Thanks very much for your reply and your concern. Yes, I have seen a rheumatologist who said the course of treatment is prednisone for one year or possibly more. I did not want to go on prednisone because of its effects on your bones and kidneys at a minimum. I’ve been trying acupuncture and massage therapy in the past two months with not much relief. I now have much more experienced acupuncturist that says she can eliminate the pathogen that is causing my problems, hopefully within afford of five week time span. If that doesn’t work, I guess I will have to give and take the prednisone.