Hi,

Does rheumatoid arthritis lead to bone fusion?

Thank,
Ang

When I get up from sitting for a while, my knees crack. Why does this happen? Is this symptomatic of something I need to be concerned about?

I was diagnosed with deQervain tendonitis last year, and the only thing that helps is to wear the custom-made wrist brace.

When I had employer-paid health insurance, I went to a physical therapist to get the wrist brace made, and do some physical therapy on my wrist and thumb. I'm not sure that the PT helped or not, but the brace is great.

My good friend's 4-year old daughter was just diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis on Wednesday, and we are scared and shocked! What does this mean for the long-term health of her daughter? My friend also has a 12 month old daughter; what is the likelihood that she would develop this disease, too? Any way to prevent it?

I was wondering if you all had access to a pediatric rheumatologist, as my friend has some questions she would like to ask (for a 2nd opinion, they really like their current doctor).

Here are some of our initial questions:

Hello!

What can be done about back pain due to driving a lot on a daily basis for work? Is there some kind of support brace for drivers or some kind of lumbar support that can be worn to stop the back pain?

Thanks!

I know calcium is vital to women's health but I'm a bit confused as to what kind of calcium suppliment I should take, since there are different kinds. There is "chelated calcium" and "elemental calcium" and others....and I have heard mentioned that if you don't take it with Vitamin D that it's not as good or as well absorbed.

I eat veggies like brocoli and take dairy like yogurts, as well as other calcium rich foods but feel I could do with a suppliment too especially as I am not much of a milk drinker.

My husband is a Webmaster, and works 8-12 hour days at his computer. He recently read that it is not good to "sit all day", and that standing is a better alternative, as it helps with everything from circulation to being more creative. So now, he STANDS all day at his computer! I remember my first job working retail, and my back and feet would ache from standing all day. So...which is better?

Is there a good balance between "sitting all day" and "standing all day" when at work?

Thanks!