[MelodyL]

This is for the ladies, so you guys keep your mitts off of this topic.

I have degenerative joint disease. Have it for a long long time. That means, when it's damp outside (or it's not 100 degrees and feels like the Sahara Desert), well I can't fasten my bra of pull anything over my head. I also have frozen shoulder problems. I got the shot in the shoulder and it helped.

I've had this for years, did the therapy, did the tens unit on m shoulder in the therapy place (with the hot pack over it). All that was great but right now I'm not in a position financially to do this 3 times a week. Dr. Fred knows this, so I do the climbing up the wall spider thing. Some days I can move my left arm better. Some days, when it rains, well, Alan has to help me get dressed and put on my bra. I hate this.

So I said to myself "don't they make a bra that fastens in the front?"

I googled it and sure enough, there are hundreds of front clasping bras out there, anywhere from $14.95 plus $6 shipping and handling, all the way to $99.00 (which was the one I liked but who the hell has $99.00 for a brassiere?)

So before I purchased the one from footsmart.com
here it is by the way:
http://www.footsmart.com/P-Front-Hoo...Bra-35021.aspx

I said to myself "there's a hosiery store a few blocks from where I live, why not go and try there? So I just did and bought it. It's almost the same thing that footsmart sells (a bit less lacy),and I paid $21.00. But it's a sports bra.

It's a very well made thing. Very durable. I actually wanted a light, soft comfortable thing that just fastens in the front. But this is not it. Believe me this is not it. And this was the only front closing thing he sold. All the rest, the sexy bras, with the fiberfill padding, well they close in the back.

Since I cant' do this (unless it's so hot outside a person melts, but that's the only time I have no pain and I can move my left arm), I have no choice but to buy the front closing one that he sold. At least for now.

So I get home and try it on (he let me just wrap it around my bust to see if it fit and it did. Now here's the strange thing. I wear a 40 C, if I get a cheap $2.99 bra (the regular kind).

The only size he had was 44C and when I put it on me as a test, I knew immediately it would fit me. He explained "these things are made in China and you have to get a bigger size." I said "no problem".

So I get home. Do you know how long it took me to put this stupid thing on??

It's easier with the other one (when my arms work that day, I mean.)

With this thing, you put the right arm through the strap, you put the left arm through the strap, you fasten the 5 button hook things down the front, then you have to lift each boob into each cup, then straighten the whole thing out. I mean, it looks great, (it's actually more of a harness than a bra) at least for me. I'm used to wearing these whispery soft sexy bra things (little bits of things). Now those things are not great support systems, but I'm not overly huge for a C cup. I'm just not. I actually expected to get exactly the whispery soft things with a front hook. This did not happen.

I looked at the back of this harness thing and sure enough, it's a sports bra thing that lifts me up, holds me in and I'm wearing it now. I finally figured how to put it on. It is easier on the arms but it is NOT defintely easier on the body.

Do you know what I'm contemplating doing?? I think I'll take one of my old whispery soft fiberfill bras, cut it in the front, and put two velcro things. I mean, it's got to work, it's comfortable, it's not a harness, I know this, but jeez. How do people wear these sports things all day long. I'm used to going around without a bra at all. Maybe that's my mistake. I never got used to this.

I have a friend who wears a long line harness and I have no idea how she does this. She's 300 lbs. and she's been doing this for 40 years. She gets up and after her shower, she powders herself, and lays down on the bed in the airconditioning and she puts this harness on. It holds her in like a tank.

I looked at her once and said "how on earth do you breath? and she said "oh, I've been doing this for 40 years". I cannot understand this.

Now here's my question. Do any of you know where I can get a light, whispery (no harness) looking bra that closes in the front. I went to all the arthritis bra places on the net and they all show the sports harness bra thing. I don't want that. I want a Victoria Secret type of bra that closes in the front.

Anybody know?. (and not you guys, lol).

I really need some bras. My arms make it very hard to do the back closing thing.

Melody

P.S. I didn't want to start another thread on this, so I'm putting this on this thread. Alan is now in a lot of pain with burning. He said "I wish they made an ijoy chair for the legs". I immediately went to this site: http://www.massage-tools.com/ijoy-ottoman-3.html
and I told him about it and he said "No, I tried this at Brookstone", it's like an air massager, it did nothing. Only when you bang on my calves and massage them, does the burning go away".
So my question is "is there a massager for the calves that duplicates my banging and deep tissue massage that I give Alan on his calves". Like, he would be sitting in his chair and slip his calves into it (just like the ijoy calf thing) but it would have the rolling action of the ijoy chair, only the rollers would go up and down his calves. Anybody know of such an item? Thanks

[Silverlady]

Melody,
Try this site: http://www.onehanesplace.com/webapp/...ont.d2w/report If you look in the upper right hand corner you'll see something called "bra finder". It helps personalize the bra you want and the prices are good. Good quality too. I wear them.

Billye

[MelodyL]

Oh Billye:

I got so excited. I went and did the bra finder thing. (I'm still doing it).

I found my bra. Front close (looks like a Victoria Secret thing). I clicked on it. I started shouting to Alan. "Oh my god, there's a bra for $3.99". He goes "really??" Then I click on size and it only goes up to 38

I'm dead.

Okay, I just went back and dig some digging. I know exactly what I want. I want a leisure, lightweight thing that doesn't look like a harness. Sure, they have plenty around. BUT NOT IN A 42 OR A 44C. And if you find one, it's $44.00. Now this is not fair. They have exactly the one I want, it's by Hanes. It's a lightweight leisure thing that you close in the front and it's $3.99 but not in my size.

I'll never be a size 38. Oh my god, I'm destined to be in a harness for the rest of my life? oh, the pain, the pain!!!!!

lol

[Aussie99]

But have you ever considered "not wearing a bra"? Braless?

(sorry Mel couldn't resist!)

Ok let's get serious here-

After you take a hot shower are you able to manuever your shoulder a bit better? If you can Mel maybe you can put the bra on then?

I have the same problem with my shoes, my son has to help me do the laces up sometimes or zip the boot,and I feel terrible about that.

You also mentioned Victoria's secret twice. How about jsu going to Victoria's secret for a sexy front one?

[MelodyL]

Okay, I took photos just so you can see the steps I took.

First I took an old white bra, laid it over my beige bra, and sewed the two fastenging things together. Here’s how that looked.




Then I cut the rest of the bra off. Here’s how that looked from inside out.



Then I simply turned bra over and here’s how it looks as if you were looking at the front of the bra.



We now have a complete front-hook bra!!!


Haven't put it on yet, because I'm still wearing this harness thing. I've always gone braless most of the time. Not good for the boobs but comfortable. But I want to have something comfortable (and that I can maneuver) for when I go out.

Now let's hope it doesn't look stupid when I put it on.

I shall let you guys know.

Melody

[Curious]

melody...

here is a link to jc penny. prices aren't bad. sears has them too. some of the sites call them "special needs".

http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Product...79|40381|40392

yipes...the link looks long. or you can go to www.jcpenney.com and click on lingerie...then bras...then special needs.

i know both walmart and target sell the large sizes in front hook. pretty ones! i am a 36DD..and LOVE pretty bras.

[MelodyL]

Hi Curious. Take a look at the post before yours. I made my own bra. That's exactly what I wanted. A light weight, no big thing in the back, no big thing in the front.

How'd I do??

Melody

P.S. I had already done the JC Penny thing. That's why I made my own. Those are harnesses and I just wanted a slight, lightweight thing to wear under my clothes. I now have one.

If my home-made version works out, believe me, tonight, I will be making bras all night long!!

[mrsD]

wears a bra these days? WHO? not moi!
(LOL this was suggestion from my chiropractor years ago! )

WalMart does sell front clasping inexpensive sports bras for less than $10.
I have worn these at the gym because of the jiggle factor. But I don't wear one daily, anymore.

[Silver Swan]

Hi Melody:

You are too much, as usual!

I too have trouble hooking my bras these days and for a couple years already. It also is an arm or shoulder problem. What I do is lay the bra so that it goes around me, and hook it in the front. Then I turn the hooks around to the back and put my arms through the straps.

Not ideal, but it works for me! I get just ordinary bras and wear a size 42 B. Also seems hard to find this size. Wal Mart will have one or two and they are good and reasonably priced. Wal Mart is a great place for mature women to shop. No, I don't work for them!

I have seen the boxes with the front hooks bras but never tried any. Maybe I should. Thought your solution was ingenious! I hope this works for you. What a good idea.

Shirley H.

[mrsD]

there is a trick for back hooking bras....

you fasten them in front, and move(schooch) them around to the back... then put your arms thru the shoulder loops.. That is how I always did them in the past.
I learned this in middle school. I could never get my arms back there, I am too tight tendon wise, and too top heavy besides!