Living with a chronic illness is an expensive, exhausting, and often invisible mountain to climb. You're juggling doctor appointments, pharmacy runs, and the constant mental load of "did I drink enough water today?" For a lot of us in the "spoonie" community—people with POTS, EDS, or autoimmune issues—hydration isn't just a wellness trend. It’s a literal medical necessity. But let’s be real: buying high-quality electrolytes every single month can burn a hole in your pocket faster than you can say "orthostatic hypotension."
That is exactly why the buoy chronic illness discount exists.
If you haven't heard of it, Buoy is a company that makes these tiny, unflavored electrolyte drops you can squeeze into literally anything—coffee, tea, even a smoothie. They actually care about the chronic illness community. Like, really care. Instead of just posting a purple ribbon on Instagram once a year, they offer a permanent 35% discount for anyone managing a long-term health condition. Honestly, it’s one of the few times a brand actually puts its money where its mouth is.
What Is the Buoy Chronic Illness Discount Exactly?
Basically, it's a lifetime 35% discount on everything they sell. It's not a one-time "welcome" code. It doesn't expire after three months. Once you're in the program, that price cut is yours for as long as you need it.
The program was built to help offset the "sick tax"—the extra thousands of dollars people with chronic conditions spend every year just to function. While most electrolyte brands (looking at you, Gatorade and Liquid I.V.) are packed with sugar or artificial sweeteners that can actually trigger flares for some people, Buoy is stripped down. No sugar. No stevia. No "natural flavors" that taste like a chemistry lab.
Who is eligible?
You’ve probably seen some brands make you jump through a million hoops to prove you’re "sick enough." Buoy doesn't do that. Their eligibility list is massive. It covers:
- Dysautonomia & Cardiovascular: POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), Vasovagal Syncope, IST, and Hypertension.
- Autoimmune & Inflammatory: Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Celiac Disease.
- Neurological: Migraines, Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and Small Fiber Neuropathy.
- Connective Tissue: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders.
- Endocrine & Metabolic: Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Hashimoto’s, and Addison’s Disease.
Honestly, if you are using Buoy to manage any chronic condition, you’re likely eligible. They use an honor-system application that takes about two minutes. No doctor’s note required. They trust you.
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Why This Specific Program Matters for the Spoonie Community
I talked to a few people in my circles who use this, and the consensus is pretty clear: it's about the ease of use. If you have EDS, opening a plastic packet of powder can actually be painful for your finger joints. Buoy uses a one-handed squeeze bottle.
But the discount is the real hero here.
Most people in the POTS community are told by their cardiologists to consume 3,000mg to 10,000mg of sodium a day. If you’re doing that with standard $2-per-serving electrolyte sticks, you’re looking at a $200+ monthly bill just for salt. With the buoy chronic illness discount, the cost drops significantly. For instance, their "Rescue Kit" (the high-sodium one) usually retails around $102, but with the discount, it drops to roughly $66. That’s a huge chunk of change when you’re also paying for physical therapy and specialty meds.
The "Buy One, Give One" Side Mission
Something most people miss is that Buoy also has a 1-for-1 donation model. For every bottle sold, they donate one to a person with a chronic illness through their nonprofit partners. So, by using your discount, you’re actually helping someone else who might not be able to afford hydration at all. It's a nice cycle of "not-sucking" in a corporate world that usually feels pretty predatory toward patients.
How to Apply (It’s Faster Than Making Toast)
Applying for the buoy chronic illness discount is refreshingly simple. You don't need to scan your medical records or wait six weeks for a committee to review your life story.
- Head to the Site: Go to the "Chronic Illness Support" page on the Buoy website.
- Fill the Form: It’s a short form asking for your name, email, and which condition you’re managing.
- Instant Approval: In most cases, you get a "You're Eligible" message immediately.
- Shop the Discounted Rates: The site usually updates your pricing automatically once you're logged in, or they’ll email you a specific link to shop the 35% off collections.
Pro-tip: If you already have a subscription, you can usually contact their support team to have the discount applied to your existing recurring orders. They’re super chill about it.
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Is Buoy Actually Better Than the Powders?
Look, I’m not going to sit here and tell you Buoy is a "miracle cure." It’s salt and minerals in a bottle. But there are a few technical reasons why it works better for some chronic illness patients than the stuff you find at CVS.
The Bioavailability Factor
Because it's a liquid, it mixes instantly. You aren't left with that gritty sand at the bottom of your glass. More importantly, it uses a specific blend of sea salt and trace minerals that are designed to be "bioavailable." Basically, your body can actually use the stuff rather than just peeing it out five minutes later.
The "Everything Drink" Hack
The biggest complaint with things like LMNT or Vitassium is that you’re stuck drinking "Salty Watermelon" or "Orange" all day. It gets old. Fast. Since Buoy is unflavored (though it does have a slight mineral/salty tang if you use a lot), you can put it in:
- Your morning latte (actually makes the coffee taste smoother).
- A bowl of soup.
- Fruit juice.
- Plain water (if you’re a hydration purist).
The Vitamin B Situation
Their standard "Hydration Drops" (the blue bottle) include B vitamins, which is great for energy. However, if you have the MTHFR gene mutation or you’re sensitive to B-vitamins, you’ll want to stick to the "Rescue" line. Those are just the electrolytes and minerals without the B-complex additions.
The Reality of Managing Costs
Let's talk numbers because that's why you're here. If you subscribe without the discount, you usually get about 20% to 23% off. That’s standard. But the buoy chronic illness discount bumps that to 35%.
On a standard bottle of Hydration Drops (about 40 servings), you’re looking at roughly $0.25 to $0.30 per serving. Compared to $1.50 per serving for the big-name powders, you’re saving over 75% compared to the competition. If you’re a high-volume salt consumer, that’s hundreds of dollars saved per year.
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Common Misconceptions About the Discount
I see the same three questions pop up on Reddit and in Facebook groups every time someone mentions Buoy. Let’s clear those up.
"Do I have to subscribe to get the 35% off?"
Yes, typically the lifetime discount is tied to a subscription. However, Buoy’s subscription is extremely flexible. You can skip a month, pause it, or cancel it with two clicks. They aren't trying to trap you in a "gotcha" contract. They just want to make sure you have a steady supply.
"Is it only for POTS?"
Nope. While the POTS community is their loudest fan base, the discount applies to any chronic condition where hydration helps. If you have Crohn's and struggle with malabsorption, you're in. If you have MS and need to stay hydrated to manage fatigue, you're in.
"Can I use it on the Care Kits?"
Yes. You can actually "Build Your Own Care Kit" and the 35% discount stacks with the bundle savings. This is the "max-level" way to save money. You pick the bottles you want, bundle them, and then apply the chronic illness pricing.
Actionable Steps to Get Started
If you're tired of overpaying for salt or you're just plain sick of drinking "Neon Grape" flavored water, here is what you should do right now:
- Apply First: Don't put things in your cart yet. Go to the Chronic Illness Support page and get your status verified. It takes less time than reading this paragraph.
- Check the "Rescue" Line: If you have POTS or need serious sodium, skip the blue bottles and go for the "Rescue Drops." They are much higher in sodium per squeeze.
- Use HSA/FSA: Because Buoy is a wellness product used for medical conditions, many people are able to use their HSA or FSA cards to pay for it. Check your specific plan, but it’s a great way to use pre-tax dollars.
- Start Slow: If you aren't used to high-mineral electrolytes, start with one squeeze per drink. Your gut needs a second to adjust to the salt. If you go too fast, you might get "the rumbles."
This program is one of the few genuine wins for the chronic illness community in the supplement space. It acknowledges that being sick is a full-time job that doesn't pay, and it makes staying hydrated a little less of a burden.