It’s so hard to find good products that actually work for the symptoms of our chronic illnesses and chronic pain. With little money and less patience, I never know what essentials I could possibly buy that might relieve some of my symptoms, or at least give me some comfort on days when the pain is high. Everything on this list is easily accessible to buy, and under $50. I hope you find this list helpful for you.
I love seeing lists like this, so let me know in the comments what products you love!
Here are some of the things I’ve used that have worked for me over the years. Part 1 of many to come, I think. I have plenty of essentials to share!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
About a year back, I started having pretty bad pain in my thumb and palm, due to my hypermobility. It’s something that’s been bothering me on and off for years, but last year it wouldn’t go away, where it typically would after a week or so. My pain management doctor suggested a few products to do physical therapy at home, and this was one of them. This helped strengthen my fingers and helped with the overall pain by doing so.
The same doctor as above also recommended these for my therapy, and these were also helpful for strengthening my hands and fingers. Also has been helpful for some of the arthritis that I tend to feel.
The last thing recommended by my pain management doctor were these to make writing (and coloring!) easier and less painful. Writing, drawing, coloring, and anything using a small pen, pencil, or marker has always been a painful task for me, especially in recent years. My whole life I’ve been gripping pens so tightly and putting too much pressure on my fingers. I even have a permanent dent in my middle finger of my dominant (right) hand from pressing so hard with pens and pencils in school all those years ago. These are great for hypermobility, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
I know this looks weird, but hear me out. This trigger-point massager is great for reaching certain points that are unreachable on your own back and neck. One of the physical therapists I saw a few years back recommended it, and it’s been helpful. It can definitely be painful, so be careful with it, but it’s great for pain relief. It has helped get to points when I feel like a migraine or headache is on its way when stemming from my neck and shoulders.
Let’s be real, when you have a chronic illness, there are days you can’t shower. These are a must for those days, and I can’t live without them. These are the PH-balanced, so they’re specifically for the lower regions. Also note that I don’t flush the wipes because although they claim they’re flushable, most are not (especially if you have an old septic system, and I live in a 70+ year old house.)
6. Body Wipes
Here are the body wipe version of the wipes I shared above. Perfect for the non-shower days or after the pool, beach, or gym (not like I’m going to the gym, but you may be!) Important for the non-shower days.
I’m always dehydrated, and I never can seem to get enough electrolytes. Typical with POTS. I can’t stomach any of the electrolyte drinks (they make me gag after I used Gatorade for a colonoscopy prep when I was 18. Almost 20 years later and I still can’t drink any drink that tastes similar). I’ve tried all different kinds, but they all gross me out. Prescription salt tablets made me physically sick to my stomach, so I recently tried these. These are easier on my stomach. Still not sure how much benefit I’m getting from it overall, but it definitely doesn’t hurt like the salt tablets did. Also good for when you’re working out a lot to replenish electrolytes.
BONUS: SaltStick Fast Chews are great in a pinch for on the go! I have the Mixed Berry flavor.
8. Neck, Back, & Shoulder Massager
I got this for my boyfriend as part of his Valentine’s Day gift last year because he was having shoulder pain and he loved it. This thing is incredible, it definitely works on those knots. I have to be a bit careful with it though, I can’t use it for too long because of how sensitive my body is at times, and because of how hypermobile I am. It feels great though, just start off small, because this thing can be powerful.
9. Pulse Oximeter Finger Monitor
I went over a year after I got my POTS diagnosis without one of these because my then cardiologist told me I shouldn’t “worry about” what my heart rate was. I finally ignored him and bought a pulse oximeter of my own so I could track my really bad days and see how high my heart rate was getting. I’ve had this exact one for almost 7 years now and it’s been so useful to track those bad days.
10. Migraine & Headache Ice Wrap
My boyfriend is also a sufferer of migraines, so I bought this for him on Valentine’s Day this year. It’s been useful for him with any headaches, so much so that I need to get one for myself too. I’ve worn his, and it’s very refreshing. Very useful for those cluster headaches above my eyes that seem to plague me a lot lately!
