Top products from r/TrollxDisability

Any TENS unit that’s at least two channels, like this one from Amazon.
It has four channels, will do everything you need it to and it’s very easy on the wallet.

I don’t recommended spending your money on themes you see on TV commercials like the Dr. Ho’s branded machines because you’re not really getting enough features for the cost, and I think their leads/electrode connections might be proprietary so they could be pricey to replace).

TENS leads are usually a standard pin or standard snap. The electrode are also fairly standardized and work essentially the same, the different shapes and sizes just provide different area coverage. I’ve never had reason so use anything but the 2”x2” squares that are most common. The electrodes themselves do lose their stickiness after a few uses but they still conduct the current just fine, I use plain paper medical tape to stick them on instead of buying new ones very often. I’ve also ordered electrodes in bulk from eBay and they worked just fine.

If you were ready to spend the extra money for a higher end machine and wanted any extra features like pre programmed current patterns or a rechargeable battery (or If your insurance covers it like mine did, but you may need to provide them with a doctor’s or physiotherapist’s written recommendation as a pain management therapy) there’s many good units that will last years and years. I recommend a StimTec Neo specifically as that’s the one I personally own and use everyday. I’ve never had an issue with it, and the pre-programmed patterns are fantastic. Mine was purchased through my physiotherapist’s office but you can definitely order it online. Here’s one place but it’s Canadian, I’m not sure where you’re located. You could definitely search around and find one that has the exact features you want it to have.

A few safety precautions I should mention: just like any electrical current, don’t put it over or around the heart area of your chest, or over your carotid, or on your forehead and give yourself an electrical lobotomy. If you have a pacemaker, ask your doctor make sure it’s safe for you to use one at all!

Hope that helped, and again feel free to ask any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer them! :)

I love the suggestions for a shower stool. I didn't know those existed, either, and with a small space, they look like a total game changer!

Here are some everyday bath items that, in addition to the stool, can help you conserve energy and stay safe throughout your shower routine. You probably have most or all of these items, but I figured I'd list them just in case. (Links go to whatever turned up on Amazon and looked reasonable; I haven't tried them out myself or researched them.)

Handheld showerhead: It helps a ton with minimizing movement (and also not getting the dreaded blast of cold water when you switch from the tap to the shower which is no small potatoes).

Back scrubber: Wet it down, rub a little soap on it, and bam! You have an energy-conserving way to scrub hard-to-reach places and a back scratcher! (Also available with those mesh-puff things instead of a brush if you want to be gentler on your skin.)

Suction cup hooks: Hang your long-handled scrubber, your washcloths, whatever you want.

Washcloths with loops: Keep them at arm-level on your suction cup hooks and you're ready to go. If you don't want to buy new washcloths, you could buy some fabric remnants or foldover elastic for cheap at a big-box craft store and make loops for your existing washcloths instead.

Shower basket with suction cups: I like these better than those shower caddies you hang over the shower head because you don't get pelted in the face with water when you're reaching for things and you can place these within easy reach.

Suction cup soap dish: Again, you can put this at whatever height you want and never have to worry about having to lean over to reach for soap again.

Wall-mounted dispenser: If you're not into bar soap or bottles, you can use this guy to hold body wash, shampoo, and conditioner instead. (I don't know how much of a hassle they are to refill, though.)

Reacher: The classic! If you've dropped your washcloth, you don't have to stress your body by bending to pick it up. Just make sure you get a length that'll work for you in your shower or that thing'll turn into more hazard than help.

Lastly, I gotta ask if you'd consider having grab bars installed for safety. If you have difficulty going from sitting to standing, it sounds like using a shower stool would be helpful, but might come with its own issues, and I want you to be safe. There are some suction cup grab bars out there, but man, I don't trust those things. A little bit of soap scum or something builds up near one of the suction cups and it's Bad News Bears.

If you have an occupational therapist, this would be a perfect thing to discuss with them! Seriously, they live for that kind of thing. :)

This is the shower stool I use. I also have a very small stall shower. I would not be able to shower without it. I don't have enough power to both wash my hair and stand. (Myasthenia Gravis, among other things.)

I like it because it fits, it looks nicer than the specifically medical-device stools I've seen. Also, gotta say, it does not hurt my butt. I had such a problem with other ones! Slatted are the worst.

I also use baby wipes after I use the toilet. I use a repurposed litter genie in my bathroom to dispose of them. (Can't flush!) They do make flushable wipes, but I have septic and don't want to risk it. haha.

I also have a shower wand that helps rinse my hair really well and spot clean everything else.

Smoke a joint, take a bath w epsom salt if you have a tub, massage is great if you have access to that. Even if muscle tension isn't your root issue it often comes with other problems, if I could afford it Id get massages all the time. Like I said in a different comment, an electric heating pad, a nice one, not the shitty plastic ones with a flimsy sleeve, the blanket ish one. Stretching gently can help too. I like child's pose (my physical therapist ok'd these with me), and cat cow to gently loosen things. Also even lounging watch your position and posture. Like if you sit be properly supported and not slouching, use pillows if you lay down, like if on your side put one between your knees, maybe one under the spine near where your side bends off the surface, if youre on your back one under the small of your back and one under your knees, that kinda stuff.

Bad positioning can just make shit even worse. You can lounge and rest wrong! Personally, something that really helped me was a maternity pillow, I got a giant u shaped one from amazon, makes all that adjusting way simpler and faster!

Edit: Here is the specific pillow https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4DFVLL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is a big one
Smaller
Smaller still, but looks less stable
I have experience with the first one and they're fairly comfortable since it basically holds your butt.

Something like this is what I'm thinking of, it isn't very tall but is surprisingly cushy.