Migraine Headaches Support Group

Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

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kingtreerat 05/29/2015

Quick recap of my personal situation:

I have a migraine 24/7. It never stops, it only goes up and down on the pain scale. because of this, I don't work. My fiance works, but we have very little to live on - basically, we're dirt poor, which is OK :)

Since I don't work, I find myself looking for something to do when not lying in bed wishing my head would fall off. This is pretty much every day at some point, even if its for a couple of hours.

Moving on!

I am SO tired of watching TV - I wasn't a huge TV fan before my migraine, and I think I'm even less of one now (if that's possible). So I need a hobby of some sort.

I looked around the web and found a lot of people doing things that either make me cringe just thinking about it, or that are outside of my budget. A few I found that were in my budget just weren't "my thing", as I have zero artistic talent, but am a perfectionist of sorts.

So, fellow supportees, what do you do, or recommend for a hobby?

Previously I was an avid reader. I also enjoyed online games. I have exhausted nearly all of the books I wish to read and I haven't found a decent game in quite a while.

I do need a hobby that's either free, or dang close ($5-$15 a month), and it needs to be ultra-low-impact. No exercise! :) And remember, your dog probably has more artistic talent than I do, so.. no painting or the like.

Also, feel free to list out any and all hobbies you do enjoy with your responses! just because I am not looking for your specific hobby doesn't mean that someone else won't enjoy it!

Thanks!

rachel11180 06/01/2015

Hey! Have you thought of learning to play the guitar? I try and play when my head isn't too bad and I find it relaxing. You can find a decent guitar at some place like Guitar Center or a pawn shop. I bought my first acoustic for around $100 and it worked great in regards to learning. You don't need anything fancy unless you plan on going on tour! There are plenty of lessons on YouTube so you can teach yourself, and practice makes perfect for the perfectionist in you. Just a thought!

22Lynn 06/01/2015

I listen to talk radio a lot. I also do podcasts, especially when I'm tired or in pain. Some are really soothing, the voices put you out sometimes. I also do needlepoint, you don't need to be able to paint for that. I've got some of my projects in my pictures. But it can be expensive, but one project can last for months.

I've asked this question too. I wish people would be more forthcoming on how they spend their time, since most of us don't feel well. If I think of anything else I'll post again.

kingtreerat 06/01/2015

@ Rachel - Thank you! The guitar idea intrigues me. Hadn't thought of that! I will start saving for a cheap-o guitar! Go go pawn shopping! (Or maybe craigslist! )

@Lynn - I really do hope more people post in here as well! :)

thelmanlouise 06/01/2015

Have not tried in a while but crochet little hats or blankets for babies in NICU ? If you ask the nursing staff, they may have a set group that does it and have supplies donated.

Just a thought. Once you learn, I was doing it with my eyes closed.
I hope this helps. :)
Carol :)

jcpmoore 06/03/2015

I second both the guitar and crochet ideas. Nice thing about crochet over knitting for me, I can do it without looking for the most part. I love scarves and hats, as these are pretty easy. Knitting looms are also an easy way to take up yarncraft. Easy peasy and fun.

22Lynn 06/04/2015

I've started doing Instagram. It's free! I take some pictures around my house, my dogs, some of my old paintings, new paintings from other people. I post. I follow other people. It's been fun.

sewmetal 06/23/2015

I had to give up needlepoint because of the migraines, so it's interesting that it is a good hobby for some people. I'm happy for you!

Sashiko stitching by hand is quite soothing and inexpensive and you don't have to be an artist to do it. Some people on the internet say that the stitching needs to be very precise, but that is simply not true. You just need fabric, embroidery floss or Sashiko thread, a needle, and sharp scissors.

My hobbies are sewing and making jewelry. These are not inexpensive hobbies, but they work for me, and I have chronic migraine and other chronic pain. For sewing, if I feel well enough to do the actual cutting or sewing or pressing, that's fantastic. But if I'm not up to that part, I can look at sewing books, sewing tv shows, Craftsy, and Youtube to learn something; I can look at blogs and Pinterest for inspiration. I can cut pictures out of magazines and think about what I want to sew next. Jewelry making can be broken up similarly.

I'll make some suggestions that you may think are weird, but they may interest you and wouldn't cost much. Yo-yo. Origami. Paper airplanes. Zentangle. Sudoku. Play with clay (you don't have to actually make anything).

Fourthmuse 07/08/2015

I crochet. It's really easy to pick up, it's just loops inside loops of yarn. No artistry required, you can just use other people's patterns. You can even make jewelry with crochet.

I play some video games too. When I'm really aggravated with life, I play RPGs like Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts. There's usually a good story, plus you can whip up on the bad guys. Kingdom Hearts even has Disney characters.

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