Any new inventions?

[Skylar]

Sometimes, as a patient, we come up with new inventions that make our lives easier and I thought it would be fun to share. It can be something crazy, maybe putting two things together that normally don't go together, using something in a new way... Maybe it's an idea you have that's just in your head and will never be made?

I'll start off with two inventions:

First - this is one DH invented. Some of us here use CPap and BiPap machines and the masks and nasal pillows etc. can often be a source of serious problems. DH has the mask that fits over the nose and it often whistles, toots and just plain bellows loudly at night - that is NOT helpful to a good night's sleep. One night he decided to use ACE bandages to better secure the mask to his face. I then found out some people were using elastic hairbands to do the same thing - so he now uses a mix of a hairband and ace bandage to help his mask fit and it doesn't make any noises so we both get a good night's sleep.

Second is my own. I enjoy naps on my family room couch except my nasal passages are so dry that it hurts to try to sleep. I came up with the idea of using a damp wash cloth tucked into an eye mask while I nap. The damp cloth against my eyes feels good and I pull it down near my nose so it adds humidity where I need it. It may not be a pretty sight, but it works and I've found it doesn't leave the pillow wet if you are a side or back sleeper.

I hope I'm not the only one inventing new ways to be comfortable. Please share yours.

Skylar

[eyeamdry]

Wow, Skylar......you just described my hubby's CPAP problems to a T.  I'm the one who hears the toots, squeaks etc.  He has had many masks and we're working with another new one just gotten yesterday.  We have to be out today and I'm going to look for hair bands that might work.  thanks much.  Lucy

[kimbo]

A really quick alternate that everyone has in their home; cut the waist band top off of a pair of panty hose. I have used this for years as a head band to hold my hair back when I wash my face.
kimbo

[Skylar]

Eyeamdry - I'm so glad that you read this - it will help both you and your DH - because with all that tooting he's not getting the proper pressure and is probably woken up by the noises too. DH finds he needs the balance of the stronger elastic hairband balanced with the softer ace bandage - he is using one of each on his mask - your DH will have to figure out different ways to use these additional straps to fit the mask best.

Here is my third invention - using a humidifed Cpap machine - not for sleep apnea but for the humidification which is more effective for me than room humidifiers.

Kimbo, that's a good idea - but those panty hose just don't stay up as well without the waist band (LOL bad joke)

Skylar

[loisellenatkins]

       This is one of the new comfort items I noticed a local hospital was using. I wish I had invented it.   It is a shower cap with a stitched in face cloth  so it is nice and fluffy and filled with water and a no rinse shampoo.  Briefly warm in micro plop on your head and rub away.  Works best on shorter hair.
       My closest friend  of 43 yrs is a doc and when she was a patient and all type of technology was used on her this was what she raved about.  When you are just not able to get in the shower this is a great freshener.

[Pooh]

Skylar this is a great thread.  I look forward to reading more ideas from our members.  Go for it people. 

I picked up a terrific idea from Irish (sorry Irish ) that I use when riding in the car during the winter.  I have a problem breathing with the heat blowing in the car.  I had tried shutting the vent by my face, but it didn't help.  I take a small wet face cloth with me now, and hold this to my nose and mouth when traveling.  When we stop, I just put it in a sealed plastic lunch bag.  Tuck it in my purse for later on the return trip home. 

Keep up the great work you all, I still say we have the best members in the whole world here.

Hugs, Pooh

[kimbo]

Skylar,
My daughters keep trying to remind me it is not fashionable to wear panty hose any more;  no hose is in! So my husband uses the old hose to shine his shoes.
I told my daughter, young bare legs look better than old bare legs. Instead of burning bras we can cut up panty hose.
I look really cool with my waist band panty hose head band on. And hey!  recycle is really in! LOL!
kimbo

[Skylar]

LOL Kimbo - I know I'm a panty hose wearer and it's really getting hard to find a selection - and there is no way I'm going nakkid with these pasty legs with dry skin flakes.

Skylar

[susanep]

My husband's neck gets easily irritated wearing his bipap . Being diabetic it causes irritation in the back of his neck where there is a strap. The best thing he has found to help this is to use a soft sanitary napking underneath the strap back there. He now is choosy about the kind he uses. lol....

susanep

[LenV]

The best thing I've found is a small computer chair that I placed in my bathroom.  I can't stand for long without severe pain (sacrum break) and I was getting toothpaste all over the floor (yes, I'm messy).  And a plain straight chair or stool wasn't allowing me to reach everything without getting up and down.  So I took my work table computer chair (small secretarial type) and it swivels and rolls back over the bathroom floor great.  Could not live without it.

Billye

[irish]

 I got so sick and tired of trying to keep track of all my eye drops, restasis, inhalers, spacers used with inhalers, etc. I bought one of the storage units at Walmart. The one that is probably 12-14 inches high and about 10 inches wide with 3 drawers.

I put my restasis in the top drawer.  I keep the restasis in the box but put the cover of the box underneath the box so I always have the renewal number. I also keep the bottles and tubes of eye products in this drawer only I just lay them in there.

The second shelf has my boxes of new inhalers laid on their sides so I can still read the name but I can get 5 boxes in there. I push them to the back and store the steroid inhaler with spacer that I use 2 times a day and this is easy access.

The bottom drawer has my peak flow meter and my soap washed and dried spacers. I have a goodly supply of them so that is a good clean place to keep them.

I have plastic cereal bowl that I use all the time. I have my 2 inhalers that I use frequently in there plus eye drops, cough drops, lemon drops and a medication bottle with the label taped over with masking tape. I keep medications that I need the most such as tylenol, mestinon and my prilosec. This is a traveling bowl and I take it with me where ever I am working or resting plus on the bedside stand at night. It sure saves me running around trying to find things.

I have also learned that when I hunker down for a nap in my recliner I take an alarm clock so I can set it and get up in time to get supper etc, the telephone, my kleenex box, glass of ice water, my "bowl" and anything else that I think I might need. This saves me from making a lot of unnecessary trips. Laziness is the mother of invention.

I use my 2nd bathroom in the house for me only. I have my nasal irrigation stuff in there and I have a wire basket hanging from the ceiling(like the banana or fruit holder only longer chain) that I keep my jars of lotions for dryness. Also have a large plastic storage basket that sits on the back edge of the tub. I keep all my suntan lotions, hair products, q tips etc in there. It makes it much handier than going through a draw or cupboard everytime I need something. We are all high maintenance people and I find it so hard to develop a system that is user friendly and doesn't look so terrible on the counters. This is a good thread. Irish

[Skylar]

LOL Susanep - I can just picture your DH with his "pad". Hey if it works, it's a great idea.

Hi Billye, that's a great idea. I do have a chair in my bathroom for applying make-up. In my dream house, I want it handicap friendly so I could use a chair to get close to the sink.

Irish, you have quite a plan for your meds - I think I'll have to do something similar because right now I have duplicates of stuff on every end table and my bedside table and it's not a pretty picture - pretty messy looking.

BTW, my ophthamologist told me to keep my Restasis in the fridge - he said it's less irritating to the eyes and of course I'm using one single use container for both eyes, am and pm. I have a really cute mini size stainless steel pitcher that I keep the opened restasis applicator. I find it feels great to instill cold wet drops compared to room temp.

Skylar

[irish]

You can keep the Restasis in the frig and they will be less irritating by virtue of being cold. I have been on my Restasis drops 4 years this past April and I don't have to worry much about irritation anymore.

They are also safe if kept in the little stand that the eye doc gives you and kept in a container with plastic cover that prevents bacteria in the air from entering the ampule. I can manage to stretch mine out to 2 days worth AM and PM. My DIL is an Optomologist and she said that her state optometric convention always addresses Sjogrens big time and they have said that the 4 x dosing schedule is safe if good sanitary precautions are used. I think that if one is having eye infections this is the litmus test proving that sanitary conditions aren't as they should be. Irish

[susanep]

Great Ideas Everyone,
     I am always on the lookout now for little containers to hold some of our stuff. I have one of those 6 pack nylon squarish zip top bags you take in the car or for a picnic to keep cold drinks in and keep all my daily meds and vitamins in and put on the  bottom shelf of one of my end tables in the living room where I always sit. I take out one bottle at a time and take that pill then leave that bottle out until I get the next bottle out to take and do this until I have finished that way I have taken all my meds and not taken one two times. Of course I do have one of those pill despensers for each day also. lol...Just havent used it yet.

We pick up things with those grabber things you can buy, and I have recently started pushing a chair up to the sink when washing dishes, and it sure does help.

I like the hanging wire basket idea in the bathroom, and that shower cap thing. I hadnt heard of one of those. Where can you get one? The wet cloth ideas are good ones too I will keep in mind.  We also use a long handled dustpan for when we sweep. A long handles duster for our ceiling fans, etc.

I bought a couple of cans of cream to put on my face that came in little dark blue round tins that I can slip in my purse. It is by NIVEA. It comes in bigger jars also, but I had'nt used it before so wanted to try it out in the little 99cents tin can. It feels so good, and feels thicker than lotions. It can be used anywhere on the body, but I thought I would just keep it for my face and keep me some of the little tins in my purse so when I am out or at school.

I don't know why I had not thought of this until a couple of weeks ago, but I bought a women's electric shaver. I am telling you , I can't do without that now. I can sit down in the living room if I want to and shave my legs in no time. It might not be as close as a regular razor, but under these circumstances who cares. I only paid 9 dollars for it.

I need me a mini chair in  my shower.

susanep