[Marilyn]

I have carpal tunnel in both hands. Have had a nerve study that confirmed this is the problem. The wrist splints have quit working and I need to have something done. A friend went to a chiropractor who treats carpal tunnel and had very good results, so I think I'll try seeing the same chiro before going for surgery. We've been spending so much time with my husband's health issues that mine have been put on the back burner. If I do end up having the surgery though, I'm definitely going to try to find the best hand specialist in Austin or Houston rather than someone around here. I know a woman who had several surgeries on her hands and still had problems. I'm willing to travel to get the best treatment to increase the probability of a good outcome.

Don't mess around with prednisone. I took it for several years for infertility issues, and as a result, I have no cartlidge in my jaw joints and have TMJ issues. I know a really, really good doctor in Houston, Texas for TMJ if anyone needs one. He's expensive, but worth every penny. I could barely open my mouth, and could only eat very soft foods until I found him and as a result of his treatment, I have no jaw pain. I do have to wear a special appliance in my mouth at night. I had to wear it all the time the first 3 months of treatment, which was horrible because I'm outside sales and it was really embarassing, but definitely worth it in the long run. My customers were really very understanding. Some of them thought I was wearing the new kind of braces without the wires.

Donna, so hope this all works out for you. About your wait time, I found from taking my elderly mother to doctor's appointments, that is seems doctors who cater more to the elderly have much longer wait times than doctors who cater to younger working people. It seems so unfair, because often older people are much more uncomfortable sitting in waiting rooms.

Wish you the best!!