What Assistive Gadgets have been useful to you?

[Mitch]

Just curious, a few people have mentioned accessories that have helped them in their treatment.  As perhaps a resource for people entering or dealing with Rx, maybe we could rate the useful and the useless.  I'll start with five items that help me:

1.  A 28 compartment pill organizer.  I would have missed doses by now if not for that little box--and maybe even worse, without it, it is difficult to verify what really happened when you get the notion that maybe you missed the 2 p.m. pills.

2.  Long handled back scratcher.

3.  Two warm mist vaporizers.  Less nose bleeding, cracking, and hard green glob stuff.

4.  Opaque, semi-occlusive eye covers.  Reduce dry eye symptoms and helps you get a little sleep after the 6 a.m. interruption.

5.  Sharps container.  (Curascript offered me one a month after I'd started--logic??)

I've managed OK without an alarm timer.  But I have used the cell phone alarm for the early morning dose.  Looking forward to things that others have found useful.   Mitch

[Nookster]

This is a good thread.  I bought a long handled lotion applicator.  The end of the handle is a container about the diameter of a coffee cup and you unscrewed and put in the lotion and the applicator is a lot of little balls that rotate and dispense the lotion when you roll it on your back.  Man, what a life saver.  My wife and daughter was getting tired of putting lotion on my gnarly back. LOL.  Or they weren't around so this is great.  They sell them at bed, bath and beyond.

[hepcatts]

My wife has a permanent 'scrip for eczema lotion. Her back applicator looks like a tiny oven mit on a stick. I think she got it at BBandB also. I am using it too and it works great. Also have the multiple pill containers, and a back scratcher. I'm afraid to even try to get a mirror view of my back because I can feel all the scaly bumps when I give in to the itching and scratch it. Also have a fabric briefcase size shoulder bag with a few manilla folders for all the paperwork, labs etc. And a travel bag like a lunch box that I take meds in to work, Never sure what I might need during the day.   Kirk

[rccola]

This isn't a gadget, but it is certainly assistive. I find that wearing synthetic tops and bottoms really helps me sleep on interferon nights. My body temp is much more regulated, and I'm not waking up to throw covers off or pile them on. When I'm cold, they hold warmth. They wick moisture away if I'm feverish.

[hepcatts]

along the line of wearing synthetics, I wear snug longjohns this time if year, when I take them off the itching flares up. I thought about saturating a set in lotion to wear so the air doesn't touch me.

[Mitch]

I've got to go get a lotion applicator--what a great idea.  Thanks.  Mitch

[alice]

5.  Sharps container.  (Curascript offered me one a month after I'd started--logic??)

i got a Pegasys starter kit at week 70 of my last tx.  Gee... thanks. 

My heating pad is my buddy.

alcie

[babynewbird1]

I second that Alice. The heating pad is the best. Polyester pajamas too. I'm always cold so those keep me nice and warm. My little alarm in my phone also is great so I don't forget to take my meds.

[Mitch]

Alice, appreciate your humor and suggestions.  And the discussion made me realize that I have selected long-sleeved T shirts and fleece pants to wear all day to decrease itch.  Like hepcatts says, itching flares when I take 'em off.   Mitch

[banarep]

are you asking only for gadgets and treatment??   

[p.hat]

I had my first injection yesterday with the pills also and i have been up most of the night boiling hot, sweating and then super cold with chills HOW .......by the way what do you guys mean by synthetic fibers? like anything but cotton? Thank you

[Mitch]

P hat, I don't know if this is what they were talking about, but I used to wear polypropylene long shirts under my drysuit for surfing.   It is a great insulator and reputed to wick moisture away from the skin. I recall it was comfortable as PJ's also.  Sorry about the sweats and chills, but it has been reported that febrile response is a good indicator of therapy response.  Just think about all those creepy little virus particles being destroyed.  The symptoms may improve in a few weeks.

Now perhaps one of BR's gadgets would work too, if the batteries don't die.

Layperson's opinion, best wishes, Mitch

[greyrocker]

Now perhaps one of BR's gadgets would work too, if the batteries don't die.

Oh please, don 't encourage him.... 

 
GR

[banarep]

Now perhaps one of BR's gadgets would work too, if the batteries don't die.

Oh please, don 't encourage him.... 

 
GR

cause i do not need it.

[hope life]

Make sure your using a soft toothbrush it will help in not making your gums bleed also use biontine toothpaste and mouthwash to keep your mouth moist

BR are you talking about the gadgets you play with uhh I don't think you'll have any takers

                                                             hope life