Dottie

Hi, OL. (Takes one to know one!) So what does the keeping your hands warm do? I've never heard of that. And when do you wear the wrist immobilizer? Surely not when you work. And, yes, there are certain movements I make that really make me cringe, and I see that I'm already adapting by changing the way I work. I am NOT going to let this get the best of me. There is more than one way to get to the same goal, and I'm finding those ways as I continue to work. And you're really fortunate not to have the visible signs of arthritis. Mine have only popped up in the past year, and it's been a vanity problem for me because my smooth-handed, non-clay friends have perfectly shaped hands, although many are older than I am. I have more fun, though, I'm sure. Thanks so much for the advice.

I gave both sets of instructions to my husband, who's excited about the project, so he'll probably be making one or the other for me. I'll let you know when (if) it happens. Thanks so much for your help. Dottie

Thanks so much for the medical info, Lee. However, I just consider this a fact of getting older. My doctor is aware that I do have osteoarthritis and agrees with my minimal treatment regimen. I do appreciate that others, though, have a situation that requires more care than my situation does. I just want to be sure that any process that I do follow does not exacerbate my current situation. I do pretty well except for the ugly lumps forming on my joints -- oh, well, I have potter's hands anyway, so what are a few more lumps? Being able to play in dirt all day and get paid for it is reward enough for me. Pres, thanks so much for the information on the hand-made extruders. I'm impressed!! Don't know if I'm up to building my own, though. Wish I were, but I have to accept my own strengths and weaknesses, and building something that fidgety and complicated is beyond my level of comfort. But maybe when I look at the prices of the ones in the pottery store, I'll change my mind again! (Oh, and that Murray fellow has a lot more fun than most of us, I would say! What a delight!) Dottie

Hi, Pres. I like your extruder suggestion. It's been on my wish-list for a long time, so maybe it's time to get it. I know it would save me not only a lot of time but I'm sure a reduction in stress on my hands. And I have already started doing more coiling -- and slab-building -- than I used to. And, yes, I will adapt. I just don't want to cause more harm as I do. That's my main concern. I can work through a lot of pain. Thanks again. And as some actor of long ago said, "Getting old is not for sissies." Dottie

I've had minor arthritis for a while now, but quite recently, it's begun to be really painful, with finger joint swelling and deformities occurring. I build largish animal sculptures, which require a lot of pinching and clay manipulation. The pain can get pretty intense, but an NSAID pill usually gets it better pretty quickly. My question: Am I making the arthritis worse by my work (which I love), or might it be bad anyway? The hand that I use the most in working, my right, is much, much worse than my left. Thanks in advance for any info, tips, experiences that work, etc. Dottie