Day 9: Endometriosis survival kit

With the highs, come the lows. After feeling really good the other day, I'm feeling totally out of whack again. I'm on edge - like I have a constant small adrenaline rush, I'm headachey, I'm feeling uncomfortable in my body, I'm dizzy and spacey and my back is really aching  So today is the perfect day for this themed post from the NHBPM challenge.

1) A hot water bottle or wheat bag

I use this every day, multiple times a day. I even take one with me when I travel. I have a wheat bag for work, and I sleep with my hot water bottle every night. Nothing soothes muscle pains or makes you feel cosy more than heat.

2) Medications

I don't use these so much anymore, but I still never leave the house without paracetamol or ibuprofen. Others use harder drugs such as codeine or Mersyndol (which has been a lifesaver for me in the past) but now I find that they tend to do more harm than good to me.

3) Something to distract you and focus your attention when the pains are bad

This window helped a lot when I was recovering from surgery

When the pain has been really bad in the past I have been known to call someone just to get them to tell me a story, but with a more constant pain that is not so sharp a book or some music will do the trick. Anything that you can absorb yourself in and forget about what you are feeling at that time.

4) A comfortable mattress, nice pjs and nice linen

If you're going to be spending a lot of time in your bed, you should really make it your sanctuary. When I had surgery I got a new pair of pyjama pants because I knew that I would be spending so much time in them and I wanted to be comfortable and have a cute pattern that I could look at. (Ignoring the fact that these things often get ruined when you bleed too much, but they still look cute if you disregard that...)

5) Something to look forward to

I always try to have something to look forward to so I don't get too bogged down in the present discomfort. Unfortunately I tend to push myself too much and end up wrecked with no break in sight, but I'm working on that...

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This month I will be taking part in National Health Blog Post Month. Check back every day to see the new topic and learn more about endometriosis. Today's post is to create the perfect care package for people with your condition.