AIBU to ask for heatwave coping tips / purchases that help?

[CassandraWebb]

I have a neuromuscular junction disorder called Myasthenia that means my body pretty much stops sending signals to my muscles the heat so I am pretty worried about next week.

So I am looking to gather all your best tips /advice /purchases!

I know someone will come and lecture about "hysteria" around the heat but it really does affect me very badly- in particular it gets scary when it causes a flare that means I cannot swallow safely

I have an air conditioner in the sitting room so I will work in there. And I know work will be happy for me to work from home (as I will rapidly get to the point I cant function otherwise). But there will still be times I have to leave my air conditioned bubble

I do have a neck fan, and some cooling neck tubes that last 30 mins or so. Spray bottles of water help a bit.

But I am sure there are other tips that might help me (or others!)

One of these gel wraps, I’ve not frozen mine only refrigerated it and it stays cool for ages! I cooked a massive Thai curry wearing it so I could stay cool by the cooker

(image pending) but it’s called a magic gel ice pack

Depends how your windows open. Mine are divided horizontally, the top half opens and the handles are at the bottom of the opening part. (See pic, not my window, just a similar one). I have an old sheet cut to the approx size of the window, and push it through the narrow gap at the top of the open window, then carefully close it, keeping the top edge of the sheet inside until it's shut in the top of the window. It's a bit fiddly, and if there's a breeze it tends to flap about, but it definitely makes a difference.

Sit your feet in a bucket/large bowl/paddling pool of cold water. So refreshing!

We've also recently had solar control window film applied to a couple of windows in our hottest room and wow the difference! Such a reduction in room temperature!

I really rate a white parasol if you absolutely have to go out. Especially if you're walking round a baking hot car park. Also get a good insulated water bottle, fill it to the brim with ice water and take it with you, being able to drink something genuinely cold makes a huge difference.

Hope you don't suffer too badly op, people love to minimise the effects of hot weather but we really aren't set up for it in this country and it can be so difficult for anyone vulnerable.

solar control window film for a longer term solution 👌

I sleep with a damp flannel over my legs, the window open, the earplugs in (as the birds are SO noisy in the morning!)

Cold shower just before bed too.

have you thought about getting proper AC in your house OP? Whilst it costs a few thousand, with your condition I would think it’s very worth it

How do you manage to hang them ? Sorry if I'm being dim.

A water misting bottle and a portable fan, or rechargeable hand held fan. Use in tandem with each other.

Socks in the freezer. Ice packs in the freezer. Cold Socks on and feet on top of ice packs.

Always making sure your hair is off your back if you have long hair.

When we had that 40° heatwave we painted our windows white just with white emulsion and a roller. I don't know if it was a wise choice, but it came off easily with a plastic paint scraper, and kept inside about 32° when it is usually hotter inside than outside due to east and west facing windows.

A blow up tiny kids paddling pool for your feet, or a kitchen sink bowl that you can put cold water with a few ice cubes in for a quick dip every so often.

Wear just a loose cotton summer dress and get in the shower, tepid temp and dry off naturally. We also hang old curtains on the outside of the windows, use duct tape.

I put my dehumidifier on , it sounds daft but I found it easier to cope with drier heat .

Just saw post where someone asked. . Sorry. Missed it before.

Not dim at all. Thumb tacks or staple gun to the sofits upstairs, downstairs attached to a screws we've sunk in the brickwork above the windows. Not pretty but the result is a drop in temperature of several degrees.

Yes I am mulling it over! I think it will be a worthwhile investment. But still doesn't help with the times I have to leave the house.

I lived in Germany during a heatwave and struggled massively with it while pregnant, we had no air con in the office so me and my colleagues would put ice cold face clothes on our heads and back of neck and constantly have a supply in the fridge - also wrapped ice cubes in the face clothes to make it almost like a chunky bead necklace and held on the back of neck. We all looked ridiculous but it did help!

A mini spray bottle (which is meant for mini toiletries allowance on planes) is great and super cheap! I like to Fill with water and spray my face, neck etc when out and about and follow up with a handheld fan. Bliss!

We used to live in a hot flat. I would sit in wet clothes in front of the fan and put tin foil in windows to make the flat darker. It’s cooler when you block sun out

Earlier today I was reading about personal air conditioners, this sort of thing:

https://www.sony.co.uk/store/p/rnpkp1pth.e

https://coolify.torraslife.com/

https://uk.ranvoo.com/products/aice-lite-neck-air-conditioner-25

I've no idea how effective they are, and they're fairly expensive, but they may be of interest.

when you go out, take a sun umbrella with proper UV protection. it makes a big difference. everyone in Japan carries them to stay cool

www.amazon.co.uk/ZOMAKE-Compact-Umbrella-Protection-Coating/

Absolutely the UV umbrella, makes a big difference if you have to be out. And get an insulated water bottle and mostly fill it with ice so you have a cold drink with you.

Can I ask a possibly daft question.... I have a blackout blind from when DS was little. I usually use this to try and block heat but not sure if it helps or hinders? It's not repelling heat because it's black is it?

God I feel thick sometimes. I struggle in the heat too @CassandraWebb .

It's not fun when you're struggling with illness. Lots of people will be struggling this week.

I have a cheap neck fan from Amazon. The fan side of it annoys me a fair bit but it does help. The cooling plate is amazing but I wish it was bigger. I definitely think it is worth me researching a more expensive one. It's scariest when my neck and facial muscles go so a neck fan at least targets my riskiest area.

I’ve a Dyson fan thingy that’s also a humidifier…works brilliantly for me.

Have you seen the belt/waistband fans that have a clip for your t shirts so it just blows up your t shirt cool air without your shirt blowing about?

I keep wondering about those, are they any good?