Jo--I can really relate to your whole letter!!!  At times, I'm relatively OK---at times, OA has thoroughly wiped me out!!! I wish I could give you a magic explanation, and, more importantly, an all-time cureall----the reality is, that we have a disease that's confusing (to me at least, and I think to many doctors).  The weather seems to have a major effect on me and with high humidity and bouncing barometric pressures, I'm more miserable than usual.  I wish I could nap at times, but I don't seem able to.  I refuse to accept that my age is a factor (I'll be 65 in a few weeks)---I also refuse to change my lifestyle due to it (I'm a professional nature photographer).  My doctors and I have not yet been able to find the medication that will give me longterm relief.  Some meds seem to help, but have side effects that I don't choose to deal with.  I know that when one knee hurts more than usual, I compensate by probably putting too much pressure on the other---both hips have already been replaced, and so has 1 ankle, so---I think pain wears me out more than anything---it just uses up a lot of energy to handle it---Best of Luck---I DO understand what you are dealing with------Pattye Snyder