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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / October 2007It isn't always all bad news.
Just wanted to share something good that has happened for me in the last six weeks or so. Last time I was at my RD I browsed through a copy of Arthritis Insight. I don't normally think too much of it. Too much advertising, etc. But I stuck this one in my purse to read again later. The article that caught my eye talked about how to adapt your knitting so you can still do it with at least somewhat arthritic hands. Now for me life in general and arthritis in particular seems to be a lot about losses. Things you can't do anymore. Stuff and people that are gone and are never coming back. Sure, learning to appreciate what you have left is great. But still there are losses and they are too often permanent. I even make do by reminding myself that others are much worse off and to appreciate what I have. But I will never hear someone sing again. Well, the article made a few suggestions. To use bamboo needles because they are lighter and warmer than metal or plastic. To use the "round" needles because they keep the weight of what you are working on off your wrists. To use natural fibers since they have more give. Needle work books gave me some tips on types of stitches that are easier on the fingers. Well, I've finished a blanket for a baby shower. My hands and wrists are doing fine. I figure this will even give my forearms a little bit of a workout. That makes IV's easier. So far, so good. Now I'm working on a pillow cover. Then I just may tackle socks for the boys for Christmas. Something else that has been good news for me. Unlike most medical conditions, RA doesn't always get worse and worse as you get older. My first five years were really rough. That seems to me when the inflammation was the worst and most of the damage was done. It isn't that my joints are getting any better. But they aren't getting worse either. Times I need an injection into a knee or hand or foot are only occasional. I no longer have to count how many shots I've had over the past year to figure out if I can talk the doctor into just one more. At long last I seem to be learning not to do things that cause me pain. I don't twist in that particular way that makes my SI joint hurt like I've been stabbed. I avoid having to go up and down steps without support without thinking about it. I don't sit in places that are so low I can't get back up. Sometimes I can even appreciate the losses. No I can't hear. Yes the implant helps, but for the most part I still can't use the phone. But since I can't use the phone, I don't have to answer the phone. I don't have to get involved in all those calls we all hate. There are days when Charlie gets so disgusted with the telephone, I think he would trade places with me. At least for a while. Jo Jo, I've found the most wonderful knitting needles ever. They're plastic, and very lightweight. I never use anything else anymore. www.knitdenise.com I have no financial interest in the company at all. They are simply wonderful needles. Kelly C. > Just wanted to share something good that has happened for me in the last > six weeks or so. [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > Jo Thanks. I've bookmarked the link. If I'm able to keep up with knitting I'd like to get a set like that. Jo > Jo, I've found the most wonderful knitting needles ever. They're plastic, > and very lightweight. I never use anything else anymore. [quoted text clipped - 61 lines] >> >> Jo > Thanks. I've bookmarked the link. If I'm able to keep up with knitting > I'd like to get a set like that. > > Jo These needles made it possible for me to knit even when my carpal tunnel was active. I had to take more breaks, but the weight of the project was in my lap, not on my wrists, and the needles are very smooth, and easy for my gimpy hands to switch out. Kelly C. >> Thanks. I've bookmarked the link. If I'm able to keep up with knitting >> I'd like to get a set like that. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Kelly C. I'm just so grateful that it seems I'm going to be able to knit. I grew up doing all different kinds of needle work and playing the piano. (I even know how to tat reasonably well.) I also like to read. Even holding a book to read gets to be too much after an hour or so. Not being able to create anything with my hands was a major loss. At first I had awful carpal tunnel problems and then sausage fingers for quite a while. So I'd given up on it all. Knitting just doesn't take as much twisting as the others. I taught myself to knit German style as a child which takes a lot of the strain off the right hand, so don't have to retrain myself on that either. Knitting just seems to be designed as a last creative resort. I'm looking forward to finding and using some of the beautiful hand spun specialty wools that are available around here now. Jo Jo and Folks, I'm so glad that this was posted. I've really missed knitting! I'm going to try this! Vickie B. > I'm just so grateful that it seems I'm going to be able to knit. > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Jo When you say knitting in the German style, do you mean holding the yarn in the left hand? That's how I taught myself to do it, but the book called it the Continental style. I love it, and it really is easiest for me now. I used to do a lot of cross-stitch, but holding that tiny needle took its toll, and the effort wasn't worth the pleasure it brought after a while.:( Anyway, I hope to keep learning, and I think the next new experience may be socks. It's a good time of year for it.:) Kelly C. > > I'm just so grateful that it seems I'm going to be able to knit. > > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > the left hand? That's how I taught myself to do it, but the book called it > the Continental style. I love it, and it really is easiest for me now. Yes...Continental and German are the same thing. That's how I knit also. I've tried to hold the yarn with my right hand (especially when my left wrist is flaring!), but I just can't make it work smoothly.  Signature"[xxx] has very definite opinions, and does not suffer fools lightly. This, apparently, upsets the fools." ---BB cuts to the pith of a flame-fest >> I'm just so grateful that it seems I'm going to be able to knit. >> [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Anyway, I hope to keep learning, and I think the next new experience may > be socks. It's a good time of year for it.:) Yes, I'm pretty sure German and Continental are pretty much the same. Since I did far more crochet then knitting, it just seemed normal to me to pick up the yarn with my left hand. Much to the dismay of my most English grandmother. But my current German friend thinks its cool. She even helped me to clean up my stitches. Seems she was taught by the nuns in Germany and they were quite particular. I'm looking forward to trying socks too. Just interesting warm ones for the boys to wear around the house when its cold. Jo >>> I'm just so grateful that it seems I'm going to be able to knit. >>> [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > > Jo I would also like to re-teach myself crochet. I bought a kit for it. There are a lot of knit projects, like purses, etc. that have a crocheted handle, or trim, and I'd love to be able to do some of those things. I have a big bag of cotton yarns, and love to make washcloths, etc, but want to practice some more before I move up to wool and felting pieces. Kelly C. I have several boxes of crochet thread. My hands are bad and I've had surgery on both shoulders so all the twisting an turning while crocheting hurt my hands and shoulders so much that I just stopped. I might try again now. I usd to watch my grandmother tatting. She would never look at the shuttle, just kept talking and tatting! Gwen >>>> I'm just so grateful that it seems I'm going to be able to knit. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > Kelly C. >I have several boxes of crochet thread. My hands are bad and I've had >surgery on both shoulders so all the twisting an turning [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > shuttle, just kept talking and tatting! > Gwen LOL If you look you loose your concentration and make mistakes. Kind of like watching yourself play the piano. Jo Squirrely - watch your mail starting in about a week or so. DeeTee > Thanks. I've bookmarked the link. If I'm able to keep up with knitting > I'd like to get a set like that. [quoted text clipped - 66 lines] >>> >>> Jo oh ok thanks for letting me know to watch it. SignatureLove and Hugs to all Jo the squirrely one I am nuts about you. > Squirrely - watch your mail starting in about a week or so. > > DeeTee > Jo, I've found the most wonderful knitting needles ever. They're plastic, > and very lightweight. I never use anything else anymore. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I have no financial interest in the company at all. They are simply > wonderful needles. I had to trade my Denise's for more yarn. They hurt my hands and arms a lot. I bought them a few years ago, and haven't touched my straight needles since. However, I found my stitches "sticking" to them too much. It took me a while to figure out what the problem was, as I do a lot of socks, on smaller needles. There are similar sets of interchangeable needles with metal or wood tips, though, so that's where I'm going next. But I bought some pieces of the system to try out, after my experience with the Denises. Signature"[xxx] has very definite opinions, and does not suffer fools lightly. This, apparently, upsets the fools." ---BB cuts to the pith of a flame-fest >> Jo, I've found the most wonderful knitting needles ever. They're plastic, >> and very lightweight. I never use anything else anymore. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > tips, though, so that's where I'm going next. But I bought some pieces > of the system to try out, after my experience with the Denises. I haven't done much with the very tiny needles, and haven't yet attempted socks. I have made one stocking cap with ear flaps, though, and had to use the double pointed needles on that, and found it to be a challenge.lol Whatever works for you is great, and I'd love to hear about your experiences with other needles, etc.:) Kelly C. > >> Jo, I've found the most wonderful knitting needles ever. They're plastic, > >> and very lightweight. I never use anything else anymore. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Whatever works for you is great, and I'd love to hear about your experiences > with other needles, etc.:) You should google for descriptions of the "magic loop" technique. This lets you use a long circular needle instead of a set of double pointed needles. Most of the descriptions assume you're making socks or mittens, but you can do the same thing for hats. I find when I do this that I can relax my "death grip" on the needles, which means I can knit longer, and the act of moving the stitches around to where they need to be provides a natural break, so I'm not knitting non-stop for a long period of time. Signature"[xxx] has very definite opinions, and does not suffer fools lightly. This, apparently, upsets the fools." ---BB cuts to the pith of a flame-fest > In article <S8OdnS5SfKG77LzanZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@comcast.com>, > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the act of moving the stitches around to where they need to be provides > a natural break, so I'm not knitting non-stop for a long period of time. I think I've seen this demonstrated on a web site somewhere, but it seemed rather complicated to my newbie-knitter eyes. I may revisit it now, though. Thanks for the reminder!:) Kelly C. > > In article <S8OdnS5SfKG77LzanZ2dnUVZ_gudnZ2d@comcast.com>, > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > rather complicated to my newbie-knitter eyes. I may revisit it now, though. > Thanks for the reminder!:) Just try with some leftover yarn. Unless you knit super tight, it will work with your Denises if you join two of the cables together. It's pretty bizarre to read about, but when you have enough stitches for a hat cast on and you're trying to knit it, it makes a whole lot more sense. Signature"[xxx] has very definite opinions, and does not suffer fools lightly. This, apparently, upsets the fools." ---BB cuts to the pith of a flame-fest Was thinking of you today Kelly as I was talking to one of the kids on the street (so nice to have people around after living in non children/ people you don't see except in car neighborhood). Wondered how Rachel was doing this year in school and if the seizures were still under control. Think of her regularly. She must be getting so "grownup" by now (or so they think). Kelly in BC > Jo, I've found the most wonderful knitting needles ever. They're plastic, > and very lightweight. I never use anything else anymore. [quoted text clipped - 61 lines] >> >> Jo > Was thinking of you today Kelly as I was talking to one of the kids on the > street (so nice to have people around after living in non children/ people [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Kelly in BC How nice of you to think of us.:) Rachel is a 12 year old, trapped in a 20 year old body.lol There's a nice, light aluminum baseball bat by the front door, and we are in love with the new trend of layering clothes. We love the layering.lol We struggle with seizure control, mainly because Rachel entered puberty shortly after the seizures started, and hasn't stopped growing since. She metabolizes the meds so quickly that it's hard to regulate the levels in her blood. We had an MRI and EEG last week, and the MRI is still nice and clear, and the EEG tracings are just what her neuro expects to see with partial epilepsy. No new or scary things, which is good. We'll make some dosage increases and continue to hope for the best. Rachel is in 7th grade this year, and just got a 3.67 on her mid-term report card, so is on Honor Roll again, and is playing flute in Advanced Band this year. Throw in 9th grade Reading/Lit and first year Spanish, and she's a busy girl.lol I read here every day, and wish everybody well, and just don't think to respond much, I guess. I've been staying busy with ebay, and a little bit of knitting, and 7th grade homework, and the Mom Taxi.lol Hugs, Kelly C. Kelly C, nice to hear from you and have an update on Rachel. They grow so fast don't they. Oh how awesome that she made the honor roll again. That is so great. She is so advanced for her age group. That shows how smart she is and that she is applying herself. That is so cool. How are you doing? SignatureLove and Hugs to all Jo the squirrely one I am nuts about you. > How nice of you to think of us.:) > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Hugs, > Kelly C. > Kelly C, > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > How are you doing? I am actually quite boring!lol I love being at home now, though the house doesn't seem to be any tidier than it was when I worked. Of course, I didn't enjoy housework then, either.:) RA-wise, I'm doing quite well, and am stable. I gained some weight after leaving my job, but am using my treadmill regularly, and trying to do a better job of eating well. We have a lot of extended family stuff that's been happening, but who doesn't, right? We're busy, in a good way, and I'm having a good time watching my girl become the amazing woman she will someday be. Hugs for you, Jo. You're such a doll! Kelly C. >> Was thinking of you today Kelly as I was talking to one of the kids on >> the street (so nice to have people around after living in non children/ [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Rachel is a 12 year old, trapped in a 20 year old body.lol When our daughter Vicki was twelve, she spent the summer with my mother. By the time she came home my mother was ready to put a t-shirt on her that said, "leave her alone, she's only twelve". I mean one place asked for her drivers license when she needed to cash a travelers check. College age guys were flirting with her. Now she enjoys being tall, but the growing up fast and early isn't any fun at all when its happening. Jo > When our daughter Vicki was twelve, she spent the summer with my mother. > By the time she came home my mother was ready to put a t-shirt on her that [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Jo Oh, lordy, I sure wouldn't know! I was such a late bloomer that other kids made fun of me. I was short, skinny, and flat as a board until I was 15. lol Rachel doesn't seem to mind much, as most of her peers (the girls, anyway) are also blooming right now. The boys don't seem too interested yet, but I can see high school being an adventure.:( Kelly C. >> When our daughter Vicki was twelve, she spent the summer with my mother. >> By the time she came home my mother was ready to put a t-shirt on her [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Kelly C. LOL,,,, over lots of years it seems that the late bloomers were all worth waiting for. One of them ended up being a runner up for Miss America and her sister who was an early bloomer can not hold a candle to her now and that was 30 years ago.... It seems that late bloomers last longer. They both married preachers and have a love of life and people that is amazing. Hhhm, have not thought about them in years. thanks Harv > LOL,,,, over lots of years it seems that the late bloomers were all worth > waiting for. One of them ended up being a runner up for Miss America and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Hhhm, have not thought about them in years. thanks > Harv Well, I sure hope that's true for me, Harv.lol My Mom and Grammy both were also late bloomers, and they are both still so lovely. Grammy's 93 now, still has her own apartment, and I think her driver license is good for another 5 years. *what were they thinking?!* Kelly C. > Well, I sure hope that's true for me, Harv.lol > > My Mom and Grammy both were also late bloomers, and they are both still so > lovely. Grammy's 93 now, still has her own apartment, and I think her driver > license is good for another 5 years. *what were they thinking?!* LOL we have a friend who is 91 and has multiple joint and balance issues as well as macular degeneration and poor hearing - but they renewed her driver's license! We can't figure out why, but fortunately she doesn't drive any longer. She tries from time to time, but realizes it's impossible before she gets out of her fairly long driveway. sigh. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare >> Well, I sure hope that's true for me, Harv.lol >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > she > gets out of her fairly long driveway. sigh. LOL! Grammy still drives to church, and lunch after, but that's about it nowadays. She does drive over to Mom's house a couple times a month, which is about a 20 minute drive. She's never had more than a fender bender, but she did knock down all of the driveway lights mom had.lol Crazy old lady, and I love her to tears.lol Kelly C. >LOL we have a friend who is 91 and has multiple joint and balance issues as >well as macular degeneration and poor hearing - but they renewed her driver's >license! We can't figure out why, but fortunately she doesn't drive any >longer. She tries from time to time, but realizes it's impossible before she >gets out of her fairly long driveway. sigh. Our neighbour across the street was still driving at about ninety years of age and one time out she had a fender bender. She didn't drive any after that, but after she had her cataracts removed, she was in a car with someone one day and said, "Oh, they have put a new stop sign in." !!!! Joan It sounds like Rachel is remaining her delightful self and doing well despite all she's been through. Hopefully they can control her seizures enough that they don't make puberty even more difficult than it already is! SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare > How nice of you to think of us.:) > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Hugs, > Kelly C. Thanks for sharing, Jo. It's true, so much of life is loss, and sometimes it's hard to see the positives. I'm very glad you've been able to tend to your knitting. ;) After those socks are done, I'd like a scarf... dusty rose, please... LOL luv&stuff, Denise So glad to hear about the knitting. I have adapted my quilting and have often thought I should write it all down into an article. Yes the losses are too many and we should try to keep them to a minimum if possible. If I could give two more ideas. Get a timer and set it to go off before you would normally feel pain. Two or 3 sessions in a day are often better than one long one. Another idea is to have pillows strategically ready to lean on with arms if necessary. I use both of these ideas when hand quilting. I also use a rice bag on my shoulders so that I remember to relax the shoulders while doing hand work. Might help with the knitting as well. I love your email - going to save it. Yes we do learn - even if we would have rather not at times. And thank goodness for supportive husbands! Thanks Jo for the reminder! Kelly > Just wanted to share something good that has happened for me in the last > six weeks or so. [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > Jo That is so good to hear Jo, I am happy for you. Take care and I hope good things keep happening for you. SignatureLove and Hugs to all Jo the squirrely one I am nuts about you. > Just wanted to share something good that has happened for me in the last > six weeks or so. [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > Jo {{{{{Jo}}}}} DeeTee > Just wanted to share something good that has happened for me in the last > six weeks or so. [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > Jo hmmmmmmm, I need to ask my mom if she saw that article. I don't know how closely she reads AT these days - she missed my letter that was printed! LOL She loves to knit and has managed to keep it up through OA starting to hit her hands hard, but this tip might help her some. I keep thinking I ought to take it up - I loved crocheting but wrist issues have stopped that, cross-stitching now disagrees with my hands so I'm working on bead weaving now. SignatureNann remove the Gator cheer to email me Simply the thing I am shall make me live --- William Shakespeare |
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