Moderators - appreciate if you feel the need to remove this as non relevant!
So I get angina (most the time moderate to severe) when I start to move and when I have a shower it’s “not great” - pain , palpitations (thumping heart beat) and fatigue wise. Also dizziness and unsteadiness. anyone out there who struggles too knows it’s not “just having a shower”.
It’s upstairs too (I avoid going upstairs until bed time as much as I can as can get a severe episode).
A shower stool as a minimum would help I think. A hand rail would help but not sure walls suitable. It wouldn’t stop the angina but at least I’m sitting and can rest a little and help me keep steady.
I’m going to see the council Occ Therapists there’s a walk-in clinic each week for advice.
my question is can any shower tray cope with a shower stool? I’m afraid of cracking the shower tray and just don’t know how to tell if will be ok? It seems very sturdy don’t think it’s flimsy plastic. Have most people found it to be ok?
Eventually I will need to live downstairs but hopefully not for a while.
thanks for reading and hope someone can help. Or share their tips. Or how they got advice and from where?
sorry again Moderators (or anyone who feels not the place for asking this stuff) but I’m after expert advise from those who have the same lived experience because only they know how simple daily life can be so hard. I also don’t have money to waste!
❤️
Written by
Fanfab1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi, if you are unsure about the viability of a shower stool then it might be an idea to consider a wall mounted shower seat. These can fold up when not in use.
Thanks i'm not sure about suitability of the wall it could go on and its all tiled so could cause some damage if I don't get the right person but a folding wall seat would be ideal. 👍
Getting professionals to take care of the installation is best although more expensive
A duck-board in the shower tray would help spread the load from stool legs - but you need to make sure it's a good fit and that the stool feet are wide enough not to slip into the gaps
It might be worth speaking to the social prescriber at your doctor’s surgery too. They are the ones with their fingers on the pulse of what’s available.
My daughter has a shower stool. But then she is only 40 kg.
thanks going to the walk in clinic held by council where you can talk to a Occ Therapist, apparently they also give some free stuff but I wonder if depends on benefits. not heard of a social prescriber - something I will look into. Thanks
If you get advice from NHS Occupational Therapy and ask for aids they usually come out and assess your home then provide what is suitable for you. If it turns out you would need a different shower tray they would replace that at the same time as putting in rails and providing a stool, although most shower trays can cope with having a seat put on them. My initial assessment was done at the local hospital by a Home Assessment Team.They should also help with changes on the position of your shower rail.
You should also see if they can offer you other gadgets to help in the kitchen and for carrying things around.
A kitchen stool and a roller tray make life a lot easier and safer and can feel like essential items on bad days.
If you don't have sticks already , but you may feel more unstable when you are outdoors , and less confident walking about because of dizziness I highly recommend getting Nordic Walking Sticks . You can get basic ones from Amazon for about £25.
I use them myself and gave since I've been more dizzy as well as helping to improve your posture and stability ( your don't bend down using them ) , they give you support when you are feeling lightheaded.
Certainly gave me more confidence going out.
If you have trouble with the stairs they will fit handrails , but you should also ask to be assessed for a stair lift if you plan to stay in your current home it is paid for with a grant at no cost to you in most situations. Getting it assessed can be done but you don't need to make a decision on it straight away,
These things are available to all people with needs not just those on benefits although they are often supplied via Social Care.
Thanks I was advised there are very long waiting times for assessments and there may be some means tested eligibility involved but they did say the walk on clinic people may be able to provide some free items of support anyway. I have walking sticks for around house and a rollator outside, they help with stability although my iPhone still says very low stability and don’t help with the back pain but they do keep me more steady and rollator gives me somewhere to sit and rest. Walking sticks are probably shorter than they should be but I find if taller my forearm and elbow start to hurt. I hope the walk-in clinic will be able to give some immediate advice. My house isn’t suitable for stair lift unfortunately. Still lots of options I can think about above 👍
Yes Occupational Therapy come out and assess you day to day life. My dad got legs for the settee because he struggled to get out of it. In the bathroom he got a toilet seat and rails and a bath seat.
I am in the same situation as you. Our council (Scotland) have a brilliant Occupational Therapy team. Someone came out and arranged for stair rails to be fitted (our house is over 200 years old with not the best walls but the fitting team knew what they were doing!), she also gave me a bath seat as I had a stool to sit on (we have an over bath shower) but was told the stool would damage the bath. She did a complete assessment of whether I needed help whilst doing the dishes, getting up the step to the front door etc. All I can say is that everything has made my life SO much easier. She never asked about benefits because it's about keeping me healthy and safe. Good luck
That’s good to hear these things can help. I’m hoping I get the same level of advice and tips and possibly aids when I see them. I was advised the walk-in clinic might at least get me some quicker advise as long waiting times. 👍
Such a good question ! I use a shower stool - never looked back - I have microvascular angina and mitral valve regurgitation , I used to get very tired showering.
We bought the stool for my husband who had a foot operation and needed it temporarily but we both use it every day now. No idea about your tray or how strong it is but ours copes with a stool and us sitting on it.
Thanks a shower should be refreshing instead of tiring!!!! I’m hoping I find a solution soon, I have the person who fitted my upstairs bathroom with shower tray coming soon to quote for downstairs shower if possible but I can get him to look at the tray and see if can take a stool. It’s such a difficult thing to accept the things we once didn’t think twice about doing, now are “challenging”! 👍
Thanks for the sources and clarification. I wonder if I’ve confused the advise I was given in disabled facilities grants which I will unlikely be eligible which is means tested. 👍
I was tried on isosorbide mononitrate but it made things worse and nitrates are contraindicated for myocardial bridges - my congenital heart defect. I often refer to IM as the devils work!!! 😂 I don’t have any meds that directly work on the angina but I do have BP med, statin and clopidogrel! But nothing that stops the angina. 🥴
Hi unroofing is the surgery for myocardial bridges (mine is unsuitable for surgery per surgical opinion) and bypasses can fail due to competitive flow as the LAD is not blocked in the traditional sense but is repeatedly compressed causing restriction of blood flow.
Unroofing doesn’t always relieve symptoms.
My bridge of muscle over my LAD is 24mm deep and about 1cm long.
I note from your bio that you consider your condition to be untreatable and surgery is not an option. Obviously I can't know the full extent of your heart problems but medical science has evolved a great deal and perhaps might now be able to help the very problematic conditions you have
Not for my condition, those words are my cardiologist’s on repeated occasion. I’m hoping one day there will be advances. At this moment I drop off the end of the research conclusions. Even the BHF has no reference on website to my condition. 😊
Hi Fanfab1 , I got our local gateway to care team out, they fitted grab rails outside the door, I have a trolley for downstairs and a wee bottle. 2 hand rails up stairs (im on the waiting list for a stair lift) a shower seat and grab rails in the bathroom, a grab rails next to our bed and again a wee bottle. When I go out I have either a 4 wheeled walker or a wheelchair
thanks I had contacted the council Independent Living Team which sounds the same. I am hoping I can get advice and maybe support when see the walk-in clinic people. Have thought about a trolley as I end up going back and forth to and from kitchen.some grab rails and a shower seat would help! It’s good to hear there is help, this is where I want to be able to live and want to make daily life a little easier ❤️
These are perfect questions for here. But you need the occupational therapist to come to your home to see what adaptions you need and equipment. If you are wanting things done via the council it can take months also they may not be able to supply exactly what is right for you.
Do you own your own home or rent ? Why I ask if you rent it might limit what adaptions you can have .
I had the occupational therapist come into my home last year because I was struggling to get out of bed. This wasn't because of my PAF or the hole in the side of my heart but the rare hereditary neurological condition I was born with which has effected my mobility my whole life. And was given a bed bar it just slides under my mattress . Until I had it I didn't realise I struggled to get in . Plus she gave me a pressure cushion which I use under my legs when I have water retention. But I had everything done myself as I knew what adaptions I needed.
I moved to my bungalow in 2019 from a large 3 bedroom house over 100 miles away. My mobility got worse when I was 29 so my husband adapted our house to make things easier for me and had few things from occupational therapy. In including a wheelchair. Our children where 4 and 6 months when my walking got worse and the limb jerks started so safer for me to go in the wheelchair until the children where older. I also started using a walking stick.
Back to my bungalow. I had the garden flatten to be the same level and have an artificial lawn which has an inch thick pad under it with drainage holes it's waterproof and rot proof. My front ,back and side door into the garage have large hands . When in the garden I always hook the gate back incase I fall and people can get to me . I always carry my mobile phone with me inside and out of my bungalow and never go outside without using my stick even to the bin.
My shower room has an ease toilet which looks like an ordinary toilet it's just taller and have a handle at an angle on the wall to help me on and off. I use a toilet step to put my feet on as my feet dangle . After a series of UTIs and kidney infections a nurse told me to always make sure my knees and hips are in line as you empty your bladder and bowel completely. That's why the step. My sink is waist height and build in cupboard underneath. Have a large shower rectangle with sliding door the opposite end to the shower head. I use 2 rubber mats one vertical by the door and the other horizontal. I have a handle bolted to the wall opposite the door and a wall mounted fold up shower seat . It has fold down legs at the front and fold down arms . I fold down the shower seat and the arm by the shower . Always turn it on before getting in to use as I have a combi boiler and need the water to be hot. On the outside I have 2 absorbant bath mats both vertical from the shower to the wall. I always put my mobile phone on the mat by the opening of the door . To get in I grab the handrail with both hands before stepping in then holding on to the arm that's down and as I go to sit down fold down the other arm . Once down I use my foot to fold back the rubber mat covering the drainage hole . I have two hanging shower caddies one on the shower bar with my shampoo and conditioner in and the other one on the bar opposite the door with shower gel. I take the shower head off and use it that way to wet my hair and body replacement it while using the products and the use it to rinse off. Once shower turned off . Flip the mat back over the drainage hole . Stand using the arms of my seat . Fold up the one arm and hold onto the walk handle . I fold up the seat and holding on put the rubber mats on the seat arms to dry and that way they don't get mouldy.
My shower rectangle takes up to 30st so does my seat .I am 14st . My shower seat was £300 from Screwfix the bathroom store my builder sent me to only had shower seats which didn't have legs or arms and I needed . But he let me have his discount as it was a trade store so meant I saved over £3,000 and could have exactly what I wanted. My walks and floor have large rectangular tiles. Have a large ladder radiator which I put my bathroom on to heat up during the cold weather and once my hair in a towel put on . I used to use a squeezy to get the water off the inside of the glass before getting out be can't do that anymore. So it just dries. But once a month clean the glass using white vinegar and kitchen roll. I also made sure my shower door has large handles on the outside and inside . As some doors only had knobs on the inside which I can't use.
My walls and floors are concrete. But I have friends who have normal walls brick inter walls with plasterboard and have tiles attached and wall mounted shower seats.
Probably more detail than you needed but thats me . Other things in my bungalow I have had done like how I need them . My new kitchen I paid for as I own my own bungalow. Again my builder sent me to trade place and let me have his discount again saved over £3,000.
I am not rich but when I brought my bungalow knew exactly how it had to be done took me 3 years to get it done as I needed . There was a shower cubicle but it wasn't how I needed it but did have handles and could stand long enough then to have a shower.
Funny enough they phoned me from occupational Therapy yesterday as they said I had self referred myself on 14th January which I didn't . I only came out of hospital after a week on the 13th so the hospital must have referred me using my name . I explained all my adaptions she did off me help as I can only shower once a week then last year as I find it exhausting. But I have my own ways to do things . She did offer for someone to go out with me as my mobility has gotten worse and I fall But I am very independent and know what I need to do to keep safe. She offered me a 3 wheeled walker but explained why that was dangerous for me also offered me a wheelchair . But said if I come to that stage I will ask. And explained about years ago. Plus she offered me a panic button for round my neck but I always have my mobile on me . But did say I would ask if I needed any help . We talked for over an hour.
The picture is of my recent buy as I haven't been able to lift a kettle for few years and had to tip it which wasn't safe but this is purpose build . Sorry it's a ramble but that's me 😁.
Thank you for taking the time to provide that level of detail - it’s what I needed. There’s lots I can take away from that and apply to my own situation and think about for when I can get some changes made. ❤️
Don't forget to get in touch with occupational therapy department and the falls department can both supply aids and helpful advice. Make sure you are getting any benefits you are entitled to. Took me 35 years to get disability benefits would hate anyone to go through what I did . BHF ,CA and if you have any other illness or disability the charity association with it should beable to help.
Thank you will do OT seems essential now to get the right advise. I get standard mobility PIP due to be reviewed / trying to see if should ask for reassessment sooner. No one should have to go that long to get help ❤️
When my mom lived with me the last 18months of her life . I was only allowed 6 months carers allowance because they said my mom would get better she had cancer and dementia. This was 2016/2017.When my husband was terminal with cancer he was given 4 months to 2years when he queried a question on the DLA form in 2003. He was told it wasn't worth claiming as he had been given years and the woman put the phone down on him. Our McMillan nurse filled in the forms for DLA and carers allowance and we got it. My husband didn't live 4 months.
I have heard far worse stories than mine over the years .
The OT's should be able to advise on showering aids etc - I'm sure most shower trays will be suitable for shower seats as the trays take people who are mucj jeavier than a stool! In our area there are technicians who come and fit folding seats etc.
I also received free (on loan) many of the aids mentioned already from Occu Therapy but was told the stair lift is means tested and same for an actual lift which could be installed if there's room in your own home. Wonder if there's some way to get help with stairlift as it's expensive? I have heart failure and Parkinsons.
Yes the Independent Living Team person on phone talked about a lift but yes said means tested. Stair lift can’t be fitted due to how stairs are - it was considered when my mum needed it but she moved to a bungalow. The OT will be a good start. 👍
As long as the banister is fitted properly, almost any wall would be OK. A stud wall would bring difficulties, however have a word with a chippy. Have a look at Check A Trade on line and post your job there - at least you would find out who, how much and how long would be helpful. There are shower stools on eBay which are very cheap. I have one and they are very good. I also have a wall seat and have never used it, purely because the direction of the shower can be important where a stool is more convenient. A stool as described would not damage a shower tray - think how much weight they could have to take on a daily basis, IE the person using it where 18 stone nowadays is almost the norm. Hope this helps.
A few days since I gave my reply but thought I would just mention that I would not recommend a plastic stool that had any holes in the seat for drainage, for I can attest that it is not only the water that can fall through them if one sits on the seat for too long - which can come as quite a shock when one stands up to begin drying one self!
Yes helps. A chippy recently fitted a banister ok on one side as we didn’t have one after walls were re plastered (I toppled a few steps then realised how dangerous) but they had to put wood plinths (???) on first then attach banister to then! But can be done. A shower would make a world of difference. 👍
Hi Fanfab1 , An OT came to my bungalow to access what I may have wanted I originally requested a stepto be able to get in and out of my shower ( it is a unit quite high off the ground and was nervous about getting out of it ) I was actually amazed at what she said I required, in the bathroom was a comfortable chair so I was able to sit and wash my hair and shower , the step requested she still was not happy as had a pole installed for me to hold onto getting in and out , I have to admit the pole gave rise to a lot of laughs and jokes which at 84 can go along with LOL In the kitchen a tall stool which is a perfect height for sitting , doing the dishes, prepping meals etc , all this is free and I absolutely do feel the benefits,
You can get a grab bar for the shower which is attached with suction cups. I put two in my shower a few years ago when my mother (80s) visited. Now I am using them myself. I'm not small -- I am nearly 6ft tall and weigh more than the average woman because of my height (and some weight gain after 18 months on cardiac drugs, ugh). These rails are surprisingly robust.
You can move them downstairs or take them with you when you move house, and there's no issue about damaging the wall.
I don't think I can post a link on here in case it's seen as commercial promotion? But try googling 'chrome suction safety handle'. The first listing I can see is the same one I bought (pair of two for under £25); the company name is C-- of S--.
DO check them regularly when mounted to make sure they are secure. I pull on mine slightly before I step into the shower to make sure it's not going to move when I grab it firmly. They have snap-in-place handles that you can unlock to check them, wipe them down if a bit damp, and easily put back in place. I am a total idiot at DIY and I managed it.
The reply from Blearyeyed reminded me of something I have and not even related to a heart condition. I have mobility problems and have invested in a walking stick/seat. It acts like a normal walking stick, but has a built in seat which I use when I need to re st. If you had an angina episode when out, then you could sit down wherever you were, rather than try to "walk through it". I find it especially useful in queues. There are also shooting sticks and flipsticks, but these require balance as well. The main problem with the seat/stick is that it is best on level ground.
I have a 4 wheel rollator with a seat which comes in very handy to rest and for waiting in queues. Stick I use in house and outside house which help. Unfortunately I do still walk through it takes me ages to get anywhere as it is. Sloth like approach but still can get angina and often back, hip and leg pain. To be able to sit down wherever is a god send! 👍
I've contemplated one of those. I have a wheelchair I can no longer use because my shoulders are too bad and a new mobility s cooter which is difficult to lift out of the car. I can still drive safely but I can't stand up for any length of time to even get round a shop so why am I so reluctant to do what I feel is giving in and getting a rollator? Our local tip has a shop that sells things like that rather than throwing them out - very cheaply
I’ve thought about a mobility scooter but there is no way I could lift in and out. Most days I can drive…. As long as don’t get out the car 😂 and only go couple of miles routes I know like the back of my hand. if I do go somewhere - I make sure I have time to sit and nurse a cuppa at a cafe close to the car and then drive home. It all takes planning! Rollator 4 wheeled with a seat is great because although bit heavier they support better and gives you somewhere to put / hang your shopping so your not carrying things. Hope you find one.
Some how we have to get over the giving in feeling (I feel it too) - let’s try and see it as empowering ourselves😊
Modern mobility scooters are much lighter weight. I couldn't even lift the battery on my old one but this one I can lift with one finger. Have a look at the ones that fold or break down to fit in a car boot. I could drive anywhere but couldn't walk when i got there as my spine is so bad but there' s usually someone passing who can lift the heaviest part out of the car for me then it just clips together. Why the scooter doesn't bother me but a rollator does I have no idea.
Because of spinal problems, I bought a bath lift;a Drive Bellavita", a heavy thing that sits in the bath and raises me up and down. Not the canvas strap type; they are very wobbly. I can bathe or shower. It has suckers on the bath and the power when you pull them off is massive but doesn't damage the bath. Baths are usually fibreglass. I know because my son slipped in his bath and his knee went through it and made a horrific mess of his knee. If no one else uses the bath and you can leave it in situ, they are great but they are heavy to keep lifting them out. I also have a stair lift to use when I really can't manage. If you ask at a mobility shop they should know if stools are safe for the bath. There are also seats that fasten onto the wall and fold up.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
HELP! Left ventricular strain.
Results of ECG Stress test - confused and shaken 
Angina and Sertraline 
Anxiety or possible heart rate problem 
sudden chest pain and HR rise
