Ann T wrote<< Was it you who said in another thread that walking had reduced
leg
swelling?  Do your shoulder/back problems trouble you when walking?  If
so, obviously you're gritting your teeth and getting on with it.  You
must be one determined woman -- good goin', lady, you're an inspiration!
Ann T. >>

I don't know if the walking was what did it but I woke up the morning after
doing 14.5 miles with the swelling that had plagued me for almost a year much
reduced.  However, this did not happen the week before when I did 12 miles.  It
just happened that one time and has been much better since.  It seems to be
slowly worsening again--but not nearly as bad as it had been.  As far as the
back problems some of that (lower back) began improving last year with the
Celebrex.  The pain was inconsistent since.  At times I was in agony whenever
standing still.  I was okay walking.  Then in April the sciatic pain began--in
left buttocks down back of thigh, around front down shin to outside of ankle
and top of foot.  That has also improved with walking.  Interestingly, the
spine dr. who recommended surgery--micro surgery to remove cyst recommended
using an exercycle rather than walking  and said the latter was not good.  I'm
guilty on that account--and even felt uneasy about doing the walk, initially
because I was in such pain.  The more walking I did the less it hurt.  I was
thinking that the exercyse released endorphins which either masked the pain or
changed something inside so it hurt less.  However, all in all, that has
improved.  Again, I also began the statin drug in September which according to
some research appears to have anti tumor properties--so that may have possibly
had something to do with it (although do realize that could have been
coincidental).
Walking doesn't appear to affect my shoulder pain, although swinging my arms
might result in some increased discomfort--but doesn't seem related for the
most part.
I saw the orthopedist today.  He is thinking that what may be going on might be
more neck-related.  He ordered an MRI of the rotator cuff just to make sure.  I
heard the receptionist--when I went to make the MRI appt asking if he wanted to
do it with contrast which would rule out mets.  However, he said w/out
contrast.  The gal told me she was going to  book me for a day appt. and check
with another dr.  I was quite impressed that the receptionist took the
initiative to do that on her own.  However, that did throw up a red flag re.
dr's not looking at the 'whole' picture here if only an MRI w/out contrast is
done when I am at high risk for metastases.