My mother is 93 years old, diabetic diet controlled until about 5 years ago, metformin 1x per day, hbp ( diagnosed at 80 I think,trandolopril 2x per day, pretty active still, last Sept pain and swelling in a couple of fingers one hand R, pain at night mostly, spreading to other fingers, then down to palms wrist, swelling really bad.then same on L side Her GP prescribed cymbalta, she did not get a relief, and stopped because of, a lightheaded feeling, after ~ 2wks, he then prescribed cymbalta, after one month no change, swelling and pain so bad at nights, similar sideffects, by this time a rheumatologist appt. made by the GP arrived and he put her on prednisone, 2x5, for 7 days, after that 1x5mg in am , plus one plaquinil 100mg at night, within 2 days relief, it is now 3 weeks, and her pain is almost gone, she is back doing kitchen chores, almost as before, she feels some difference in her body, but cannot describe it, but she describes, a feeling of unbalance I thing afraid of falling, when she turns as she is used to, a rash on her neck also which she treats with a herbal cream, the itching not too bad, she wants to stop the prednison after 30 days, she is seeing the rheumatologist in July. Her blood sugar readings at home are 6.5-7.5 , her bp she has not checked., the rheumatologist stopped the celebrex, diagnosis , from scans and xrays- both osteo and rheu. arthritis and tendonitis, some comments please.