HAVING A SHOWER: Being new to oxygen, I... - Lung Conditions C...

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HAVING A SHOWER

12 years ago•15 Replies

Being new to oxygen, I still haven't found a way to last out long enough breathing without the oxygen to have a shower. I am gasping before I can finish showering properly. Is there any way of showeing with oxygen on?

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Gucci

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15 Replies

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Mulie12 years ago

I had the same trouble Gucci so now I keep an oxygen tank with a slightly longer canulla in the bathroom beside the shower for all purposes. You have to be careful not getting water up the cannula!! I sometimes find myself getting out of breath cleaning my teeth so it's handy to have around. I use the CD or Freedom 400 type of cannister - preferably one that stands up on its own ie has a flat base

You might have to ask your supplier if this isn't part of your usual delivery. Try it and see how you get on

Mulie

Gucci12 years ago

Thank you Mulie - I'm learning all the time. That's very useful info. Will discuss it with the nurse on Tuesday.

12 years ago

I also used a cylinder and asked my wonderful delivery man to make me a longer tube. I then tossed this over the top of the shower cubicle before inserting the cannula into my nostrils and securing it on the top of my head (hope that makes sense!). You can try a stool in the shower or do as I eventually did and give up the shower for a bath. My consultant reckons showers are very bad news for anyone with breathing problems anyway. Auntymary xx

dweebette12 years ago

Since there is flow passing through the cannula you don't need to worry about water getting into it. People need not to have this concern. And, if by chance you do get a bit of water in it just briefly turn your O2 flow up all the way to blow the water out. You never have to go without oxygen while in the shower. Aunt Mary's stool is a good suggestion too and have all your items ready ahead of time. A handheld shower sprayer can be helpful too.

Gucci12 years ago

Thank you Auntymary and dweebette. All of this information is helping me build a good picture of what I can and can't do. Thank you everyone.

serenityfrank12 years ago

Hi Gucci. I've recently found I couldn't go long enough without oxygen to shower, or put in that amount of effort without it either. I'm on a concentrator with 50 feet of tubing (& boy does that drive me mad, coiling & getting caught round everything) but it does mean I've got plenty of tubing to throw over the top of the shower cubicle so I can continue to breathe. The tube does have a tendency to try and slide back out over the top of the cubicle if I let go of it (I'm sure it's alive and malevolent) so I wind it round the wire basket that has the soap & shampoo in - that stops its gallop! A quick shake and wipe with the towel gets rid of any water when I've finished. So I don't yet have to involve my wife in keeping me clean. Frank

Mocarey12 years ago

Yes I can throw the tubing over the top of the shower cubicle! It's fab! Where there's a will there's a way!

Gucci12 years ago

Thank you serenityfrank and mocarey. I have just stood in a dry shower, with my clothes on, and practised with the tubing. I've got it right I think. It's looking good for a shower tonight when it's all quiet here. (I live on my own). Thanks for all the support everyone.

Spritz12 years ago

Lol, I can throw the tubing over the top of the shower cubicle, too, thankfully. I have a chair in it as well because there is no way I could stand for long enough! Definitely takes a while, about an hour and a half including getting dry and dressed again afterwards, so it's rather a long process!!

Jude xx

Gucci12 years ago

Thank you Jude - Yes, I have a stool in the shower. Luckily It's a double length shower. I agree about the length of time it takes, that's why I shower late evening. Also, I have terribly dry skin so after drying, I have sit there and rub E45 Recovery all over. That's as bad as showering cos it seems quite vigorous. I'm definitely going to throw that tubing over the top tonight, as I say, I've tried a 'DRY RUN' and it seems to be fine. Thanks everyone.

Jemma12 years ago

I can't tolerate the steam from my shower so have a warm bath. Use my Helios tank with a 2.1 metre cannula. I'm just mentioning this because it took me a year or so before I found out that they did a longer hose and I'd been struggling with a 1 metre length.

Gucci12 years ago

Thanks Jemma. I have other mobility problems and couldn't get in or out of a bath. Had it taken out and a very big walk in shower installed. The Nurses told me to always shower with my back to the shower - not facing it. It is much easier on the breathing!

Mmike11012 years ago

I couldn't get anyone to get me a nice long cannula tube but I found one of all places on eBay, it's very long and I throw it over the top of the shower rail and shower much easier now! It was around £4.99 delivered I believe.

Hope that helps

Mike

Gucci12 years ago

Thanks Mike. I buy so many things from eBay - it's amazing what you can get there. The tubing I've got goes right from the front of the bunglow to the back. Loads of tubing. I'm still quizzing whether that length of tube gradually loses the force of oxygen. Most people on here say NO. However, I have just been emailed a lengthy, clinical students' sheet which is so long and so complicated but apparently it explains exactly why the loss of force would be experienced over such a length!! I'm going to ask my Nurse on Tuesday.