Eight Purchases I Recommend as Someone Living with Chronic Illness

Living with chronic illnesses means that even the most ordinary parts of daily life can feel overwhelming. I live with fibromyalgia (often shortened to fibro) and endometriosis (endo), and between them, they bring a whole host of symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive issues (sometimes called “fibro fog”). Endometriosis is where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, often leading to severe pelvic pain, heavy periods, bloating, and sometimes even issues with fertility. Together, they mean that my body feels unpredictable and exhausting to manage.

Over time, I’ve found that certain products make life more manageable. These aren’t miracle cures (I wish!) but rather tools that provide comfort, conserve energy, or help me get through the tougher days. I’m not sponsored or being paid to recommend any of these things, and while I bought most of mine on Amazon, you can find similar versions in many other stores.

Here are the purchases that have genuinely made a difference in my day-to-day life.

1. A Large Electric Heat Pad

Heat has always been my best friend when it comes to managing pain. For years, I relied on hot water bottles, but they come with risks: burns, leaks, and the constant need to refill them. Switching to a large electric heat pad has been a game-changer. I can place it exactly where I need relief—on my stomach during an endo flare, on my back when fibro pain hits, or across my shoulders after a long day. The fact that I can keep it switched on for as long as I need, without worrying about it cooling down, makes it indispensable. It’s one of those small upgrades that feels like an enormous relief.

2. Heated Sheet

While the heat pad is amazing for targeting specific areas, sometimes the pain isn’t limited to one spot. On bad fibro days, when my whole body aches, I need more than a pad can cover. That’s where a heated sheet comes in. It warms the entire bed evenly, helping my muscles relax and making it easier to fall asleep despite the pain. For anyone who experiences widespread pain, this is a comfort blanket—literally. It turns your whole bed into a cocoon of warmth, which is especially soothing during winter or flare-ups.

3. More Pillows Than You Could Possibly Imagine

If you walked into my bedroom, you might think I was preparing for a pillow fort. In reality, they’re all part of my pain management toolkit. I have around eight regular pillows that I use in different combinations: elevating my legs, cushioning sore arms, or propping myself up to ease breathing and digestion issues. On top of that, I also have a huge memory foam maternity pillow, which wraps around me and cradles my body in ways ordinary pillows can’t. Finding a comfortable sleeping position is often the difference between a night of rest and a night of endless tossing and turning, so the investment in multiple pillows has paid off many times over.

4. Epsom Bath Salts

Baths are one of the few things that can calm both my endo cramps and fibro muscle pain at the same time. Adding Epsom salts makes them even better. They’re said to help with muscle relaxation and inflammation, but for me, it’s also about creating a ritual of care. On difficult days, running a hot bath with salts gives me both physical relief and a sense of mental reset. Even if the science is debated, the soothing effect is real, and that’s what matters.

5. A Chair on Wheels for Downstairs

This one might sound a bit unusual, but it’s been surprisingly helpful. We have hardwood floors downstairs, and on the worst days, even simple tasks like hoovering or doing the washing up can feel impossible. Having a chair on wheels means I can sit while I move around the kitchen, saving my energy and reducing strain on my legs and back. It’s not glamorous, but it allows me to get small chores done on days when I’d otherwise have to leave everything. Sometimes it’s about finding creative solutions to the everyday problems chronic illness throws at you.

6. A Sofa and Projector for My Bedroom

This one definitely falls under the “luxury” category, but it’s made a big difference to my mental health. When you’re forced to spend so much time in bed, it can feel incredibly isolating. Adding a small sofa and a projector to my bedroom gave me the option to create a social space without leaving the comfort of my safe zone. Now, my partner or friends can join me for a movie day or binge-watch a box set. It turned my bedroom from just a sick room into a place where I can connect and enjoy myself. That shift felt like a lifeline.

7. KT Tape and Self-Adhesive Bandages

When you live with chronic pain, sometimes compression makes everything feel a little more stable. I use KT tape and self-adhesive bandages for extra support. They help reduce swelling and give a sense of security around joints or muscles that feel particularly fragile. They’re inexpensive, easy to keep on hand, and surprisingly effective at providing just enough support to make moving around less daunting.

8. Period Pants

Endometriosis means extremely heavy periods, the kind where I can bleed through in an hour. For me, relying on just one form of protection isn’t an option. I use a combination of a menstrual cup, sanitary pads, and period pants. The pants are a lifesaver because they act as a final layer of protection, meaning I can avoid constant leaks and changes. They save me energy, keep me drier, and make a deeply unpleasant time of the month slightly more bearable. When you’re already hurting and exhausted, small conveniences like this matter so much.

Final Thoughts

Living with chronic illness isn’t easy. It’s painful, exhausting, and often invisible to those on the outside. But the right tools can make a real difference in how we cope day-to-day. From heated sheets to bath salts, from wheeled chairs to projectors, each of these purchases has helped me manage either the pain or the isolation that comes with fibro and endo.

I want to be clear again: this post isn’t sponsored, and I don’t benefit from recommending any of these items. They’re simply things that I’ve personally found helpful in navigating life with chronic illness. Most of mine came from Amazon because of the convenience, but you’ll find them at plenty of other retailers too.

If you live with a chronic condition, you’ll know that sometimes it’s the little adjustments—the extra pillow, the easy bath, the comforting warmth—that give you back a piece of yourself. And while none of these things will make the illnesses go away, they do make the hard days just a bit easier to bear.

Do you have any purchases or little life hacks that have helped you live with chronic illness? I’d love to hear them—because the more we help each other, the better.