Oxygen and Showers: Do those of you who... - Lung Conditions C...

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Oxygen and Showers

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10 years ago•26 Replies

Do those of you who use oxygen actyally use it when taking a shower?

I usually have mine at hand but am now thinking I maybe need to use it whilst actually having my shower.

What do you all do?

Thérèse

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26 Replies

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stone-UK10 years ago

I use mine in the shower, wash whole body first, then remove cannula when washing hair and face, then replace.

in reply to stone-UK10 years ago

Thank you Stone.

Thérèse

Bengunn10 years ago

Hi Dangirl.I put my bottle on stool near the sliding door of shower and feed enough oxy pipe inside and hang the cannula on door knob and can use it if i need to.Makes me feel safer when I have it available.Bengunn.xxx

in reply to Bengunn10 years ago

Thank you Bengun.

Thérèse

10 years ago

I have a concentrator in the house the hose comfortably reaches my seat in the shower.From the picture I see short hair with less raising arms in order to wash it has already happened I think that sign asks only for confirmation of the facts as you already know them. Yes I would use oxygen if I were in your shoes the steam has a large effect on my breathing before doing any washing at all.

Good luck with whatever you decide we know when we reach stages how we cope with that knowledge ah now that is another question.

in reply to 10 years ago

Thank you Bilbo.

Thérèse

Mummywummy10 years ago

Yes definitely. I have a concentrator which I turn up from 1 to 3 before I have shower, wash hair or do anything. And no I don't do it standing on my head!

Cressie in reply to Mummywummy10 years ago

I do exactly as Bilbo and I too find the steam affects me badly. I lift the cannula briefly to wash my face and sometimes have to open the shower door. Incidentally, now that I have a stair lift I find the daily shower is one of my hurdles. XX

in reply to Cressie10 years ago

Thank you Cressie.

Thérèse

in reply to Mummywummy10 years ago

Thank you Mummywummy.

Thérèse

pedr10 years ago

I have a concentrator and shower daily using oxygen and remove the cannula to wash my face.

in reply to pedr10 years ago

Thank you Pedr.

Thérèse

jojam10 years ago

I have a concentrator & use the oxygen in the shower, I would not be able to manage without it.

in reply to jojam10 years ago

Thank you

Joham.

Thérèse

Catnip10 years ago

I worried about this too... I have oxygen tanks and a shower in the bath; I had the oxygen engineer give me a long length of tubing which reaches over the shower curtain rail and gives me a bit of "slack" to move about -- and it works wonderfully. I leave the cannula in place when I wash my hair too, just removing it to wash my face.

You will know when it's time to use the oxygen -- it's when things are too difficult to do without it. Happy scrubbing. Oh -- and I take it that you have a large towelling "robe" to put on after the shower, which dries you without having to rub-a-dub with a towel (and huff and puff along the way!). I think that was the best suggestion that I'd had for a long time!!

Best

Catnip

helingmic in reply to Catnip10 years ago

I do like the idea of a large towelling robe! very practical.

I am not on oxygen any more. but I avoid the shower, especially in winter. I find the water cools down too quickly on my skin and I am left freezing and breathless. I tried to have a quick shower, but still freeze and get very short of breath. So, I'm afraid, this is washing by the sink, with lots of water changes and doing the top first, drying it, then doing the rest and drying it under my electric wall heater to keep warm. That way, I don't freeze and I'm reasonably "in breath".

in reply to Catnip10 years ago

Thank you Catnip. Yes, I have a large bath sheet that I wrap around me after my shower and just sit and allow myself to dry without the rubbing etc!!!

Thérèse

JosieNeg10 years ago

Always use mine in the shower couldn't manage without it don't even remove it it wash my face or hair. Works wonders xxxx

in reply to JosieNeg10 years ago

Thanks JosieNeg.

Thérèse

BugsBunny10 years ago

Hi Dangirl1,

I use my oxygen in the bath and I am supposed to remove the cannular when I wash my hair. As I am absent minded, I sometimes forget to take the cannular off when washing my hair. On these occasions nothing bad happens to the concentrator. Enjoy your showers.

Regards

Mandy

in reply to BugsBunny10 years ago

Thank you Mandy.

Thérèse

oscar1710 years ago

Showering is an "exertion" for sure. Anytime you raise your arms above your head to wash your hair, dry off, reach for items, you increase work of your heart. Shivering is also taxing on muscle use and oxygen use. Everyone I speak to tells me that showering is exhausting. Nasal cannula is just plastic tubing that can get wet, whether attached to a concentrator or liquid base tank. Removing skin oil from the nasal cannua also helps to keep them supple. I would wear it. Better safe than sorry, and perhaps you'll have more energy for the rest of the day because you are not so exhausted from the shower!!

in reply to oscar1710 years ago

Thanks very much oscar17.

Thérèse

Giaco110 years ago

I have a small chair and use oxygen while in the shower. I also leave the door slightly open for air ans use the exhaust fan as well. Tough to get through one without this. Good luck .

Catnip10 years ago

Actually -- P.S. !! I bought a dehumidifier for the bathroom -- we don't have an extractor fan in there -- and it takes the steam out of the atmosphere which is brilliant for my breathing. I also bought a bath-seat; one which just goes across the bath. After I've showered, I put on the big towelling robe, a towel round my head and sit on the seat while the towel dries me and I can get my breath back ready for the next stage: getting dressed. So far -- so good. Shower stalls can cause me difficulties though.

10 years ago

Thank you to all who responded to my question. Apologies if I have missed anyone out in personal thanks (my messages kept on disappearing!!!)

We actually have a wet room here with only a shower in it. I have usually just had my Oxygen outside the bathroom door when having a shower but my SATS get so low (about 74) that I thought it time to start having Oxygen in use. Just thought it would be interesting in finding out what everyone else does.

I also wrap myself in a bath sheet so I don't have to struggle in towelling myself dry.

I use Ambulatory Oxygen (liquid) at 5 litres per minute. Got a feeling I may be changing to more than Ambulatory before long.

I am having an Echocardiogram on 7th Feb as it looks as if I now have Right Ventricular Failure. My Dr just wants to have confirmation.

Thérèse

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