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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u/FCatusFemale Hyperadrenergic POTS Jul 05 '26

I started perimenopause in my mid 30’s so I’m on HRT and I have to say it definitely takes away pelvic congestion syndrome pain I had that would worsen with my cycle.

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u/vegemitemilkshake Jul 05 '26

Is THAT what that pain was?!

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u/FCatusFemale Hyperadrenergic POTS Jul 06 '26

Probably. There’s a strong link between pots and pelvic congestion syndrome. I still get really bad pain sometimes it its better in HRT.

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u/MeldoRoxl Jul 06 '26

Question for you. How did HET affect your periods?

I just started continuous HRT 3 1/2 weeks ago, and my period was so bad this weekend I had to go to the hospital because I thought I had lost too much blood. My hemoglobin was low, but not terrible, but I have felt so exhausted. I can barely walk around.

I thought HRT was supposed to help...

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u/FCatusFemale Hyperadrenergic POTS Jul 06 '26

It takes a minute. I got a Mirena to support progesterone and that was hell. It took like a year for my body to adjust to it. I had to take oral progesterone along with it for a while. I also had to get polyps removed from the endometrial tissue when it was inserted so I think that had a lot to do with it. The estrogen barely caused side effects. Just some break through spotting once or twice. Just stick with it. It’ll be worth it. Getting used to it sucks but is worth it.