My 🚿 has decided to try and kill me ( I recently moved home and the shower in my new place is an enclosed unit ) .
It has 2 setting ,setting no 1 is a slow suffocation with the added bonus of increasing phlegm production, i can mitigate these symptoms somewhat by leaving windows open, not having shower to hot ( less humidity) and not staying in to long ,which is a temptation and i refuse ( for now) to get a shower seat installed .
Setting number 2 is just plain torture and not liveable , I genuinely believe that ,well for me at least 💀and I have tried it but its a no go
Theres only one option ,kill the shower and replace it with a more open wet room design
I know I'm making light of this not so simple task for us with breathing difficulties but its no easy feat but like everything, with a little planning and stubbornness we shall overcome ( as the song says) .
Anyone any tips ? .
As always breath easy
Dave
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soulboy118
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A wet room could be the answer Dave but I’m not sure how much it would cost. Other than that stand outside in a downpour, soap and loofah in hand. Xxxx😘😀
I had a wet room built with underfloor heating and a heated tile bench to sit on. Can't stand those horrible medical looking seats. I also have a steam unit in there as I am lucky and steam doesn't affect me. I think a more open wet room style would help you.
Litttlepom. You will have us all queing up to use your beautiful wet room . My shower broke down in march and i dont want to get anybody in repairing it in present situation, but now i am getting despondent that it will never get done. Ps I do have a bath as well, so not becoming antisocial. 7
Hi Littlepom, does everything else in bathroom get wet when you shower in a wet room? The toilet etc. My bathroom isn’t very big, it’s got what it needs but no space in between things. I’ve heard people say they aren’t good but yours sounds perfect. Joy x.
We had our very small bathroom converted to a wet room and managed to fit a toilet in as well. Initially there was only a bath and a basin. We didn't have room to put a fixed screen around the shower but we have a full length curtain which limits the water to the shower area. Without this, it would certainly all get wet! The wetroom is completely tiled so if any water does escape, it isn't a problem and I envisage that if I need help in the shower in future we will just have to dry everything off afterwards.
Ideally, I wouldn't have the curtain, but it serves its purpose for us.
We have an extractor fan which is in part of the light over the shower. Sometimes, I feel as though I have no air and think it is because of this. However, most of the time I can breath absolutely fine in there. It helps to have the small window open a little bit as well.
We have not regretted having the room changed. However, if I did it again I would not go for the tiled floor. We were told the tiles were 'slip resistant' but you have to be careful on them. We chose them as they are easier to keep clean than the conventional non-slip flooring (according to the man who was advising us) and I'm all for 'easy'.
I have 2 wet room type showers. One is in my ensuite, which is a small room. It has a door so that I can enclose the steam when I use it as a steam room. It also has a fan inside the enclosure. If I open the door the water doesn't splash outside. The one in the main bathroom, which is a much bigger room, has a screen and is much more open so no steam or splash problem. The really important thing is the angle and construction of the floor. It has to be angled towards the drain in the shower to make sure that the water runs away and I watched them put four layers of flooring to make ot waterproof. MoyB's suggestion sounds very good.
I have 2 different types of non slip tiles. The ones in the ensuite are EU approved, totally non slip and a beggar to clean because the mop won't slide over them. The others are a different type of non slip and just right.
I've had open wet rooms in several holiday lets, and have always found them a real nuisance - have a shower at bedtime and then a few hours later, still have to paddle over to the loo for a nocturnal comfort break, find a towel, dry your feet before getting back into bed!
We opted for a sort of compromise, with a long, rectangular shower tray, almost flat, no real rim to it, plus a single glass screen along one side. Two sides are the wall, of course, so only one end open and, as the actual shower head is on the back wall, no spray comes out onto the floor. We also opted to have the shower controls placed on the long wall, near to the entry point so that we could lean in and switch it on, adjust temperature, without having to stand under the initial blast of cold water! The extractor is outwith the actual shower area, and I usually put it on as soon as I'm out and wrapped in a towel - less chilly, and no breathing issues for me. Underfloor heating is magic! (and we've had no issues with slippy tiles, thankfully)
This was all done about 4-5 years ago, and there's not a day goes by but I think how good a set-up it is (previous layout was dreadful!)
Thank you Blackcat, that’s what I’ve heard re wet rooms, water everywhere! Not want I want either in the night or day come to that. I’ve got a built in ceiling fan plus a window that opens. I’ve also got under floor heating. I’d like to just remove the bath and replace with a shower but nobody wants to do it. They want to do a whole refit. Seems a shame when everything is good, not that old and modern. Thank you for your detailed reply. Joy x
Your local city council maybe able to help with installation of a wet room.my dad had one put in by local council. It looks good apparently. Might be worth asking. They may be able to install a wet room for you.
I had my wet room installed by the council at no cost to myself. We have a full length shower curtain but I don’t always pull it all the way round and that suits me only the part of the shower gets wet because of the slope of the floor. The floor covering on ours is not a tile and is awful to clean so I would go for tiles if I had my choice again.
Can't you make the water cooler? Less steam will help. I just leave the door open and I used to have a big fan that I blew into the shower room. xx 🛁🧖🚿
Thanks C. The fan idea sounds good , the problem is balance ,on one hand to hot is no good for condensation but to cool (😎) can start the shakes and thats like having a workout , ill figure the correct balance out which works for me x
I bought this little triangle shower seat that’s only 11x11”. Small & it’s great! Amazon prime. It was cheap but it’s sturdy & has a 265 lb weight limit. I weigh much less, lol. But it is compact and fits in a corner.
Hi Dave, could you change the actual shower for a thermostatically controlled one? That’s what I have and don’t have any problem with overheating etc. I’ve also recently purchased (cheap) a small stool. It’s nice and high, very light weight. I’m hoping this is only a temporary addition as I’m waiting for a new hip and standing too long is proving difficult. I suppose I’ll have to think of a shower or wet room soon as my shower is over the bath. Good luck. Joy x
Morning SB, I am Lucky that My Council Bungalow had a Wet Room when we took The Tenancy. I have to Pre Plan my Shower as I have to have my Oxygen on, increasing the flow, No Big Towel, a Toweling Robe to step into, a small towel for Hair, a Shower Seat for a little Breather inbetween, Window slightly ajar, Ventolin at Hand (in every Room). Gone are the Days where I would say " Just Jumping in the Shower" it is now like an Assault Course. Into Bedroom, sit and catch up with Breathing, Wow, Now planning a Shower for This Morning. Here I go. Have a Lovely Day SB. C. XXX
I had circuit training that was easier than a shower C. , hope your sgower was OK, mine are ALWAYS difficult but sometimes less so, id give my right arm for oxygen sometimes , isn't gasping fun lol x
Why don't you ask for an Oxygen Assessment. I wish I didn't have to have it SB. But Lungs do give up, and I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for my Mate Oxy... NO. Gasping is the Pits. Bit I had a nice slow Shower This Morning. Stay well. XXX C.
Soulboy, By all means ask your nurse if you could be accessed for oxygen. I was given it and stupid me I thought it would help me be less short of breath. I was told that oxygen doesn't help with that.... grrrrh it is to protect your vital organs. Needless to say I was so disappointed.
PS: Hope you get sorted with the Shower Head, As someone said contact the Council, they are very good with helping Vulnerable People. Good Luck, stay Clean, Stay Safe, XXX C.
My local council put one in for me no cost but I also have spinal problems as well as copd so I can't say which problem got me it but I had got so bad I couldn't get in and out of the bath +shower
SB, the unit for the extractor can be changed for a stronger one. My son offered to do mine - should have said yes! He said its easy. I like a cool/warm shower but most visitors have wanted scalding hot filling the room and no buggers open the Velux except me.
the council suggestions are very good. The council put in a lovely wet room for my friend with MS.
I do so agree, I fought against having one, but finally gave in, I have a sturdy adjustable height stool. and believe me it makes showering so much easier
I built a larger walk in style shower but alas the simple act of showering even with a seat has defeated me, so. I've opted for daily baths instead as its less strenuous on my lungs
I too have showering (+ many other) problems. I, also am going, when possible for a wet room solution. I have had asthma from birth.
In the past I have done all the work on my home. That has become impossible as I have become older and have great problems breathing after taking a maximum of twenty five steps. This follows heart bypass surgery with a ton of complications!
Doing a wet room yourself is fraught with complications and even the “experts” struggle with some of them. I have no magic bullet answer, except to say, I would leave a job like that to those experts!! Sorry...
I bought a stool that the top swivels for my shower. It’s worked well. I got two rails put in that I often use to hold on to. I find the extractor on seems to make things worse- more hot sauna like. I open the window and door now, and that works much better. The council helped me with advice but my savings meant no monetary advice, but did get things vat free. Good luck x
It is a problem with these shower cubicles. I find they get very steamed up, hot & not good if you were claustrophobic( not sure about spelling). Another issue they are not easy to clean due to the space behind the screen . Theres always some problem unless you have a mansion or wet room.
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