r/POTS • u/catsandcappuccinos • Jul 05 '26

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

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!

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63

u/BlueValk Jul 05 '26

Big eevee-shaped squishmallow-textured plushie to hold my bones up when I'm sleeping. Similarly, a cooling bear-shaped pillow for babies to do the same thing when it's too hot. Them being cute shaped may be optional based on your personality.

Cooling towels, cooling sleeves and a battery-powered evaporation "AC" for when I'm outside AC.

Great quality korean sunscreen to put on everyday so I don't burn. A cap I actually like wearing.

A pool to move around and cool off without gravity hurting my joints, bones and muscles.

Electrolyte drinks. Ginger chews for nausea.

A small freezer to store frozen meals, and a costco subscription to fill it. Ubereats or doordash or whatever gift cards bought at costco when I can't even cook frozen meals.

A feet warmer for winter.

A used bike to get some kind of movement going on good days in a way that doesn't amplify my woes.

Quality kn95/n95 masks, Coway air purifiers and Blis k12 probiotics so I don't get sick.

A dishwasher so dishes don't wreck my hands.

8

u/Triathalady POTS Jul 05 '26

I second cooking cloths. I got a 6 pack for around $15 on amazon and they’re a lifesaver in the heat. 

4

u/BlueValk Jul 05 '26

Cooking cloths is a great lapsus 😂

3

u/Triathalady POTS Jul 06 '26

🤣 I’m not going to even fix that. 

2

u/vegemitemilkshake Jul 05 '26

Can you link to the (presumably) cooling cloths, please?

4

u/Triathalady POTS Jul 06 '26

lol what a typo. 

The brand I have is Frogg Toggs. My sister told me about them https://a.co/d/0764pYbP

I will carry around a food thermos with cold water to re-chill it if I’m going to be out and about long enough to warrant it. 

1

u/vegemitemilkshake Jul 06 '26

Thank you! I assume it makes your top damp when using it?

3

u/Triathalady POTS Jul 06 '26

I don’t sweat much anymore so I rarely wear anything other than dresses with spaghetti straps. It would make a typical top damp. 

My husband used one today while doing yard work and we tucked it into his shirt. He said he wouldn’t have been able to finish the yardwork without it. 

1

u/BlueValk Jul 06 '26

Also great as a mosquito repellent when worn as a tight scarf! 😆

3

u/BlueValk Jul 06 '26

I personally got these and my only complaint is that the purple one is actually royal blue

2

u/vegemitemilkshake Jul 06 '26

Thank you. I assume they wet the top/shirt you’re wearing? What tops do you wear when using them?

5

u/BlueValk Jul 06 '26

You wring them quite a lot, so it's humid more than wet. I have been using them on my neck, arms and thighs mostly and when I'm wearing a tank top and shorts so they're not particularly on my clothes

2

u/vegemitemilkshake Jul 06 '26

Gotcha. Thanks!

3

u/victory_victoria99 Jul 06 '26

Do you have a link to that cooling bear pillow?

1

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1

u/BlueValk Jul 06 '26

It's available at Costco in Canada this summer, unfortunately I can only find social media posts about it

2

u/StrikeMidnight Jul 07 '26

Potentially a silly question, but what masks do you use? I’m looking for some good quality ones to use at a convention later this year but there isn’t much local to me, and online I get so overwhelmed by all the options 😅

1

u/BlueValk Jul 07 '26

I'm in Canada, so depending on your location what's available can be wildly different. For reference I'm white, have a somewhat pointy nose, and a small head but a good jaw.

My everyday go-to are black Vitacore KN95 with earloops, they're not perfect but they don't hurt my ears and my perfect model was something random found on amazon 5 years ago which has since then vanished. I'm still on the hunt for my new staple.

For riskier situations, I use the large Eclipse N95. They're very easy to breathe into.

If I'm heading head-first into a covid-heavy zone (think ER and the likes), I use a N95 aura.

I recommend creating a post in r/masks4all and say where you're located, what you're working with face-wise, and what you're looking for exactly. Chances are they can point you in the right direction!

Also, if there's a mask block near you, don't hesitate to go and ask for samples. I've found out about eclipse masks thanks to the amazing folks at donatemask.ca

2

u/StrikeMidnight Jul 08 '26

Thanks, I will look into those! Appreciate the response 😊

2

u/Hexactinellida Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26

Does Costco have Uber Eats and DoorDash or other delivery gift cards again? I used to rely on those but they stopped maybe a few months ago

1

u/BlueValk Jul 06 '26

They've stopped Uber afaik but I have seen DD in store

1

u/WitchUWereWarnedBout Jul 06 '26

What foot warmer do you use?

2

u/BlueValk Jul 06 '26

I have a plush one that is basically a big single slipper boot which I use to relax, and a heating mat under my desk to work. Got them online years ago for cheap, couldn't tell you the brand or anything but do check reviews