Do you, like me, hardly ever leave your house? ?

I've started going out more just recently, now that I've had my booster jab. But not mingling much with people, although I did go to the cinema last week for the first time.
Sometimes I just drive up onto Dartmoor and take a walk somewhere quiet, and then sit in the car and read.
I get depressed if I have to stay in too much.
I do wish I could wave a magic wand for you, polnan, and all others who are finding life so difficult.

polnan, antidepressants take 2-3 weeks to kick in, give them a good go

Oh polnan, l wish l could make things better for you. It cannot be easy for you on your own. Or indeed anyone else who is alone or lonely.
If you are anywhere near me, l would be glad to meet up for a coffee. I'm in Cambridgeshire. Pm if you like.

Polnan, there are lots of different antidepressants and if the pills the doctor gave you caused side effects do ask tell him/her and ask for different ones. They do take time to take effect, a couple of weeks or so, but the right pills can make such a difference to your life. I have been taking mine for many years and my life is so much better with them. Do go back to the doctor please.?

I'm not housebound but DH is immunosuppressed and finds walking difficult so he's hardly been out of the house for last 18 mths plus. Consequently neither have I as have been concerned about catching and passing on anything to him. Now I find I've lost a lot of confidence to actually go out and about on my own. Still, could be much worse I know.

Hi, I haven't left my flat in over 2 years, apart from when hospital transport come and take me to appointments.
I DO have a problem leaving the building, I am now in a wheelchair and to get outside I have to negiotate 6 very heavy fire doors. I have ti try to open the door, have to use right hand, but I then need the right hand to operate the wheelchair, so I have to let the door go and it promptly shuts in my face. So unless I have someone with me I can't get out.

Should I be blaming the period of lock down for this.?
Yes I think so. I am not housebound but I don't go out nearly as much as I did. I have little motivation and just don't feel like going out much anymore.

I’ve been housebound for the last 3 years or so. Had to give up work due to poor health and mobility issues. I can still drive anywhere (with plenty of stops to get out and stretch) but once I get there, couldn’t get much further unless they had a mobility scooter for use or hire.

So I have purchased a mobility scooter. I don’t need it for home as there’s no shops I use nearby. But I have used it twice for going out on trips to my beloved football stadium to see my team play.

The difference it has made is amazing! No more struggling for an hour on stop/start with having to sit and rest. No more taking 3 days to recover from the day out.

I have felt quite lonely in the past, until lockdown where my daughter has worked from home. Having here around every day has been brilliant for me.

But… she’s preparing to go back to work soon so I’m guessing the loneliness will rear it’s head again. But at least now I’m able to get out and about a little more on my own.

I’m thinking of starting a mobility scooter club in the area, where we can all meet up in the local park (there’s a cafe there)

I’ve never seen a Mobility Scooter Gang - should I insist on leather biker jackets and motorbike boots?

Sort of. I work from home, so spend most of my days staring at walls. I miss the social interaction. I have “weed breaks”! Not my drug habit but every now and again, I see a weed in the garden and have to rush outside to yank it out. It could be worse. At least it’s not ill health or mobility issues that keep me confined.

This Friday I am meeting 3 other GNs for coffee locally. I think we are now in our 5th year.

Would that be of any help to anybody, especially polman who feels isolated? There are many, many GNs who are happy to meet for coffee. I live in NW London if that helps anybody.

Isn’t walking recommended for good health?

To those that can walk, please do.
We all feel lazy from time to time, but a bit of self discipline will go a long way.
I have a bad back and don’t always feel like going out-in fact, I don’t go out every single day. But I think if I stayed in all the time, I might go a bit crazy.
During lock down i tried to go out most days just for a short walk.
I think a lot of people have become housebound and institutionalised.

Hi #measwell! I hardly go anywhere any more specially since our little dog died 3weeks ago, I used to walk him every single day for 13.5. Years, and am ashamed to say I've not been out for morning walk ONCE in last 3weeks!? Housebound always sounds as if you're tied up in the attic!? I've come to realise that we used to 'go out' for the sake of it and spent so very much money on junk we neither needed nor eventually wanted! We've saved a ton of dosh and now I'm starting to think about maybe a luxury break next year , maybe to a European city as we used to like, but 5stars this time! There's always something that tempts you out eventually and there's nothing wrong with being a home bird,mwe have a lovely home as I'm sure you do and why not just enjoy it?

Fanny I can get out but feel less motivated every day.
Walking is difficult as I'm waiting to see the orthopaedic surgeon (goodness knows how long that will be).
I really need to find some motivation

I live alone and if I don't go out for a walk every day I can get quite down.
Sometimes it feels like an effort to get ready and go
out but it really is worth it.
So sorry Fanny and some others are unable to go out. I will think of you when I am making excuses to myself to stay in. ?????

Hi Charleygirl,

I’m in NW London also, in Harrow. May I ask where you meet for coffee?

polnan

I am on my own for the last 2 years since I was born, and I struggle to deal with it, sort myself out.. Please help!

I don`t have many relatives or close friends, and they are all busy,, I have been getting out, then succumbed to depression, so now off them after 7 days as I was worse taking them, than not taking them.

wish someone had a magic wand for me.. and others..

Hi Polnan,

It’s a bit strange taking anti-depressants isn’t it? But they can work, if you can give it a month or so for them to work. If you are staying home, it’s a good time to take them - no surprises when you’re out and about, as some can cause side effects.

Happy to have a chat if you would like - please do message me ??

Before Covid, I loved nothing more than being out and about. Meeting up with friends and family. Unfortunately, I’ve become a bit of a recluse. Hate the thought of going out alone. It hasn’t helped that my beautiful dog died recently too. ?
I’m lucky I have Mr S. who encourages me to go out with him. I feel so sad for those of you who are alone, and feeling unable to go out. Let’s all keep trying!

For you Polnan ?

May I say housebound doesn’t sound so bad for some, more so
for those who speak of ‘we’.

Housebound is hell if you live alone, husband dead, adored elder daughter dead, younger daughter 500 miles away . Grandchildren moved away following their mother’s death by
suicide. Your friends too have died.

You can’t even go out to your garden, you become invisible, you will never again have a holiday or even a day out. Your carer comes for one hour 6 days a week, the only person you see. You depend on GransNet for company.

Just as well be tied in the attic .

So please don’t get too comfortable staying indoors , do go out
of your house . I speak as someone who loved climbing mountains, walking miles, attending Church, being a member
of various local groups.

I seem to only leave the house for medical appointments recently. I will be out early tomorrow morning for a GP appointment.

It’s easy for you to say you never leave the house. I would be in the same position as I get round on two crutches. I live in the country and am about two and a half miles from the nearest shop
I have a road legal mobility scooter. I go to rehab at the gym, can visit friends for a brew friends visit me and I can go with them on a walk and meet up at places for lunch. It’s amazing what gardening you can do from a mobility scooter too
Go on get out and do things

I started to go out as didn't want to end up agoraphobic. Really felt this was a possibility at some point. I have been to the cinema and ventured out to hear some live music. I do go out for meals, coffee or shopping but feel uneasy in crowded places. I have health issues but fortunately can still go out. I definitely do not go out as often as I did pre- Pandemic.

I am pretty much stick in, too! My husband and I both have limited mobility, and I am also partially sighted. He CAN drive, and we go into town (about 9 miles away) by car each week, usually. This is just for shopping.
Since I cannot drive, I have to rely on him to get out at all. It's quite a long walk just to the end of the street. We moved to the far north of Scotland for my husband's health (but it was my idea) - and do not even know many neighbours yet, so we don't really see anyone at all.
We do have the benefit of lovely sea views, but access to the beach and harbour are both some distance away, and are very uneven, making it difficult for both of us.
My husband has a serious spinal nerve injury, and sometimes, understandably, because of back pain, does not want to drive.
I keep thinking of getting a pedal bike, but with my limited vision, I am wary of using the roads (I am blind in one eye, and have no peripheral vision at all, with limited forward sight). I would only use it to cross the main road and then go down to either the beach or the harbour. I would feel guilty for leaving him on his own, but I do all the housework and cooking, and sometimes would like a short break.
Am I being selfish?

Gwyllt

It’s easy for you to say you never leave the house. I would be in the same position as I get round on two crutches. I live in the country and am about two and a half miles from the nearest shop
I have a road legal mobility scooter. I go to rehab at the gym, can visit friends for a brew friends visit me and I can go with them on a walk and meet up at places for lunch. It’s amazing what gardening you can do from a mobility scooter too
Go on get out and do things

It is never easy to be in a situation where somebody says “I never leave the house”
Hats off to you Gwyllt for what you achieve on crutches or your mobility scooter, but someone like Anniebach is simply not in your position.
We are not all kept in by the same constraints.

I don't suffer infirmity yet but I am getting older. I go out much less than I used to. I do manage to keep myself occupied at home but apart from food shopping and walking the dogs I don't go out for any other reason on a regular basis.