Handbags

[sylvi]

What have had to get rid of because it didn't help you. Mine is some of my handbags as they were too big or too heavy for me to carry. I have given up my heels a long time ago. So over to you al and tell me what you have had to give up.....xxxx

[nomoreheels]

Not handbags that's for sure Sylvi! I've transferred my spending on shoes to them lol. I am careful not to go daft on size not only because of the weight but also as I'm slight & some just look stupid on me. I gave up ciggies so that's a positive for both RD, my health & pocket & there we are back to bags! We both had to give up a car that we loved to drive because I could no longer drive a manual. The dogs, oh poor things, I can't walk them anymore so walks on the beach with them I've given up as my hands don't grip the leads well enough for me to feel safe.

I'm sure there are lots more but those are the ones most missed. x

I hope you're feeling a little more positive today?

[sylvi in reply to nomoreheels]

I am not ready to give up my bags just yet as i carry an inhaler and some medical info in case i take ill while i am out a diary which i am thinking of getting a smaller one as it takes up a lot of space,some drugs (which i must go and take) Drugs taken now to rest.xxx

[nomoreheels in reply to sylvi]

Me too, everything within not just my necessities either! A days worth of all our meds (just in case & proved invaluable)., cereal bar/something sweet for h, the lightest purse ever, as little change as possible, oh all sorts but always the lightest possible. I always choose a small diary, address book, as light a mobile as possible & no make up except for Labello (essential) & lipstick. So different to before RD when I was known for having everything in there anyone would ever need!

[sylvi in reply to nomoreheels]

Me too i would carry everything i would need for the day,tissues,pills,pens,diary(which i will be getting a smaller one) even my camera would go into my bag.xxxx

[miss]

Had to give up my heels. All flat now. Lovely to see you posting on a more happy subject. Love me xx

[fastball]

I no longer carry handbags as my daughter and a nurse weighed it and it was a kilo. I have a new one if I need one, but I put things in coat pockets lol. I think I might have to use my handbag in the summer. I still walk my dogs as I use a mobility scooter, I put the leads on the arm rest and slip them down .

Sending hugs all round.

Chris

[Hidden]

Items/Events I have had to give up for PsA:

Strappy Evening Sandals

Clutch Bags, only use over the body bags now

Heels over 1"

Sandals for everyday use apart from my Merrill Walking Sandals

Hill/Mountain Walking

Walking in the Park on my own, can with another person plus Wheelchair

Swimming - Ankles won't work properly to keep afloat

What I have gained you lovely lot when I am down and feeling useless you pick me back up. You even got me outside the front door on one occasion when I could not go past it. So thank you!

[sylvi in reply to Hidden]

Wow darling you have given up a lot haven't you. Well there is a lot i have given up like heels, fiddly clothes and funny knickers only superman knickers for me these days especially if they hold the ft in.

What have i got instead,huffing and puffing all the time,breathlessness when i do something,depression,pain poor eyesight i could go on.xxxx

[beeckey]

like you Sylvi bags and heels had to go just stuff my pockets.Shoes are the ones made for you rather clumsy but give support could go on but i would depress myself

.

[Angela123]

I have had to give up WORK, but I feel much better for it I'm glad to say. Angela x

[Azabat]

Heels are definitely out, and so are sandals. The only handbags I use now strap across the body, but I'm going to look for a little sports backpack. As long as it's not too heavy and I put the bad shoulder in first, I'm okay. I'm giving up my baby grand. I'm going to get something that will record the music I play (I improvise a lot) but I'm finding lifting the lid too difficult. I can't wear my rings or any heavier bracelets. xxx

[Smiler53]

Hi Sylvi, It's high heel shoes for me too and pointed toe ones. Mine all have to be round toed now I'm afraid. I only have one pair of small heels now and they are Hotters. Gone are the days when i used to totter about in ridiculous high heels or platforms! xx

[Hidden]

Alcohol, virtually. These days I drink even less than I did when I was taking Methotrexate. It just feels like it taxes my body that bit too much.

[sylvi in reply to Hidden]

I got RA after i stopped drinking. Thank you all,we don't realise how much we lose when we get these diseases do we. I mean how can a simple handbag cause so much upset.xxx

[jlmack]

I've given up the manual family car for an Automatic one and heels, well, flats all the way. At 34 I'm too old for them anyway 😜. Handbags well, I wish I could give them up or make them smaller and less heavy. But with 2 year old twins, well, you can imagine! 😝. On an upbeat note I have just treated myself to a new washing machine that sings, dances and will, hopefully, mean fewer larger washes as it's got a 12kg drum! Anyway, I'm excited. It's the simple things in life. Hope I've made you smile a little and you're feeling a little more positive today.

[sylvi in reply to jlmack]

At 34 your young and with two children of 2yrs old you have your hands full. Good for you on getting another washing machine i hope it helps you.xxxx

[Mary2G]

Heels went out the window years ago and handbags have downsized but are now full of technology but at least a library on my kindle weighs less than a single book. I used to love Yoga but had to give that up and my gardening abilities have been seriously affected but I've found other ways to do things and have studied garden design so I can have a nice garden that requires less work. I also started swimming and can now do a mile which I would never have done without RA. So while there have been losses there have been gains in other ways I feel I'm far more adaptable and able to find solutions now in all areas of my life, little fazes me now.

[BoneyC]

Yes Sylvi, RA in shoulders, elbows, neck, etc. restricts what type/size bag I can use. Never been able to wear heels (diagnosed as child).

[manwithnoname]

Well as a man I found dancing around handbags at the disco (sorry night club) just to much. LOL and those hi heels well I'd rather not say!!!!!!!

But I have found that it has become almost impossible to do the simplest of things like I cant use a 2 step ladder to even change a light bulb, carrying the washing basket from one room to another but the worst of it all is about 90 per cent of DIY is now no longer possible to do. Hay living with RA is live changing but it will never take the SMILE of of my face or my sense of humour.

[GemsfromWarks]

Gave up heels and use cross body bags. Can't drive a manual car so had to give up my old car - new one great though. My big loss for nearly a year was playing my viola as it was just too painful. I have bought a light one and no longer play concerts but am still enjoying myself. I have to pace myself and always worry I will let people down. Good to keep joints in my hands moving though some are very badly damaged. Can't get down on my knees so can't do a lot with my lovely grandchildren. Afraid to carry the baby - stairs and getting out of a chair are impossible with him. Feel a rubbish grandma as I need more help than the kids. Gave up work - best thing I did as it was so hard in constant pain and no help at all. Taken up making jewellery which is a whole new life. I currently have flu and off all meds so feeling sorry for myself. I will not let this beat me!

[sylvi in reply to GemsfromWarks]

Hugs Gillian,i so know how you feel.xxx

[muffin]

On one of my appointment with my RA consultant a couple of years ago, she admired my Radley handbag. She said I love Radley bags, can I have a look at it. I passed it over to her, then i realised she wanted to know how heavy it was and told me to stop using it as a shoulder bag, it was too heavy.

I have had 5 torn rotator cuff repairs and a shoulder replacement so I can understand not having to have so much weight on my shoulders, but she did it in such a nice way, I didn't feel upset I should not use it as I did/

Muffin.

[sylvi]

I can't believe how much we have had to give up and how many replied to my post. Thank Muffin and i hope you don't suffer too much.xxx

[nomoreheels in reply to sylvi]

The impish side of me thinks it's because of the title but if that's the case it got the ball rolling & brought other things to the fore. It's been an insightful thread Sylvi, thanks for posting it. x

[sylvi in reply to nomoreheels]

Darling your welcome darling.xxx

[pitfa13]

Like most of you, it is heels for me! In sneakers most of the time now, on occasion I can wear flats but not for too long. Some sandals are OK too in the summer but again not for too long. On the bright side (and there is one) I can still go out, drive, people watch...some of the heels I see today put the ones I wore to shame!! Hope all you lovely ladies (and gents) have a wonderful week!

[ktk51]

I take a small handbag out with me and keep it in the boot of the car so I have all the things I need with me as i can't hold a bag for a long time I hate not have in a bag so this is the best way for me i can get things out of it when i need to

[trianon]

Makeup! I loved my makeup - however can't raise my arms to do it anymore (Or remove it!). Its something I don't want anyone to do for me either. Awful!

[nomoreheels in reply to trianon]

I know how it is trianon! My problem is grip, I daren't go near my eyes anymore for fear of poking them! If really necessary I will try to apply mascara to look half human for an occasion but otherwise go barefaced. Saying you don't want anyone else to do it for you reminded me of the Friends episode where Rachel hurt her ribs & Ross did her make-up lol!

[trianon]

Yes, having my hair done is one thing - but makeup no way! I would never leave the house without my makeup before but now I think 'bugger it'! never thought I'd see the day though.