Ask HN: Going back to programming

I'd like to get opinions on whether going back to programming as a career in my late 30s is a good idea or not.

I was a web programmer in the first four years of my career; however then I thought I could make more money doing things like project management and spent the next ten years pushing paper.

I've done a couple of side projects in the meantime as the thought of going back to programming has kept coming back. I even attempted to do a SaaS startup but failed to get any traction.

Anyways, at this point I'm sick of pushing paper and want to go programming full-time. A few things are holding me back though: * I can't leverage the last 10 years of my career; it would basically become a lost decade for me * my technical skills are rusty; I'd have to most likely get a huge pay cut and start at a junior-level position * I think recruiters are going to give me a weird look, meaning I'd most likely have to overcome additional barriers when seeking a job

So far all of the above is speculation on my part as I really don't know what I would be getting into. I'd appreciate honest opinions going either way as I have to choose my moves wisely, having a family and all.