Thanks for all the responses. I've been dealing with the problem for many years - it is just becoming more frequent as I get closer to MediCare. I've been poked, prodded, X-Rayed, Scanned by the best docs and quacks. Even when I am so sore I can hardly move a joint and am sitting in the internist/orthopod/arthritis/infectious disease/tropical disease (spent a lot of time in Africa and rural Mexico) specialists they find nothing to fix. I have been tested for all kinds of allergies and immune problems.

The problem is not so much the pain as the stiffness and fatigue. It is sometimes hard to take the next breath and the killer problem is that my hands and elbows are so sore I can't pick up my coffee cup. I've tried all kinds of Rx stuff and really dislike the side effects. In my opinion, those side effects are more debilitating than the original problem

Since I am a true believer in non-schedules (after all I am a cruising sailor and live on my boat about 1/2 the time) I guess it is no problem to sit in some small remote town/campsite and wait for the problem to pass. I love to camp but can easily afford to do credit card tours.

I am concerned about getting stuck somewhere but I guess the worse that could happen is that I have to figure out how to get to the airport and fly home.