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Hello, Perhaps I didn't make myself clears regarding the Prednesone. Here is what has been the history of my use. I have rheumatoid arthritis and it has affected my hands. A year ago now my hands were so cramped that I could not open them and my fingers were closed into a partial fist. My M.D. started me on 20 mg of pred. and it helped. A month latter he reduced the dosage to 10mg. At Christmas time he passed away suddenly. I began going to an orthopedic surgeon who kept me on the pred. but reduced the dosage to 5 mg. hoping that would suffice. It didn't so he increased it back to 10 mg. I have never been off it completely. I am trying to be as independent as I can with care concerning the effects of the PD so want be able to have my hands work as well as possible. I have carpal tunnet syndrome in the right wrist and the pain in the left hand is caused by arthritis in my neck. I have had imaging of both hands. I do NOT want to go off the steriod until I can do it gradually and only under a doctor's supervision. I am 72 and realize the dangers but know what the alternative is if I should drop it altogether. I do have a wrist brace. As far as other drugs I take sinemet, mirapex, and diurel. No pain killer except tylenol arthritis occassionly. We went to a new MD after our doctor passed away (49 years old of a heart attack) and that doctor has now left the area so we are searching again. Kind of disheartening. I also have a support for my toes which I have in my shoes. I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks for caring. Marilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn