Check out all the jokes at:
/fun/jokes
Send yours in today!

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Tina's Tips
Tina@arthritisinsight.com

Arthritis can affect your ability to do even the simplest of tasks. I've heard some people say, "Accept your limitations." I'm not sure accepting them is the way to go. I prefer to challenge those limitations, work around them, finding alternate ways of achieving the same goal. Every week I'll share some tips I've found to work around those annoying limitations and I hope all of you will send in your tips too. We may not be the next Martha Stewart, but sometimes the simplest things can help so much.

A big thank you to Carole A. for this week's tip :o)

One trick that I learned was not to a buy fitted sheet for the bottom of my bed.. Instead I buy two flat sheets and lay the bottom one down without tucking it in.. it stays where it is amazingly.. My arms and hands are so swollen sometimes that this is a great way to make the bed!

I have a hard time when going to the bathroom trying to clean myself. At walgreen's I found a very long handled narrow brush not much wider than the size of a pen...

I keep some soap moistened viva paper towels (soft) in a covered dish next to the toilet.. I wrap one around the long brush and it cleans me thoroughly. I always carry one in my purse to use when I go out.

Check out more tips at /living/tips.html and send in yours today to Tina@arthritisinsight.com Keep those tips coming!

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What?s New
Check out all the latest updates at /updates.html

Fundraiser 2003
Many, many thanks to Margie Hauke, Lawrence & Patricia Twigg, Walter & C.J. Stampfl, Laura Rayfield, Ernest & Peggy Baker, Annon Cash, Ashley Canterbury, Lorraine Campbell, Darlene Feener, Rebecca Pacey, Diane Chamberlain, Andrea Fuller, Julie Sherman, Lisa Muesse, Dwight Heard, Mike Canterbury and Rosie Shiver for their very generous donations! We've also had several donations made in the name of Warrior Angel: Larry Rasmussen.
/help/fundraiser2003

Rosie's SOS
Are we there yet? Rosie says no...
/living/family/sos

Arthritis & Employment
What do you do? - Here are a couple more answers :o)
/living/employment/

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Arthritis Insight Chat
/community/chat

Time to get the party started! Got some extra time? Can't sleep? Drop into the chatroom to talk to other members that know exactly what you're going through.

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Cooking with Char
Char LeFleur
Char@arthritisinsight.com

Hello friends! Well, spring in Iowa means weather changes often, and very rapidly. And our old pal Arthritis, doesn't like that very much, and he is letting me know it. But spring is here and I love spring so much, I will put up with the additional aches and pains. The wild Plums are blooming, and tulips and daffodils and hyacinths. And the Lilacs are blooming! I love the sights and smells of Springtime!! But this is supposed to be a cooking column. So let's get cooking!

Grilling is such a big part of warm weather, and here is a recipe for a wonderful marinade for Grilled Chicken

Grilled Chicken for Four

2 chickens, halved

Marinade / Grill Sauce:
1 cup salad oil
2 cups apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons pepper
3 tablespoons poultry seasonings

1. Bring oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and poultry seasonings to a boil in a medium saucepan. Boil for 1 minute and remove from heat. Transfer to refrigerator or cool to room temperature (do not allow marinade to sit at room temperature for a long period of time.)
2. Rinse the chicken halves and pat dry. (A butcher can easily cut them into halves for you while you shop) Place chicken pieces in a large container and cover with marinade. Transfer to the refrigerator and allow to marinade for 3 hours or more.
3. Reserving marinade, transfer chicken to a plate and set aside until you're ready to grill them. In a medium saucepan, bring marinade back to a full boil. Heat the marinade thoroughly to use as a basting sauce while grilling.
4. Grill chicken on both sides, basting with the sauce every 15 minutes, until chicken is well done and the meat juices run clear. Enjoy!

Or how about a new way to prepare chicken?
I haven't tried this myself but it sounds fabulous!

Lemonade Chicken

This chicken is pre-baked in the oven in -- yes, you heard it right -- lemonade, and then finished on the grill. Don't be put off by the amount of garlic in this dish. It's really delicious.

Serving: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 75 minutes
Total Time: 90 minutes

1 whole chicken, rinsed and cut-up into pieces
20 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup lemonade
6 sprigs fresh chervil

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and light charcoal or gas grill.
2. Place chicken covered with chervil and garlic in roasting pan.
3. Pour lemonade in the bottom of the pan and roast for 1 hour basting frequently.
4. Place a mesh screen or something similar on the grill rack so that the garlic does not fall in the fire.
5. Grill chicken with the chervil and garlic for approximately 15 minutes or until the chicken is light brown and cooked through.

Or how about Grilled Turkey?

Really simple to do. Best on a charcoal grill.

Grilled Turkey

Thaw your turkey over a period of several days, IN THE REFRIGERATOR. Never leave a turkey out at room temperature to thaw.

Light your grill. Wait until coals are turning white at the edges. Then move the burning charcoal to the edges of the grill, leaving an open space in the middle. Place a pan into this open area. Place your thawed turkey over that pan. Cook until a leg moves easily when you move it with your hand and juices run clear from all parts of the turkey. You can add mesquite chips or hickory chips to the fire for additional flavor. But I love it just cooked over charcoal. Enjoy!

Just a reminder that my husband and I will be hosting Gimpfest 2003 here in Iowa in July. For details go to www.fadedjeans.com/iowa. Please try to attend. You will find that they are so much fun, you will want to attend every Gimpfest, from then on.

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, or recipes you would like to share, please send them to Char@arthritisinsight.com.

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From The NIH
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/carpal_tunnel.htm?format=printable

You're working at your desk, trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you've had for months in your hand and wrist. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing pain shoots through the wrist and up your arm. Just a passing cramp? More likely you have carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist.

* What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand ? houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

* What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Symptoms usually start gradually, with frequent burning, tingling, or itching numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers, especially the thumb and the index and middle fingers. Some carpal tunnel sufferers say their fingers feel useless and swollen, even though little or no swelling is apparent. The symptoms often first appear in one or both hands during the night, since many people sleep with flexed wrists. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up feeling the need to "shake out" the hand or wrist. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day. Decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In chronic and/or untreated cases, the muscles at the base of the thumb may waste away. Some people are unable to tell between hot and cold by touch.

* What are the causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture; overactivity of the pituitary gland; hypothyroidism; rheumatoid arthritis; mechanical problems in the wrist joint; work stress; repeated use of vibrating hand tools; fluid retention during pregnancy or menopause; or the development of a cyst or tumor in the canal. In some cases no cause can be identified.

There is little clinical data to prove whether repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist during work or leisure activities can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. Repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or other daily activities can result in repetitive motion disorders such as bursitis and tendonitis. Writer's cramp - a condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity - is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome.

* Who is at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome?

Women are three times more likely than men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, perhaps because the carpal tunnel itself may be smaller in women than in men. The dominant hand is usually affected first and produces the most severe pain. Persons with diabetes or other metabolic disorders that directly affect the body's nerves and make them more susceptible to compression are also at high risk. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually occurs only in adults.

The risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is not confined to people in a single industry or job, but is especially common in those performing assembly line work - manufacturing, sewing, finishing, cleaning, and meat, poultry, or fish packing. In fact, carpal tunnel syndrome is three times more common among assemblers than among data-entry personnel. A 2001 study by the Mayo Clinic found heavy computer use (up to 7 hours a day) did not increase a person's risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

During 1998, an estimated three of every 10,000 workers lost time from work because of carpal tunnel syndrome. Half of these workers missed more than 10 days of work. The average lifetime cost of carpal tunnel syndrome, including medical bills and lost time from work, is estimated to be about $30,000 for each injured worker.

* How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?

Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve. A physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders, and neck can help determine if the patient's complaints are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder, and can rule out other painful conditions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. The wrist is examined for tenderness, swelling, warmth, and discoloration. Each finger should be tested for sensation, and the muscles at the base of the hand should be examined for strength and signs of atrophy. Routine laboratory tests and X-rays can reveal diabetes, arthritis, and fractures.

Physicians can use specific tests to try to produce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. In the Tinel test, the doctor taps on or presses on the median nerve in the patient's wrist. The test is positive when tingling in the fingers or a resultant shock-like sensation occurs. The Phalen, or wrist-flexion, test involves having the patient hold his or her forearms upright by pointing the fingers down and pressing the backs of the hands together. The presence of carpal tunnel syndrome is suggested if one or more symptoms, such as tingling or increasing numbness, is felt in the fingers within 1 minute. Doctors may also ask patients to try to make a movement that brings on symptoms.

Often it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis by use of electrodiagnostic tests. In a nerve conduction study, electrodes are placed on the hand and wrist. Small electric shocks are applied and the speed with which nerves transmit impulses is measured. In electromyography, a fine needle is inserted into a muscle; electrical activity viewed on a screen can determine the severity of damage to the median nerve. Ultrasound imaging can show impaired movement of the median nerve. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show the anatomy of the wrist but to date has not been especially useful in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.

* How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible, under a doctor's direction. Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.

* Non-surgical treatments

Drugs - In special circumstances, various drugs can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by strenuous activity. Orally administered diuretics ("water pills") can decrease swelling. Corticosteroids such as prednisone or lidocaine, injected directly into the wrist or taken by mouth, can relieve pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief to persons with mild or intermittent symptoms. (Caution: persons with diabetes and those who may be predisposed to diabetes should note that prolonged use of corticosteroids can make it difficult to regulate insulin levels. Corticosterioids should not be taken without a doctor's prescription.) Additionally, some studies show that vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements may ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Exercise - Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated. These exercises may be supervised by a physical therapist, who is trained to use exercises to treat physical impairments, or an occupational therapist, who is trained in evaluating people with physical impairments and helping them build skills to improve their health and well-being.

Alternative therapies - Acupuncture and chiropractic care have benefited some patients but their effectiveness remains unproved. An exception is yoga, which has been shown to reduce pain and improve grip strength among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

* Surgery

Carpal tunnel release is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Generally recommended if symptoms last for 6 months, surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve. Surgery is done under local anesthesia and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Many patients require surgery on both hands. The following are types of carpal tunnel release surgery:

Open release surgery, the traditional procedure used to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, consists of making an incision up to 2 inches in the wrist and then cutting the carpal ligament to enlarge the carpal tunnel. The procedure is generally done under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, unless there are unusual medical considerations.

Endoscopic surgery may allow faster functional recovery and less postoperative discomfort than traditional open release surgery. The surgeon makes two incisions (about ?" each) in the wrist and palm, inserts a camera attached to a tube, observes the tissue on a screen, and cuts the carpal ligament (the tissue that holds joints together). This two-portal endoscopic surgery, generally performed under local anesthesia, is effective and minimizes scarring and scar tenderness, if any. One-portal endoscopic surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome is also available.

Although symptoms may be relieved immediately after surgery, full recovery from carpal tunnel surgery can take months. Some patients may have infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar. Occasionally the wrist loses strength because the carpal ligament is cut. Patients should undergo physical therapy after surgery to restore wrist strength. Some patients may need to adjust job duties or even change jobs after recovery from surgery.

Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. The majority of patients recover completely.

* How can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented?

At the workplace, workers can do on-the-job conditioning, perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, wear splints to keep wrists straight, and use correct posture and wrist position. Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible. Workstations, tools and tool handles, and tasks can be redesigned to enable the worker's wrist to maintain a natural position during work. Jobs can be rotated among workers. Employers can develop programs in ergonomics, the process of adapting workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of workers. However, research has not conclusively shown that these workplace changes prevent the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

* What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is the federal government's leading supporter of biomedical research on neuropathy, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Scientists are studying the chronology of events that occur with carpal tunnel syndrome in order to better understand, treat, and prevent this ailment. By determining distinct biomechanical factors related to pain, such as specific joint angles, motions, force, and progression over time, researchers are finding new ways to limit or prevent carpal tunnel syndrome in the workplace and decrease other costly and disabling occupational illnesses.

Percutaneous balloon carpal tunnel-plasty is an experimental technique that can ease carpal tunnel pain without cutting the carpal ligament. In this procedure, a ?-inch cut is made at the base of the palm. The doctor then inserts a balloon through a catheter under the carpal ligament and inflates the balloon to stretch the ligament and free the nerve. Patients in one small study of pertucaneous balloon carpal tunnel-plasty reported relief of symptoms with no postoperative complications; most of them were back to work within 2 two weeks. This experimental technique is not yet widely available.

Randomized clinical trials are being designed to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions in reducing the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders. Data to be collected from an NINDS-sponsored clinical study of carpal tunnel syndrome among construction apprentices will provide a better understanding of the specific work factors associated with the disorder, furnish pilot data for planning future projects to study its natural history, and assist in developing strategies to prevent its occurrence among construction and other workers. Other research will discern differences between the relatively new carpal compression test (in which the examiner applies moderate pressure with both thumbs directly on the carpal tunnel and underlying median nerve, at the transverse carpal ligament) and the pressure provocative test (in which a cuff placed at the anterior of the carpal tunnel is inflated, followed by direct pressure on the median nerve) in predicting carpal tunnel syndrome. Scientists are also investigating the use of alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, to prevent and treat this disorder.

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Member Stories
Brianna's Story

Hi, My name is Jona and I am mother to Brianna, a very sweet and loving little angel girl. Brianna is my world, along with my two other children. Brianna was diagnosed with Polyarticular JRA at about 10 months old but had been suffering from this since birth. After several doctor visits, we still got the same diagnosis of "colic". Finally, at Briannas' 9 month check-up, the doctor noticed that Brianna had something more than just "colic". He sent us to the hospital to get a lot of tests and x-rays. All the results were negative except that she had tissue swelling.

Briannas' regular Pediatrician sent her to a doctor at a medical center in Lexington,Ky. The doctor there said that Brianna probably had a disease called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Well , we had never even heard of this disease and knew nothing about it and we were very emotional. They prescribed her Naproxen and an anti-biotic. They said they were going to send us to another doctor, and that he dealt with kids like Brianna all the time;He was a Pediatric Rheumatologist at Shriners Hospital for Children. We had the appointment within 2 days and went there and it was just beautiful inside the hospital, so much beautiful stuff, A lot of children and a very nice elderly lady that was playing a harmonica to all the children. The elderly lady made Brianna feel so much better by playing the harmonica to her because Brianna was very scared and so were we.

We went in and saw the Doctor and nurse and they were absolutely amazing; So very nice and caring. After the Doctor finished examining Brianna he told us that he was almost certain that she had polyarticular JRA. We were in shock again and very scared and didn't know how to feel; very mixed emotions. The nurse gave us some informative booklets on her disease and a medicine called methotrexate. The doctor prescribed Brianna Methotrexate and kept her on the naproxen. A couple of months later she was prescribed prednisone, which is another scary drug and she was also fitted for wrist and leg splints to be worn at night. Her legs were in a bent fixed position and they also taught us how to do physical therapy on Brianna to help with her legs and ankles.

My baby suffered so bad when she was an infant, everything from crying constantly to not letting anyone hold her and nothing would stop her crying. It was such a terrible feeling to see her crying like that and not being able to do anything about it. And now when I look back , it makes me hurt even worse to know that my baby was suffering with a very painful and destructive disease at that time. It's just so hard to deal with the emotions that come with your child having a painful, chronic, destructive and disabling disease. And It's terribly hard to even think about what Brianna must be really feeling.

She is so very strong and courageous and I don't think that I could ever be as strong as Brianna has been.

Brianna never crawled but instead she would scoot on her bottom to get where she wanted to go. She didn't walk until she was around 18 months old and that was the most joyous day! Another joyous day was when Brianna started to peddle her tricycle! These things, some people would think nothing about but when you have a child with an illness, such as Arthritis, then you really realize how much you appreciate God and all that he does, and you are so happy to see these little things in chronically ill children.

Brianna has been on Enbrel since she was around 19 months old and takes 2 shots of that per week , naproxen twice daily, 4 tablets of methotrexate per week and prednisone once per day. The medicines seem to be helping her and I hope that it continues to help more and more.

Rheumatoid Arthritis runs in both ,my family, and Briannas' dads' family as well. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, TMJ disorder and I also have a bulging disk, but it is all very mild.

Brianna is so wonderful and sweet and she is gods gift to us and we love her so very much that words couldn't describe. Thank You for reading this and if you would like to come and see Briannas' web-page that I have made for her you can go to http://geocities.com/brianna2lovely/index.html also I have created a group to learn more about Briannas' disease and to help me cope and help others as well, if you would like to see it or join I would be very happy to see you there , it is a group for any type of arthritis and anyone can join, you can go to http://groups.yahoo.com/grup/jragroup Thanks again for listening to our story.

To see the rest of stories go on over to:
/community/stories

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Notes and Insights:

Birthday Board!
Happy Birthday Jacob, Poohbear, Char, oops aka Cyndi Lou, ichael Noell aka Mich, Aaron Nelson, and Pbaulos!!!
Check out all the birthdays at
/community/birthday
and make sure to send them an arthritis-friendly e-card:
/cgi-bin/postcards/postcard.pl

Fundraiser 2003
We don't like to beg, but we're having a hard time staying online. The cost of keeping Arthritis Insight running is large (to us anyway), and while there are still no salaries being paid, there are monthly bills that need to be covered if we want to stay online.
Our solution? We're having a Fundraiser.
It's been two years since we've had one - and we know we're not the only ones out there asking you to part with your money, but if you can help, please check out the Fundraiser information at:
/help/fundraiser2003

Get Involved
Laura Rayfield's getting her tushie kicked donation wise for the Arthritis Foundation walk she'll be participating in next month in Nashville. Maybe we can help her out.
/community/involved

Gimpfest 2003 -- Iowa, Here We Come!
Come be part of the fun when dozens of gimps head to Stuart, Iowa on July 24-27.
Get all the details here:
http://www.fadedjeans.com/iowa/

AJAO Regional Conference
"Taming Juvenile Arthritis"
June 2003 - Phoenix, Arizona
The Arthritis Foundation is proud to host the 2003 American Juvenile Arthritis Organization (AJAO) Regional Conference, "Taming Juvenile Arthritis." The American Juvenile Arthritis Organization leads the effort to improve the quality of life for those affected by childhood arthritis and related diseases. This 3-day conference is geared towards children, teens, young adults and family members who are affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and other childhood rheumatic diseases
http://jraworld.arthritisinsight.com/community/involved.html

JRA JAMFEST: General Information:
Dates: Saturday May 17, 2003 - Sunday May 18, 2003
Target Audience: Kid Friendly,General Audience
Time: 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 502-589-6620, ext 106
Location:
Derby Flea Market & Traders Circle:
2900 South 7th Street Road,
Louisville, KY 40216
Ticket Information: free admission, fee for games, raffles, etc..
Event Details/Other Comments:
JRA JamFEST is a two day event to benefit FACES. FACES is Facing Arthritis with Compassion, Encouragement and Support, a group for children, teens and young adults living with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). All proceeds will go directly to FACES and will help us sponsor children and their families to JRA conferences, JRA camps, and other juvenile arthritis related events! Join us for a day of live music on May 17th featuring Doubleback and headlining, Wayne Young and the Youngsters!!! May 18th enter our Karaoke Contest! Come out for the fun, entertainment, games, prizes, food, drink, information and lots more!!!!

Join the Arthritis Dieters!
This is a group of people with arthritis who want to lose weight with others who know of the challenges of living with is arthritis. All those medications that make living with arthritis tolerable, but pile on the pounds. This group has been set up to give us a protected group where we can talk to others who know what it is like.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arthritis-dieters/

Wanna help?
Having surgery? Starting a new drug or treatment? Filing for disability? Keep an Arthritis Insight journal so all of our members can share and learn from your experience. If you want to keep a journal just let us know.

Write an article!
We always need articles on all subjects relating to arthritis. C'mon folks, we can't do this without you.

Ken Akers Cheer Fund
Donations to the Ken Akers Cheer Fund will be used to send flowers and gifts to those community members who are hospitalized, flaring or just in need of some good cheer.
/community/kenscheerfund

Thank You!
A great big thank you to NeedaBasket.com (http://needabasket.com). NeedaBasket is now Arthritis Insight's official gift basket company. They are giving us a great discount and are donating baskets for our Arthritis Warriors.

Special Offers for Arthritis Insight Members
Whenever possible we will try get to our sponsors to agree to discounts and the like for our members. Here are our current special offers:

Sore No More (http://sorenomore.com) gel will send a free sample of the pain relieving gel to any Arthritis Insight Community Member who emails them at dma@glogerm.com.

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AI Help Desk
Linda Peck

Q: I copied some files to a CD-R and then needed to re-copy them back to the hard drive. After I did so, I wasn't able to modify them. What's going on?

A: When you copy files from a CD to your computer, the files copy as "Read Only". As far as I know there is no way around this, presumably since most CD ROM drives only read info, not write it.

What's the fix? Once the files are copied to your hard drive, change their attributes so they aren't "Read Only" anymore.
To do this, right-click the file and select Properties from the resulting menu.

Next, uncheck the "Read Only" checkbox on the lower part of the Properties screen. Hit OK and your all set.
Note that if you have a bunch of files sitting together that are all read-only, you can 'un-read' them en masse. Hit CTRL-A to select the bunch, then right-click any file and follow the steps above.

Finally, if you're using Win XP, it tends to take the "read only" attribute off the files when you copy them to your hard drive. So, no worries for our XP users.

Source: Computer Tips & Techniques
http://www.worldstart.com
Copyright 2001, Worldstart - Reprinted with permission.

Tip of the Week - Awesome Caps Lock Tricks

Don't you hate it when you accidentally hit the Caps Lock key? Sometimes I have a whole sentence typed in before I realize my mistake! (I know, GASP!) What if you could set your computer up so it alerts you when your pinky finger wanders off and taps the Caps Lock key? With this tip, I'll show you how to make your computer beep and flash the next time it happens.

The first thing you'll need to do is get the computer to beep when you hit the Caps Lock key. Here's how:

1. Click the Start button, Settings, Control Panel (XP Users, hit the Start button, Control Panel). Open the Accessibility Options Icon.
2. On the Keyboard tab, click the "Use Toggle Keys" checkbox. That's it for the beeping part.

Next, we need to get your screen to flash at you. Here's how:

1. From the Accessibility Options screen, click the Sound tab and check the "Use SoundSentry" checkbox.
2. Next click the Settings button and select "Flash active window" from the "Warning for windowed programs" drop down box.

That's it. Hit OK until you're clear of property and settings screens. Open your favorite word processor and hit your Caps Lock key. Cool huh?

PS - If you don't have an Accessibility Options icon in your Control Panel, you may not have it installed. To install, hit your Start button, Settings, Control Panel. Open the Add / Remove programs icon and click the Windows Setup tab. You'll be able to add components from there. Keep in mind you'll need your Windows CD.

This Week's Clicks

Final Roll Call International Press and Media of the World
Check to see if you've misplaced some money
Wonderful site for planning a shower or wedding
Beautiful, free eCards from Hallmark (long link, but it works)

I just started playing this game and am absolutely addicted!
Bespelled @ The Zone

Until Next Week,

"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there and worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the loss of sleep." - Dale Carnegie

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Weekly News Summary
Karen Sears
kaekae@arthritisinsight.com

More health news can be found on our site:
/news/

FLEXIBILITY LOWERS ARTHRITIS RISK IN OLDER WOMEN
Older women who are "double-jointed" -- or those who have super-flexible joints -- are less likely to have arthritic knees than their peers, according to a study of British women.

THE LAST OF SEARLE
After decades of innovation that led to blockbuster products like the arthritis drug Celebrex, NutraSweet and Dramamine, it's lights out for the Skokie research campus once home to G.D. Searle.

UMC HOPES TO BUILD KIDS' HOSPITAL
After years of discussion, University Medical Center is pursuing plans to build a children's "hospital within a hospital" as part of a major expansion expected to cost around $40 million.

VITAMINS: MORE MAY BE TOO MANY
A growing number of medical experts are concerned that Americans are overdoing their vitamin consumption. As many as 70 percent of the population is taking supplements, mostly vitamins, convinced that the pills will make them healthier.

UK ENCOURAGES OVER-THE-COUNTER STATUS FOR STATINS
Britain's Department of Health confirmed on Monday it would like pharmaceutical companies to apply for the right to sell cholesterol-lowering statin drugs over the counter (OTC) without a prescription.

DEFENDERS: LOCAL BUSINESSMAN SCAMS SENIORS, DISABLED
Local 4's Defender Kevin Dietz showed in a hidden camera investigation that a convicted scam artist may be back to his old habits. Hussein Amr was reportedly accessing medical information of seniors and the disabled and using it to take money from Medicare.

SHOE SIZE SURPRISE
Did you know that as you grow older, your feet get bigger? By the time you're 50, your feet will probably be a full size larger than when you were 20. Besides growing longer, your feet probably also get wider -- mostly in the forefoot, according to a report in The New York Times. And that's probably because by age 50, most people have walked an average of 75,000 miles and have worn out half the natural padding under the balls of their feet, the report says.

WYETH'S NET INCOME UP ON AMGEN STOCK SALE
NEWARK, N.J. - Drug maker Wyeth reported a 47.7 percent increase in first-quarter net income, driven primarily by a large gain from selling stock in Amgen Inc

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Contribute

Have you written something you think our subscribers would like to read? Send it to Tina@arthritisinsight.com and maybe we'll use it in our newsletter.

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A Closing Thought
Did Anyone Ever Tell You?

Did Anyone Ever Tell You,
Just How Special You Are
The Light that You Emit
Might even Light a Star

Did Anyone Ever Tell You
How Important You Make Others Feel
Somebody out here is Smiling
About Love that is so Real

Did Anyone Ever Tell You
Many Times, When They were Sad
Your E-mail made Them Smile a bit
In Fact It made Them Glad

For the Time You Spend Sending Things
And Sharing whatever You Find
There are No Words to Thank You
But Somebody, Thinks You're Fine

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Arthritis Insight Newsletter Copyright 2003