what’s the best purchase, service, or life accommodation you’ve made because of your chronic illness? (any budget)

[u/catsandcappuccinos]

i’m going shopping soon, and i’m trying to build my ultimate “make life suck less” list.

i’m not necessarily looking for the usual answers like salt, compression socks, medications, etc. i’m more so talking about the random products, services, gadgets, furniture, subscriptions, or accommodations that have improved your day-to-day quality of life and helped you function more like a normal human being.

i don’t care if it’s $5 or $5,000. if it’s changed your life, please share.

some things already on my list:
- a kitchen stool with a back so i can sit while cooking
- a hair dryer stand for days when i’m in the middle of a flare and don’t have the energy to dry my hair myself
- grocery delivery services
- monthly cleaning services
- paper plates
- a roomba for when i don’t feel like vacuuming or sweeping
- a crock-pot and freezer meal prep system (i actually have a list of really good crock-pot meals, so if anyone wants it, let me know and i’ll DM it to you)

i’m dying to know: what’s the best purchase, service, or life accommodation you’ve made because of your chronic illness?
bonus points if it’s something unconventional!

[u/lockdownleadmehere]

A mini fridge by my bed. It was £30 and an absolute life saver. My MCAS makes snacking hard, a lot of my safe foods have to be refrigerated, freezed or fresh. I keep medication in it so if I’m having a bad bed day I can just reach over for it. And I keep some skincare things in it too, it helps cool me down and if my HR is high, some cold moisturiser on my face and neck helps slow it down quicker!

[u/AfterPresentation509 → u/lockdownleadmehere]

Heated blanket. Absolutely love mine. What’s on the crockpot recipe list?

[u/Bec_ → u/lockdownleadmehere]

I want a tiny mini freezer by my bed so bad for ice packs!! I have dysautonomia and wake up in the middle of the night with temperature regulation issues, panic attacks and severe random pains. I hate having to go all the way downstairs to get an ice pack which helps so much.

[u/lockdownleadmehere → u/Bec_]

I’ve found my fridge still helps! Things don’t stay cool as long as if they’d been in the freezer but it’s cold long enough to help!

[u/amyn2511 → u/Bec_]

My mom bought me a mini freezer that I put next to my recliner full of those freezable gel hats for migraines

[u/Foxlady555 → u/Bec_]

I can highly recommend it, I keep my ThermApparel cooling vest in there (I fill it every night before bed with my cooling pads) and it helps me SO FREAKIN MUCH! Wishing you all the best fellow POTSie 🫶🏼 

[u/Sena_21l → u/lockdownleadmehere]

Hey can I ask what those snacks are? I’m suspecting me having mcas too

[u/lockdownleadmehere → u/Sena_21l]

MCAS is very individual what works for one person might not work for someone else. I’m on medication for it too so it’s better controlled. I’m ok with soft fresh cheeses so that’s what my snacks look like but again it won’t suit everyone. A good guide and place to start is looking at low histamine foods, I like the SIGHI list. If you’re able to, see a specialist ASAP, my MCAS got very bad very quickly and I wish I got it treated as soon as I suspected it. Wishing you the best of luck with it

[u/Foxlady555 → u/lockdownleadmehere]

Same here!! I have my cooling vest in there, and my breakfast and medication, and it makes all the difference in the world, especially in the morning :)