I thought it was time I emerged and introduced myself, especially since
lurking the last couple weeks has helped me feel so much better.  At the
moment I'm the only one of my friends/family with OA and, as wonderful as
they are, there is only so much support they can give.  It's been a huge
mood boost to know I'm not really on my own.

With me it's the knees.  One sports injury back in public school and away we
go.  I didn't worry too much about it until this past year when it started
to really bug me and slow me down.  Fortunately, in this part of Ontario we
have an excellent sports medicine clinic so I spent the summer with a round
of Synvisc, physio and orthotics. (my poor bank account!).  Today I feel 2/3
better and I'm very happy with that.  My doc tells me I've moved on to
moderate arthritis, which I thought was pretty good until I discovered her
definition of "mild, moderate and severe" broadly means "cortisone, beyond
cortisone and surgery".  I like a joke a much as the next person, but geez.

Anyway, I'd like to do the AA thing and confide something.  When the knees
finally went into pain mode last year so did......my hands.  This, I'm
worried about.  I have some knuckles that have bothered me for years but
I've been happy in my denial (ah, Denial - such a nice place to visit).
However, as I type this, the joints in my palms are aching and those pesky
finger knuckles are feeling loose.  I miss my Vioxx, but, thanks to the
ideas I see here, I'm starting gluco/chrom, a joint ointment (say that ten
times fast)  and a slow release anti-inflammitory.  Don't know if the
ointment will help but the massage feels terrific and I'll take feeling good
over pain-depression any day.

It's a nice fall morning and as much as I'd like to go back in time and head
out for a jog - I can't.  But that won't stop me from going out for a walk
and enjoying the day anyway.

Katharine

--
Slowing down but not stopping

To reply: zed oh que kay fourty two at sympatico dot ca