http://abbottcenter.com/bostonpaintherapy/2009/06/05/thumb-and-wrist-pain-6-self-treatment-tips/comment-page-1/#comment-580 If you can afford it, PLEASE try massage with a good therapist. Look for someone who does "myofascial release" (although other techniques may worse) and has some years of experience under their belt. You can ask them on the phone straight out what their success had been with this kind of pain. The brachialis (and neighboring muscles) may be a source of your pain: http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14093 You might also check out: http://www.triggerpointbook.com (not a cure all but a helpful and very clearly written resource)! I know it sounds weird, but make sure your shoulders are not rounded too far forward--in other words, do some exercises to help bring your shoulders back (if they need to be) such as the wall angel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMb2jOE3t_Y (This will look easy, but---gently!---try to bring the full scapula, elbows, wrists, head, and bottom against the wall.) Also: do make sure you drink lots of water and consider an "anti-inflammatory" diet if you're not already on one (reduce sugar and white flour). Most of all, please keep looking for possible answers. I have a client who had migraines for 20 years. He tried everything under the sun, from western doctors to eastern to massage to homeopathy to gluten-free to etc; finally, just for "fun," he cut out refined sugar and flour and hasn't had a migraine since. As a massage therapist I hear stories like this all the time. Please don't give up!

There may be a connection, but the stronger connection is probably the periodontal disease itself, and insufficient dental/ gum care. The reason I say this is because I have recently been dealing with periodontal problems, and I have no indications of osteoporosis. My teeth are in reasonably good shape because I have been taking good care of them for the past ten years, but the years of neglect before that caused problems that can't really be fixed, so regular maintenance is important these days. I'm sure that measures toward maintaining good bone health can't hurt anything, and would probably be beneficial, but good dental care and regular cleanings will probably be more effective. When I went for my first root planing and scaling a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a couple of brochures at the periodontist's office. One of them mentioned hormonal changes as a contributing factor in gum disease. Mrs H

I took Fosamax for years, then a 2-year stint on injectable Forteo, now I'm on Boniva. The doctor suggested that I switch to Evista (which as Tally says helps protect against breast cancers), but I said "no" because side effects include blood clots in legs and lungs, and stroke. These are not common side effects. The cardiologist told me if I switch to Evista, then I would need to be sure to take baby aspirin. Maybe I'll switch to Evista later. All these bone drugs are fairly new, and I feel like a real guinea pig (squeek squeek!), but I am afraid to take nothing. Kat, you have to talk with your doctors to figure out which one is best for you. If you want to see a specialist, that would be an endocrinologist. Good luck with all this. You'll want to be tested for vitamin D and calcium and take supplements for that as well if needed. I send you a big hug for working so hard to take care of yourself. Good thing you are near to world class medical care.

Hi Kids, My gastro is all done and it was a snap. The results were negative which is good and bad. No damage from the Fosomax but the Dr. want's me to now have a barium (sp?) swallow. I have an appt for that to be done this Thursday morning. But, I'm thinking that I need to talk with my Primary Care first. I have chest x-rays twice a year and am due for a chest C-scan in June. I would feel better if My PC knew of yet another radio-active event before it happens. For all of you very smart KT people...barium does have a radio-active eliment to it, right? Anyway, we were at the endoscopy center at 12:00. the process was fast and I was completely out for it. I was all finished, and was walking back out the door, heading for the car at 1:30. Not bad. I slept for most of the afternoon 2:30 - 6:00. My husband picked up chinese food for dinner so all was well. Thanks for your good thoughts. I appreciate them. sooey