3 days to finish it, and my hands are protesting....

[MissMillie]

I'm making an afghan for a friend and his new bride. They got married in Canada last month and will be in town this weekend for a reception thrown by his family.

I'm almost done with the thing, but my arthritis and my carpal tunnel are twarting my efforts. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to overcome the pain in my wrists and knuckles and the numbness in my fingertips?

[Girlfriday]

1. What a keepsake! That's so sweet ....

...that you're working so hard to get it finished. I wish I could help, but I'm sure if you have been living with arthritis and carpal tunnel all this time, you know all the tricks. One thing I did learn, when my carpal tunnel flared up at work, a guy whose brother is a doctor said wearing the wrist brace didn't help. He said I should brace the area right above my elbow; it worked! Don't ask me why. I hope you feel better soon. :hug:

[sinkingfeeling]

2. I've heard those isometric/isotonic? gloves help with that...

They're sold at quilt and some craft stores. I would guess you're crocheting the afghan....I can knit for hours without problems, but crochet will cause my hand to cramp!

[trof]

3. glucosomine sulphate with chondroitin

And no, I won't vouch for any of the spelling.
I take it for my arthritis (knees) and it works for me. Only it takes about 2 weeks for it to kick in and provide relief. You can get it at a health food/vitamin store.
I also wear a copper bracelet (which I used to think was some kind of weird superstitious voodoo) but it honestly seems to make a difference. Maybe it's just placebo effect, but I don't care.

[NicoleM]

4. I don't have carpal tunnel but

I've gone on marathon knitting or crocheting missions to get something done by some event. One thing that helped was stopping every hour or so to soak my hands in really, really cold water. And anti-inflamatory medicine.

[WillParkinson]

5. I have no advice but...

I wanted to comment on what a SWEET gift that is!

[MissMillie]

11. No money, plenty of time

And TONS of scrap yarn.

One probably wonders... if I have "plenty of time" why did I wait until the last minute?

Ya know, I waste far too much of my time..... I should do something about that.

[Virgil]

6. In all seriousness

I would try marijuana. Arthritis is one of the anti-inflamatory diseases that benefits from MJ.

And yes I think the politicians need to get real and regulate cannabis like alcohol and tobacco. It sure would help alcoholism and arthritis sufferers too.

[MissMillie]

9. thanks... but

no thanks. As of right now it's illegal, and as the mother of a teenager, I like to set a good example as often as I can. No, I'm not perfect, I often break the speed limit, and I think I once (many years ago) took a tax deduction that I didn't earn... but dope.... I just can't be bothered. With my luck, I'd get nailed trying to buy it.

[bbernardini]

7. Buy one instead.

:) I have no particular suggestions (which is odd, since I'm a keyboardist and all) other than lots of stretching. I put a lot of hurt on my hands and wrists this summer building a deck (used composite decking material that needs to be screwed in), and stretching seemed to fix things rather quickly.

[MissMillie]

10. what kind of stretches? (n/t)

.

[Aristus]

8. Careful. Don't let the government know.

They get word of an Afghan lying around, and they'll bomb the shit out of the place. Especially if there are Canadians around. So keep it hush-hush, will you?

[flamingyouth]

12. I have fibromyalgia

And also have a lot of problems with my wrists sometimes (note to self: get off the computer, duh...). Are you taking frequent breaks while you're working? Every ten minutes is best. Try to do some chest-opening exercises, by moving your shoulders back, like you're going to touch each elbow to the other. Roll your shoulders, take very deep breaths. That will probably crack your upper back a little, and your arms will feel better.

Good luck - you're really giving this couple something special!