my health gadgets …
Of all the blog posts I’ve written so far, this one feels like it could be one of the most useful to share and to help you also save money. I will update this blog regularly and also alter the publishing date I will keep updating it to the most recently updated dated so as to make it more easily found.
As well, any major updates will also be noted, and maybe even be dated, in the details below too in order for you to be able to compare the timeframe differences in option and usage results.
I will start by giving you a brief overview of the illnesses I have been diagnosed with and please know that I deal with these on a daily basis so that you can see why I would want to try alternatives ways to treat them.
updates …
-
- 24-30.08.2022 : updated with four new gadgets …
- August 2022 : several updates to previous gadget reviews …
introduction …
I have severe ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, chronic daily migraine, hemicrania continua, cluster headache, chronic pain, TMJ, MCS, NAFLD, and probably lots more that I have forgotten to mention. However, I will add to the list as and when I remember something else that I have a diagnosis of.
I have been ill most of my adult life and until approximately seven years ago I haven’t taken any form of medication for the illnesses. You can read more details around my story on my ‘about MOI …’ page in the ‘my story …’ fly out. That said, I now take daily pain medications, I use high flow oxygen, and feel extremely unwell all of the time.
I also use many alternative methods to supplement and try to encourage health. Below, I will aim to document and discuss some of the devices I have tried, I will show the ones that worked for me and the ones that I found to be a complete waste of money.
. . . m y h e a l t h g a d g e t s . . .
. . . the good, the bad, the ugly, . . .
the devices …
I have tried so many alternative health devices that it would be confusing for me to mention them all here. Yet, it would also not be responsible, or informative, enough for me to only discuss the ones that I’ve stuck with because they either work or I feel there is some benefit to continuing to use them. And so, I will discuss as many of them as I can. Referring to them as the good (those that I have found useful), the bad (those that I have not found useful), and the ugly (those that I found to be downright cons).
I will additionally mention the cost, and go on to give a brief history of my own personal use and views and discuss what I use each one for and when etc so that you can emulate these if you wish to try them out.
take note please …
These are my own honest and personal views and experiences and I have purchased every single device with my own money. Nothing of what is say is to be taken and deemed as medical advice. Nor is it a substitute for seeing a medical professional for your own illness.
please read before continuing:
please see my ‘disclaimer policy (reviews) …’ for further information.
After reading the disclaimer policy you agree to the sentiments contained within this blog and in each descriptor if you continue to read this article.
Without further ado let’s now continue …
[ps2id id=’the-good’ target=”/]… the good …
The ones I personally found good …
FitBit Sense … (£279)
manufacturer’s blurb
FitBit Sense is the advanced health smartwatch that helps you tune in to your body with tools for stress management, heart health, SpO2, skin temperature & more.
- Battery Life: 6+ day battery & fast charge**
- Compatibility: Compatible with iOS 12.2 or higher & Android OS 7.0 or higher
- EDA Sensor & Stress Management: The on-wrist EDA Scan app for Sense detects electrodermal activity, which may indicate your body’s response to stress so you can better track and manage it.
- Fitbit ECG (Electrocardiogram) App: With a compatible ECG app right on your wrist, assess your heart for atrial fibrillation—a heart rhythm irregularity—and share the results with your doctor. (The Fitbit ECG app is only available in select countries. Not intended for use by people under 22 years old. See fitbit.com/ecg for additional details.)
- On-Wrist Skin Temperature Sensor: Sense logs your skin temperature each night to show how it varies from your personal baseline, so you can be aware of trends over time.
- Free 6-month Fitbit Premium Trial: Your Sense smartwatch unlocks a free 6-month Fitbit Premium membership complete with personalized insights, advanced analytics, guided programs, mindfulness & sleep tools, workouts and more.
- Premium Design: A polished stainless steel ring, custom AMOLED display, laser-bonded Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and innovative biosensor core make every piece of Sense exceptional by design.
- Use built-in Amazon Alexa to get quick news, info and weather, set bedtime reminders and alarms, control your smart home devices and more—just by speaking to your smartwatch.
- To use the button on your watch, press the entire button sensor, where you see the indentation. You’ll feel your watch vibrate. You may have to experiment to find the best position.
how I came by this
I have used a FitBit, of one kind or another, for many years to log my activity.
However, since getting much sicker I have used my FitBit to monitor sleep, heart rate, oxygen level, and to also aim to stay within my anaerobic threshold.
This is the only smart watch that allows the right kind of app to be installed, which can be set to your individual anaerobic threshold and to vibrate when you reach it.
my use & views …
As I have already mentioned above, I have used a FitBit for years to monitor my activity. But in the last five to seven years I have been using one to track my sleep and heart rate.
I had to upgrade to a more expensive model in order to have access to these readings. I did so because I was sure these readings and graphs would help me solve the puzzle of why I was getting sicker by the day and why sleep made me so much worse.
I have scrutinised the graphs and information readings from tracking my heart rate and sleep to try to work out what has been going on with my body and health.
I sincerely thought I might be able to use the information I gained to avoid further progression and maybe fix something that I feel is wrong with my sleep.
But I couldn’t.
I haven’t.
In more recen years I have installed an app that vibrates when I go into anaerobic threshold in order to help me avoid post exertional malaise (PEM). I’ve been doing this now for over 12 months. Yet sadly, I still haven’t managed to avoid PEM.
All of this said I wouldn’t be without a FitBit, it offers insights and readings that I have come to rely on..
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — the product is reliable and the app is good enough and battery life is excellent. The watch looks nice too.
The Bad — with my latest FitBit, the Sense, I received a six month free trial of the premium readings available in the app. They were very useful and offered even more insight and readings. So why bad? Because it costs £9.99 a month to have access to this. As far as I am concerned the item costs enough and this premium access should just come with the product.
The Ugly — exactly the same as the bad … paying for readings and insight that a watch you’ve already paid for monitors is plain extortion.
Apple Watch … (£379)
manufacture’s blurb
The future of health is on your wrist. Measure your blood oxygen level with a revolutionary sensor and app. Take an ECG anytime, anywhere. See your fitness metrics at a glance with the enhanced Always-On Retina display. With Apple Watch Series 6 on your wrist, a healthier, more active, more connected life is within reach.
how I came by this
I owned the first edition Apple Watch, but battery life made me swear I’d never buy another until their battery life matched the FitBit.
But last month my boy_1 bought me a series 6 and I absolutely love it.
It reads and reports different information to the FitBit and so I use the two of them, one on each arm.
left arm = Apple Watch …
right arm = FitBit Sense …
LoL …
my use & views …
I use this for the heart rate, HRV, oxygen and ECG properties as well as the other typical things that an Apple Watch helps with.
I love it … really love it …
Yet, I still think my next one with be many series away from this version. I’ll keep this for about six years and then hopefully in six years it will be able to offer statistics for someone with severe illness, especially ME …
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — who doesn’t love an Apple Watch … everyone wants one … don’t they …
The Bad — the price of the watch and the extra straps, the battery life.
The Ugly — it should really do a lot more for the price and surely by now Apple should have found better battery components.
Yoke acupressure mat & pillow … (£54.99)
manufacturer’s blurb
Looking For Natural, Drug & Caffeine Free Energy in 10 Minutes A Day? This Acupressure Body Mat and Pillow Set is a muscle massager, relaxation aid and self-care tool. TEN MINUTES a day is all it takes to feel a full body tingle and spa quality relaxation. Sit, stand or lie on the mat for a flood of endorphins, giving you a personal treatment right at home.
how I came by this
I had one of these sets a few years ago that I won from a migraine competition. But I tried it once and thought ‘sod this I’m not into self torture’.
However my migraine and my upper back have been severely deteriorating and on researching things further these acupressure mats are highly recommended and so I purchased another.
my use & views …
I struggled at first to use it and so started with two minutes at a time and with a thickish t-shirt on. What I noticed is, after using it at 2 minutes for around a week, that my upper back began to feel much better and had really reversed back to previous pain levels, which was encouraging. So I upped to 5 minutes a day then after about ten days I upped it to 10 minutes a day. Six weeks on, I am now doing 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I also intend to begin to start a programme using the pillow for a migraine treatment. However, as yet I’m avoiding it because of how much it might hurt initially.
As bizarre as it might sound, I am actually enjoying using it.
I will add any further information as and when it improves or deteriorates.
I would highly recommend trying this as it’s cheap and it’s worth a try.
I may try a more expensive one next time but in all honesty this felt good, I would just have preferred a prettier colour, like pastel pink or lavender, that’s all 😉 …
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — the price and surprisingly, and unexpectedly, the results too. I’m pleasantly surprised. Absolutely great if you carry any kind of tensions in your body. It’s working for me and I am one of the most tense people I know.
The Bad — the fear … fear it might hurt, which is does a little bit but after a few minutes it no longer hurts and it’s now something I look forward to. Also start wearing a t-shirt or something to buffer the spikes; you’ll soon be skin on spikes and feeling good for it too!
The Ugly — nothing, maybe the colour LoL, …
sensate … (£299 (introductory price £199))
manufacturer’s blurb
Experience The Effects Of Long-term Meditation, Without Effort Or Concentration. Improved Ergonomic Design That Builds On The Already Classic ‘Pebble’ Concept. Better Stress Management. Feeling Instantly Relaxed. Lower Depression. Improved Blood Pressure. Reduced Anxiety. From the first use, Sensate users will understand that they have just experienced something unique and special. The vagus branch of the Autonomic Nervous System speaks directly to your sense of vibration and sound; and the magic comes from combining the Sensate device with the app experience. Each session is a synchronised soundscape that is both felt and heard simultaneously. This resonates through your body to tone and uplift the capabilities of your vagus nerve. Nothing is needed except 10 minutes of your time – feel the benefit right away.
how I came by this
I bought this as a replacement for the stress releaZer, which broke after a few months of use. It is meant to strengthen the vagus nerve using infrasonic waves to target the vagus nerve, which can in turn positively impact inflammation markers in the body, lower pain levels, improve digestion, as well as improve stress coping ability and a whole host of other issues that are impacted by ME. I am sincerely hoping this proves true for me.
my use & views …
I use this device several times a day for at least 10 minutes at a time.
On a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I use it for 30 minutes while I am using the acupressure mat.
I thoroughly enjoy using it and definitely feel better, in the here and now, for using it. However, I don’t feel any long term benefits, like increased HRV, or other improvements as yet like others claim to get.
I will update this post as I use the device for longer with any positive, or even negative, results if or when I have them.
*** I have been using this now for around a month and I’m scared it’s making me sicker, just like the devices in ‘the bad …’ section below. If after some experimentations I still feel this way then the review will be shifted down to the bad.
I decided to take a few months break and now December 2021 I am building back up but only to ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes at night. I am tolerating this much better.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — I absolutely love this device. Despite my niggles below I do love it and would replace it at £199 if it broke, but not at £299. I feel it’s value is more representative of £99 – £150 (if it were available in different colours I’d pay £150, but in the awful colour it is I feel it’s really only worth £99. That said if it helps me feel better then I’d obviously increase my cost / value ratio).
The Bad — it’s a tad expensive. I purchased it as an early bird discounted order price of £199 with the full RRP set to be £299, which I am not yet sure if it’s a worthy purchase. As regards my purchase, I did also have a code that deducted £20 but after a £6 delivery fee I only saved £14, meaning I actually paid £185, which is still steep.
Also the app could do with improvement. I’m being picky, because of the price of the gadget. Overall the app is ok and offers some lovely programmes, but because the RRP is £299 the app should be brilliant, linked to apple health, and it’s not it’s just ok.
The Ugly — the high cost and the awful awful smell of the rubber chemicals when it’s new. Plus, if I leave it touching my skin for too long I get an allergy to the device.
ōura ring … (£275)
manufacturer’s blurb
Ōura Helps You Stay Motivated and Reach Your Goals with Performance and Recovery Insights. Find Out How You Can Sleep Better For Wakeful, Mindful, and Productive Days. Track Every Heart Beat. Optimize your sleep. Stronger, Accurate Data. Sleep & Perform Better. Styles: Heritage, Balance, Balance Diamond
how I came by this
I finally purchased this 02.07.2021 after wanting one for years. Some of my reasons for wanting one were linked more to anecdotal evidence over categoric claims. For instance, users have been able to read the reports and graphs and preempt illness and so I was curious if I might be able to use my readings to be more balanced and not push anything on my very sick days.
If you haven’t bought one before you get a free sizing kit, which is extremely useful as the sizes are American and I’m in the UK. The kit took 7 days to arrive and I choose the finger to wear the ring on ordered my size on the 10.07.2021. The ring arrived 14.07.2021 with additional duties and handling fees of £53.80.
In November 2o21 ōura ring brought out a gen 3 ring, which was a shocker as mine wasn’t even three months old. That said because they were now bringing in a subscription membership and other good updates to the ring and as a gen 2 user I was being offered free lifetime membership and a $75 discount I went for it.
what an utter nightmare … and still almost at the end of December I’m not ready to talk about it but I will update and spill the beans soon …
my use & views …
When I first received my ring, my honest first thoughts were how sort of cheap it feels. But I didn’t buy it for it’s looks or the feel, I bought it for it’s capability, which I will add more information about as I learn and experience it. Plus, on wearing it doesn’t feel too cheap at all, it’s quite classy really and very easy and enjoyable to wear. I’ve had it almost a week now and I really love it so much.
In 2021 I upgraded to version 3 because the upgrade to previous users included free forever access to newly brought in membership options (I hate charged memberships for options available on a device but being charged monthly to use them).
I would love the Gucci option because it looks special, but I cannot afford.
I’m enjoying the app readouts too and it feels pretty spot on when it reports my sleeps. I’m obviously not complying with the activity side of things and keep getting warnings that my activity levels are poor and that I spend too much time inactive. So next week, I am planning on aiming to get up every hour and do a little walk around our living room or house if and when I can. That might help with those scores. I didn’t manage this …
Coming soon updated usage information based on the gen 3 upgrading ring …
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — it feels super light to wear but (read the bad …), the battery life is very good … regardless I actually love it and definitely want the Gucci or the diamond version LoL
The Bad — it is expensive and with import taxes and duties it is best part of £350. Also, the one I wanted was $999, which I obviously couldn’t get 🙁 … Plus, although it has lots of digital components it really feels like a piece of light plastic, not a piece of jewellery. This said, it’s definitely metal and is turning out to be a solid well covered metal ring and seems to be upholding me feeling like it might have scratched it a few times, yet when I check there are no marks.
The Ugly — the longevity of the internal rechargeable battery is questionable with some reviews claiming less than 12 months and others saying their battery is still good after 24 months. We will see and I will update according. The very ugly is the newly introduced membership. I would not have purchased this or the upgrade had it had a membership fee to use certain options, but because I was an early adopter I got the membership free for life.
LightStim for pain … (£250)
manufacturer’s blurb
LightStim delivers light energy in a similar way plants absorb light energy from the sun. Each LightStim device uses different wavelengths, or colors of light. LightStim for Pain emits light energy that reduces pain and increases local blood circulation. This increased circulation accelerates your body’s recovery process and relieves minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness, minor arthritic pain, and relaxes muscles.
how I came by this
I bought this around 10 years ago on offer from either CurrentBody or Amazon and I bought it because I was being plagued by weird pain and considered it might mean that I could avoid pain medications.
But sadly, no …
I still ended up needing plenty of daily pain medications since.
That said, I do still use and also find this useful …
my use & views …
Initially, when I first purchased this I used it on every pain that I had and they were many. I quickly noticed that for most of them it did absolutely nothing for the pain.
Two of my painful ailments, TMJ and trigeminal neuralgia, I really wanted this to work for. It didn’t. But it was quite soothing after some heat had built up.
But when I used it on new bruises, bangs and falls it worked a treat. Healing was much faster and pain died down a lot quicker. So now I use it at the first sign of any new injury.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — it works well for new injury but not so good for old pain and injury. However, the heat that you feel after a few sessions can be very soothing on the face and jaw.
Plus, even after ten years it still works, which is the sign of a well made product.
The Bad — it did do everything it claimed and it feels rather expensive now considering there have not been any improvements or upgrades to the device.
The Ugly — lack of substantial evidence to claims and expensive.
Dr Harris eye mask (£89)
manufacturer’s blurb
Dr. Harris had his eureka moment on a long-haul flight from London to Toronto. He was feeling particularly stressed during the journey, and after being handed a sleep mask, he was trying to stop himself from frowning while wearing it. He realised that if only the mask could stop him from frowning and could help him to relax, he would be able to sleep better and stop wrinkles from forming at the same time.
Now, after six years in the making, we’re delighted to finally bring you the Dr. Harris Anti-Wrinkle Sleep Mask – a world-first anti-ageing sleep mask. It’s clinically proven. It’s patented. And it’s powerful. In a clinical trial, users saw wrinkles visibly decrease with just 15 minutes* of use.
Plus, you’ll enjoy the naturally-relaxing side-effect of the treatment process. It’s stress-free and needle-free anti-ageing.
how I came by this
I was given this to try and review. My main reason for accepting it is that I’m hoping it helps with sleep quality and morning migraine, headache and face pain. Yes … when you suffer as much as I do you will try anything.
my use & views …
Even though this is a beauty device there are reports of it stimulating relaxation and we all know that relaxation means less tension, which in turn means less pain.
So, of course I’m up for it …
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — I didn’t pay for the item I got it free to try …
The Bad — it is quite expensive for what it is …
The Ugly — it really is too expensive for what it is …
MELO breathing device … (£59.99)
manufacturer’s blurb
MELO – helping you stay calm in a busy world …
Melo is a breathing exercise device for wellness and mindfulness, allowing you to take a step back and have a moment of calm. Melo is here to help you deal with everyday stress and anxiety. Designed to let you take a breath and relax wherever and whenever you need it most.
Melo is a portable handheld device to help you control stress and anxiety in daily life and encourages a mind-body connection through breathing and meditation exercises.
Small enough to fit comfortably in your hand or keep it handy in the pop out pouch or attach Melo to the lanyard so you reach for it when you need it quickly.
Melo has user-friendliness at its core and allows you to take a step back and have a melo moment of calm to help you cope better with the stresses of everyday life.
quick and easy to learn
Melo has been designed so you do not need to be an expert in yoga or mindfulness to reap its benefits… all you have to do is take a few melo moments whenever you feel the need to be transported to a calmer place…
combats modern life stress
Melo has been designed to help alleviate the stresses and anxieties of everyday modern life. It only takes a few moments to bring relief and can readily be added into busy everyday lives. Melo is your ‘on the go friend’ that you can take everywhere and use virtually anywhere…
flexibility
We have designed melo to be versatile. Our accessories include the silicon sleeve, a choice of two key fob tags, lanyard and the accessory tool to help you switch them all over quickly and simply. Whatever situation you find yourself in we have got your covered…
wireless charging
The wireless charger with matching copper accent is slightly concave so your melo fits neatly when charging. Melo will flash 3 times when placed on the top to confirm you are all set. For added peace of mind the base has a power indicator and a foam insert to make sure the charger is not going anywhere…
…and breathe
Mindful breathing has been around for centuries and has loads of benefits from lowering blood pressure and cortisol to helping relieve stress and anxiety.. melo teaches you how to use your breathing to combat the stresses and anxieties of everyday modern life…
unconnected
No app or internet allows you to focus on your breathing without being interrupted by calls, notifications or texts. With no app or internet you can take a Melo moment wherever and whenever you need it most.
Oh and by the way with only 1 charge your Melo will keep going for a pretty long while too…
portable & discrete
Melo is small and lightweight, it can be carried everywhere and fits comfortably in the hand, it is designed to be super discrete meaning you can use it virtually anywhere…
All you need is to find a few Melo moments to take you to a calmer place…
three breathing modes
Breathing comes naturally to all of us but there are proven techniques that have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.
We have chosen 3 of them and labelled them beginner, intermediate and advanced we like to think of these as something for everyone…
intuitive feedback
Melo uses expanding and contracting light patterns alongside subtle vibratory pulses to intuitively guide you through the three breathing exercises.
Grab some Melo moments to focus on your breathing and allow yourself some time to reset and recharge.
simple as ABC
Melo is an easy to learn device designed for people to use in everyday life to relieve stress and anxiety, you do not need to practice for hours or be a an expert in mindfulness or yoga to enjoy the benefits.
All you have to do is, turn Melo on, select your preferred breathing mode and start breathing.. it’s as simple as that…
how it works
Melo uses expanding and contracting light rings together with subtle vibration pulses to guide you through the proven breathing exercises helping you with stressful situations and reduce anxious times.
By using a little bit of breathwork in the correct way means you can focus on being more mindful, and reset your body allowing you to regulate breathing and promote a feeling of wellness.
how I came by this
I bought this to help with stress anxiety around my health. After recently realising that I have very high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis levels) I knew I needed to do more than just medication. I need to also do something that involved overall lifestyle changes.
Breathing is proven to be beneficial in reducing BP. So, being a gadget girl, I wanted one of these and bought it when it was on offer for £49.99.
Yes, this helps. Sadly, it’s not the only thing you need for any health condition, especially if it has become dangerously critical, but it definitely helps. I still ended up needing plenty of natural and a couple of allopathic medications since.
That said, I do still use and also find this useful …
my use & views …
Initially, when I first purchased this I used it only when I felt stressed. I’m not sure what this did for me to be honest.
But more recently, since a serious BP heart health scare, I use it at least three times daily and it has become part of my necessary alternative toolbox.
Ultimately, I feel this is now a necessary part of overall health. With ME/CFS you can get used to how to feel, or at least accept it and right it off as part of the illness, forgetting how stressful it is and what effects stress has in the body.
Breathe and breathing is something we can all do, no matter how sick.
Breath is life …
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — it works well for calming you down. It can be carried unobtrusively and has privacy style settings, so can be used without anyone knowing or seeing.
Plus, even after years it still works, which is the sign of a well made product. Another bonus is, you can always get it for £49.99, either from the sellers website or Amazon, just wait for an offer, they’re on around every few months.
The Bad — it did do everything it claimed but at the end of the day is probably an unnecessary gadget as breathing exercises are available free online.
That said, if it broke I’d definitely replace mine.
The Ugly — …
AKTiiA silent BP machine (£199.99)
manufacturer’s blurb
AKTiiA – CLINICALLY VALIDATED silent blood pressure machine.
Easy 24/7 Blood Pressure Monitoring
Aktiia measures your blood pressure, automatically, while you go about your daily life, uninterrupted.
how it works
01. initialise : Use the AKTiiA app to calibrate your Aktiia bracelet with the included cuff. Store the cuff until re-initialisation in a month.
02. wear : Go about your daily life, uninterrupted Aktiia is measuring in the background every hour, with a battery life of up to nine days.
03. sync : Sync via BLE with Aktiia app to track your blood pressure measurements over days, weeks, and months.
04. share : Quickly share a PDF report with your physician prior to your next appointment. Report comes in summarised format for easy reviews.
05. act : Use insights gained and your physician treatment plan to keep your hypertension under control and live a healthier life.
how I came by this
I have recently had a bad health scare relating to undiagnosed hypertension crisis. When I took my own blood pressure it was that high I wondered how I was still standing. I was asked by my BP nurse to monitor it. However, the more I took it the higher it went, the more anxious I became, the more my BP … you get the picture?
Each time the arm band pressurised so did I …
So, overall I found this little band, once it calibrated, very simple to wear and I don’t feel a thing. I just recalibrate every month.
my use & views …
I set the device up on the day it came. Setting up, by the way, was a nightmare and very hit and miss. It took at least an hour, in total, of tweaking the band and the cuff.
But, I eventually got there with a resulting extremely high reading, which I of course blamed on stress. I was sure over the night and next day I’d have some normal readings.
Sadly, I didn’t. And now I think I have to accept that I am going to have to take the medication the BP nurse urgently prescribed last week.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — once the band and cuff are calibrated with the app, everything seems seamless. No stress … no remembering … it is just taken. In the sales blurb it did say it would take three readings per hour and record the average. However, I am only getting 2 hourly, or even longer, readings, which I guess is enough. It just leaves the sales pitch blurb falling short.
The Bad — the price, it’s near on £200. I got 20% discount, but still it is very expensive.
Also, incase you’re thinking of buying this or any other gadgets or stuff take a look at my ‘🤍 just for you 🤍’ page, which is stashed full of discount codes.
The Ugly — the fiddly setup process, the stressful cuff, which I know cannot be avoided, and of course the expensive price.
Calm app … ($12.99 monthly / $69.99 annually / $399 for life)
manufacturer’s blurb
Find Your Calm with the Calm app.
Our goal is to help you improve your health and happiness.
Our mission is to make the world happier and healthier.
We’re the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation, with over 100 million downloads and over 1.5M+ 5-star reviews. We’re honored to be an Apple BEST OF 2018 award winner, Apple’s App of the Year 2017, Google Play Editor’s Choice 2018, and to be named by the Center for Humane Technology as “the world’s happiest app”.
Calm is the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety with our guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises, and relaxing music. Calm is recommended by top psychologists, therapists, and mental health experts.
Calm is the perfect mindfulness app for beginners, but also includes hundreds of programs for intermediate and advanced users. Guided meditation sessions are available in lengths of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes so you can choose the perfect length to fit with your schedule.
Sleep Stories are bedtime stories that are guaranteed to lull you into a deep and restful slumber. Calm has 100+ exclusive Sleep Stories for adults and children alike, featuring well-known talent such as Stephen Fry, Matthew McConaughey, Leona Lewis, and Jerome Flynn. Drift off to dreamland and wake up refreshed.
Sleep Stories include:
* Wonder – Join Matthew McConaughey on a dreamy story about the mysteries of the universe.
* Blue Gold – Let master storyteller Stephen Fry take you on a calming journey through the lavender fields and sleepy village of Provence
* The Nordland Night Train – Travel up the scenic coast of Norway aboard one of Europe’s most breathtaking and remote railways
* Happy Little Zzzs with Bob Ross – Drift off to the soothing brush strokes of beloved painter and TV host Bob Ross
* And many more…
Mindfulness Topics include:
* Deep Sleep
* Calming Anxiety
* Managing Stress
* Focus and Concentration
* Relationships
* Breaking Habits
* Happiness
* Gratitude
* Self-Esteem
* Body Scan
* Loving-Kindness
* Forgiveness
* Non-judgement
* Mindfulness at Work
* Mindful Walking
* Calm Kids
* And so much more.
Also Featuring:
* An original Daily Calm every day: a 10-minute program added daily to help ease you into the day or unwind with before bed
* 7 and 21 day mindfulness programs for both beginner and advanced users
* Calm Masterclass: Life changing audio classes featuring world-renowned experts
* Calm Body: Mindful stretching and movement to relax your body during the day
* Music: Exclusive music engineered to help you focus, relax or sleep
* Soundscapes: Ocean waves, Heavy Rain, Camp Fire, Babbling Brook, and other sounds to help you sleep
* Breathing exercises to help you relax
* Unguided timed meditation
* 30+ soothing nature sounds and scenes to use during meditation, yoga or to help you sleep
Track your progress with:
* Dailv Streaks
* Mindful Minutes
Calm saves your meditation and sleep sessions to your Apple Health app..
how I came by this
I have paid for this app for at least four years and not used it. However, the recent BP scare, discussed above, has forced me to look at all alternative options first.
Being a naturally reactive stressful kind of person even if using this pp ocean lower my BP I m use it I’ll do me much good.
I love the app and I will keep at it daily …
my use & views …
Presently, August 2022, I am doing the four dailies, which are daily trip, daily move, daily jay, and daily calm, plus breathing three times a day and extras if I feel stressed.
Oh and I’m loving the sleepcasts. My favourites are A Rainy Day in Paris, and A Walk Around Nice.
bliss …
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — Discussed above and below are several gadgets that are for mediation, breathing, yoga etc. The calm app does all of these for you. Saving you several gadgets.
It has daily meditation, daily move, and breathing too, all in the one app / device and as long as you have a smart phone, which most of us do, you have instant access to these through this lovely app.
The Bad — the cost … but, as soon as I can afford it I am buying a lifetime subscription access because overall it will save me money and when I die I will leave it to my son_2 who is really into alternative medicines.
However, I only pay £28.99 a year for some reason. On researching, I think it’s because I always cancel the automatic renewal and search for a deal, which I recommend doing as it pays off …
The Ugly — the price …
Morphée (£79.95)
manufacturer’s blurb
Morphée meditation and sleep aid …
With Morphée, fall asleep faster and enjoy a deep and restful sleep .
blissful meditation to help you driiiift away
* Soothing meditations and sounds for relaxing snoozes
* No screen, no wires, no fuss
* Use the speaker or your own headphones
* Comes with a 100 night home trial
your sleep partner in crime
Welcome to your passport to better sleep. There’s over 200 meditative sessions for you to enjoy on the morphée sleep aid, all created to get you feeling chill and zen. There’s also some super soothing sounds to help you drift off to the land of nod. The best part? No screen, which means no pesky blue light to keep you awake. Bliss …
EFFECTIVE: All voice-guided meditation sessions were carried out by sleep professionals. The sessions help to reduce stress, anxiety and sleep disorders. We offer 100 nights trial with a free return if you are not satisfied with the product.
ADAPTABLE: Over 200 combinations to help you fall asleep quickly and sleep deeply! 8 themes to choose from: body scan, breathing, movement, visualisation, cardiac coherence, napping, relaxing music and nature sounds. Each theme contains 8 sessions with 2 durations (8 or 20 minutes) and 2 voices (Piers or Gina) to choose from. All sessions are available in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
THE IDEAL GIFT: Morphée is suitable for both women, men and children (+8 years old). It is a great gift idea for birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day.
PORTABLE: The wooden cover protects Morphée and also serves as a base. You can take Morphée everywhere with you – on holiday, on your way to work or on transport. Morphée works on battery with over 3 hours in “Reading mode” with the usage of the integrated speaker.
NON DIGITAL: Morphée works without screen, internet or bluetooth. It does not require a mobile application or computer. It is completely non-digital.
bliss …
how I came by this
I’ve wanted it for ages. I just didn’t want to pay £80 for it. So I waited and I waited and I waited … it never went on offer … so I bought it …
my uses & views …
I use this every single day and I love love love it …
…
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — I really love the styling. It’s just so coolio …
…
The Bad — …
The Ugly — …
high flow oxygen … (NHS prescription)
NHS blurb
Cluster headache is the only indication for oxygen therapy in the absence of hypoxia. High flow oxygen is very effective in some patients in relieving symptoms of an acute cluster headache (CH) quickly and safely.
how I came by this
I was prescribed this after being given the opportunity to talk about how painfully excruciating my eye pain was. Resulting with a GP suggesting that maybe some of my eye pain was in fact cluster headaches, not in clusters throughout the one day but in clusters lasting months at a time. How on earth did it take so long for a GP to recognise this. I’d been suffering with this kind of eye pain since I was 32 years of age with repeat active GP visit in relation to it and I was only diagnosed 15 years later. So much unbearable pain. Testimony to how much I can suffer and still not let rip …
I willingly, and eagerly, tried the oxygen therapy as it was a much more natural option over the other toxic medicines available.
With hindsight, I have no idea why this isn’t a ‘go to’ treatment for those with suspected cluster headache. In most cases it works and is the treatment with the least side effects.
my use & views …
I use high flow oxygen when I wake with intense eye pain, which prior to oxygen use would go on for months at a time and feel never ending. Since using oxygen I never get more than a few days in a row of a cluster headache, which is a huge improvement. But mostly, they respond to 15-30 minutes of high flow oxygen and don’t return form a few months. This feels almost miraculous considering how long I have suffered with this kind of eye pain for. It started in my early 30s and wasn’t treated until my 50s.
I would suggest that if you have severe eye pain in clusters, not only clusters throughout the day but clusters of weeks, months, or even years, ask your GP if it could be cluster headache. If it is, then high flow oxygen is an excellent treatment and is available on the NHS if you are in the UK.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — if it is going to work for you it should work pretty fastish and may even break a pattenern before you are suffering for days, weeks, months, or even years and there are no known side effects.
The Bad — it’s hard to know if you have cluster headaches if you don’t know about them and if you are used to being in very severe pain.
The Ugly — it can be difficult to get your GP or clinical commissioning group to approve it and even though my GP suggested it I still had to fight to get it.
[ps2id id=’the-bad’ target=”/]… the bad …
The ones I personally found bad …
iMRS energy bed … (£3,500)
manufacturer’s blurb
Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field (PEMF) devices for home use have been on the market for nearly two decades. Swiss Bionic Solutions, the only company in the world with it’s own in-house research, engineering, development, and manufacturing divisions, is the world leader in PEMF systems for home use. Our legendary MRS 2000 + series of products have been on the market for over 20 years, with an estimated 500.000 daily users worldwide in 35 countries.
how I came by this
We bought this in 2008 because of the excellent reviews and initially I had great success using the device. It ended up that I stopped taking any pain medications and managed for quite a few years feeling much better.
maybe a fluke, who knows …
Then I became complacent and stopped using it and no matter how gentle I go the device no longer benefits me it makes me e trembly fatigued …
my use & views …
Whenever I use the iMRS I follow the advice of, start off on sensitive and for 8 minutes, 3 times a day.
As mentioned above when I first used the iMRS I benefitted massively. But, in later years using the mat just made me incredibly fatigued, or exhausted, to the point of being unable to lift my arms up, which on top of severe ME and pain is too much for me to tolerate.
I do recommend the iMRS if you are relatively well in your autonomic nervous system (ANS). But if you have any ANS impairments my advice is to stay well away. It will make you feel worse by the day.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — if you don’t have ME or any other dysautonomia or any other dysregulation disorders then there is a very good chance that the iMRS will improve your health. However, if you have ME at the moderate or severe end or with any level of autonomic dysregulation then it is wise to tread cautiously and gently or better still stay away …
The Bad — costs are going to be prohibitive for many, I just have a high income earning husband and at the time of purchase I too was earning part time and so it was manageable for us.
The Ugly — very expensive and definitely does not work when you have severe ME.
arc4health … (£299)
manufacturer’s blurb
The Arc4Health has regulatory approval as a Class IIa medical device in the areas of pain management and tissue repair in 33 countries. It’s remarkably small, is wearable, drug free and non-invasive and works by automatically generating a complex series of microcurrents with a simple, one-finger operation. In fact, it delivers over 4.6 million permutations within a single treatment programme.
When an injury occurs, the body’s natural electrical frequencies can be disrupted, reducing the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within the damaged cells. ATP is the energy-providing molecule required for all metabolic cellular processes – and is essential for pain management and tissue repair. When tissue is repaired, inflammation is reduced. And inflammation is how the body perceives pain. The application of Microcurrent Therapy aims to support the body’s natural repair process and to help it trigger the production of ATP. Simply put, the sooner the body can start a repair, the sooner it can finish. When an injury is repaired faster, there is less chance of recurrence as, due to working with softer tissue, the repair can be stronger.
how I came by this
I bought this based on ATP and energy research. However, I would say by my physical reaction that this device acts on the body and the ANS in a similar way to the iMRS. It is just milder so takes longer. In my case within 2 weeks if use I was flat out, super exhausted and unable to stimulate enough every, or adrenaline, to raise my arms.
Do be careful if you have ME …
my use & views …
I used the arc4health as prescribed. It’s easy to use you simply put the band on your arm (I used alternate arms each day) follow the programme and wait for the ending beep. You cannot feel anything. But I think whatever it does is cumulative and by the end of two weeks I was flat out. So I gave my body a six week rest and tried again without doing any additional activity for two weeks. For me, I still had the same side effect results. Before the end of two weeks I was again flat out, unable to muster the strength to lift my arms.
This is obvious not for me. Because of the side effect symptoms, I am guessing it is having the same effect on my body as the iMRS and some how impacts the ANS.
So, my advice again is, if you have moderate to severe ME go gently and carefully or maybe not even bother. That said, this definitely does something and I’m guessing it would work for somebody relatively well or somebody without dysregulation of their ANS.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — again, I think that this works it just doesn’t work for those with moderate or severe ME or dysregulation of their ANS. Plus, this is a lot more affordable than the iMRS.
The Bad — for some this still may not be affordable, but compared to the iMRS it is much more financially manageable and you can get great offers on this device from CurrentBody and / or Amazon.
The Ugly — just feeling sad because I had high hopes for this device.
cefaly … (£336 + ongoing costs)
manufacturer’s blurb
CEFALY is a breakthrough migraine treatment that can help improve your quality of life and free you from migraine pain. This simple-to-use medical device works to treat acute migraine attacks quickly, prevent future migraine attacks.
The Cefaly® Dual device is a neurostimulator that is applied to the forehead using a self-adhesive electrode positioned bilaterally over the upper branches of the trigeminal nerve. The Cefaly® Dual device uses electric impulses that are delivered to the main branch of the trigeminal nerve to prevent and treat pain in the head area. This method can replace or considerably reduce the consumption of painkilling medication and helps to find a better quality of life.
how I came by this
I bought this from the original version, which was pretty much like a Wonder Woman band, but was definitely more solid and less flimsy. I then upgraded to the cefaly (original) but I found it too difficult to handle and I kept dropping it onto our tiles hard floors, which are throughout he house, and so within a few months of owning the cefaly it was broken.
I haven’t bought the cefaly dual (latest version as of today July 2021).
my use & views …
On first purchasing this device, the original one with the headband, I used it daily as a preventative and in crisis mode too when I had a migraine. I don’t think I noticed any difference but still upgraded when I got the opportunity. That said, I haven’t bothered upgrading to the cefaly dual because it’s a very expensive piece of equipment that, in my opinion, is not very robust or easy to handle if you have painful hands.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — could work if it didn’t break so easily.
The Bad — tricky to hold and keep hold of when applying; the snap is tricky when you have painful stiff hands.
The Ugly — very expensive and older versions keep being fazed out, which is disappointing.
gammacore … (NHS prescription)
NHS blurb
gammaCore (non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator) is a non-drug treatment for adults who suffer from primary headache conditions such as cluster headache and migraine.
how I came by this
I tried for years to get access to this device through the NHS, but I was repeatedly refused it.
Then in early 2021 it became an available treatment for cluster headache in the NICE guidelines and so my neurologist was free to prescribe it.
I have never been more hopeful about anything. At the time, I’d read that triggering the vagus nerve was good for fibromyalgia too and I was very hopeful it would help the ME as well.
Sadly, I was to be disappointed …
my use & views …
I used according to the training I was given and, just like with the arc4health, within two weeks of using the device I was totally wiped out and unable to lift my arms.
I’m guessing, again, that this is doing something, just like the iMRS and the arc4health, something that exhausts my body too quickly and so isn’t suitable for me.
That said, the sensate is meant to trigger the vagus nerve too but as yet I have no ill effects from the sensate as severe as these, and although my experience with the gamma core is not positive it may be the device for you and I would definitely give it another go in the future.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — I got to try it and I believe that it works for 50% of people who use it. So it’s definitely worth a trial if you get offered it.
The Bad — it took me too long to access this treatment via the NHS considering the amount of suffering, pain, and symptoms I was having.
The Ugly — it made me more poorly …
[ps2id id=’the-ugly’ target=”/] … the ugly …
The ones I personally found ugly …
stress releaZer … (£150 can now be bought for £99)
manufacturer’s blurb
- Relieve stress and anxiety naturally with breathing technique training
- Warmth and low-frequency vibrations encourage relaxation and lower blood pressure
- Compatible with the free CalmDown app for continued support with stress management
We all need a time-out every now and then and the Beurer StressReleazer can give you just that. Placed on your chest, the rhythmic vibrations relax the primary nerve pathways, providing relief much like the therapy of stroking a purring cat. Partner this with the breathing training provided by the CalmDown app and you’ll feel yourself unwind.
There are 3 breathing cycles to choose from as you begin to align your breathing with the gentle pulses of the Stress Releazer. Most importantly, these relaxation sessions will give you a stress management technique you can call upon whenever you need to.
how I came by this
I bought this gadget years ago, when it first came out. I had it imported from USA and so paid import taxes and duties. However, I only started to use it in May 2021 and by end of June 2021, just over 1 month later, it had stopped working.
That said, I did like the feel of using it. But after buying the sensate I realise just how unrefined this device actually is and also how temperamental he on / off button had been from day one.
my use & views …
I used it daily for 10 minutes at a time, sometimes twice or even three times a day.
I did like the feel when using the ReleaZer but after using the sensate the ReleaZer is very unrefined and boisterous and because it broke so quickly I really cannot express my views, except stay away because it isn’t a solid device.
the good * the bad * the ugly …
The Good — feels nice and relaxing and if you use it straight away, unlike me, it does have a guarantee.
The Bad — unrefined when compared to its main competitor.
The Ugly — poor value considering it didn’t last.
… what you measure …
… will improve …
in summary & in conclusion …
We know there are plenty of health gadgets out there tempting us to spend our money in exchange for healing. Hence, one of my main reasons for attempting to discuss some of those that I have been tempted to purchase.
I have to also admit that for me it has always been a minefield and I am afraid that I have wasted so much money on trying these so called ‘healing gadgets’ desperately hoping to heal. Yet, sadly some of them have even made me worse.
Nevertheless, some of the gadgets that I found especially useful and therefore good are, but not limited to, the health monitoring watches as well as the Ōura ring. But my two favourite are the acupressure mat / pillow and the sensate.
The acupressure mat and pillow has had a huge impact on the pain levels I suffer in my upper back. While the sensate brings about almost instant ease and overall relaxation from the moment it starts.
On the other hand, I feel that anything that costs a ridiculous amount of money, or doesn’t last a long time, or even breaks fairly quickly, has to be a no no because of cost and poor value.
In my personal case, it also seems like almost all the health devices that had a negative health effect on my health or energy levels, except the cefaly, were those that maybe interfered with, or worked on, my autonomic nervous system. These consistently resulted in making me feel weaker, sicker, and having less available usable energy. However, I have always managed to return to my previous health states after using these devices unlike when I deteriorate due to physically overdoing it or due to viral or bacterial illnesses.
a personal concluding note …
Be careful what you spend your money on. There are plenty of cowboy type devices out there. Do your research … always look for any kind of money back guarantee and read how other users have managed to tap into the money back guarantee because if sellers don’t honour it then it’s useless. Use your credit card to pay for anything proclaiming health benefits, it gives you more come back.
Remember none of these gadgets, those mentioned above as well as those not covered, are a replacement for seeing your GP when you are sick or have new symptoms that concern you.
And remember more than anything …
be easy … be kind … and let it all go …
Please feel free to contact me to share your outcomes or with any questions you may have.