I suffer from fibromyalgia and have chronic pain every day affecting my feet, knees, back and arms. I'm also a PhD student and spend what little pain threshold I have on my research. Keyboarding is really painful so I use a voice recognition software program. I tire very easily and don't go out in the evenings. I have had to give up all my favorite hobbies--knitting, cooking, sports, playing guitar, writing poetry/stories/long letters to friends. I already read a lot because of my studies and don't really enjoy reading for leisure right now because of that. So, when I need some down-time away from research, I don't know what to do with myself. I think I'm driving my husband crazy. I need something to do in the evenings that doesn't involve my computer, reading, watching TV, leaving the house, and doesn't aggravate my chronic pain.
I'm a creative person and enjoy gentle yoga and photography when I am able. Can anyone think of any new hobbies to suggest? (I'm on a budget). Thanks! Try coin collecting. It doesn't have to cost you a lot. You can go to the bank and pick of a box of coin (whichever denomination you like) for exactly face value. A box of pennies is $25, a box of nickels is $100, a box of dimes is $250 and boxes of quarters or half dollars are $500. You don't have to buy the whole box. The bank can pull out whatever amount you like.
Once you get a box, you can go through and pull out the better coins (there are books to help with this or websites). You can pick up a coin album and try to fill all the holes (get one for each year) or just search for interesting ones.
The coins that you don't want can be returned to the bank and put straight back into your account (though it's often better to return the coins to a different bank (not just a different branch but a different bank) so that you don't search the same coins over and over). Everything you find will have been obtained at face value. You'd be surprised what people have found. Check out these links to see:
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic...
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic...
http://www.foundinrolls.com/
Also check your change for interesting finds.
Some things to search for: wheat pennies, silver dimes, silver quarters, old coins, error coins, coins with the "S" mintmark - it could be a proof coin etc. There's always the chance that you could find a real treasure!
It's also helpful to buy a red book. It can help you price your coins and will answer many of the questions you may have.
OR IF THAT'S NOT FOR YOU...
http://www.spacefem.com/quizzes/hobby/ My sister has fibromyalgia also. You said you like photography, have you thought about scrap booking? Firstly I sympathise [ my wife has fybromyalgia, it's a killer ]. Why did you give up 'writing' poetry and stories, if you have voice-recognition software ?. How about breeding tropical fish [ relaxing and you can make money !], or create a miniature bonsai garden or some other indoor 'gardening' project, e.g. flower arranging. Maybe you could teach, privately, English as a 2cnd. langauge, make some money and friends ! Good luck and btw have you tried short courses of prednisone for pain relief, or asked for a referral to a 'pain clinic' ? hi Judy i hope that i can bee of some help for you would you bee able to do gig sawer puzzles or word books i am sorry to here that you can not do to much of any thing these days i no what you are going though because my husband has got back pain and his hands are the same and he can not do much aether and i some times have to give him a hand well here are some things that may help you out if you need some one to talk to then you can email me any time day or night good luck to you i hope some body can help you out as well well good luck from me spyder s I have fibromyalgia as well, and yeah it can really take a toll on you. They say that excercise helps so maybe pick up some yoga videos from the library and give that a try at home.
I still knit and crochet, except when I'm extremely flared up, because the motion is soothing. I also sew (sewing machine) and scrapbook - neither of which are especially repetitive motions and will probably not flare you up. Scrapbooking does tend to get expensive though, it's addictive!
Another thing you might enjoy is decoupage (sp?) my favorite project is to get a quarter flat of fabric in a fun design, cut it into small squares (about .5" x .5") and then you basically just paint the fabric pieces onto a mason jar (or a box). The mason jars aren't very expensive, and JoAnn sells a quarter flat for like $1.25. A bottle of modge podge is about $3.50 and a good paint brush is probably only a couple of dollars. If you have any questions (not sure I explained the steps too well) you can email me.
Also, if your insurance covers it you should look into physical therapy and massage therapy for your fibro symptoms. I've been able to wean off all the medications I was taking and just use physical therapy to manage my symptoms. There are still times where it flares up, but the flare ups are less frequent. I too have Fibromyalgia, and had to leave my FT job 7 years ago because of it. However, since beginning chiropractic therapy 3 years ago, I have improved so much that I am back at work 2 days a week and could probably go more except that I have other work at home-machine quilting for others and designing quilts to teach at a local quilt shop. I also knit and sell felted bags on Etsy.com. as luvkukukitty. That said, I also try to do yoga several times a week, walk slowly with my dogs, and maintain low stress and eat only natural and organic foods. Who knows which of these regimens do the most good? I would be afraid to eliminate any of them.
I really think that you need to continue using your muscles in a gentle way without getting overtired, so just don't overdo ANY hobby. This is a lesson I need to relearn at least once a month, LOL. But just know that there are many many sufferers out there, and you CAN improve. My quality of life is so much better, maybe just because of lifestyle changes, but maybe not.
Not much help, huh? Scrapbooking!
Challenges my "eye" in photography, my "brain" in creativity for layouts and leaves memories for the present and future .. a win-win all the way around
That's my two pesos lol
Search for ideas at:
scrapbooking . com
twopeasinabucket . com
do a search of online stores and look in their gallery's:
lifetimemoments . com
apeekintoyesterday . com
rockymountainhobbies . com
Look in their galleries .. I am a visual person .. and need to SEE before I can create .. so I glean the above ALL the time ..
Good Luck! Paper mache projects, they don't cost much and if you get good at it you could probably sell them at local crafts fairs or on EBay.
You could try mixed media art projects. All you really need to do is just use found objects and combine them in a way that is pleasing or interesting. Check with your local Freecycle for stuff people are giving away, or Craigslist. This is a way you can combine your photography and make money at the same time.
My fibromyalgia has improved a good deal with dietary changes, supplements, meds, DRibose, and water work. I hope you are finding things that help you to have better quality of life. You may want to read my 360 blog , I have added about the things that have helped me over the years . |
