On Friday I decided it was time to cut out the other quilt for my 2nd DGD. It took me from noon until 6 pm with only a couple of breaks. Of course, in the heat of the moment I forgot about my fibromyalgia and arthritis so guess what? Yesterday wasn't too bad so went shopping at JoAnn's and the grocery store for 4 hrs. TODAY??? I can hardly move. My shoulder hurts all the way down to my fingertips. My right hip is giving me fits and other parts I didn't even know I used are hurting also.

Took my meds like a good little girl and hope to start sewing in time to get the quilts (there are 2, the 1st top is done) done before Christmas!

I never could pace myself :roll: :roll:

No you were just overly excited!! I have a habit of wanting to finish what I started a lot but sometimes it just isnt in the cards. Hope you get feeling better and keep taking your meds like a good girl and you will be okay!

Billy

Thanks, Billy. The thing is they have to be mailed to Miami and it's a really hard pattern.

Don't put that kind of stress on yourself. They will love them no matter when they get them and besides, if they get them after the holidays, it makes them pay more attention to the hard work you put into them. Let's face it, come Christmas morn, there is so much going on with all the gifts, it's hard to appreciate anything. Just relax and let yourself heal.

No you're not an idiot. You are a self-deceiving con artist. (I have problems with my wrists right now and should not be typing or sewing) Well - you see where I am and what I am doing. So I recognize a con artist when I see one. lol

Hope you feel better soon. remember the story of the turtle and the hare. Slow will get the job done. Can you set little goals for each day? That way you can get it done and you will be in reasonable health to enjoy the process.

Yes, Mad. You're quite right. When I told my son that I was aching like crazy this morning he just looked at me and rolled his eyes and shook his head. I know what he was thinking. The old gal's gone 'round the bend again!

yep... I have Fibro too.... I find for me , I just push push push.. until I drop.. I get lots done .. than I sleep , sleep, sleep...I know it's probably not best.. but I do it anyway....
I never could pace myself either!

Rest up and feel better soon!

I have to set the timer to remind me to take breaks... other wise I end up being able to do nothing but read or watch tv :roll: :D:D:D

I can relate. I don't have fibro (a close friend does), but I'm bipolar. Same deal. If I push too hard, the next day is a sofa day.
Today is a sofa day.

I have fibro too. And, I know how you're feeling. When we push ourselves, we really pay for it, don't we?

Take good care of yourself, and try to take a 10 minute break at least once an hour, and drink plenty of water. It'll make a big difference at the end of the day.

Hugs

I would say, having fibro and more, that I feel your pain...but I'm so glad I can't.
Sorry that you are though! gentle hugs and hope you feel better soon :thumbup:

I keep my iron in another room & those breaks help.A few stretching exercises does the same.But,still....if I push on thru, will pay for it the next day.Need to remember, I'm not as young & healthy as I used to be.Not by a long shot.So it all adds up.

Maybe allow yourself a certain length of time each day for sewing.If need be, send small gifts & tell them you need more time to finish their main gifts.Good luck & feel better soon.

If it becomes a problem, send a picture of how far you are at Christmas time, then send updates weekly after Christmas. The anticipation will be fun and they'll like tracking their quilts' progess.

Fibromyalgia: Magnesium malate! From a natural food store or online. It's malic acid from apples and magnesium combined. I couldn't function without it. That and naps.

I can't call you an idiot. Just a loving grandmother who overextended herself. We all do it, especially around holidays.

oh I have done that too. finished a super king on the frame on Saturday (in less than a week). My hip hurts so bad, I couldn't get off the floor after playing with DGS, and the DIL laughed when I couldn't get up

I feel you pain. I have been trying to work on a quilt for DH and I... I'm really excited about it, but I have pushed myself too far at the cutting mat (takes it out of me the most, it seems). I have fibro too (diagnosed in HS)... I am sitting at the computer with ice on my back as I type. I hope you get to feeling better! Rest up! I know if I get in a hurry or push myself too hard I end up sick and making stupid mistakes which are even more frustrating and time consuming.

I hope you are feeling better.

Hope you get better soon, take care of yourself...

I so can relate. DIfferent ailments but still haev the pains and stiffness after a few days of fun and running. Nothing wrong with taking a day to relax.

Thanks everyone! I just sat for most of the day and eased into starting to sew. I managed to finish the hardest part which are Tri-Angles. Got them all done. The rest should be downhill. And I'm through for the night. Tomorrow I'll tackle the flying geese which are 2" squares sewn onto 2"x4" rectangles. Not too hard, but after that I can assemble the stars and I'll be half done! There is a light at the end of the tunnel ;-)

Yeah I did that yesteday paying for it today! Hope you feel better in the morning!

I feel your pain also for the last two days now my left wrist and shoulder has me about crying in pain, I went and picked me up some heat pads today so hope it well help, I sure hope you get to feeling good soon :D

i also have fibro, and i sew for an hour and take a break..
pacing myself has been the hardest part of my life. i used to be a type A personality..i have learned that no matter how bad i want to get things done..i have to stop and relax..

i have literally put big stones in my garden,split it up visually, and I do not go past the stone/rock. NO matter how good i feel. life is to short to put myself in pain and bed for a few days..
the spring is the hardest..you just want to get in there and touch the dirt and plants.

although when i am sewing, the tv is on, and it is basicly just noise..i use it to pace myslf. 1 hour/show, then break..cup of tea,check emails, stretch. use a timer, clipped to your shirt. ( i am not allowed to cook when no one else is home, unless i clip the times to myself)
blessings my dear quilty friend..

Take it from me, you are NOT an idiot. As a fellow sufferer from FMS, I have learned a few things over the years that work well for me.I take naproxen sodium - Aleve- before I start on anything that will stress my muscles. I stretch and take more breaks and make sure I don't overdo. I know, you felt great when you started, but that is when we tend to overdo and suffer later.Like you, I have 3 quilts to make before X-mas and I haven't even started cutting yet ! Good luck to you and get lots of rest. Gina in MI.

I think all of us older people have fibromyalgia and arthritis
Some days I can sit and sew all day then I pay for it next day. Hope you can get your quilts done and mailed soon.

Well, I'd never call anyone that, cuz that would make me one too. I do the same thing...can't help it either.

I can relate! I have fibro too. Yes we do tend to push ourselves too much, but we just don't want to quit until it is finished!
The Magnesium Malate is wonderful, as well as Chondroiton/Glucosamine. Feel better soon! :)

So sorry for the pain...I hate when that happens! I keep forgetting that I'm no longer 17...:roll:

That's how old I was when I was diagnosed with Fibro :thumbdown:

:) Hope you're feeling better. In the excitement of a new quilt we often forget to do what we know we ought to do. Can't wait to see the quilts :) :)

I can relate - I have severe arthritis in my lower back so I can't stand for long periods over the cutting table. This weekend I started working on a stained glass Nativity wall hanging and not only did I have to sleep with the heating pad on my lower back but I burned my butt!! :cry: The words numb butt come to mind :lol:

Awww, I feel for you girl!! I know how that is, sometimes you just get so involved in what you are doing you forget. Been there and done that. But hey, I say if you are having fun, then it's worth it!!
Soft gentle hugs and big smiles of understanding from another fibro gal.

If it is god day for me then I do as much as I can knowing the pain will follow, but I congratulate myself on everything I have accomplished because there are days there is a lot of pain no overwork caused it. Stress makes the situation worse. You have completed one top and started the second, that is a great accomplishment. Pace yourself, job will get done and your DGDs will be thrilled with thier beautiful quilts when they do arrive. Getting gifts after Christmas just extends the joy of receiving.

The idea of sending picture of the project in progress is a good idea. When my nephews were little and my sister was alive and we still exchanged gifts, I was always late. One of my nephews once said, "Everyone should have an Aunt Sue, it makes birthdays last longer!" I've been fussy cutting my Happy Camper quilt for two days now and my shoulders and back ache. Have all the intricate pieces cut now so can switch to the cutting board.
Take care of yourself and I would say hugs but that may hurt so just a mental hug.

I love the idea of sending a pic weekly, sure makes your life easier and she WILL enjoy the anticipation.

Give them an IOU and finish them after. I know that's not what you want to do, but you have to take care of yourself. My grandchildren are really surprised if they get a gift on time from me! I have a habit of not getting an idea of what to make til the last minute. Happens all the time! :lol:

Old Arthur and Fibro raise their ugly heads far too often. When I overdo it (which is quite often) then I pay the price. We love quilting so much, that we throw caution to the wind and go for the gusto. Do you think we will ever learn? Probably not when we are excited about a new project.

Oh I hear you! Been there and done that and paid the price for days/weeks later.

today is a couch day for me too!

I hate fibro - it is such a barrier. Just when we hit our stride it rears its ugly head and puts a stop to all productivity.

you said you've been sewing still - be sure to take it easy - one sofa day is annoying - one sofa week is terrible!

This is so reassuring to hear, not that I want people to be in pain, but to know that I am not alone. I am the only one I know IRL that has fibro (except for maybe my dad) and no one seems to understand. My mom's philosophy is that if I just did MORE, went to the gym more, etc. I would feel tons better b/c that's what works for her. I did 15 min. in the pool last week and literally could not walk by dinner time. It's good to know I'm not crazy, lazy, or just making things up. I really do hurt more if I do too much! DUH! I always thought that to be the case, but with everyone telling me otherwise it was hard to truly believe it.