janedee

I see you were asking about scissors - I use a pair of Fiskers that are spring loaded so much easier to use than a conventional pair as you don't have to apply too much pressure to cut with and because they are spring loaded you don't have to 'open' them.

burchquilts

I had to laugh (tho I have osteo in my right knee & my back & k=now this is no laughinh matter)... my Mother always referred to her arthristis as "old Arthur". I hadn't heard that in eons. We had a discussion a while back here on the board about it in our knees & you might find something helpful in that thread. Here it is --->

http://www.quiltingboard.com/general...w-t186518.html

burchquilts

I have it in my back & my right knee & it certainly has affected my sewing ability. Which is really crummy because I find being sick depressing enough & then not having my sewing as a stress reliever is doubly icky. But my knee dictates how much sewing I can do. I just have to accept & adjust to that. But it still hacks me off... LOL!

jitkaau

After I had a flare-up my doctor recommended my taking 9 fish oil capsules per day - 3 at each meal to avoid stomach upsets. Have had no problems so far. She advised me that the fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. Of course, I generally buy them when there is a discount as I think they are over-priced.

anniesews

Thank you all so much. Guess "old Arthur" gets to us all. I will certainly try the suggestions offered. I do even in church sit and flex my fingers to keep some movement but I like all of the suggestions and am willing to try everything. Can't give up my sewing. As one said, that is my fun, stress relief hobby.
Thank you all.
Annie

Betty Boop

The middle finger and the one next to my pinky finger would lock and hurt. This was getting worse, so when I went to the ortho doctor for my knee replacement check-up I asked him what would help this. After examining my fingers he said I should try cortisone injections and if it didn't help contact a hand physician for replacement. Wellll I don't want finger replacement, but I did consent to the injections. The first two days aftewards they really hurt and were swollen, but on the third day they were great! DOn't know how long it will last, but so far I can even bend them into my palm which I haven't been able to do.

GiGi

Vick salve works wonders! GiGi

liese

I've had osteo-arthritis in my left knee and in my feet. My right ankle was surgically fused about 15 years ago and the arthritis in both feet is awful! My left knee suffered because of all of this. I've tried almost everything -- but I have found the best so far to be Glucosamine Sulfate with Condroitin in tablets (2 a day), along with a dr prescribed Voltaren and now recently added acupuncture to it. The acupuncture, if done in conjunction with a physical therapy office or dr, is covered by insurance -- so I only have to pay the $20 co-pay each treatment. I can say I can actually feel the pain leave my body when I have a treatment! There are some things that really affect arthritis and make it worse like humidity, eating too much acidic food like tomatoes, and alcohol -- (that kills me especially since I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night after a long week of work).
I hope some of this helps all of you. The acupuncture is absolutely painless, treatment lasts a little over an hour, and if you can relax yourself to a state of sleep -- you get the best treatment.
Good luck!

Julie in NM

And I have artritis in my left jaw. Reading all the suggestioin but don't think it's possible to soak my HEAD in hot water! Getting a brace to use at night from special dentist. Good luck everyone!

helenhiwater

All good advice! Cinnamon bark seems to help me, along with yoga--of course mine is in my back.