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"Finding Ways to Cope"


When you are first diagnosed with a chronic illness, it is overwhelming. The things you used to do, you can no longer do or you are limited in how you do them. My RA flares usually hit my hands the worse. While I can ache from head to toe it is actually more frustrating when my hands don't work the way they used to. I was the type of woman that did not like to ask for help and I was raised to be independent. Well it is hard to be independent when in some of my worse flares, I cannot even pull my pants up by myself! No joke. 

I have found that by replacing items in my household that I normally use that are specially made for people with arthritis or grip limitations, that I can still maintain my independence for the most part. Things like a normal hand held can opener are a no go for me. Or finger nail clippers. Or opening a jar in the kitchen when you want to cook something. If my husband is not at home, then it is frustrating trying to figure how to accomplish a task. 

I have created a list of items that I have replaced in my home to help me out and this post is to share some of those items in hopes it helps you out as well.

Amazon Store Front Items:

Nail Clippers

Multi Purpose Jar Gripper Pad

Heavy Duty Commercial Can Opener

Ok so this one is more expensive but I love my heated mattress pad. It keeps my body from getting so stiff and achy during the night and I have got to where I do not like to even travel without one anymore.

Heated Mattress Pad

Cell Phone Pop Grips

Have trouble with days where your memory is horrible? I added an Echo Show in my kitchen to set timers and help me keep track on my really bad days where everything is foggy. Those flare days can really mess with your brain and there is nothing wrong with having something extra nearby to set reminders with.

Echo Show

I love to read and I love to use my Kindle but holding onto a device after a long day at the office is the last thing I want to do. But reading is also how I relax at night at bedtime. So a hand strap for the Kindle was the solution. I found it here: Kindle Hand Strap

The devices that you use to clean makes a difference when you are just too tired to do much of anything. Trust me I have been there. Using large bulky and heavy appliances is just not something I could do anymore. I replaced my heavy vacuum with a lighter version.  Shark Cordless Vacuum or if you really can spend more then why not upgrade to a robot vacuum that you can set a timer on such as the iRobot Roomba (This model just happens to be on sale right now)

Remember what I said about being independent is hard if you can't pull your pants up? Well I have literally been on vacation in hotel by myself, wake up in a full flare, and realized that the only pants that I had were button waist. I panicked. At that moment I used ice water to reduce the inflammation enough to button my pants but it hurt really bad. From then on, I only travel with leggings or elastic waist pants and found a great deal on a 4 pack of leggings on Amazon.

In addition, I found the Tolaccea Ice Packs to use and after a long day I can relieve inflammation by wearing them for a short period of time while watching TV or even right before bed. By the way, they are great for heat packs as well I just found that ice helps my hands more. 

This is just a few of the things that I have found to help in my daily activities. What have you found that helps you? I am curious and always open to suggestions.

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