A pattern emerges

Scorecard(0-10)
Legs:2 - (left knee:5)
Shoulders:2
Wrists & Thumbs:1
Ankles & Toes:0

Just back in from a week in Val d'Isere where I was able to ski restricted only by the fatigue associated with the sulfasalazine and my now lack of fitness. Still had some very good days on the glaciers though. Deep blue skies and perfect, light snow. Towards the resort the snow was like a pudding and was very hard work. Also, with the unseasonally high temperatures, I was severely over heating in my ski gear and this added to the sense of exhaustion.

At the end of the week I decided to find out if I still need the diclofenac drugs. I stopped taking them yesterday. And Lo! My left knee has swollen up this morning and a familiar ache has reasserted itself in my shoulders.

Now this is very similar to what developed in January after I experimented with cutting out the NSAID drug I was then using - mefenamic acid (Ponstan.)

So that now strongly suggests that all the relief I've been getting has come from the NSAIDs and the benefit of the sulfasalazine has yet to be realised.

It also makes me wonder whether there may me a mechanical explanation after all for this entire experience.

I won't have long to wait to find out. I have X-Rays on my shoulders tomorrow.