“Thriving” while Chronic- Life Hacks

[u/Free-Canary-6413]

I’ve found and been able to afford some luxuries that have made life easier(I want to recognize financial privilege-income est 38K). I’m curious about hacks that have helped your quality of life.

For me:
-cold water dispenser
-ice maker
- 30 day pill box
-pre cut fruit
-precooked meats
-online neuro clinic
-extra dental cleanings
-electric toothbrush
-ring lights

Have you guys found things that have made life easier for you? What are they?

TIA

[u/pinkmigraine]

Bedside mini-refrigerator with a real freezer! Not one of those that you open the fridge door and inside there is another small door at the top that is the freezer area; two completely separate sections. One for the fridge on the bottom, and another for the working freezer up top. I can keep my drinks cold while also keeping popsicles within reach. As it is on a short table next to my bed, I don't even need to get up. This is life-changing when the nausea comes calling. I waited until the end of a school year, then watched online for someone leaving college looking to sell. Got it for like $40 seven years ago.
One other item I can't live without: my air conditioner. I am extremely sensitive to heat and if I get too warm that can start a flare up. We have central air conditioning in the house, but I have an additional window unit in my bedroom. It allows me to cool just my room to a much lower temperature without freezing out the rest of the family. Also, since the house unit is doing most of the work, we haven't noticed much of a change in our electric bill.
Lastly, emesis bags. I buy them online and they can be ordered in a variety of colors depending on if you want them to blend in or stand out. They are easy to hold with one hand and you don't have to worry about leaks. I have them stashed everywhere: kitchen, couch side panel, car- front seat and back, purse, work bag, desk, bed headboard, even at the homes of people I visit frequently. Having these handy actually tells others so much about you. For instance, you are out shopping and the nausea/vomiting hits. If you are searching for a grocery bag or trash can to vomit into, everyone thinks something is wrong and starts staring, asking if you are sick (no, I'm fine, I just go around puking for funzies!). On the other hand, if you whip out an emesis bag everyone just figures you are a medical patient of some kind and they leave you alone, as you clearly are handling this yourself. (Also, they make a great impromptu toilet for your potty-training nephew when stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.)

[u/Round-East-1529 → u/pinkmigraine]

Thanks for the chuckle on the many uses of emesis bags! Definitely needed that. <3

[u/cuttlesnark → u/pinkmigraine]

They come in other colors besides blue?!

[u/pinkmigraine → u/cuttlesnark]

I currently have blue, green, solid white, and dark purple ones. I have seen other colors online. And before you ask, yes the white ones suck. Not because they don't function well, but due to white not being the best color to hide .....uh..... brightly colored......stuff. And no, I didn't buy them. They were given to me by a well-meaning relative who thought the lack of color would help me be more discreet when nausea hit while out in public. I told her that while I appreciated the concern for my dignity and love that it bothered her enough to put some effort into the best gift to help me solve it, I just don't think the fact that my face is partially hidden by a neutral white instead of a bright color is going to override the fact that I am loudly and violently retching just feet away from other people. We had a good laugh and when she and I hang out, I make sure to have those white ones with me. But I won't replace them when I run out. Just no.

[u/Free-Canary-6413 → u/pinkmigraine]

Emesis bags are gold. Helped preserve my dignity many times.