My grandmother had it. My mother did not.

So true, but this issue isn't at the top for research, I suppose. It's surely at the top for quality of life, daily functioning and pain. I had cortisone shots in my thumbs.....those were extremely painful and hurt for sometimes hours following the shots. Also, in most of the finger joints, both hands, and the wrists. I had surgery on the wrist/thumb sheath that was very uncomfortable and painful but did no good. All this from one of the leading ortho practices in town.

One day, after a couple of years of this, I asked the nurse practitioner giving me the shots what's going to happen with these hands? What happens when all the fingers are frozen and painful and the wrists hurt all the time and don't work...I'm out of thumbs now, what happens when I'm out of hands? At that point I couldn't use my hands for much and they hurt all the time. Her answer was remarkable.

She actually shrugged, smiled and shook her head. There was no plan to help other than ongoing shots which were lessening in help and clearly weren't good for me to have in my body. at all. I asked about joint replacement, other types of surgery? Nope....this was it.

That was the last visit I had with that or any ortho group. No more lumbar shots...helped for a month or so and then not AND were one of the most painful things ever done to me. I worked it through in my mind that this was the only way I could walk upright, walk at all at times, so I would deal with the pain. They were the only help available....NO MORE.

I stopped all bone/joint/back/hips/hands/shoulder/neck shots forever. I moved all my medical care except PCP to Mayo Clinic due to my heart situation and sarcoid and possible MS diagnosis., fibromyalgia, etc. Since then, no cortisone shots. I walk with the pink walker. I 'work out' in the warm pool. I'm off pain meds generally, just MMJ and Robaxin for muscle relaxation.

All good. But, my joints, hands need help and I've not even addressed them other than with you folks and look at the improvement from your suggestions. MMJ, tincture & lotion for pain/anxiety, Robaxin for muscles, Cymbalta for fibro.

important!!!!!! Last week, my gastroenterologist referred me to the fibromyalgia program. I didn't know Mayo has one! They do. I am scheduled for a battery of blood tests first, then consult with a psychologist who works in this area, then meet with the clinical director of the PRC, a psychiatrist, then am scheduled in July for a 2 day intensive program to learn about and how to deal with fibromyalgia pain and other issues it causes. As I find out more, I'll let you know. I think it's probably a central sensitization and cognitive behavioral program with PT and Biofeedback, learning about other possible helps - massage, acupuncture, etc. I've just learned about fibromyalgia from a you-tube video of a conference w/Mayo docs in Ireland. I've had it for 40 years!

That's my story for today. This clinic is a dream come true for me. At the right time, too, as I'm beginning to learn about these concepts. God is so good.....Mayo has/is helping me immensely.

Blessings and maybe we can get involved with some EO trials??? elizabeth