Product Recommendations
Life with chronic pain and illness is challenging. At times, it’s difficult to do basic, daily tasks.Â
Once or twice a month, I’ll be posting on my social media sites about some products, apps, videos, etc. that I’ve come across and found to be helpful. Some of you may find them beneficial, too, so I’ll be doing a blog post about them, as well.
I’ve already posted a couple on social media, so this first post will contain three items, but in the future, it will just be one per post.
Please note: I am NOT a paid endorser of any of the products, apps, etc. I’ll be mentioning. I’m merely sharing information on things I’ve found of interest and/or helpful.
1. Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Bracelets
If you live with a chronic condition, it’s important to have a medical ID bracelet. Paramedics and other emergency workers do look for them. I’ve had them in the past, but they’ve always been the basic ones you can find in a drugstore.
I recently came across a company I’d like to tell you about. I just purchased my first bracelet from them, and I love it. I’ve been in touch with customer service via social media, email, and phone, and they were very helpful and fully answered all my questions.
Lauren’s Hope Medical ID Bracelets offers a variety of products that are informative yet fashionable so they don’t look like your typical medical alert jewelry. Many of their products are interchangeable, so you can purchase one tag and then buy additional bands to go with it to fit your personality and interests. You can learn more about them here:
From what I’ve seen, they have regular sales, and if you sign up for their newsletter, you get a discount code, as well.
Here’s the bracelet I purchased from their site. I LOVE the Hope tag on it, and the stones change colors.
2. Grabber Reacher Tool
Over the past few months, I’ve found that I’m not able to bend over (or even change position at times) without setting off my heartrate and/or getting lightheaded. This is apparently par for the course for dysautonomia conditions. Being unable to bend over has definitely created challenges in my daily life. It’s not an issue when my husband’s around. We’ve moved stuff around to put the things I use most often in locations where I can access them without leaning much at all.
I came across this product on Amazon. It’s truly been life changing! (In fact, I even sent one to my gram, as she has similar problems. She, too, finds it extremely helpful.) I call it my “grabby hand.” 
If you struggle with bending over, I do hope you’ll check this out. There are quite of few of them available, but I found this one to be reasonably priced, and the handle grip seemed more comfortable than some of the other designs. It’s easy for me to grip and squeeze, even on the days when my arthritis is flaring.
On another note, this product also has a little magnet on one side, so you can pick up coins, paper clips, etc. I’ve tried it, and it works!
Here’s a phot0, but here’s the Amazon purchase link, as well.
3. Polar Products Cooling Vest
Many people deal with temperature dysregulation issues. Over the past few months, I’ve struggled with this. Cooling vests are one option I’ve discovered to help with this new, frustrating symptom.
I have a “fashion vest” from Polar Products. I tried it recently, and it definitely helped! I had shown a variety of vests to my provider, and she agreed that this one would be a good option for me, particularly with the placement of the five ice packs (three down the back and two in the front). You can use all of them or just a few of them.
Here’s the link to the vest I have, but there are a number of different options on the website. https://www.polarproducts.com/…/Women-s-Fashion-Cooling…
For some people, it may be possible to have medical reimbursement. That is something you may want to check on with your doctor or insurance company.
Here’s a photo of my cooling vest.
