Chronic Illness and Boredom - any tips please?

barbarawright

It you go to Itunes (you can use it on a PC, doesn't have to be Apple) and go to Podcasts and then Itunes university there are loads of fab podcasts out there some quite highbrow, some not. I've listened to You Must Remember This about old Hollywood and David Crowther's History of England and the Russian Rulers podcast but if those don't appeal, there's masses of other stuff.

Mr_Toad

I understand what you're going through.

At 52 years old I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, no cure but usually manageable.

I too can get really tired and unable to do much but fortunately so far not all the time. I had to have a year off work while they stabilised me and with help from my employer I was able to return to work, as I already worked from home it wasn't too bad.

When I got to 55 I took early retirement, MG is progressive and I didn't want to spend my best years at work. I was also fortunate that I was able to afford to do this and still live a very comfortable life.

I seem to have periods of remission and, usually in the winter, bad patches. I'm just emerging from one at the moment.

I am fortunate in that I have many interests and some lend themselves to my not so good periods. I read, some fiction, but I'm interested in history and am an amateur archaeologist.

When ill I do finds analysis and data processing for the community archaeology company I volunteer at and read up on up the period we will be looking at on the next dig.

In the summer I'm as fit and well so make the best of it and do as much as I can every day. I tend to start feeling tired at the beginning of December and this lasts through to about March/April.

I was a software engineer so I also enjoy maths and am currently trying to get my head round quantum mechanics.

Note to self. Perhaps it was this that fried my brain in the first place. :rotfl:

I listen to the radio, an internet radio give access to thousands of specialist stations. When my fingers are working I play the guitar. I still write computer programs.

I can't offer any suggestions because interests are something so very personal.

However, I can only imagine how long a day must seem when there is nothing to do but sit. I think it's important not to give up, there will be something that grabs your attention you just need to keep going until you find it.

Good luck and don't give in.

missbiggles1

I'm amazed nobody's mentioned just reading books.

Mr_Toad

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm amazed nobody's mentioned just reading books.

Miss, miss, I did.:D

itsanne

Anoneemoose wrote: »

Hi,

Daytime TV is only good to a point and brain fog often means I can't concentrate for long.

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm amazed nobody's mentioned just reading books.

If daytime TV is a problem, reading may be more so. I had a (fortunately temporary) illness which made concentration very difficult some years ago. As an avid reader, one of the hardest things was being unable to read.

OP, if reading is difficult short stories and magazines might be manageable.

Brighton_belle

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm amazed nobody's mentioned just reading books.

Because when you have brain fog and your concentration is shot, classic symptoms of the OP's conditions, reading books can actually be very difficult - I've experienced this, it is very frustrating.

Anoneemoose

Thanks again everyone. I used to love to read, but as Brighton Belle says, it can be difficult to concentrate. I do try every now and again though, but it takes me ages to read a book!

I saw a picture of a friend on fb, in the Lake District, walking and I felt so envious. I absolutely love the Lake District and always used to say to hubby (before I got ill) that we should go walking (when the kids were a bit older). We go a few times a year, but have to take in the sights from the car now. I always feel at peace in the lakes. <sigh>

The suggestions on here have been brilliant though, and I will work my way through them to see how I get on.

Mojisola

For days when you're not too brain-fogged - https://www.ted.com/talks

missbiggles1

Brighton_belle wrote: »

Because when you have brain fog and your concentration is shot, classic symptoms of the OP's conditions, reading books can actually be very difficult - I've experienced this, it is very frustrating.

I wasn't suggesting starting on War and Peace - just something light like thrillers.

Anoneemoose

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I wasn't suggesting starting on War and Peace - just something light like thrillers.

I have got my kindle out again and have a couple of 'chick lit' books on there which I have read before. I did start to read one the other day because it is easy for me, with having read it before. I did however put it down and haven't picked it up since. The other thing with reading, is it makes me sleepy.