I currently have shingles, there for am not allowed to work or go anywhere around people. Therefore can not do much more then lay around the house - getting tireder, sorer and stiffer each day I assume from the FM. Any suggestions? Today I went from couch to chair to couch and back again. Usually I am active all day, so this is unlike me.

Did go for a little walk after dark and avoided people. The shingles is on my face and scalp so very obvious and from the looks of things I will be stuck home for awhile.:dizzy:

Try to keep yourself busy with crafts or a hobby if you can. Even jigsaw puzzles or su***u are good for the mind, crossword puzzles, computer games. (I guess I haven't lived wild enough, I have no idea why they would *** out the name of a number logic puzzle.)

Do little stretches, several times during the day. Not to overdo, but to maintain your flexibility.

Keep in touch with friends & acquaintances by telephone.

Enrich your life with music, dance if you are able, however you are able. Sing or play an instrument if you have one.

The walk was a great idea. You might see if there is a yoga show on TV, try to follow along without stressing yourself.

You may have a list of small tasks around your home that have been waiting for your attention. If you are physically able, this might be a good time to polish the silver, dust the cobwebs, or scour scuffmarks off the baseboards (that's what I need to do!).

If you are well enough to cook, prepare yourself nutritious food, & maybe even a treat or two.

If there is a part of your body not affected by the shingles, treat it to massage. Even brushing with a soft bath brush several times per day or using a handheld massage tool is good.

The basic idea is you want to give as much sensory & motor input to your brain as you can. Otherwise the area given over in the brain to registering pain has an opportunity to spread to fallow ground. That is why our pain often increases as our activity decreases.

Best wishes.

Thanks - the shingles is just confined to my scalp and face. I just read the side effect of the antiviral medicine and it says headache (have that big time the past 3 days), nausea (bad today), severe tiredness (getting worse each day). Makes me feel a little better knowing it is probably the medicine - but have to complete the course - 3 days left.

I can think of a lot of things I could be doing but I just do not have the energy to do it. Just took a little walk and am exhausted from it. Have been on the couch most of the morning. Have to get ready to go see the doctor again. Maybe I will feel up to doing something when I get home. Know all this inactivity is just going to make the FM worse. I will try and move more.

Thanks - the shingles is just confined to my scalp and face. I just read the side effect of the antiviral medicine and it says headache (have that big time the past 3 days), nausea (bad today), severe tiredness (getting worse each day). Makes me feel a little better knowing it is probably the medicine - but have to complete the course - 3 days left.

I can think of a lot of things I could be doing but I just do not have the energy to do it. Just took a little walk and am exhausted from it. Have been on the couch most of the morning. Have to get ready to go see the doctor again. Maybe I will feel up to doing something when I get home. Know all this inactivity is just going to make the FM worse. I will try and move more.

Hi Sunny: YOGA, YOGA, YOGA. Not only does it help with the pain but it will help with your mood. Go online to yogajournal, they have some great ideas for beginners.