Living with chronic illness can be extremely challenging, and many of us spend quite some time looking for chronic illness products that can help us manage symptoms or feel a little more comfortable.
These are my top picks for health and wellness products that help me manage chronic illness conditions such as migraine, dysautonomia and fibromyalgia that I already own and love, and those that I have my eye on to purchase on the recommendation of others.
I hope this chronic illness products guide is helpful - and perhaps you can persuade a loved one to gift an item for a birthday!
As a disclaimer, some of these items may not be suitable for all those with chronic illness conditions, or particular conditions. This post does not constitute medical advice in any way, and is for informational purposes only. Be sure to consult with a doctor before trying new products.
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For pain management
1. YuYu bottle. The long and 'bendy' hot water bottle that you can wear across the body, or around your shoulders or just about anywhere really!
2. Epsom salts. Add some to your bath for a relaxing experience. Always check with a doctor before using epsom salts.
3. Heating pad. Similar to a hot water bottle in that it provides heat, which many of us spoonies love for achy joints and muscles.
4. Biofreeze pain relief gel. This came from a recommendation from a fellow spoonie, so I am keen to try it.
5. TENS machine. Another item that I am intrigued about for pain management. Devices aren't something I have used too often so far, but a non-drug option is always something I like to investigate.
6. Tiger balm. This is such a classic product and I remember my mum having a tin of it when I was little. Perfect for painful joints and muscles.
For migraine
1. Axon Optics migraine glasses. These help block blue light that can aggravate those living with migraine. I find they 'calm' my head while using screens or in the evening when it is darker, but the TV (and often laptop too!) are on. A key aspect of my migraine toolkit.
2. Headache and migraine relief cap. A wearable cold therapy 'hat' to help soothe that hot head feeling that can come along with a migraine attack. It can be worn over the temples or as a cooling face mask.
3. 4 Head Stick. This was my first 'migraine product' and gifted to me by my mum. I would suggest it is for lighter attacks, or head pain lower on the pain scale. Simply swipe this menthol product across the temples and forehead.
4. Sea bands. If nausea is an issue for you, then acupressure can be very useful as a drug-free approach. Particularly useful if you have vestibular migraine or dizziness from migraine attacks (or at other times).
I am also a fan of the Blisslets nausea relief bands, although these aren't available on Amazon (use code fibrofog for 15% off).
5. Avulux migraine glasses. An innovative migraine glasses brand with lenses that block blue light as well as other problematic light spectrums, while allowing in soothing green light.
Avulux has kindly offered my readers $25 USD off with the code Throughthefibrofog
6. Allay lamp. Offering green light therapy, this form of light therapy can be very beneficial for those living with migraine. The Allay lamp 'emits only the precise narrow band of green light that minimizes irritation and keeps the brain calm'.
For PoTS / dysautonomia
1. Pedal exerciser. For those advised by their doctor to try gentle recumbent exercise, a pedal exerciser can be a good choice. It's affordable, doesn't take up much space and you can pedal at home while watching a show! (always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine). If you follow me on Instagram you will have seen me pedalling away many times!
2. Nuun tablets. Rehydration tablets and electrolytes may be recommended by your doctor and Nuun is a great brand, with some fun flavours too.
3. Fitbit. I find using a FitBit to be very helpful for monitoring heart-rate as well as my water intake and exercise. It has been helpful to see fluctuations in my heart-rate over time, including resting HR. The Fitbit I have isn't available any more, but there are many in the range with different features.
4. Sherpa pink salt. I know, a little random but those of us with PoTS / dysautonomia are often advised to increase our salt intake. Personally I find pink salt to be less 'salty' tasting if you see what I mean, and it has more minerals than regular salt.
5. Sistema to-go pots. It may seem a little odd, but I love these pots for keeping my medication in. Most pill boxes are too small for all my meds and supplements, but these work perfectly and are easily transportable for when I am out and about.
For help with sleep
1. Gravity weighted blanket. These can aid sleep through using 'pressure therapy' on the body. This can help induce a feeling of calm, and reputedly help lower heart-rate through activating a shift from the sympathetic to parasympathetic nervous system. A 2015 study 'found that the use of a weighted blanket improved sleep duration in participants with insomnia' (Medical News Today).
2. This Works deep sleep pillow spray. I think this is an iconic spray at this point! While I can't use it now due to having MCAS, this was my absolute go-to for a good night's sleep for years. My mum still uses it all the time, as do friends and family members. The lavender is so calming and relaxing.
3. Phillips smart sleep wake up light. This is on my wish list for sure. Set the lamp to gradually dim in the evening and then get slowly brighter for when you want to wake in the morning. Helps you get sleepy and then more alert - and I think us spoonies often need help with both!
4. Artizen lavender oil. Long reputed to help aid sleep, lavender oil can be used in the bath, on a tissue or in a base oil for a massage to help you get some extra zzz's.
5. Epsom salts. As well as helping to manage pain, epsom salts are also reputed to help aid restful sleep. It has always helped me a great deal.
For an easier time cooking with chronic illness
1. NutriBullet. My most treasured kitchen device! Perfect for making smoothies for an easy breakfast when fatigue means cooking is just too much, as well as for sauces, soups, blitzing up breadcrumbs and so much more.
2. Instant pot. This is on my wish list as I have heard so many people say it is such a good product for those with chronic illness as it cuts cooking time significantly.
3. Cuisinart electric can opener. If you have strength or mobility issues with your hands, or increased pain then this item makes things much easier.
4. Easy grip peeler. Makes cooking so much easier, and faster too! Particularly helpful if you have any issues with grip, mobility or hand pain.
5. Perch stool. Idea for those with PoTS / dysautonomia as well as other conditions that make standing and cooking difficult.
6. Jar opener. Designed for older persons and those with arthritis or conditions where grip is more challenging and makes opening items more difficult.
For sensitive skin
1. La Roche-Posay toleriane ultra sensitive skin face moisturiser. The one and only facial moisturiser I use due to very sensitive skin, likely because of living with MCAS as well as fibromyalgia.
2. La Roche-Posay lipikar balm. Always in my bathroom, this rich body lotion really helps me with very dry and eczema-prone skin and doesn't ever irritate it.
3. Sukin sensitive skin calming night cream. A lovely light cream that is soothing and, for me, doesn't irritate my skin. Hydrating and smooth to apply.
4. Weleda skin food light nourishing body cream. A cult classic, the skin food light is perfect if you need some extra hydration.
5. Faith in nature body wash. One of my go-to body washes as it does not have SLS or parabens. It does have a scent if you are sensitive to it.
6 . Natracare panty liners. Not strictly skincare, but these do affect your skin! Made with an organic cotton cover, these are plastic free, perfume free and chlorine free. I find them much softer than regular liners.
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Discounts on helpful products for chronic illness
I have a few affiliate codes that give you a nice little discount on some products that I know help me so much with symptoms of migraine and more. As affiliate codes, I earn a small amount, but at no extra cost to you. In fact you get a discount!
Avulux migraine glasses
Avulux migraine glasses are an innovative product, blocking harmful blue light as well as other light spectrums, but allowing in soothing green light. Perfect for those working on screens, and for other forms of light sensitivity.
Avulux have offered my readers $25 USD off with the code Throughthefibrofog
Blisslets nausea relief bands
These cute bands from Blisslets work through acupressure to help manage nausea, which can be a symptom of migraine as well as other chronic conditions. Easy to use, non-pharmacological and not 'medical' looking in the slightest.
Blisslets have offered my readers 15% off with the code fibrofog
Related posts
Avulux migraine glasses review: managing light sensitivity at work
Axon Optics for vestibular migraine
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Sarah Warburton says
Hi Claire - thanks so much for this, some really good items here. Some of them I'd not heard about before despite living with chronic illness for almost a decade! I recently got one of the migraine caps the same as the one listed and what a god send it is 🙂
Best Wishes
Sarah x
Claire says
Hi Sarah, so glad the migraine cap is helpful for you. Items like that make such a difference don't they 🙂 Best wishes, Claire