guess I have osteroathrities because glucosamine
is begining to lessen the pain - after some three months of washing down
the pills with a gallon of water each time!  Aaargh!  I don't wish to
moan. Old age catches up with all of us.  The spurs at the back of my
spine continues to grow and another attack of sciatica is imminent. My
diabetes is getting to be a problem, my eyesight is problemetic too
since I had a cataract operation on both eyes.  I've had an operation on
my right hand too for De Quervain's disease etc etc.

I guess I'm lucky to catch Carolyn (from Oz)'s question on glucosamine,
and the answers from Ari (also from Oz) - - Well I'm also from Oz!! - -
and from Rosie.  Cush's information has been really helpful.  Thanks
all.

As to what has been happening in my life -- I have been working on my
novel, yes a first novel.  I went through 3 agents, 2 rather bigname
ones in the UK and then one US regular agent in Idaho.  The first two
"let me go" when they didn't manage to sell my book, and my third agent
remained incommunicado so much of the time, that I "let her go".  Now
I've sold my novel to a US publisher, Five Star Publishing.  I'm into
new territory. As always, I'm open to all kinds of help.  :-)