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Post by OboeThumb on May 9, 2004 19:34:54 GMT -5
OT- I'm so happy that your thumb is looking like a thumb again! I must admit I hesitated before mentioning the clipper because of the risk of it becoming a further antagonist to your healing thumb...  PLEASE please please throw it away if that is happening- I feel so horribly guilty and can't forgive myself if I helped make your progress become destructive- I know what you mean about wanting a big thing to clip off- I went through a very brief time of that (like 1-2 days) and MADE myself stop- of course my fingers traveled on over to my face, so now they are in the process of being evicted from that area too...  Thank you again RP for the encouragement! ;D Awww, don't feel guilty! Seriously, please don't. I caught myself in time with the clippers, figured out what I was doing and spent some time using the emery board. Also used the trial-size Burt's Bees Hand Salve I've been keeping in my purse: rubbed it on the dry, cracky, flaky places I tend to pick, and saved myself a lot of pain. Also the clipper spent yesterday in my bathrobe pocket without my missing it, so I know I'm not getting destructive/obsessed. So don't worry!  And honey, please stay away from your face! You don't want to get into that area - be good to yourself! I feel compelled to share what kept me away from my face - makeup, cuz I didn't want to get it under my nails.  I even gave myself a little mini-manicure today. I've taken to doing that whenever I talk to my mom (or other talkative types) on the phone. It's kinda funny but there you go. Next time I may do my feet. I'm moving into the heel-picking season, but determined not to even start this year. I think I have a heel pumice and a lot of foot creams and stuff. ::crosses fingers:: Speaking of constructive pastimes - my knitting project has bit the dust for the 4th time. I think it's time to give up on this baby gift (I already chipped in for a group gift anyway). I can usually figure out what's wrong and fix it, but chenille yarn has me beat. Well, the baby would have grown out of it really fast anyway. On to my daughter's sweater (which I stopped making to try to get the baby thing done). Yikes! I just realized I was picking at my lip! Down, fingernails! Do I have to cut you really short? Heehee. Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day, whatever your family configuration happens to be. |
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Post by reformedpicker on May 10, 2004 19:51:42 GMT -5
OT- thanks for reassuring me I haven't caused you harm, rather than help- I was worried!
I have GOT to stop with the face- I'm young enough that the marks will fade, but if I keep adding they will never go away...
I'm committed to it and determined- thanks for the encouragement ;D
I am no help at all with the knitting prob- I've thought about learning, but never gotten around to it...maybe soon!
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Post by OboeThumb on May 11, 2004 10:01:09 GMT -5
Wow, RP - I know it's hard. When I had lots of acne I picked my face too. My roommate used to yell at me whenever she saw me pick but it didn't help. Maybe a good masque/scrub would help? Or something cooling and soothing? Just thinking out loud... Oh, and I heard about some stuff called Mederma that reduces scars. You can get it at drugstores. Last night - bad girl me - I picked a little on my heel. Grr! It was just a small spot, about 1/2 by 1/4 inch, but when I got up this morning it hurt a bit to walk on it. It will interfere with the exercising if it keeps going. Any ideas how to nip it in the bud? ::adds pumice stone to shopping list:: heehee, don't worry about the knitting. It can be addictive too! In fact, I'm starting to think large-muscle activity is the way to go. I have tendonitis left over from when I was practicing a lot of music, so I have to be careful how much repetitive hand stuff I do. Good luck everyone |
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Post by reformedpicker on May 11, 2004 12:32:31 GMT -5
Hi OT- The sad thing is that I don't even have acne- I pick at things that need no pickin'! I'm doing really good though, with stopping. Not even a tiny pick for almost 2 whole days, and even that little amount of time makes a world of difference! It's a hard habit to break, but I quit smoking so I know I can do this too, it's just rough. If I can keep up my progress I know eventually the pigmentation will even out and look good again... patience, patience I guess. For the heel have you tried putting vaseline on your feet- especially rough spots/ picked areas and sleeping in cotton socks? If you can sleep in socks it's a great help for healing the feet- they will be verrrry soft when you wake up! |
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Post by OboeThumb on May 11, 2004 20:00:05 GMT -5
Hi OT- The sad thing is that I don't even have acne- I pick at things that need no pickin'! I'm doing really good though, with stopping. Not even a tiny pick for almost 2 whole days, and even that little amount of time makes a world of difference! It's a hard habit to break, but I quit smoking so I know I can do this too, it's just rough. If I can keep up my progress I know eventually the pigmentation will even out and look good again... patience, patience I guess. For the heel have you tried putting vaseline on your feet- especially rough spots/ picked areas and sleeping in cotton socks? If you can sleep in socks it's a great help for healing the feet- they will be verrrry soft when you wake up!  Almost 2 days!!! Way to go with the ZT! And I've often thought, anyone who can quit smoking can do anything (or quit doing anything). Keep up the inspiration! Thanks for the tips on heel-healing.  I love wearing socks to bed - in fact I hardly ever sleep without them - so I'll definitely add the Vaseline. Can't believe I never thought of that - and here I was lotioning up my hands and putting on gloves... weird. Today was bad, I've got to do something about those late-afternoon doldrums. They really contribute to the picking. No major injuries yet but... blah. |
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Post by reformedpicker on May 12, 2004 11:59:26 GMT -5
knit! knit! knit! keep the hands too busy to pick!
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Post by OboeThumb on May 12, 2004 18:07:11 GMT -5
knit! knit! knit! keep the hands too busy to pick! Oh, cool - encouragement! ;D I really can't wait to get that stuff done for my daughter. I even feel like bringing the knitting to choir tonight (yep, I'm gonna try to go to choir) but I know it wouldn't work from a practical viewpoint. In reality, I'll probably never give up knitting. My daughter is helping me with the ZT: twice today she noticed me picking before I even did, and said "Hey, no picking!" Of course, she also told my hubby "Daddy, Mommy's picking on her thumb!" but that's to be expected from a 4 year old. How are you doing? Hope you're doing well. |
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Post by reformedpicker on May 16, 2004 18:18:50 GMT -5
Hi OT- glad you sound upbeat! Don't you just love the brutal honesty of 4 year olds?! They notice EVERYTHING and are little sponges who soak it all up and repeat it later- that's my favorite age.
I'm doing better- my face which is normally clear (aside from self-induced spots, of course) but is breaking out this week- hard to keep hands off, but it's clearing off and i've been good
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Post by OboeThumb on May 17, 2004 9:54:51 GMT -5
Hi OT- glad you sound upbeat! Don't you just love the brutal honesty of 4 year olds?! They notice EVERYTHING and are little sponges who soak it all up and repeat it later- that's my favorite age. I'm doing better- my face which is normally clear (aside from self-induced spots, of course) but is breaking out this week- hard to keep hands off, but it's clearing off and i've been good heehee - yeah, they sure are honest. She even sounds like me when I'm telling her not to do something. And the other stuff she picks up - like "I'll be right there in two minutes!" hehe Good for you on the face avoidance, despite the breakouts (which in my experience make it even harder not to pick). I bet the warmer weather is causing the breakout. Hang in there! I haven't been doing well on the ZT the last few days. I guess I can only start over. One thing I have noticed is that I don't go as far beyond the start of pain as I used to. Is this a sign of progress? Also, I've painted my toenails and am working on ways to make my heels look better. The socks with lotion helped, but I may have to go to a stronger lotion or get some Vaseline. Thanks again for the tip! |
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Post by OboeThumb on May 26, 2004 15:00:38 GMT -5
Wow, it's been longer than I thought since I posted here. Sorry about that... been busy/depressed, and I'm going out of town this weekend too  How is everyone doing? Good, I hope... I'm still at the point I was at on the last post. But still hopeful I can kick this. Take care all, OT
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Ari
Junior Member
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Post by Ari on Jun 4, 2004 17:46:11 GMT -5
still no progress..but, i may be encouraged because my sister just got a manicure and pedicure for her sixth grade dance, of course, i can never get a manicure because my fingers are gross and the stupid people working there would ask if i pick like last time...well, i will be successful one day, i guess. i just really want to stop this summer, i am going to camp, i want to look nice. if any one has advice, please tell me, i would appreciate it. i just cant wait to stop!
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Post by OboeThumb on Jun 5, 2004 19:21:20 GMT -5
Thanks for posting, Ari! You know, a manicure and/or pedicure may actually help you. Last summer I ignored my embarrassment and went ahead and got a pedicure, and it smoothed out my heels so much (and made my toes so pretty) that I didn't have such motivation to pick. Manicures (at least the ones with acrylic nails) can also help curtail the picking, since acrylic nails are much more blunt than natural nails. This helped me somewhat but not a whole lot. Also, the glue and chemicals can be painful on open hangnails or sore spots, so I'd be careful. Hope this helps. Take care, OT |
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Ari
Junior Member
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Post by Ari on Jun 5, 2004 22:21:17 GMT -5
Thanks OT.
Maybe I wil try a manicure/pedicure..I must work up the courage. Right now, I have gloves on and a glob of vitamin E lotion...I had stopped putting the gloves on, and the gloves were helping me, so we will see where this goes. I will try to keep u posted, it makes me happy that people like you care to know how I am doing. Also, I care to see how you are doing..and I know that you will succeed with ZT. You are an inspiration to all of us.
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Post by OboeThumb on Jun 6, 2004 8:59:24 GMT -5
Thanks OT. Maybe I wil try a manicure/pedicure..I must work up the courage. Right now, I have gloves on and a glob of vitamin E lotion...I had stopped putting the gloves on, and the gloves were helping me, so we will see where this goes. I will try to keep u posted, it makes me happy that people like you care to know how I am doing. Also, I care to see how you are doing..and I know that you will succeed with ZT. You are an inspiration to all of us. Wow, you are too sweet, Ari. ::hug:: Gloves are great, and I'm so glad they're helping. Yay! OT |
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Ari
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by Ari on Jun 6, 2004 12:15:14 GMT -5
Thanks OT. So far today, and its after lunch now, I have not picked at all! Went to see Harry Potter with my family, and each time I caught myself about to start picking, I stopped. I'm gunna go after I write this and put more cream on with gloves. I'll keep you posted! -Ari
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PLEASE please please throw it away if that is happening- I feel so horribly guilty and can't forgive myself if I helped make your progress become destructive- I know what you mean about wanting a big thing to clip off- I went through a very brief time of that (like 1-2 days) and MADE myself stop- of course my fingers traveled on over to my face, so now they are in the process of being evicted from that area too... 
Almost 2 days!!! Way to go with the ZT! And I've often thought, anyone who can quit smoking can do anything (or quit doing anything). Keep up the inspiration!
I love wearing socks to bed - in fact I hardly ever sleep without them - so I'll definitely add the Vaseline. Can't believe I never thought of that - and here I was lotioning up my hands and putting on gloves... weird.