Chronic pain can be a hard and lonely road. However, every now and then you come across something that makes life a little easier. Those are the things I wanted to share with you here.
I’d also love to hear from you. I’ve opened up the comments so you can share some resources you’ve found helpful on your own chronic pain journey with me. Because it might feel like we are in this alone, but we are all in it together.
Stress Relief Lotion by Bath & Body Works
When I was in the hospital the first time, a friend of mine brought me a gift basket with this in it. (It also had the body wash and massage oil.)
It is amazing!
Chronic migraines are made worse by stress, and this lotion is wonderfully soothing.
I have since purchased it as gifts for my family and bought myself several more bottles.
Clinging Cross
This small cross is designed to fit in the palm of your hand so you can literally cling to it. It’s made of wood pruned from the olive trees that grow in the Holy Land and comes in a cute burlap sack, and a prayer.
There is a lot of symbolism behind olive trees in the Bible, but more than anything, I find this cross a tangible reminder to cling to Jesus when I’m in pain.
You can find these on Amazon, but I ordered mine from The Keeping Company. They are super affordable.
Eye Massager
I wish I would have discovered this years ago.
This eye massager has heat and massage built-in and it does wonders for my migraines. It’s a little loud, but if I turn off the vibrations, it cuts the noise down significantly.
Sometimes I even wear it on my forehead, just to get the temple part of the massage.
White Flower Embrocation Balm
Everyone says essential oils are where it’s at.
Do you have an ache or pain?
There’s an essential oil for that.
And I’ve probably tried them all. None of them work as well as this oil when it comes to my migraines. I keep 3-4 bottles on hand at all times. One to keep by my bed, one in my purse, and one at my writing desk. Sometimes I have one to keep with my quiet time supplies as well.
Bluetooth Headband
This is something I picked out myself.
I have trouble reading because of my migraines, so I have switched to listening to an audio Bible. I also have trouble falling asleep some nights (okay, most nights) because my head hurts. This headband is super comfy and allows me to listen to whatever I want without disturbing my husband. Whether that’s an audio Bible, another audiobook, or some soothing music.
This is definitely worth the 20 bucks I paid for it, and last time I checked, the price had gone down.
Chiffon Face Masks
Depending on your immune system and face mask stance, these may or may not be something you are interested in. However, they are lifesavers for me.
Wearing a face mask makes my migraine worse. So the lightweight, breathable fabric these are made of are perfect for when I go somewhere that requires them.
I will admit that isn’t often. Because of my migraines I spend most of my time at home in bed. My 12-year-old daughter wears them because they are fashionable though.
One of the seams has begun to come out. The masks are hand-wash only, and I think she may have run it through the washer. I have washed them in the sink, but I normally spray them with Travelers Mist. It’s an aromatherapy spray that kills germs helps relieve stress.
Even with one of the masks falling apart (which is totally fixable), they were definitely worth eight bucks for the pack of four. There are other designs and packages available as well.
Vibe High Fidelity Earplugs
My husband purchased these for me. They are noise reduction earplugs that still allow you to hear normal conversations.
I was always putting earplugs in at church because the music was too loud. These helped control the sound and protect my head without shutting everyone around me out.
Sound Blocking Earplugs
These are by far my favorite earplugs.
They are super comfortable and skin-toned, so they don’t stand out. They are super affordable, so I don’t worry about how quickly I go through them. I try to keep a container with some in my purse and in our vehicle, and then I keep the rest by my bed.
Pedal Exerciser
Chronic pain has claimed most of my physical activity. Since my migraine started in 2017, I have gained over 80lbs.
However, exercise makes my migraine worse. Thus, I purchased one of these to keep under my desk. I don’t use it a lot, but I can peddle every now and then and that’s better than being completely inactive.
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