mandera Posted December 19, 2017 Report Share Posted December 19, 2017 Anybody have suggestions for showering? I've been getting more and more symptomatic with taking showers. I already have a shower chair, but I've gotten to a point where lifting my hands above my head to wash my hair has become impossible. If anybody has any ideas I'd love to hear them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bombsh3ll Posted December 19, 2017 Report Share Posted December 19, 2017 I only have baths, so I can sit or lie. Perhaps you could try sitting on the floor in the shower and tippng your head forward so your arms aren't so high, although then lifting your head back up can be difficult. I wear a lot of hats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted December 19, 2017 Report Share Posted December 19, 2017 I found showering in the AM was just impossible for awhile. In my case and I think for many of us, our blood volume is lowest in the AM. I found taking showers in the evening was more doable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vepa Posted December 19, 2017 Report Share Posted December 19, 2017 Cool water. I find that hot water in my shower makes me WAY more symptomatic, because it raises heart rates and lowers blood pressure even in normal people. So for me, it wreaks havoc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted December 19, 2017 Report Share Posted December 19, 2017 I shower in the evenings and sit on the floor while washing and rinsing my hair. I can't shower on a daily base unfortunately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted December 20, 2017 Report Share Posted December 20, 2017 +1 on the cooler water. It's not a cure-all, but it certainly buys me more time. I also find a handheld showerhead makes life easier as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DADofPotsSon Posted December 20, 2017 Report Share Posted December 20, 2017 This post reminded me of funny story that happened to my Son#2 at college: It was about 1 am and he was getting ready to take a shower, turned on the hot water and closed the shower curtain so as to warm it up a bit in a cool shower area in January, several college students were in the shower area too! As he opened the shower to adjust the water temp. the steam hit him in the face as witnessed and the syncope hit him, down he went. This was observed by several college students and the word got out that the hot water or steam was probably toxic, so no one at the university would take a very hot shower in that dorm, and the word got out very quickly. LOL! They University had to put out a notice that the hot water was safe! The not so funny part was when I went to pick him up at the hospital and take him back to college he had no clothes just a towel and it was about 10F outside. Needless to say I gave him my coat and shoes, he wore the towel around his waist and I walked to the car in my socks! Good thing is I had a remote starter to warm the car up. This happened about 8 or 9 years ago! moral of this story to him was keep your shower water cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinterSown Posted December 20, 2017 Report Share Posted December 20, 2017 Some days I just shampoo and use the soap on my hands to wash up and down my body as fast as I can, and get out in a minute or three. It bugs me most when I get home from PT and I am sweaty but don't have the energy even to get undressed, let alone drag myself into the shower. Baby powder only goes so far. When it's bad I sit in the tub and use a plastic cup to dowse myself. I cut my hair to a micro pixie because I can just towel dry without a comb out. I hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StayAtHomeMom Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 I try to keep my water as cool as i can. I make sure i wear my garmin so i can watch my heart rate if i feel cruddy. And try to have my hubby shower with me whenever i can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy M Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 I simply take baths, to avoid the standing problems that go with showering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p8d Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Cool water, slam a liter or so of fluid a half hour before, clench leg/bum muscles in shower, evening before bed vs morning, dry shampoo days you can’t shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizzyGirls Posted January 8, 2018 Report Share Posted January 8, 2018 My daughter had major surgery about 5 months ago (multiple spinal fusion) and she had to go to a rehab facility before going home. This place was great! The occupational therapist came in about 7 a.m. every morning and filled up a small tub with some water and poured bath wash that you don't have to rinse off in the water. She sat in her bed and was able to wash as much of herself as she could and then the OT or I would help her finish. It doesn't do her hair, but dry shampoo works well for that. Even though you aren't in the hospital, it might be easier to grab a tub of water and crawl back in bed, then you can rest and warm up after without having to move. But, slide the tub aside, you wouldn't want an unwanted bath!! Hope you can get a handle on your symptoms soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 I just noticed this the other day. Not sure if it'll be the same for others, but it's worth a shot. I was feeling dizzy in the shower the other day and rested my elbow against the wall and kept it there for the rest of the shower. While doing this didn't making the dizziness go away, it was a huge benefit to my balance. Having that physical point of reference for my body helped a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebonnet08 Posted January 10, 2018 Report Share Posted January 10, 2018 I feel like the shower is one of the hardest parts of my day. This morning my HR was 150bpm when I got out. I'm sorry, I wish I could be more helpful. I think the morning is harder than the evenings. Do you get IVs? It's usually easier for me to shower for a few days after the IVs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katcanny Posted January 11, 2018 Report Share Posted January 11, 2018 I use to love a shower in the morning I just cannot do it anymore, I shower at about 8:30pm so my food has somewhat digested from dinner, I have mentally and physically rested a little before and I have a shower chair that I use everytime. Sometimes I just sit there and can’t wash my hair but it feels nice to just have water run over you sometimes. I have learnt to have showers luke warm and at the moment it’s summer time in Australia so I’m ok with that right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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