Most days, I suffer from severe joint pain and swelling. Some days, the swelling is so intense that it feels like my joints are glued together. Bending my knees or ankles to walk becomes a real struggle. Thankfully, as I write this, that's no longer my daily reality, but I still experience phantom pains in my joints from time to time. Finding products that made movement easier and eased my pain was a huge struggle. So, this post is dedicated to those who are searching for ways to alleviate their pain. Here are just a few products I use on a daily basis to make my days a little better. Click the heading of each product to shop the exact one I use or find something similar.
01. Heating Pad
I love my heating pad because it's not just good for joint pain. Anything that's multi-use is a win for me, especially since I try to limit single-use products. The one I have was a gift from my dad, but you can find a really good one at the Dollar Tree or any pharmacy. When shopping for a heating pad, make sure it has a covering for the pad because you never want to place the heating pad directly on your skin. Look for one that has multiple temperature settings so you can control the level of heat. Please, please, please—don’t sleep with this heating pad. It could be a potential fire hazard or cause serious damage to your skin.
02. CBD Oil
While there's a lot of controversy surrounding CBD, it’s been a lifesaver for me during my most painful moments. Whenever I had a flare-up, I would put a few drops under my tongue, and soon the pain would lessen. It never completely goes away, but it helps keep it to a minimum. CBD directly aids with inflammation, which is a big factor in the joint pain I experience.
03. Compression Socks
If you have edema, get yourself a pair of compression socks. But here’s the thing: not all compression socks are created equal. I had to try several before I found the right ones for me. When picking your socks, be sure to get the right size. The placement of the heel affects how the sock compresses your feet. Pay attention to the level of compression and the areas they compress. The purpose of compression socks is to prevent swelling without cutting off circulation to your legs, feet, and ankles. If at any point your legs feel numb, you’ve got the wrong size.
04. Weighted Blanket
Bedtime for me is usually around 11 p.m., and I sleep a full 8 hours like most people. Unlike most, I can fall right back asleep for another 8 hours. If you suffer from chronic fatigue, you know exactly what I mean. Sleeping comes easy now, especially since I’m no longer on dialysis. But when I was on dialysis, sleep was a battle. There were so many nights spent tossing and turning, staring at the wall, and struggling to fall asleep. What helped me during that time was a weighted blanket. There’s something about the weight that made my body feel comforted and let my bed know it was time to sleep. The blanket helped keep me asleep, and when I woke up, I felt well-rested. If you have trouble sleeping, do yourself a favor and get a weighted blanket.
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