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 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

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.