This week’s photo challenge topic is Resolved.
Typically I start my year resolving to write Morning Pages (3 pages of off-the-top-of-my-head writing),which I wrote about on my other blog. But this year there is a catch. I seem to have suddenly developed arthritis in my thumbs. For someone who likes to write longhand, this is a major problem.
I haven’t been to the doctor. I have an appointment in February for my annual exam and don’t want to spend the money for an extra visit, so in the meantime I have done Internet research. At first I thought it might be carpal tunnel so I bought a wrist brace.
Although it helped a little because it kept my hand from moving too much, it wasn’t the answer. I did some more reading and my symptoms were spot-on with arthritis of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.
I’ve been blessed with pretty good health my whole life. To people with serious illnesses, this is not even a blip on the radar. But for me…I like to write; I like to do crafts. I started thinking about all those crafty things I wanted to learn: knitting, quilting…and all those unfinished and not yet started needlepoint and crewel embroidery projects sitting around the house. Starting a new year discouraged was not where I wanted to be.
The wrist brace was a lot of money to me, and I need one for my other hand too (my left hurts also, but not as badly because I am right-handed). My mom told me she had a thumb-brace; we thought that might work better for arthritis in the thumbs. Finding anything in my mother’s house can be a challenge; she has everything…somewhere…
But yesterday we found it!
I tried to wear it when I wrote my Morning Pages today. It was awkward and slow-going. I took it off half-way through. BUT…I do think it is good to wear when doing other activities and when simply sitting and watching TV. It keeps me from using my thumb and allows it some rest.
The other thing I did was get some e-z grip pens. The light blue one, I bought. Not liking it, though it does write smooth. I think it will take some getting used to. The darker color one my mother had at her house; she picked it up at the vet’s office. I rather like that one; it is definitely better than a skinny pen.
So…these are my tools. I am RESOLVED not to let my new pain stop me from fulfilling my writing goals this year!
Best wishes with your resolution from a fellow crafter who deals with arthritis in my hands, especially my right one. I take it one day at a time, work and play accordingly, and always keep moving. Happy New Year.
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Thanks, Judy. Everything in moderation. You’re right…one day at a time and a little at a time. I think it just takes longer to do things and you can’t do too much in a day. 😦
Patience is key, right?
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That is so right – some days you can use your hands to the fullest and other days you have to pursue other interests. Each day is a gift and as long as we use it well, life is good.
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🙂
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I started having these problems almost 20 years ago and I feared and cried that my writing and crafting days were over. I did learn how to pace myself and to learn that sometimes I must take a day off to recover. Good luck to you 🙂
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Thanks for your comment, Judy. So you understand where I’m at! I feel like I’m being a baby, but it is just the shock and fear of it! I’ll figure out new ways to do things, I’m sure.
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Yes, I know the shock. I was only 30 years old when the pain started. I sure feared for the future. Now I know my limits and it turned out OK for me. I am sure you will be OK too 🙂
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Do you have grip strength (can you squeeze something with nearly ‘normal’ pressure)? If you do, it is probably not carpal tunnel.
I destroyed my hands several years ago after running a fledgling knitwear design company for a year. I went to a chiropractor out of desperation, and the first thing he did was test my grip strength, which was surprisingly only slightly less than normal even though I was in agony in other ways. It ended up being overuse affecting my forearm muscles that he was able to perform a few manipulations on. Things got better, but I have to be careful any time I use my hands for repetitive work.
Northern Narratives is right – know your limits – and I’ll add: listen to your body.
I wish you luck!
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Thanks for sharing your story. I think my grip strength is fine. It seems to be almost completely in the thumb joint; no problems with my fingers. Turning doorknobs (and writing, unfortunately) hurts a lot. I have swelling in base of my thumb area that is extremely sensitive to the touch. It has been progressive over the last few weeks, which may mean it is a repetitive use thing…seems like the people with arthritis are saying it comes and goes and they have good days/bad days.
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I hope you find a solution that works for you 🙂
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You’ve already gotten a lot of good advice Sue…I’ll just add that I wish you an easier time with all this. Maybe you should consider the software you talk in to and it types it for you
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Not a great way to start the year, Jo. I couldn’t even get through my 3 handwritten pages (morning pages) this morning. Unfortunately I do data entry for my part-time job…:-(
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So frustrating. These odd aches and pains seem to suddenly creep up on us and interfere with our daily lives. Maybe it will turn out to be tendonitis (if you have been doing a lot with both hands recently, it’s quite possible) and with some rest, it will get better. If it is arthritis, I believe there is quite a lot they can do for afflicted fingers nowadays.
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BB, thanks for understanding the frustration. It could be tendonitis…it has been progressive over the last few weeks. I might have to be reasonable and try to hold back implementing writing goals for a few weeks so I can rest my hands.
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Thanks for the pingback, Rebecca!
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Thanks for the pingback, Chris!
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