I have noticed that a lot of chronic health blogs feature recommendations of products/supplements/foods that help the blogger with pain and
health. I have ingested supplements,drunk Turmeric tea, eaten
flax, drunk lemon water, slathered my pain with creams and aloe and
stuck TENS pads to my bum…. none of it has worked more than in
the short term, and certainly not as well as good 'ole Tramadol... This
elephant, has her four feet very firmly on terra firma- if not usually resting
on a mattress.
The things that help me ( with some exceptions) tend to the practical.
This list will not take away your pain, make you thinner or help you
tolerate more exercise. These are the things that I think should be
recommended in the Rough Guide to Being Chronically Ill.
It has taken years and a lot of wasted cash to get to this
point, so I hope that some of these things prove useful for you.
I do venture into the territory of 'the thing that dare not speak its
name' (a portable urinal.) If you are likely to be offended at the thought,
please stop reading.
Here are 16 things that have improved the quality of my life...though sadly not the quantity of my
symptoms:
1) Medications box.
A whole month of colour- coded and datedmedications and supplements. Fill up once or twice a month. You can tell
at a glance when your meds need to be reordered, and if you are going
away you can grab a few days only. I only wish I had got one sooner.
2) Ebay-
without paying ludicrous postal charges. Also brilliant for clothes and
bulk buying psillium and herbal teas, essential oils.
3) My Scooter
Me, my scooter, my sunblock ( on face and hands), my sunnies, my stick, and my cross-body bag ( on lap) |
4) My Diary- Family Life Book
"Dear Diary, you have organized my brain- fogged life. All my finances, Christmas lists, monthly
plans, appointments and notes-all in one book. Also free stickers to remind me of birthdays, holidays,
appointments etc. Also space for Hubby's schedule and appointments too! There is space for 4
people's schedule- the whole family.
really works.
5) Burt Bees lip balm-
A natural product that doesn’t cost a fortune andreally works.
6) Overglasses
Sunglasses for specs wearers... for a pittance.
If you are light intolerant, then the rest of the family don’t need to stumble
around in a dark house when you are wearing these sunnies.
eczema prone skin (that reacts violently to sunlight)- it works!
in bed without becoming a hunchback, or tipping peas into my lap.
Problems dragging your pain to the bathroom in time?
Unable to cop- a -squat without falling to the floor? No problem! Folds
up as small as a drinks can (when empty). Also great for camping.
If you are light intolerant, then the rest of the family don’t need to stumble
around in a dark house when you are wearing these sunnies.
7) Avene Sunblock Factor 50
It makes you look a tad pale, but, as a person with super sensitiveeczema prone skin (that reacts violently to sunlight)- it works!
8)Trolley Table
Now my books, diary, and PC have somewhere to reside, and I can eatin bed without becoming a hunchback, or tipping peas into my lap.
7) Unisex Portable pee Bottle
Problems dragging your pain to the bathroom in time?
Unable to cop- a -squat without falling to the floor? No problem! Folds
up as small as a drinks can (when empty). Also great for camping.
8) Cross body bag
No more bag- sliding- off- the- shoulder- and- into-the-gutter moments for me!9) Fold-able stick
10) MP3/ipod-
probably most of you have more up to date technology
than me, but this is brilliant for having hours of audio books, radio and
music, without having to switch on the PC. And podcasts ….and guided meditations.
mixed in Brandy ( which I can't tolerate), or grape juice ( ditto). This
company make them using Agave Syrup as a base.Be it a panic attack or a meeting with the benefits
than me, but this is brilliant for having hours of audio books, radio and
music, without having to switch on the PC. And podcasts ….and guided meditations.
11) Alcohol Free Rescue Remedy
I've had quite a problem sourcing this. Most Bach Flower remedies aremixed in Brandy ( which I can't tolerate), or grape juice ( ditto). This
company make them using Agave Syrup as a base.Be it a panic attack or a meeting with the benefits
agency, this has proved to be a fantastic way to keep calm.
https://www.bachfloweressences.com/five-flowers-rescue/organic-five-flowers-without-alcohol-20ml-edis.php
12) Medical alert wristband
with up-dateable info so if I do keel over from POTSall my info on medication, my conditions and next of kin contacts are here ( and I don't need to get a
new bracelet engraved when my prescription changes). Waterproof and fully adjustable.
http://www.theidbandco.com/Medical-ID-Wristbands
Brilliant for using to sit up in bed or for wedging under my knees when I
am lying down ( taking the pressure off the lower back).
One of these was given to me by our neighbours when I appeared at their door
with a ‘leaky-hottie-emergency.’ Steady heat in a flexible pad that
soothes pain...without the need to boil the kettle.
Occupational Therapy service ( they are insanely expensive).You can buy the manual version much
cheaper.
If you are disabled and think this type of service might
benefit you, you should ask your GP for a referral to the OT service
And last, but definitely not least......
13) Wedge pillow
Brilliant for using to sit up in bed or for wedging under my knees when I
am lying down ( taking the pressure off the lower back).
14) Electronic Heat Pad.
One of these was given to me by our neighbours when I appeared at their door
with a ‘leaky-hottie-emergency.’ Steady heat in a flexible pad that
soothes pain...without the need to boil the kettle.
15) Pillow Raiser= GENIUS!
This is similar to the one I have, but mine is on permanent loan from theOccupational Therapy service ( they are insanely expensive).You can buy the manual version much
cheaper.
If you are disabled and think this type of service might
benefit you, you should ask your GP for a referral to the OT service
And last, but definitely not least......
16) Laughter.
......YOU'RE WELCOME !
Comments
Post a Comment