I have RA and I am on a lot of medication, how do you cope with this desease when quilting? I find I don't do other things just so I have the energy to piece/applique&quilt. I walk into my studio and sometimes just sit and look - no energy to do anything. I find that the rubber quilting gloves help even with machine applique, with my hands,spring loaded sissors, and some back support. During the day I try to keep my feet elevated at my job and I have good support for my hands at the computer. Do you have any tricks to make quilting easier? I would love to hear them.

I use warmed rice packs on my sore areas while taking frequent breaks and doing gentle stretches. I find this helps a lot.
A comfortable chair, with good back support, having the machine at a comfortable height also helps. :D:D:D

I don't have RA but I do have OA. Long sitting just totally stiffens me and I cannot hane quilt anymore due to a lot of pain in my thumb area. I take aleve but doesn't help much. I also have used the warm rice packs and it does seem to help.

I don't have RA, but alot of us here have FM (Fibromyalgia).

the same here, i pace myself, use moist heat on my muscles.

and some days, i just can't sew.

i have tried to do hand sewing, and can't, my hands jut can't handle it.

I will try the warm compresses since quilters here recommended it. I have a hard time hand appliq the bindings also. I have the Fibromyalgia under control buy getting a good night sleep and managing the pain during the day with meds. The new addition to my house "Rosie" a one year old shitz tzu-poodle mix I adopted keeps me going - she makes me happy evey moment. My daughter also has noticed and she is learning everything she can while I can still do it.

OA, RA, and Fibro also my constant sidekick... if that not enough , a few years ago I added Reflex Sympathic Dystrophy..... sigh... now that I have the time to sew, I dont have the energy.... but what can u do.... trudge on.....

Dear Theresa 54 and fellow sufferers, I don't know the answers to the pain. Somehow having each other's support helps. Back in the day, it was not awknowleged as being anything but age. It is small comfort. My Dr. said too use 1300 mgs of tylenol 3 times a day. It helps pain but not energy level. Hugs to all of you :thumbup:

I have some OA, tendinitis in my arms and hands too. I use those little gloves with no fingers, they really help. I also take MSM, can't use the other meds, they hurt my tummy too much. My massage therapist does laser treatment on my hands too. When all else fails, I take a few days off and read a book.

Hi , I just read your post, I know what you mean about trying to quilt with pain, well I have fibromyalgia, RA, Lupus and a horriable back, had back surgery a couple of years ago and it didn't help much, but when I try to quilt I do it in a lot of pain, but I find if I just go in my little sewing room and sit down and start on a project I work on it until I just can't sit any more and then I rest for awhile and then I go back and sew some more. I don't have any answers for you, but I just sew in pain, and while I am sewing I keep my mind on what I am doing and just don't pay any attention to the pain until it gets so bad I can't stand it then I stop. Take care and I hope that you can find something to help you with your pain. Hugs

I've been watching for answers on here, and it looks like there are an awful lot of us suffering a LOT of pain. Tonight I will pray for relief for us all and cry a few tears for all of us. Unless you've been here, you can't appreciate good health until it is gone. I mean to the max. If you can, sew as much as you can, while you can. love to all stitchers!!! :) :) :) :)