Ouch! My Shoulders Hurt!
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
December 30, 2008 8:46pm CST
I have carried a pocketbook since the age of 11 when I got my first one. I carried everything imaginable in that bag. My preference was the larger bags. The things I could fit in them! In my senior year in high school I contemplated buying a miniature kitchen sink so it could truly be said that I carried everything in my pocketbook!
Years later I am finding that my shoulders no longer can take the strain of carrying a bag over my shoulder. I have tried the ones that you carry over the opposite shoulder and still my shoulder aches! Dang it. I refuse to give up carrying a pocketbook. This accessory has become part of my anatomy! How can I stop?
I guess I will have to face the fact that I really don't need to carry all the things that "I think" I need in my pocketbook. Until then, I will suffer.
5 people like this
19 responses
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I switch off and carry or wear a back pack from time to time. It helps, because it pulls both of my shoulders back and makes me stand up straighter. You might see if someone can give you some exercises that would develop muscles that are complementary to the ones you have built and balance you out so that your shoulders have more support. Yes, and of course, clear some of the junk out. I need to too.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I have to really toss out some of the stuff. I have graduated to a smaller bag, but still carry way to much in it.
@rashmi1979 (112)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Those are some good tips! Backpacks really help maintain a good posture and prevent pain in the shoulders- neck- back due to carrying loads all day!
You should start exercising regularly, this pain can develop into a serious problem..some of my friends got spondilitis after long time of bad posture or heavy laptop bags.
Also, I think you should prioirtise what you need to carry for day and limit your load to it! Carrying everything is definitely not advisable!
Take Good Care of yourself Dear. Wish you a Very Happy New Year! :)
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
1 Jan 09
Yes, and spondylitis can become spondylolythesis and can cause paralysis. I feel like a hermit crab when I think of my bags. I sort of turn my car into my bag. LOL.
1 person likes this
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
1 Jan 09
I have the same problem as you. My bag has so many things in it except for the kitchen sink. lol. I just cannot change to a smaller bag got to many things I need.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
2 Jan 09
Every once in a while I think I can do with less. I clean out the pocketbook and within a weeks time it is full again.
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I can really relate to this one. My shoulder was killing me a few months ago and I tried carrying things a different way to avoid a heavy shoulder bag. Nothing worked. I had to have my shoulder bag. Fortunately, the pain went away. I think I probably just pinched a nerve or something and it resolved itself. Maybe you will get lucky too. It's really hard to get used to something different when you are not used to travelling light and I just couldn't make the adjustment.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
2 Jan 09
The pain is something new. I have never experienced this type of pain in my shoulders before. Once you hit 50 you start to notice little aches and pains in your body.
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I have always carried a very large purse. I carry half the house with me , everytime I go anywhere. I like having it all with me lol , althogh it does get to be a bit heavy and bothersome. I am just not happy without it and it is my habit lol so Ill guess, Ill Just keep doing it lol
@CRSunrise (2981)
• United States
31 Dec 08
You could always get one of those backpack style purses. This way the weight of your purse it distributed a little more evenly on your frame, so it won't hurt as much, if at all.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Dec 08
I am assuming that the pocket book has a long strap? If so, then carry it across your chest. If the bag is naging on your right side, then pass the strap over your head so that the weight is carried by your left shoulder. Thisd distributes the weight a little and may help you solve or deal with this problem. I hope that this suggesation helps. New Year Blessings, my friend.
1 person likes this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I no longer carry a pocket book. Instead my camera bag has become my accessory. I always carry my camera with and when people see me without it they ask, "what, no camera?" This bag holds my camera along with the few necessities I will need while out and about.
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
31 Dec 08
Sounds like you have the weight of the world and the kitchen sink on your shoulders my friend! I would say you were a packhorse but that is not said with any slight or malice! It sounds like you are a really organized person and would be great in a time of crisis as you'd have everything on hand as it were! Short of getting someone to massage your shoulders and give them the relief they deserve for carrying such a heavy burden for so long, you might need to reassess what you carry with you my friend or else get a rucksack? That might be better because you can still carry a lot in a rucksack and it might be easier to carry around? Happy 2009 to you my dear friend!
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
31 Dec 08
That is funny. I was just thinking the same thing, yesterday. My puse weighs so much it is not funny at all. My husband keeps telling me to get rid of it.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
31 Dec 08
yes a smaller back and maybe one with a handle or hand strap might help
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
31 Dec 08
I have this piddly little purse because I cannot afford a big one. I am thinking of getting one of those Buxton Organizers as seen on Tv, but I do not know if even that can take the stuff my husband wants me to carry. I would rather have a purse that I can everything in it, then having to carry a dainty little bag.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I do the same....I have tried to downsize then I can't get everything in it I want. There are some very necessary things you have to take with.....so my billfold is thick....you have to have pictures of the grandkids just in case..kleenex...a manicure set....I also now carry those little fold up bags that you use at the store instead of taking one of theirs! It is impossible to downsize or to leave it at home! You are right..it's part of our anatomy!
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
31 Dec 08
Hello ElusiveBetterfly. Now I seem to see the point of getting your shoulders hurt. Well, when I was a student, I usually went to school with my school bag with the daily textbooks that were needed to bring with me. I didn't carry other stuff that was not needed. But I still remember that I used to love reading while walking to school. Take care, friend.
Well, when I was a student, I usually went to school with my school bag with the daily textbooks that were needed to bring with me. I didn't carry other stuff that was not needed. But I still remember that I used to love reading while walking to school. Take care, friend. 1 person likes this
@dropofrain (1167)
• India
31 Dec 08
I also have this habbit of carrying so many things with me all the time. I have this habbit that I might need need all the things that I carry. If I dont take all of them I have this problem that I have forrgotten something. It makes my bag really heavy and shoulders hurt like anything.
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
31 Dec 08
I would go for a lighter purse. One that is slaos smaller.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
26 Jan 09
LOL. I have heard of carrying or packing everything but the kitchen sink. Hehehehe
I hardly ever carry my purse anymore. I just carry my checkbook along with any other things that I need to have inside of it.
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
31 Dec 08
I have been downsizing and upsizing my purses for years. Now I only carry my cell phone pouch over my head. In it are all the things I can't fit into my pockets.
Now, if I wear clothes that don't have pockets, i do have a small purse I can carry, but I'd rather not - I lose them.
1 person likes this
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
31 Dec 08
When anyone asks what I have in my purse that makes it heavy, I tell them everything but the kitchen sink! I'm tall and always have loved a larger purse except maybe for nice dress wear. But I no longer buy a purse to wear with every pair of shoes since I'm not working outside the home. And I prefer the larger ones. But I think I'll try and buy a little bit smaller one the next time I buy. I can't find anything in the large one since it has so much junk in it! It gets lost in all the nicks and crannies! 
I'm tall and always have loved a larger purse except maybe for nice dress wear. But I no longer buy a purse to wear with every pair of shoes since I'm not working outside the home. And I prefer the larger ones. But I think I'll try and buy a little bit smaller one the next time I buy. I can't find anything in the large one since it has so much junk in it! It gets lost in all the nicks and crannies! 1 person likes this
