More Things That Help Me
- Kary Pearson
- Mar 24, 2023
- 2 min read
Here are some more things that help me as someone with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
My Webster pack of daily medications is a big help. I don't have to worry about keeping track of multiple bottles and boxes of medications, and I don't have to refill a pill box weekly. I also set reminders on my phone for when I have to take them which is especially helpful for my liquid medication that obviously can't go into this packet.
I have an app on my Fitbit that buzzes when my heart rate goes ever 100, which is when I need to pause and rest. My heart rate spiked when I changed the cat litter, so I sat down as soon as I finished. I usually start to feel faint when my heart rate gets above 110, so it's good if I stop and rest before I get to that point.
I use a phone app called Visible that was created for people with M.E. and Long COVID. In the morning before getting out of bed I use it to report how I slept and to find my heart rate variability (HRV) and resting heart rate. Using that information it gives me an estimate for pacing. Studies have shown that low HRV coincides with fatigue. The app also considers my average HRV range and suggests rest if it falls outside that range. At the end of the day I enter the severity of my symptoms as well as how much I exerted myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's not always accurate, but as I keep entering data it refines itself.
Finally, my cats help me every day by providing unconditional love and purring as well as giving me something to love and focus on. Studies have shown that having pets can reduce your blood pressure and that people with pets live longer. Even without those benefits, I couldn't live without my cats.
I'm always interested in hearing about things that save physical and mental energy, as well as easy self-care. Do you have any recommendations?
I know it’s absolutely not the same, but last year when I had rotator cuff surgery on my dominant on arm, I purchased a clamp that dog groomers use that holds my blow dryer and clamps to my countertop so I could blow out my hair with just one arm. I still use it on days that my shoulder aches.