So, before all of this MS stuff, I had never actually been hospitalized. I’d been to the hospital plenty of times and had definitely done my fair share of hard time in the ER, but I had never stayed overnight. Naturally, being the overachiever that I am, I decided to spend a total of seven days between two different hospitals.
During that time, I learned a lot — about hospitals, about my health, and about the little things that can make a hospital stay feel a little less miserable. I also became painfully aware of how stressful it is to try and explain where all of your things are while you’re overwhelmed, exhausted, and halfway out the door to the ER. And honestly? Trying to pack for yourself when you already feel awful is its own special kind of miserable.
So below, I’ve included a Downloadable PDF Checklist of the things I’m now slowly pre-packing just in case I ever decide to embark on the world’s most expensive, least fun vacation again. Under that, you’ll find some of my favorite comfort items and little finds that made my time in the hospital feel a bit more manageable.
One last note: they have just about everything you could need at the hospital, especially when it comes to hygiene products; but having my own things makes me feel more like me!
Clothing & Footwear
No well adjusted person wants to be carted around the hospital with bare feet and their butt out. Or stuck in hospital underwear and too big grippy socks. So bringing your own clothes is, in my opinion, crucial for comfort.
Clothing Organizer
Having a place to organize and store your things is super important whether you are in a private room or a shared room. People are in out and you are up and down so having a place where you can be organized can boost morale.
Short Sleeve Shirts
In addition to POTS and MS I also have HS. Since being diagnosed with HS in 2024 it has been my life's mission to find comfy breathable clothes that don't cause a flare. I am found that in bamboo clothing and LOVE these shirts. I also recommend short sleeve shirts, it makes vitals and IVs a lot easier.
Long Sleeve Shirts
These bamboo shirts are so soft and cooling. While I recommend rocking a short sleeve shirt while in the hospital sometimes you just want to cozy up and not look at your IV.
Shorts
These shorts are lovely and cooling and also made of bamboo. I am not usually a shorts girl but during my stay at UW it was WARM in our three person room and I would have loved to have had these.
Pants
I live in these pants! I also won't lie to you if you bend over they are kind of see through but they are comfortable, breathable, and don't flare my HS. So ya win some ya lose some.
Short Sleeve & Shorts Pajamas
These are so comfy and were a life saver in the hospital when I was roasting and sweating to death. I ended up wearing these pretty much full-time at UW.
Long Sleeve and Pants Pajamas
This will be the last time I say bamboo (on this page). These, like the short set are made of bamboo. They are wicking and breathable and wonderful!
Fuzzy Socks
Okay so they don't love it when you wear fuzzy socks in the hospital, at least without shoes or slippers, because it makes you a fall hazard. However, I love wearing these at night and when I am just chilling in bed.
Slippers
These slippers are excellent I have had them for years and years. They are great for the hospital because while they clean daily and do an amazing job, there is something unsettling about using a hospital bathroom in sock feet.
Hygiene Products
When you are admitted to the hospital they have just about every hygiene product you could ever need. Soap, lotion, toothbrush, body wipes, shampoo, and they even have this cool shower cap that you microwave and then use to shampoo your head. Anyway, same principle as the clothes having your own things just helps!
Face Wash
Did I shower very often at the hospital? No. The few times I did was it nice to have face wash instead of the 8-in-1 the hospital provides? Yeppers! I also love this face wash because it is hydrating and the hospital is SUPER dry.
Body Wash
Similar sentiment to the face wash. Did I shower often? No. Was it nice to have something that was really hydrating that didn't smell like hospital? You bet your bamboo pant covered bottom.
Shampoo & Conditioner
I unfortunately have psoriasis on my scalp so in addition to my medicated shampoo this is my go to. Is gentle and doesn't make my psoriasis mad while also cleaning the hospital out of your hair.
Razor
Okay, this one is 50/50 on whether you bring it or not. On one hand, you are in the hospital not a SINGLE person cares about your leg hair. On the other hand I am in control of nothing while at the hospital, which I hate. So it is nice to be able to shave if you want to. All and all love this product it does such a good job. With chronic illness showers are literal war and this lets me shave my legs NOT in the shower.
Lip Mask
I use this every night and it is so lovely! I missed it a lot while I was in the hospital because as I mentioned earlier it was SO DRY.
Moisturizer
I know it says mask but I use this as a moisturizer every night and it was a life and skin saver in the dry hospital air.
Food & Water
I want to note that in the hospital they do feed you. Some things are good, some things are fine, and some things are very very very bad. Having snack and water, assuming they are a part of your approved hospital diet, can be really nice.
Water Bottle
I am a cold water kind of gal so having my water bottle vs the plastic cups is really nice. I love that is one has a straw and a normal spot to drink. I also like that is seals. A, no spills; B, I like to pretend hospital germs can't get in.
Electrolytes/Water Flavoring
As someone with POTS hydrating with electrolytes is super duper important for me; LMNT has been my go to for a while. If I was someone that didn't have POTS I think I would still bring some sort of water flavor; because sometimes hospital water tastes yucky.
Tech Items
As someone who is chronically ill, I am also chronically online, for better or for worse. So these are the things I bring with me to stay connected and entertained.
Oura Ring
I felt so out of touch with my body while in the hospital so it was a comfort to me to be able to track some of what was going on. I am coming up on two years with my Oura ring and I adore it. While it is geared towards the chronically well it is still an amazing health tracker.
Apple Watch
I use Tachymon on my Apple Watch but it was also really nice to be able to get notifications from loved ones checking in if my phone is in my bag or on the charger.
Phone & Watch Charger
I love this 3-in-1 charger for travel and now for the hospital it folds up charges pretty fast and gets the job done!
Portable Power Bank
You might be thinking, "Kaelee why do you need this when you have a charger and a literal power strip?" Well in the hospital there isn't always a room ready so sometimes you get stuck in the ER. Having a dead phone in the ER sucks! This charger lives in my purse; it charges my watch and phone and is wonderful!
Power Strip
So in the hospital the outlets are usually really far away. Having this is really nice because it gives you a little extra length and extra places for chargers for anyone that might be visiting.
Earbuds
These also live in my purse and I loved them while in the hospital. It allowed me to hear what was going on around me but also zone out to some music. They are also so so comfortable.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
These headphones are incredibly comfortable and have great noise cancelling. They were great for watching shows or movies or drowning out my neighbors who did not bring headphones.
Creature Comforts
These are the things that either did or would have made my stay a lot more comfortable and a lot more manageable.
Comfort Item
Bring a comfort item! This can be a blanket or stuffed animal. For me it is the ridiculously plush, silly seal pillow. It is cushy and often doubled as a prop for blood draws.
Pillow
Bring a pillow. Bring a pillow. Bring a pillow. This made all the difference. I personally like these pillows they are comfy and durable. But it doesn't matter just bring a pillow.
Pillowcase
These pillowcases are mulberry silk and lovely. It is what we use at home and it is what was on my pillow when we brought it to the hospital. I also love that these zip so your pillow and pillowcase aren't separating while you are trying to get comfy.
Loop Earplugs
I purchased these after my hospital stay and they are comfy. Now mind you I mean as comfy as earplugs can be. These would have been great for sleeping but specifically napping in the hospital.
Folding Fan
I also bought this after nearly roasting to death in the hospital. This fan is portable, rechargeable, and puts out a good amount of air.
