Advice and suggestions needed please

sassysore
sassysore Member Posts: 17
edited 24. Jun 2009, 05:19 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone.
Hope you are all as well as you can be.
I am looking after a bit of advice and suggestions please.
Fist a bit of history,
I am 40 years old, have OA in T10 vertebrae, both hips, both knees and I have a feeling its starting in my right shoulder as well. I also suffer from depression and plantar faciatis (sp?)
What I am wanting is something to do. I am going mad staring at the 4 walls all day. My mobility is not great, but I do have a car and my trusty stick. I need something to drag me out of the house and to give me something to look forward to. What does everyone else do? :roll:

Comments

  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, I'm glad you've come to talk to us! :) There are lots of people of all ages and problems on this formum. So Welcome.

    You say you want something to do? Firstly, how mobile are you? Or do you want something to do at home. Sounds like you want to go out. If you find your area on the Arthritis Care map, you may find a support group near you. Check on google for your area, there may be some groups you're interested in. The real thing to do is to work out what you like doing first, then see if theres a way for you to do it. Theres evening classes in all sorts of subjects, voluntory work. Your library may have details of local groups.

    Sorry, I can't give you any better advice. I really need to know your interests :shock: :)

    Hope you think of something, do you paint at all?
    Love Sue
    PS I make cards and do a bit of painting.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Perhaps you could become a befriender of someone older than you that is lonely and does not get out and about.

    As long as it was easy access into their home you would be ok as you have the car. You would feel good helping someone else and it can be very rewarding. I used to visit a 99 year old and now visit an 94 year old. It is so interesting to hear about their lives and have a laugh with them and brighten up their day and yours too.

    As you use a car you could perhaps take them for a drive in the country and I am sure that would be appreciated. That way you both get out and you really feel you are helping someone and forget about your own troubles and pain.

    I hope you get more suggestions,

    Best wishes
    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi

    Are there any clubs near to you that you could join, something like painting or cookery? You could try voluntary work, they are always looking for people and there are lots to choose from. It gets you out and about a bit.

    What about arc groups, some of them run on an afternoon so you will be meeting up with others like you so easier to talk. Put a post up here and see if there is anyone on here close enough to meet up for a coffee, that could be good.

    Hope you find something nice to do :)

    Love
    Vonski x
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Is there anything that you are interested in or would really like to be good at?

    Colleges are currently recruiting mature students of any age to learn just about anything. From Art to Welding you just grab a Course Guide and look through. At this time of the year they run short taster courses which are usually free and give an idea about what is taught on the full course.

    It can be for just one afternoon or several per week. It gets you out from the 4walls and a chance to meet all types of people with a common interest. It doesn't have to be strenuous, complicated or exotic just interesting. Ask for a fee reduction, if you claim certain benefits, which can reduce course fees by 50% or more.

    The outdoors will never beat a path to your door, so off you go.

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    In one of your postings last year you mentioned that you were trying to lose weight. Perhaps you have reached your goal now. If not, why not join a slimming club. You would meet others, all attending for the same reason and it would be somewhere to go once a week.

    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • mrsdalloway
    mrsdalloway Member Posts: 161
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Sassy I am 38 and had RA for 13 years with it becoming increasingly worse over the past 3-4 years. I had to give up work about 18 months (mainly because I was working for a crazy woman long story!). I decided that I needed to re-think my work option any way and have always loved art and craft. I have just finished my 2nd year at art college and absolutely love it. As someone has mentioned mature students are welcomed (usually because we are the only ones who do any work! lol). So if you are arty there are plenty of courses and they have all levels on them from beginners to the ones who think they are Van Gogh! Good luck x
  • sassysore
    sassysore Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thanks for all the ideas. Think I am gonna have a look at the local college. I do actually already make cards and jewellery but want something that will get me out of the house. Its driving me stir crazy.
  • denpen
    denpen Member Posts: 389
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hiya
    I too have OA in my lower spine, neck, both hips and right shoulder (I think) I was diagnosed with plantar fiscitis, but when I saw the physio (who was really good) he didnt seem to think it was classic plantar and thought it was coming from my back (I didnt know about my hips then) so now I think that maybe it is my hips and the way that I walk thats causing the pain. Anyway back to your boredom problem You can always volunteer with Arthritis Care so why not contact them to see if there is anything that you would be interest in doing. It would be a bit like helping others in the same situation as you.
    Good Luck with finding something.
    Denise
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Go on a self management course. Both Arthritis Care
    and Expert Patient Programme run these. They last
    six weeks and either of them would help you get hold
    of your life.
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    sassysore wrote:
    Thanks for all the ideas. Think I am gonna have a look at the local college. I do actually already make cards and jewellery but want something that will get me out of the house. Its driving me stir crazy.

    I don't know if your hospital does this or if you'd fancy it, but ours have people doing all sorts of voluntory work, from office to directing people, visiting. You name it. Ours have contact numbers on the hospital Web page and the jobs page. I've been thinking of doing something like that myself, but I need to let my recent carpel tunnel surgery, 2 weeks ago, fully heal first. Love Sue

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