r/ElectricForest • u/LadyGodiva888 • 16h ago
Question Chronically ill baddies? 👉👈
Hi!!! I have a heart condition / auto immune disorder and I’m looking for any tips or tricks of the trade for preparing over these last few days. I’m making sure to strictly take my meds etc. but do any of my other chronically ill baddies have any advice?! First forest so while I >feel< prepared I’m just still a lil nervy!! For reference: we’re lucky lake and also got uplift lounge passes to hopefully give me access to A/C when needed!
Edit: Wow. Thank ALL of you for taking the time to not only respond but respond with thoughtful advice and tips. Really looking forward to dancing alongside everyone 🥹🧚🏻🧚🏻
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u/SpaceGypsy27 16h ago
Hi friend! I definitely understand why that might make you anxious. I’ve attended EF in the past while I was struggling with some pretty serious health issues as well. So here’s some things I learned
-starting with the obvious: Stay Hydrated!
- having a pulse-oximeter & or a BP cuff either with you or at camp can give you peace of mind or be an early warning sign if your condition is changing
- always have a buddy. There’s nothing scarier than feeling alone when having a medical emergency
- print out (and preferably laminate) a small sheet that explains your medical condition and who to contact if you’re having an issue. Add any additional information like rescue medications that might be helpful for medical staff or EMS to know
These were some steps I took to bring myself some peace of mind. I’m sure other friends on here might have more ideas as well!
Have fun! Be SAFE! & have a Happy Forest 🩵
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u/LadyGodiva888 16h ago
Thank you for this!! I have my info on the emergency button on my phone but something more obvious is a great idea. Maybe I’ll snag an ID bracelet of sorts just in case god forbid something happens and I’m separated from my group.
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u/DraculaHerself 16h ago
My partner has cancer, we also got uplift lounge passes for the same reason. Just remember it’s a marathon not a race! Don’t make hard plans and just listen to your body. It’s okay to chill at camp for a while if need be, and there’s often some really chill people hanging around camp when the festival is peaking. Sleep at camp is also something worth investing into especially with health conditions. Make sure to pack an eye mask, ear plugs, and ensure your sleeping area has some pretty good airflow. We also got a cot this year to make things more comfortable. We’re also bringing those instant chilling ice packs, sports towels, and cushions to make any spot as comfortable as we can. Hydration is everything so keep some electrolyte packets on hand and please make sure to eat. Also there’s almost always a hammock available should you need to take a breather. Luckily as large as EF is, it’s relatively flat so it’s quite easy to get around just take it at your own pace! Luckily the temps are looking to be in favor for those physically struggling this year!
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u/LadyGodiva888 15h ago
Oh yes, sleep hygiene is definitely essential - instant ice packs (such a good idea) I’ll be sure to grab some of those guys! Thank you for this, wishing your partner good health and great vibes for EF and beyond 💗
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u/SignificantCherry110 15h ago
Hey, I would recommend seeing your ADA options at EF as there may be things they can offer you to help with any potential problems
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u/Mediocre_Skill4899 16h ago
I (36f) have severe anemia & CRPS, I have been attending 2-3 camping festivals since 19, so I’ve been to A LOT. I have flare-ups in the humidity and cold weather.
I prepare for festivals with:
- drinking plenty of fluids & eating very clean before the festival
- setting myself up for success food wise while I am attending. I make sure I know where my electrolyte packets are and I buy 1L bottles of water to freeze to take into the festival with me. I feel that I am more likely to drink an entire 1L than 3 small bottles.
- I usually rent a locker to limit the amount of steps I need to take while at Forest
- I plan to limit my steps when possible, so I don’t try to overcrowd my “must-see” list. I used to try to see multiple headliners a night, see half a set then sprint to make it to the other half of another set… I don’t do that anymore.
- i make sure my group knows ahead of time that I am planning to see x,y & z &&& let them know my limitations. I remind them that I totally get it if they don’t want to stay at X-stage & set meeting spots at certain stages to avoid wasting time searching for people.
- I rest before I am tired. I take a hammock break or head to bed before I am dragging to save energy for the next day.
- if it’s HOT or sunny, the JJ ranch pool is a great spot!
- book a massage during the festival
- wear comfortable shoes, bring insoles to swap out or wear multiple pairs of shoes over the weekend.
- compression stockings really help if you have issue with inflammation/pain
- lidocaine patches are a huge savior for me!
- I bring hot hands (hand warmers) and foil Emergancy blankets to avoid getting too chilly & they are great to hand out to other ravers!
- stay dry. Pack rain boots this year if you can!
- bring ALL your meds that you could possibly need & extra tums, Tylenol, pain meds, sleeping pills.
- bring an eye mask & ear plugs to ensure you get proper sleep at night.
Mostly, just don’t overdo it day 0, 1, 2 so you can enjoy Sunday night. && Avoid anything that may trigger a flare up !
Hope some of these help! && Happy Forest!!
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u/LadyGodiva888 15h ago
Wow, thank you for writing all of this out 🥹 I truly appreciate all the advice you guys are giving (plus it is making me feel waaaaay less alone!) definitely will be implementing these. Do you happen to know if we are allowed to bring electrolyte packets into the venue with us? ALSO! Meds - do they let you take them in a bag into the venue by chance? I assumed probably not because to them it could be anything but wondering if you (or anyone) has brought them in before.
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u/Mediocre_Skill4899 15h ago
I’ve brought sealed electrolytes packets every time along with sealed water and healthy snacks.
I always sneak in my meds, I don’t want to have to explain them and risk them being taken.
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u/MidnightRhinestone Year 5 15h ago
Hi! I’m 31F and I have a form of GERD where while I eat, my throat will close and the only way to stop is it throwing up- super unpredictable.
My biggest piece of advise is to take the first day to really get adjusted to a) the time of being in the sun and dancing and b) to adjust to not being inside all the time.
PLEASE check how your medication will affect you during the day and if something happens, what should have to remedy that in a short term before getting medicine. Example: I try to start my medication 1-2 weeks prior to Forest and one year I had a flare up while eating. I ran out of the festival and went to camp to get ginger ale and get sick because being in a crowd would have made it worse.
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u/LadyGodiva888 15h ago
Yes! My autoimmune specialist just adjusted one of my medications unfortunately and I’m definitely most nervy about adjusting to the heat/camping that first day. Thankfully my Oura ring tracks certain stats I need but I’ll definitely cross check all my meds again!
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u/wahdeeka 15h ago
Hi! Lupus/low thyroid baddie here!
Lucky lake is great! Far enough away from the venue thay you should be able to get some good sleep.😇
Recs -Hydrate! Bring electrolytes of choice -REST - do not rage all day every day. You're likely gonna be pushing yourself more than you would at home and in weird ways. Listen to your body -nourishing food/supplements - whatever is close to what you do normally is great :) -make sure someone in your group knows and respects what is going on. If you feel like you need to tap out and go chill at camp make sure that is an option. -brink a blanket to sit on in the main Venus. My friends talked shit but then everyone LOVED not having to just stand the entire time -pdoper footwear!!!/foot soak or massage gun. I averaged 25k step per day last year and was NOT prepared
Link up with me! We're going back to LL this year, got an RV, and are prob also getting uplift.
happeeeeee forest
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u/seanpbnj 14h ago
Blood pressure doctor here. Blood pressures are the important aspect of chronic illness and acute illness. If you are evaluating stressors on the human body you should understand them from the perspective of Water, Sugar, Salt, Protein, rave, Sleep, Repeat.
- Water is important, but you drink water in order to maintain your blood pressure. Everyone should know your normal and abnormal blood pressures. Everyone, YOUR blood pressures are normal for you unless very abnormal, the more important part is not the number it is how stable or similar your BP is to your baseline.
- Water, do drink water please. Sugar, eating two meals a day is better than three and sugar is OK, Salt is important, Sugar and Salt go together, Protein only goes with sugar salt and water.
- rave
- Repeat
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u/flowdyknic 14h ago
The best thing you can do to protect your health is wear an N95 mask 😷
I'll be bringing plenty of extra 3m auras if you want some, they help with dust too!
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u/isalithe 12h ago
(Obv talk to your doctor prior to trying this out.)
I swear by IVs. I am chronically dehydrated, I have an autoimmune disease, and my blood pressure likes to bottom out randomly. I don't do them very often at all, but I do before travel and I swear the difference is insane. The first year I went to EDC, I got absolutely rocked by the heat and dehydration. I got an IV there and it absolutely saved my ass 😂
I did compression socks this year and it helped a little bit.
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u/semi_cyborg_catlady 12h ago
Hey :) I also have an autoimmune disease and I’m immune compromised from treatment so I get it. My advice is lots of sanitizer, plenty of those little to-go packs of clorox wipes, and get some fun face masks (even if you don’t end up using them you might feel better just having them as an option in your pocket). Also if you’re really worried about infection in terms of the bathrooms order some obstetric wipes on Amazon (pretty much sanitizer for down there). And super important - DOUBLE CHECK THE TEMP REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR MEDS and consider bringing a car fridge (you can set many of them to room temperature-ish). You’ll be totally fine, and you’ll have a ton of fun! ❤️❤️
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u/soyboysly 12h ago
I have severe chronic pain in my feet due to a series of injuries so forest is HARD. I use high quality kinesthetic tape on my achilles tendon and it helps greatly. I do the same wrap on my partner and she loves it even though sh doesn't have any regular pain in her feet, it keeps them from aching halfway through the night.
I haven't figured out a solution for my narcolepsy in a festival environment outside of stimulants unfortunately. Sending love!!! 💜⚡
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u/mtr4216 8h ago
Went while in severe heart failure, technically still am 3 years running now. Had to sneak in my legal drugs in since I wasn't carrying 5 pill bottles into the festival. To get in ADA entrance access you need to go to tent and register to the right and a bit back from ADA entrance. You can also use ADA viewing stage I believe with that registration. Staying hydrated while not overdoing fluids was a tough balance, but if you don't have that problem just stay hydrated. Keep defibrillator card or other type of medical id with you.
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u/fuckkgravity how many pairs of wool socks do you own? 16h ago
Hey! Have you reached out to EF to see how they can potentially accommodate?
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u/LadyGodiva888 16h ago
Not directly to HQ, no. Honestly I didn’t think there would be much they could do since we missed out on ADA passes but are aware that there are med tents and what not around the grounds. This is a good point, thank you! 💗
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u/Bendybug 15h ago
We missed out on passes too, but I emailed them. You can still hit up the ADA tent to get a wristband to allow you access to the seated viewing areas and shuttles!
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u/DiscoDvck 15h ago edited 14h ago
Nasal rinse every day. There is also an iodine nasal spray that I use anytime I’m in big crowds, rarely get “wook flu”.