hello every one i wanted to ask how do other people with copd get on when they have a shower or wash their hair the last three time i have tried to shower i get so breathless that i panick and get out i just wonderd how other people get on oh i am oxygen when i go out thanks
shower : hello every one i wanted to... - Lung Conditions C...
shower
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kapre
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I had a spell like that about four years ago but it passed off after two or three months. At this stage I would try not to worry about it too much.
Bobby xx
I use my oxygen when I have a bath. Some here use theirs when they shower.
Hi when you lift your arms above your head you are cutting off your airways and try having the water cooler to lessen the amount of steam, these my help you when you shower.
Regards
Val
Yep I use my oxygen when I shower but I'm finding the humidity too much these days (shower door open a bit, window open a bit, extractor fan on etc) and just feeling so knackered at the end of it that I'm beginning to dread it. Any more tips anyone?
I know this may seem silly but why shower? I very rarely have a shower now because I have a very large patch of skin cancer on my back and I am not allowed to get it wet. I have gone back to the 1950's way of bathing....a towel on the floor, plenty of soap and hot water and a good flannel. I now find it more refreshing than showering as I just take my time. So they you go....a good strip wash works. Shampooing the hair...I struggle over a wash basin but once in a while, I pamper myself by having my hair washed at a hairdressers...relaxing and refreshing.
You do everything that I do Cressie, dread showering and washing hair, I use my oxygen for all this, still panic a bit though, I have bath chair, cant stand up as fear of slipping even with bath mat, I have osteporosis so have to be extra careful! Im still gasping for breath, and sit of my stool and just put towel dressing gown on and then think about the next task! Dressing!
I rarely stand under the shower but prefer to hold the shower hose and direct it at certain areas of my body. I don't have the water very hot and have my towelling dressing gown to hand. I usually sit for 10 or 15 mins in my dressing gown which means I don't have to towel myself dry. I used to find getting dried quite an ordeal
Hi
What kind of shower head do you have?
If it green / blue grey rubberised insert, change it for a all metal or chrome finish.
The reason is the former emits a fine mist on the edge of the spray area this contains water droplets which are not good if you have a lung condition.
It does work.
Councillor B, that is a really practical and helpful tip about the towelling robe. Also interested in Valbaldam's info that you cut off your airways when you raise your arms above your head, as that explains the added breathlessness in that situation. What about bending down ? Is it constricting the diaphragm that causes the sob ?
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I have a paralysed Diaphragm and stop breathing when I bend over anywhere.
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Sounds awful ! How do you manage bending or do you just avoid it altogether ? I avoid it where possible because it makes sob so much worse. I just slide down when I have to and don't bend from the waist. Good for the posture maybe 
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I have a big back brush I use. Only problem is I have not always put it back properly and it fell on my foot it was black and blue for weeks 
I have a sprung long gadget to pick some things up and a magnet on an extending tube for metal stuff. If I drop stuff outside I sort of go in the splits to pick things up. ( I used to be able to do the full splits into my 50's I have not tried for along time might not get back up )
I use my oxygen in the shower, I also have a stool that revolves I just pull a small lever and walk my feet around and the seat goes round with me.
polly xx
thanks every one i will try some off these i was getting a bit worried as we have just had the bath taken out ,.
My COPD nurse said if you bend down or over exhale before you do otherwise the air in your diaphram causes discomfort and makes it more difficult.
Regarding the shower, why don't you get a shower stool and sit down? This would surely help make it easier. x
I have a shower stool and has made it so much easier , i also keep the shower door open .
My husband uses a shower chair his emphysema is severe so I wash his body for him and he holds the shower head and rinses we find this much easier because washing is very tiring, obviously not everyone has a partner to do this for them but if you do then try it as it makes a massive difference. He also wears his oxygen in the shower except for a few seconds when i wash his head and face.
I use a shower head with an on/off trigger .... like this:
ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Moto...
It just makes me far less panic-y & life so much easier .... & I shower every single day. Release the trigger & the water stops ..... simple as that.
Oh, & a by-the-way ...... it save is a fortune in hot water.
Hi
The methodology of showering.,,,shower over bath,
Using a stool/ chair. I also have a bath board at other end of bath, I use this to place my soap/ shampoo/ brush/ sponge and towel.
Wash torso..rest
Wash left arm rest
Wash right arm rest.
Wash left thigh rest
Wash right thigh rest
Wash lower left leg rest
Wash lower right leg rest.
Rinse by swaying forward and sideways slowly.
Rinse thighs by cupping hands together collecting water running down torso, then throw on to thighs,
Tuck legs under stool/ chair to rinse lower legs.
Rest deep breathing , remove oxygen if using,
Shampoo hair , wash face and neck. Rest.
Slowly turn head right and left at the same time lean back inti the shower spray,
For your face tilt face left take breath turn face right through shower spray take breath repeat as required ( like when you are swimming)
Rest dry around nose and mouth refit oxygen.
Slow motion and frequent rest, surprising after practice how quick you can take a shower.
Use two towels or towelling robe. Pat your self dry.
Have to admit I don't wash my hair I go to the local hairdressers and there are lots who will come to the house and do it for you, I have arthritis in my hands as well as COPD. As someone says above a shower stool is very useful but I have a bath board as they call them as the shower head is over the bath. Best to try any ideas to see which is easiest for you.Best wishes
thank yes i dont do my hair i am lucky have a college nearbye so i go there
that's very handy, mine is just a small old fashioned hairdressers not one of those big salons.
Some good ideas there. Thanks everyone.
I find the shower very difficult get a chair in your shower and just take it slow
I find excess water,even rain makes it very difficult to breathe.I hate the steam of a shower so wash myself the old fashioned way with bowls of water and lots of rests.I do use the shower to wash my hair with plenty of free flowing air(door wide open)my wife helps me rinse it.The wet rooms in the hospital seem to be the best fitted,I hope to get something like that fitted when assessed by occupational health visitor.Good luck.D.
No help with the showering part but a body drier can be useful for the drying part; Google 'Apres body drier'. This fits in the corner of the shower or elsewhere in the bathroom and is a bit like a large hand dryer.
Hi kapre my wife Ana05 above gave some advice but let me help you futher if I can.
You will likely find that being too cold and too warm will make you breathless so having control of the temperature is the first key to success. Ideally if you are getting breathless immediately you are going to need help to. That is help with both keeping the temerature right and in the further steps.
If it is cold keep a t-shirt or vest or better still a thermal top on. Begin you shower seated preferably on a good seat and not a sloping perch like seat. If you have been not been supplied with one chase it up and in the meantime use a garden chair of get a dining chair you don't mind losing until such time you can get a proper chair sorted either through adult social services or through the nurses who may visit. If not see your GP.
Once in the shower warm the seat (that is best done by a helper/partner whilst you sit on the toilet. Take two blasts on your blue inhaler befor you begin and ensure you have your breath b4 you take to the seat. You yourself hold the shower head over one leg and wet it ready for soaping once seated. Have your partner soap your leg.
Once soaped you help your partner by rinsing their hands and then wet your second leg so your partner can soap up the second leg as you rinse the first one.
Rinse your partners hands and then your second leg. The next thing to do is wet your genital area and rest the shower head on your leg as your partner gives you soap to do your genitals as nobody can do that as well as you can. As a man you know best how to clean your penis and as a woman you know best how to clean your vagina.
Hold your hands out for your partner to rinse then take the shower head and rinse your parts..
Take a rest for a few moments as you have just done some work.
Now comes the hardest part.
Ensure you are ready and you're breathing evenly and you're are breathing through your nose.
Remove your oxygen.
Put your head forward and wet your head completely and as soon as you have made your whole head wet nod to your partner to begin shampoo'ing your hair and ears and neck and point the shower head to your groin or legs and move it around to ensure you don't get cold .
As your partner is about to get to your face they need to ask you if you are ready.
At this pont relax take two or three relaxed breaths and then hold your breath for a couple of seconds as your partner uses the shampoo to wash your face.
Keep your eyes closed and think pleasent thoughts (DO NOT PANIC). As soon as your partner is finished begin rinsing enough to stop soap going into your eyes and from the top of your head.
Still keep your eyes closed and point the showerhead towards your partner in order to let them rinse their hands.
Rinse your head throughly only opening your eyes once your partner has given the go ahead that no soap is left to get in your eyes..
Relax again.
Dry your hands and blow your nose and then whilst relaxed have your partner pull off your top over your head first followed by your arms seperately
put your oxygen back in place.
Relax by rinsing your front ready for soaping ensuring your wet under your arms thoroughly.
Have your partner lather your chest and front of your body but ensure your don't get cold using the warm water elsewhere.
Rinse your partners hands and then wet your back so you can then allow your partner to soap your back and do under your arms again as your arm pits can do with a second wash.
Relax as you hold out shower head for your partner to rinse their hands.
Next is the last bit which is to stand and allow your partner to quickly wash your backside (which you will also have partly aleady done whilst doing your genitals).
Rinse your partners hands and stay stood as it is easier to allow your partner to also rinse you there to.
Rinse all over sitting down and then when finished ensure seat is not too wet and have your partner put a towel over your shoulders and turn off shower and then put another towel over your lap.
And there you have it a shower with as little stress and breahtlessness as possible in my experience.
Hope that helps and excuse any typos
Keith D
I was the same. Now I open a window. Move slowly. Take shower head down to use by hand so I can stop water and rest. Rest in between applying shampoo etc. Have chair next to shower with Terry dressing gown and towel ready. Not have it so hot that too much steam happens. Cannot shower in enclosed shower so door must be open. If really bad I have wash down at sink.
I have a shower, but it makes me breathless because I get so cold. I can only have a wash by the sink. I wash the top and dry it, then the legs and dry them. Same with the hair. I have a little wall electric heater that really saves my life. As soon as I feel cold, I turn it on and go under it. This way, I avoid getting too short of breath. Take care and keep an inhaler by you, just in case you need one.
I go to the hairdresser every week. Our shower is an absolute nightmare to regulate. What I do is a good old fashioned strip wash. I fill the sink each time for different parts of the body. Face and neck first. Armpits, under boobs, midriff. Back and shoulders using big flannel in sawing motion. Or get partner to help. Below the waist, private parts. Then thighs and knees. Finally calves ankles and feet. This way you don't have to stand and freeze, you can dry and cover yourself as you go along. I spent many years living in the wilds with water from a well. To this day, I hate wasting water!
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