Recently I filmed a What’s in my bag? video for Youtube, it’s more of a what’s in my hospital grab bags.
You may be wondering why I need a hospital grab bag so maybe a little introduction to my life is called for. If you are new here or you have read my posts before then welcome to or welcome back. My name is Alisha ,I am a forty something woman who lives with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Endometriosis as well as De Quervains Syndrome in both of my hands. Life isn’t easy as my Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is Severe leaving me unable to do pretty much anything these days.
Unfortunately I do need help from my family so I devised a set of grab bags which make it easier for family or even health professionals to find things I need.
I have now lived with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis since 2012 in that time I have tried out lots of products which are made to help out people who have problems with mobility or dexterity issues. The YouTube What’s in my bag? video was made in order to give people an idea on the sort of things that help me out on a daily basis.
Most importantly I feel that this video will show others how taking control of their own surroundings can make a huge difference to their lives the way they make a difference to mine. I am not claiming that these are miracle products they just really help me.
Below I have linked my video in the video description I have included links to all of the products that I show. I have tried all of these products and use them all of the time.
Amazon
All of the Amazon links include affiliate links. This means that if you purchase the item from my link that I will get a small referral fee. All money will be going back into my channel to allow me to make better videos in the future or to buy more things to try out in my videos.
What's in my bag?
Below are all of the products mentioned in my video.
Vanderfield Ear Defenders
Being in severe pain and hearing kids screaming outside or even at times just the tv being too loud can be very difficult to deal with. Having these ear defenders with me makes a huge difference especially in a hospital setting, machines beeping or people crying out in pain makes it extremely difficult to get to sleep, putting these on just blocks it all out. Definitely worth investing in
Rating – 8/10
Copla Large Claw Clips
I have thick hair so I cant just buy a clip from anywhere as simply put it just doesn’t hold my hair up.
Thankfully I found this 8 piece set on Amazon in neutral colours which look gorgeous and they keep my hair up securely.
Rating – 9/10
Gemschest Knee Supports
I am going to sound like a right moaning Minnie for a moment, sorry. Yes I am getting older and while I suffer a lot of pain due to my illnesses I do fear that the knee pain is genetic, all of my family seem to suffer badly some of them have even needed surgery to help.
Some days it can be so bad that it feels like my knee is going to snap leaving me in agony. These supports are fab and really help but as this pain isn’t a constant pain I don’t wear them all of the time meaning that in most cases im not wearing these before the pain starts.
Rating – 7.5/10
Weekly Pill Box Organiser
This helps me organise all of my tablets for 7 days and four time slots. It’s so easy to pick up one of the days if I am going out or pick up the whole thing if you are going on a week long holiday.
Rating – 10/10
Knee Brace
Another knee brace but this does cover the whole leg and claims to be able to use heating through magnetic therapy.
While they are very expensive and make very bold claims I do find that they help me. I do think that the compression helps a lot and just having that extra support.
Rating 7/10
Avid Knee support brace
Out of all the supports I have I find that this one helps me the most.
This claims to have side stabilisers which I think is what makes all of the difference. This brace reduces the range of motion allowing me to rest up completely.
Rating – 9.5/10
Elera Ear Thermometer
I started recording as much as I could when I first took ill. Being able to sit in a Drs office with data can really help. Using data I was able to show the Dr when my pain was most severe, this showed that what the specialists put down as IBS was actually Endometriosis.
So record as much data as you can to show Drs and specialists it can make a huge difference.
Rating 10/10
Lloyds Pharmacy Tens Machine
When I was experiencing pain in the beginning I was relying on over the counter pain relief.
I was also still working which meant 25 mile commute one way. Being able to have a machine that would help me control my pain without affecting my ability to drive made a huge difference difference.
I still use my tens machine when the pain gets really bad and I have taken all of my prescription drugs.
Rating – 10/10
Dimplex Tower Fan
Absolutely one of my best investments.
I love that I can control everything from my bed. I can change speeds the oscillation, turn it off and on.
Definitely worth buying it has made a huge difference to my life.
Rating- 10/10
Aerlang Massage Gun
If you can afford one and you have pain in your body be it from an illness or just doing too much on a run definitively buy one.
This massage gun is amazing.
Rating – 10/10
Nursem Hand Cream
I have very dry hands due to excessive hand washing brought on my anxiety.
This cream is very thick and lasts so much longer than many of others I have tried.
Best of all for every purchase made Nursem will supply nurses or midwives with a months supply of this free of charge.
Rating- 10/10
Owl Snooze Ear Plugs
I have several packs of these in all of my bags,they are in the car and also in every room in the house.
Something this simple can make a huge difference to you. You may be feeling a little bit overwhelmed at a family gathering, just being able to take a bit of the noise away can make a big difference.
Rating – 10/10
Costa Coffee Travel Mug
This one is all about the lid. When I am tired I drop things a lot so this really was a necessity for me.
Don’t be like me and spill things everywhere get a mug with a lid on.
Rating – 10/10
Toiletry Bags – 3 pack
Being able to organise each bag has been incredible in one I have electronics, in another I have all of my supports and then the smaller one has glasses/sunglasses , eye masks, face masks.
Being able to see the contents means it is so easy for someone to get me exactly what I need when I am too bad to get it for myself.
Rating – 10/10
Viatom Pulse Oximeter
This is absolutely the sort of thing that will allow you to monitor your body in the early days of your illness.
I do have an Apple Watch which does the same thing but it isn very accurate. This also links to my iPhone and records all of the data for me.
Rating – 10/10
Apple Store
https://www.apple.com/uk/store
I have a lot of Apple products and I do use them all daily.
Apple products allow me to write when I feel like it or to edit a video that I have filmed. They also allow me to see my Daughter over FaceTime every day while she is working away from home.
I can listen to an audio book or to even draw. Apple products have also allowed me to learn how to make a website, graphic design and slowly I am also learning more about social media.
Before I had an iPhone I was using an android and they just don’t come close to the quality or ease of use.
Rating – 10/10
GlamSticks
https://www.glamsticks.co.uk/product-category/crutches-ladies/
Crutches can look ugly and while I was at the time having problems standing unaided I really didn’t want those awful looking crutches.
So when I came across GlamSticks the more I found out about them the more I loved them.
Reading Sharon’s story and how all of the crutches are hand painted and individually finished I knew this was a business that I wanted to support.
Today I am the proud owner of a walking stick and a pair of crutches. I recommend Glamsticks to everyone and you only need to look at all of the awards Sharon has won to see that I’m not alone in thinking this small business is Marvellous.
Rating – 10/10
Yu Yu
Having Endometriosis leaves me in a lot of pain and while holding a hot water bottle can help it just wasn’t giving enough heat in places I needed it.
Finding out about the Yu Yu bottle was the answer to all of my problems.
While it is fantastic for pain from Endometriosis it can also be filled with cold water in the heat to help cool you down.
I love mine and the covers are so soft, I do find myself stroking it when my Alfie bear is in another room.
Rating – 10/10
Joules
Right now the scarf that I bought is not available on the site. I would imagine that is due to it being too warm for big scarves right now.
I do buy from Joules a lot as the quality is always excellent and if you do have an issue with anything they do really care. Brilliant company.
Rating – 10/10
Fenty Beauty
Plush Pudding Intensive Lip Recovery Mask.
At times I get very dry mouth which most of the time leaves me with very dry lips.
I managed to pick this up the day it launched.
Before bed I apply this and just leave it to do work its magic.
The only problem which isn’t really a problem is that you have to be very careful turning it as it can dispense more than you wanted.
Rating – 9/10
Marks & Spencer Leather Gloves
I get very dry hands which at bad times will crack and bleed so when the weather does start getting a little colder I have to start wearing my gloves.
After trying several types I always end up going back to Marks & Spencer to buy them.
Rating – 10/10
I really do hope that this blog as well as the YouTube video helps you in some way.
Click here to go to my Youtube channel to watch videos of Alfie and some with me too.
https://www.youtube.com/@AlishaWhittam
Please like my YouTube video and share it to others who you feel may benefit.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube Channel too x x
I am always here to help if you need me – contact me at ask@alishawhittam.com
Love and hugs always
Alisha
XO