Hi Seams like stitches......glad you are back on track. I'm new here and I'm going to try to get involved although I don't know much. I was wondering about your name? Are you a sewer, quilter or other crafter? I'm a sewer and mostly a quilter. I only get a fraction done what I used to but I think about it every day and always have a project or 10 going. Good luck to you. Raina

I am so disgusted with myself. I have a grandson due at the end of Jan. and I have not finished his baby blanket. I can not crochet anymore. My hands hurt and don't work. I did a crochet and a quilt for my grand daughter last Feb., and can not do this blanket for love nor money.....ugh!

This is the price of not taking pain pills. There is a trade off. Well, I hit Carters and the other baby stores and bought a ton of stuff. I mailed it, and one package was stolen! GRRRR. I can't win!

Remember we are now 'tortoises' not 'hares'? Slow and steady will win our races for us. Plus a good dose of stubborness?
As long as your daughter stays good? Please give her hugs from ME! I've met folks who've been addicted, and it's nasty stuffs - even harder to get and keep off of! So Love and good respect are coming my way to her! And some extra hope and encouragements for the coming days.
We all do what we can PN Pain wise? But I've found that getting off the pain meds [except for the really bad days?] is the best way to gauge yourself. Further, I've found that those meds would only take about 10-15% of the pain edge away. No more.
This past summer? I'd injured myself BIG-Time and I was on morpheine....do you know? That 10-15% edge off was all it did! Tho my mind was so muzzied I honestly didn't care? Thus I just slept. Which Is what I shoulda been doing any how. I'd been on the anti-seizure pain meds menu prescribed for us who have various PN's? Some meds helped a 'bit' others had side effects so bad the pain was better! And, it was those meds that contributed to my injury in some ways. But, At least I was informed? And gave them up to other meds which did an equal amout of damage. Being Informed and learning to live with the pain - when not asked for? Is a hard decision. But for me a good one?
The only advice I'd give you about the weight loss? Is to make your loss goals smaller. That way each FIVE pounds would be a BIGGER milestone and one more cause to self-celebrate! Yeah! Can go out and get a 'restaurant' chef's salad! [Hey I order it and it lasts me 3 days w/the leftovers!] No cooking! Lots of little bits add up to BIG bits much more easily. Trust me on this! Hope and HUGS and GOOD THINGS! - j 's

I love to come back here and read your posts. Yes I am a quilter, a seamstress, a knitter, and a crocheter. I do as much as I can with my hands. I am blessed that my hands have not been affected.

I have lost four pounds since I started my walking... it's been two weeks. They say two pounds a week, and I'm right on track. I find if I take a break in the morning and one in the afternoon, it helps to balance out the pain.

If you can't still make things with your hands, it must be hard if you have done it all your life. I am trying to think of what you could do for ones you love. For those of us who have always made gifts for loved ones, store bought ones just don't seem personal enough. What about making a scrap book? Or a video? Something that isn't so tedious, but still is personal.

Thank you all for your love and support!

I had to quit sewing by hand when I was pregnant (29yrs ago). My hands just cannot handle crochet or a needle. When I fix a seam or minor thing by hand now, I have only a 15 min. window and a long recovery. This is the result of my carpal tunnel. As long as I don't stress it, I am fine. But I crocheted since I was about 7 yrs old. And also did embroidery. sigh

I used to sew, as well and now my shoulders get so balled up and tense, I suffer for a week. This is so irritating. I can relate. I can still crochet, but for limited time....carpal tunnel and severe hand pain....stinks. The disease does cause limits, and I am always bumping up against them.

i sew to repair things like rips etc. but i have to really watch what im doing since i have sewn my finger to the fabric a few times and didnt realize it until i saw the blood.