Bedside Rubble: What Do You Keep On Your Bedside Table?

Years ago, there was an idea floating around on social media aimed at all bedbound disabled people – restless legs syndrome (RLS) included – called "view from my bed."

Whilst primarily aimed at physically immobile individuals, it was picked up by a vast demographic, resulting in thousands of photographic evidence of individuals' wasted lives.

The view from my bed

At the time, I was living in a bungalow located in a small, sleepy village totaling around 50 houses. My view from my bed was my television, my ever-present cat – who seemed to sense when I was feeling particularly bad (she never cuddled too closely as she had been caught out by a flailing RLS limb way too many times) – and the stunning view from my window. Trees soaring skywards, clear blue sky with birds flying from tree to tree.

After 6 months or so, the game morphed from "view from my bed" into "bedside table bingo," highlighting the usual, or more interestingly, random things that chronic pain sufferers keep on their bedside tables.

I thought I would set our outstanding RLS community followers a challenge and see how similar our bedside cabinets' contents are. I shall start!

What is on my bedside table?

Unfortunately, I am located in the smallest bedroom in the house, resulting in my room only fitting a double bed and a thin set of plastic drawers that are 4 drawers high. At the end of my bed is a chest of drawers.

My bedside drawers hold my headphones (AirPods and plain ones in case my pods run out of batteries), a lamp, a landline telephone (you never know when your mobile signal might drop!), 2 coasters for cups of tea, an asthma pump, and a box of tissues. All strategically placed for a bad RLS night.

Lots of technology inside my drawers

Contained within the drawers are a total mish-mosh of junk! I am a Nintendo freak, so I have a 3DS handheld in a carry bag alongside 10 of my favourite games. And various stationery items to ensure I don't get caught out if the phone rings.

The next drawer down contains my tech. I am an out-and-out nerd. If I weren't disabled, I would have the top of the line in every bit of gadgetry available! Unfortunately, I have a top-of-the-line case of RLS. It didn't come with a gift certificate, so I am stuck with it! Keyboards and chargers of all shapes and sizes are hidden within.

I love doing the midnight dig in the drawer to find the charger that fits the bit of tech I am currently using to light the digging of the aforementioned drawer.

My headphones are no match for my RLS

Has anybody managed to locate a set of headphones that can withstand a bad night of RLS tossing and turning? Even my AirPods drop out my ears mid-rollover, leading to my music stopping, therefore doing a poor job of trying to distract my head from an RLS-based wiggle off!

If any sufferers out there have a must-have item for an RLS bedside cabinet, please let us all know! Hopefully, we can all help one another through our individual nights of hell.