Ways of getting my mind off the pain

When you are unable to walk each day and have to sit for long periods of time, try working jigsaw puzzles.  I love them and they keep me from snacking and I can put together a puzzle while watching television.  Plus, you can get up and move around when you want to and the puzzle will not fall apart or go away.  Ha!

I also am online with Facebook.com with friends and family with whom I can chat, view their profiles and photos and post messages for them, etc.  It is a great way to keep in touch with those you seldom see for some reason or another. 

I have fibromyalgia, arthritis of the hips and back and am currently going through physical therapy.  I have several medical disorders but I pray I will never be totally disabled and plan to work at it by NOT sitting or standing for too long a time.  Walking and standing are two entirely different things.  Standing can cause stiffness and back or leg pain for me.  Walking is wonderful so I am hoping to get back into that with additional therapy.

Think of some way you can help someone else who is in more pain or is more needy than yourself.  It will brighten your day as well as theirs and you will have done something meaningful although you felt horrible.

Good luck!!

Scooter,

      have you ever looked into working online? There are some great jobs out there that allow you to work on your own time at your own home, just a thought. I have found that if I try to be a blessing to others, it gets my mind off of me and my issues. On days that I feel useless, I bake. I love to cook and normally by the time you mix the ingredients and put the mixture into the oven, it is time to take a break. Normally this works well for me. Then I usually give the baked goods to someone needy that dosen't have the opportunity to snack on junk food. I hope that I was some help to you!

                                                            Wishes of good health,

                                                                 Morgan

 Oh, I just thought about this...

            Have you ever tried scrapbooking or other crafts? : )

I took up oil painting and now am a professional, passionate artist.  I show, I sell, and I love it.  I am still working my "other carreer" but I found that painting took away the pain.  I don't think it has to be painting.  It has to be something with these qualities.

1. You like it.

2. It is hard to learn to do, and harder still to learn to do well.  Titian, at 98, said of painting..."I think I am starting to get the hang of this". And Titian, if you don't know art, was one of the most famous painters ever from Italy.

3. You can get passionate about it.  There are places to go learn about it. There are teachers, there are people to do whatever you do with, there are outcomes [shows, galleries, websites, sales] and it can be all encompassing.  Read this as it remains a challenge and you still love it.  It is engrossing.

4. You can do this daily.

Hey, I figured if it took me away like those old calgon bath commercials it was allright by me.  I didn't expect this healthy addiction....I believe I have pigment in my veins now....but am grateful for it and remain, years later, passionate about it.

So find your version of my painting maybe.  It worked for me.  Good luck.

I have been in chronic pain for over seven years now.  I don't remember sleeping through the night but now I get up and paint and sometimes I am even excited that I woke up early enough to have a few hours to paint totally alone before I start another day. 

Good luck.

Terry

If you enjoy cross stitch, try plastic canvas.  It uses many of the same stitches but the projects are endless.  The pattern books are not too expensive and you can make things to give to friends and family or to sell (if you are housebound, you can sell them on ebay).  A friend got me started on it over 10 years ago in an attempt to get me out of a major depression and I haven't run out of projects to do yet!!

Karen

I have fibro, and disc problem in my lower back. One of the things i enjoy doing and it may sound very silly; I went to Big Lots and got me a big pack of gel pens for 10 dollars and a few dollar coloring books. Sometimes just sit in color with my gel pens it is relaxing to me and very cheap. Another hobby i have picked up is nature photography. It is amazing how much you can find to shot even in your own yard with a cheap digital camera and alittle bit of time. Using my gel pens i also make my own greeting cards for friends and families. Hope you find something you enjoy. Best of Luck to you

If you are feeling good, you could visit a senior or take your dog to visit someone who is not well, if you can get him certified or he is docile or find another volunteer job that you don't need to be committed to ( I know that's hard, but....)

Also the two big things I do that help me everyday are meditate 45 minutes every morning in bed to the audiotapes by Rodney Yee on relaxation and deep breathing and also at nite I take a hot shower and do mild exercises that were given to me by a physical therapist. I have fibromyalgia and tarsal tunnel syndrome, etc.

Every year I send out cards for donations for the American Cancer Society also.

Call friends or relatives? Bravo for you for all you are already doing.

I love making altered books...or anything along that line.  I have gotten into decoupage and creating "trash from treasure" sort of things.  Plain glass jars become beautiful candle holders...I decorate plain plant pots into works of art.  Look up "altered books" on the Internet and maybe it will spark some ideas for you.  I know what you mean about enough is enough with the reading of books, etc.  I have days I can't even concentrate on a book b/c of the pain. If you are able to sit up (which, I know, is sometimes not possible) you can make great stuff.  Good luck!  My heart is with you.

It sounds like You are getting cabin fever other then the dog walks.  I'm not to the point where my pain level is under control.  But I have worked since I was 13 years old, raised 3 kids on my own, worked hard, played hard, like a normal ADHD'er and CRPS has just kicked my bottom all over the place for the last year.  I plan on using this time that God has brought me to (for whatever reason) to volunteer.  I have always wanted to volunteer like at one of the local animal shelters or somewhere with kids and I guess maybe just getting out where there are poeple is my goal.  I'm 47 years old and told my husband that if I get social security we're going to call me retired instead of disabled.    People out with people does wonders!  Good luck!  Ricki

Scooter,  I feel such a connection with you.  We have such similar histories.  Another thing we have in common is working at a hospital for about 20 years.  The biggest thing is this:  I grew up not really knowing my father but became close to him in the last 5 or 6 years.  He, too, suffered from chronic pain. The weird thing about it all is his name was Scooter.  I know you're a female but when I saw your post I immediately felt a kinship with you.  He passed away last year and was the only one who could understand my pain.  I hope to get to know you better.  Maybe we can help each other at times.  Hope you're having a good day.  Kellye