What hobbies have you been able to do with RSD/ CRPS??
 

I was wondering what hobbies you have been able to do and enjoyed?

Something that still keeps you moving, but isn't unbearable, and you enjoy doing it??

A hobby has got to help keep your mind on something other than pain, and is something you can enjoy (RSD hasn't taken it away)... so what is yours?

I am trying to find something that I can manage doing and enjoy, while not dying in pain trying to do it. :)

Any ideas?

I'm thinking about making some more things out of sculpey clay, computer work, etc... I enjoy using the computer, and I have been able to learn to type even with RSD affecting my hands (it has gotten better over the past months, so that I am not so shaky and cramped up typing).

Doing a hobby is a way to "continue on with life" so as not to get depressed and feeling like you cannot do anything... right?

I'd love to hear what you all enjoy doing while you are living with this terrible RSD.

Thanks. ;)

It has been very hard for me to find something else to do in my spare time. I went from being in gymnastics 24 hours a week along with school to this....

I think it has helped SOOOOOOOOOO much having my cat around. If you aren't allergic to animals or anything, I would HIGHLY reccomend getting a cat or even a non-hyper dog. They help for company and they keep you moving. My cat can sense when I am having a bad pain spasm so she is near me when I need her most and she has learned to stay away from RSD affected areas which helps lots.

Aside from that, pets like to play sometimes so it is good for the exercise to play along. With a cat, hold string above her head and watch her jump for it or for a dog, play fetch with a small foamy ball. It's fun and it takes your mind off of the pain a little bit. Then they can cuddle with you when you need it most :) Just make sure not to get a hyper dog or kittens. It is best to get an older pet because they are older and more wise and it is easier to teach them to keep away and not to touch RSD areas.

I also like doing sudoku puzzles and computer stuff. It doesn't keep me moving, but it helps when I am lazy and don't feel like doing anything.

Best of luck

I definitely agree on the pet thing - my dog is the best therapy ever! Other than that - it depends where you're affected and how badly. Do you play any intstruments, and would you like to learn? Great outlet, also lets you focus really hard on something. Same for writing, painting -anything artistic. It doesn't have to be brilliant, right? It's just got to be you.

Other possibilities - sewing/knitting (I'm really bad at those, so I do latchhook - also, doesn't require much dexterity), jewelry making, gardening.....depends on what you like and how your mobility is.

My 2 cents
 

My RSD is in both hands, wrists and arms. Believe it or not I have been using crocheting to help strenthen my limbs. It is not alot, but I think it is helping. It also helps me from getting really depressed. Gives my brain other focus besides the CRPS. I thought my world was taken from me in 7-06 but I am learning and adapting.

With the RSD, sometimes I cannot type a key. My Friend got me the best christmas present. Dragon Naturally speaking Version 9. You talk, it types. Really helps out when I am in crippling pain. Takes a little patience to get it trained and a little cash to buy the package but well worth it. I do not know what I would do to smile if I did not have my groups to chat in. When I was not using the computer at all, I was extremely depressed and everyone was really worried that I was being mentally crippled by my diagnoses. Now I have my groups no matter how I feel.

praying for less pain days for all of us!

Gentle Hugs,

Rain :p

art has honestly been the only thing thats gotten me through all this. I usually spend about 2 hours a day drawing in my sketchbook, along with the 5 art classes i take in school. It helps me calm down and destress, and its always so rewarding when you finish a piece and look at it and go "i did that!". I'm in numerous art related clubs and a few of my recent pottery pieces just got sent to a state competition!

art has actually been so theraputic for me im going to college next year to major in Art Therapy and hopefully work in a children's hospital someday so i can help kids like me!

good luck!

anna

This is a good question. I was just wondering what kind of hobbies people are still able to do and if they think it relates to the RSDS that they still can't do them physically and mentally.

I use to make jewelry and I kept my kit thinking that someday I would be able to get back to it. Not happening yet.

I also love antiques and Bill and I delt in them for years. Buying, selling, and trading. For the past 8 years it was him doing it all. Now I can't even concentrate on doing it. I have a shed full of antiques and I could use the money but I just cannot bring myself to do it.

Ada

Hi Ada,

I love antiques too. Do you collect a certain thing? I have a doll collection that I think I am going to sell, I have had them years. Hugs, Roz

Hi,

I don't have RSD but do have spinal disorders. And my love is Genealogy! True, you can spend HOURS on the computer. But I just break up my time on it and do research when I can. When I am really into it, I don't think I feel much pain. :)

Hi Roz,
 

I collect cobalt blue. I have a house full of it. I also collect hankies, jewelry, older dolls. I have a doll house from the 1930's. I have worked on furnishing it for the past few years with antique doll furniture. I have a collection of perfume bottles. The boys and I collect Disney. It's their collection for when they are grown. We have over 5000 pieces. Bill and I always had to buy two of everything for them. They love collecting and we wanted to teach them the value of things so they wouldn't destroy them. Bill built them each a showcase about 5 years ago for Christmas and they collect knives and coins.

I have scaled down on what I collect. My house runneth over and now that Bill is gone I have to make some decisions on what to do with everything I have now if I sell or rent the house.

I have a lot of the old western things of Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Bonanza and more. I actually started packing things up before Bill passed because we were going to sell the house.

Hi Kathy, I love geneology also. If you ever want to read on my family google Chenoweth Family and you will see our family history. A 6th cousin did it and it is amazing. It's on my Dad's side. It even tells the history of how they started. I want to do Mom's side but I don't know how to even start. Seems like every website charges to research.

I don't want to take away from Inhishand's post. I thought it was good. I had been thinking about asking the same question.

Ada

Hi everyone! I am new to this Forum, and there are so many interesting threads and discussions! I have an internet friend who has RSD in her arms/hands, like I do.

It has been challenging to find activities to get OUT and at least try to have somewhat of a "life"! However, my friend, who used to be an avid camper/fisher-person and overall outdoor enthusiast found a BRILLIANT activity that does NOT ONVOLVE ARMS!!!!!

It is called "float-tubing"--basicaly, you wear a neoprene wader over shorts and a shirt (or bathing-suit), and you get in this big inner-tube thing with a platform seat, a back-rest and armrests. You wear scuba-diving flippers on your feet. Once you are in the water, you "paddle" with your feet to get you where you want to go on a nice, calm lake....she did it several times, although she just needed a little assistance from her hubby to get "set up".

She said it was the FIRST time in YEARS that she felt "FREE"--and NO USE OF HER ARMS!!!! The second time she went out, she brought light-weigh binoculars, and even saw a bald eagle dive for a fish and bring it out of the water, and it flew right over her head!!!

This summer, she is going to have her hubby attach a fishing pole holder to the arm-rest, so she doesn't have to try and cast out or try to hold the pole--she figures if she cant actually reel the fish in too well, she can just snip the line and let the fish go!! Or, have her hubby help her reel it in (if he can paddle fast enough to get to her!!)

WOW!!!! I asked my PTP/Pain Doctor if I could give this a try this summer--he said GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!! A good way to get a little exercise, or just a "leisurely float" and enjoy some beautiful scenery!!!

I found a whole bunch of these float tubes at www.cabellas.com and waders and flippers as well. Depending on what model, etc. you want, the total cost is basically about $100...if you want a fancier float-tube, well, of course, then the cost is up to you!

This MIGHT also be a great activity if you have RSD in a lower extremity--the buoancy of the water might help, and doing the flipper thing doesn't require much strength according to my friend. It might just be THERAPEUTIC to get the legs moving without weight-bearing. Also, if you have a companion, you could probably be TOWED (basically and "effort-free ride")!!

I cannot tell you guys just how EXCITED I am to try this!!!! Kind of opens up a "Whole New World"!! After I make my "maiden vogage", I will DEFINITELY report back and let you know how it went!!!

Ok, summer---I can hardly wait!!