Don't forget, the more you use your fingers the longer you'll have them. Inactivity can cause arthritis to progress more rapidly depending on the type you have. Regardless, exercise helps, at least thats what my rheumatologist told me. Also, he advised me to eat a bit (in severe moderation) of dark chocolate each day. 1/2 ounce or less, it will help stay off arthritis and in my case will boost my meds, which don't work as well as they use to. When it hurts too much, stop, rest. You just have to find the right amount of usage for you to keep them moving, and not over do and cause a flairup.

I have RA and find that sometimes quilting makes me feel better and other times much worse! My husband bought me a beautiful Husquavana Viking quilting maching that makes it so easy to glide the fabric through. I also use thick cutting tools but my husband does alot of my cutting for me. I give him my small applique stuff while he's in front of the tv! Don't be freaked out, all you have to do is figure out the best way for you to do the things you want or need to do. Invest in the tools that will help you and you will be able to keep quilting! Good Luck! :P

Another thought Moonhoney, it may be akward at first but try to use the mouse with your left hand. I try to use both of my hands equally to take the strain off of my right hand. :D

moonhoney2, if it's the computer that seems to be giving you fits, maybe you could try a different keyboard, like one of those spread out ones? I've found a "wrist rest" works well at keeping my entire hand at the same level, there by less fatique.

The other thing you might try is a different mouse. Perhaps a touch sensitive one? Or perhaps if that is the kind you use you might go to the store and see what kinds they have that "fit" your hand, it used to be only one or two brands "fit" but now they are all doing it and for not much money. Before I started using a laptop all the time, (with the touch sensitive pad) I had a wrist rest for my mouse as well. One of the gel ones that has the attached mouse pad. LOL I had TWO one for work and one for home.

I was diagnosed with OA when I was 37. In my feet of all things. Now I am 70 and have it in most of my joints including my hands, which on some days are very painful. Take each day at a time because no two days are the same. I have been taking Glucosomine and Chondroitin for some time and have just recently started taking Rose Hip as an anti inflammatory. There was a very intersting programme on the radio about this from the Arthritis Research. Keep smiling. Sylvia

You have my sympathy - had rheumatoid arthritis for over 10 yrs. My left hand is the worst problem - I am left handed. My hands are pretty bent - the fingers all going towards the little finger.
Good tip to learn to use the mouse with both hands. I have spring loaded scissors and the are great.
I cannot knit at all, hand sewing is not easy so I limit that. I have just worked and worked at making my machine do it all for me. The best answer is to keep on trying and trying and looking for ways to make each task easier.
Jane

I also was recently diagnoised and find I have a lot of trouble after using computer .

Friend told me about using a bag filled with beans (small navy beans are best) and they conform around your wrist and aleaves the pain.

This has helped me a lot. Can also be filled with rice. but i found the beans to conform and hold the best.

Linda

Absolutely the truth! I've had arthritis in my spine since I was 19. If I lie down or sit to long, I can't move around very well at all. My hands have 'arther' but I've never stopped using them to hand quilt, to hand sew things and embroider. Some days I can only take a stitch or two, and I use a lot of 'helper tools' to pull the needle through, gloves to hold the fabric, lots of different size hoops, and I take the glousamine. Some nights I wake in the middle of the night with tears and hands that won't open and close well, but I keep workin' them because the one thing all the doctors have said is "if you stop using any part of your body it will quit working at all" so I'm in charge right at the moment. I don't have RA, I have the OA. It's nothing to worry you or stop your planning for the future over. I've lived 41 years with it and I'm still walking, working on quilting and crochet. I'll keep you in my prayers!
Sharon

Give the glucosamine (sp?) at try, it really has helped me. You need to take for about six weeks before you'll notice a difference. (I give it to my old Lab, 12 years old, upon advice of her vet, too)

Hello everyone! I had a blood test the other day because I woke up last Sunday with stiff fingers. My Dr. says it's possible RA, but wants x-rays to confirm. The diagnosis didn't bother me when he told me yesterday, but after sleeping on it I had some concerns. I LOVE TO QUILT! I recently retired so of course something had to get me :=)! Anyway, I live alone, but am pretty good about adapting, so I plan to sew and quilt FOREVER! I found this site this morning and I must say. . .IT'S WONDERFUL!!! Thanks to all of you for your sage advice. FYI, there are some good hand exercises at Mayoclinic.com. I found these the other day. They're visuals w/dialog below. Very helpful, I think. I live in Northern California.