Chronically Joyful

I am always trying to cut corners in my daily life to not only maximize my available time and resources, but to also alleviate pain that may be caused by my actions later. I like to think of myself as an overachiever (often to a fault) and pretend that I don’t have limits. As a human, I absolutely have limits, and as I’ve gotten older, I’m beginning to cut corners in order to better preserve my energy for the things that truly matter (but I will ALWAYS park in the back of the parking lot & take the stairs!). 

Here are 3 products that have absolutely changed the quality of my life, and have helped me maximize key areas of my existence. I swear by these specific brands, without affiliation with any of them, so test them out yourself and let me know your thoughts! 

Alaska Bear Sleep Mask: While I definitely have the coolest variation this brand makes (and seems to no longer make – I have the Van Gogh Starry Night variation!), I have used a number of sleep masks in my life and this one takes the cake. It is silky, cooling to the touch and fits very comfortably! I initially learned of it from a Tim Ferris article as recommended to him by Dr. Peter Attia, and it’s henceforth changed my life for the better. I’m also a big fan of both Ferris and Attia, so was easily swayed.

Why use a sleep mask?

Maintaining the darkest environment possible has always led to better sleep, and has been proven. As we are still in the life stage of living in various rentals, we haven’t wanted to commit to some really nice blackout curtains since window measurements are subject to change. This sleep mask comes everywhere with me (and I now have a spare from the panic of losing it just one time).

This particular little tool has also come in handy on days where I’m suffering from migraines, or my optic neuritis is in full flare. I am already naturally very light sensitive, so life can become pretty unbearable these days, but my sleep mask has made a tremendous (and comforting) difference. 

I suffer tremendously from very dry eyes as well; I have yet to see the proof in this one, but these masks supposedly help maintain moisture in the eyes though the night. All I know is that my quality of sleep declines tremendously when I can’t find this little mask and in the midst of Virginia’s “pollening,” my dry eye has been very manageable! 

Sleep masks and MS

I personally have found my sleep mask not only helps me maintain a healthy sleep routine, but keeps me grounded when thrown out of my routine. Traveling? I sleep like a baby because of my mask. Meditating? Sleep mask. Headache? Sleep mask. Personally, with my influx of symptoms, I find the most success when I am in dark, cool places (just like my late ball python, like mama like son ♡). 

Salonpas Lidocaine Pain Patches: I resisted using pain patches for the longest time because I had alternative ways of dealing with my pain and I didn’t think they would actually work. The first time that I ever used one of these patches, I changed that tune DRAMATICALLY. 

Not 100% sure of the cause as everyone in my family seems to suffer from it, but I suffer from Trapezius Myalgia (AKA, chronic aches in my traps). Yes, with MS also comes degenerative spine disease, but this is such a concentrated pain that whenever I try to remedy it, I just keep finding that stretching and massaging don’t help, and have read that either can actually make it worse. Introducing the pain patches has helped improve my quality of life SO tremendously, I stock up on these every chance I get (it helps that they’re REALLY easy to find, too!). 

Based on the way I currently manage my pain, this style of patch is the only depth I’m really willing to go. Fentanyl patches terrify me. My doctor keeps trying to prescribe me Oxycodone. It’s a crazy world we’re living in, so I’ll take the over the counter sticky patches & other means, thank you! 

I like these patches as well because they work particularly well not only on muscular pain as aforementioned, but also specifically for the numbness and tingling sensations so often associated with MS. The cooling sensations help ease me into a normal state of existence, and at an affordable price; I can’t complain, but CAN highly recommend these! 

Sunbeam Heating Pad: This one seems a bit counterintuitive given that 60-80% of the MS population is viciously heat intolerant, but sometimes it is the only method of pain relief that can work. 

COVID-19 was a period of trials and tribulations for everyone regardless of where you lived, who you are, etc. For me, I’ve had a run-in with this flu alternative twice in my life now. While I’m grateful for no long term effects from this, I can always tell the difference between having Covid and a standard flu or other illness. 

Covid always leaves me bedridden, not because I am so sick I can’t get up, but because it gives me temporary arthritis in my hip joints. The first time this happened, I assumed it was just from sitting too much and lack of movement, so I figured that I’d pinched a nerve and recovered completely within a month. The second time this happened, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t bare to lie down, stand up, or sit. It was a deep enough pain reminiscent to the time my kidneys shut down – completely unbearable. The only relief I was able to find was by existing on this heating pad like a lizard to a heat rock. 

I often will turn to this heating pad even now (arthritis-free) to manage bad MS pain days. To have a comforting amount of heat applied to the painful area will not only indicate to my body that it’s okay to relax and loosen up, but it will also physically loosen me up! The mind is a powerful tool, but when you have real tools to accompany it, it makes all the difference. 

Something else I’ve found through the last 10 years, is that my skin will occasionally hurt to the touch; and I mean a light cotton t-shirt on my bare chest could send me to my knees. I feel a bit fortunate as this is usually only exacerbated by drinking alcohol, but sometimes it happens without warning and without reason. Regardless of how it happens, I’ve found using a heating pad on the painful areas will reduce their sensitivity and help me actually be “human” that day. Cheers to you, heating pad! 

Being an odd case where I don’t often experience the standard MS pains others do (and am often gaslit by doctors because of this), I’ve found so much value in these every day household items that have assisted me in living my best quality of life. 

Regardless of what your experiencing,

It is real.

It is valid. 

You are seen. 

We are not alone. 

I hope this helped you in your journey, reader! I appreciate you being here, and for sharing this experience with me. ☼