Shower!

[Looseloafers]

Hi everyone. How does anyone get washed & dressed or showered whilst gasping for breath like an old horse??? Not to mention housework or gardening! Any tips appreciated 🥴🥴🥴

[Bkin]

Normal - just pace yourself.

Do a bit rest a bit etc.

Maybe consider seat in the shower or one across the bath.

Invest in a towelling robe to dry off also blast yourself with a hair dryer instead of towel drying takes far less energy.

I found spiriva respimat allows me to bend over more easily without as much breathlessness.

Everything just takes twice as long as it would normally but that is pretty normal for someone with COPD I think.

Just look for things that make things easier.

I went for lightweight appliances and garden chairs and table, so they are easily lifted and moved when required.

I went for long handled gardening tools saves on bending a lot, although I do have a stool to sit on when needing to get closer to the ground for planting etc.

Still enjoying doing things, never stop.

[Ergendl in reply to Bkin]

I also installed raised beds in my garden so that I can sit and tend the plants instead of bending down.

[Bkin in reply to Ergendl]

Wonderful, I do grow a lot of veg in pots and tubs also I have a veg trug, but I do still plant some things in the ground Its great being able to go into the garden and pick fresh produce for dinner or fruit to have on breakfast cereal Keep up the good work Ergendl

[ninelives in reply to Bkin]

Fabulous reply Bkin you took the words right out of my virtual pen.

[Bkin in reply to ninelives]

I must have missed something ninelives, bet you can think of something else.

[teenieleek]

A Dundee shower? Only thing required is perfume or aftershave! Only kidding and apologies to Dundee. A big towelling bath robe is an answer I’ve seen on here before but it takes ages to dry unless you chuck it in a tumble dryer. Bending to do weeding I find makes me out of breath so a hoe works well. Others will have other suggestions.

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I take things a bit at a time and have an extra large towel which I always use to wrap around me until I dry. Anything else like gardening I take my time, my husband made me some large planters to grow fruit and veg in so I don't have to bend as much. Have a great day and take care 😊 Bernadette xx xx 🌈

[Oshgosh]

Take your time and plan ahead.

I try to sort out my clothes the evening before. Doesn’t seem as much effort somehow.

I use water retaining gel in my pots.have ground cover in the actual garden.

Housew ork.well a bit at a time

[Angelagone]

Accept that everything is going to take you at least twice as long. Do a bit, rest a bit. Grab rail in the shower, two vacuum cleaners, one upstairs, one down, hoe for the garden. Anything that makes life a bit easier !

[ninelives in reply to Angelagone]

Great tip re vacuum cleaners.

[gejay]

For bad days when I haven't the energy to shower I use Muck off (Amazon) it's like a dry foam that rubs into your skin and leaves you feeling fresh and fragrant.

When I go in the shower l sit on my water proof stool (Ikea) and then like others I wrap myself up and sit on my bed till I'm dry. Everything is done at such a slow pace and I still get out of breath but not as much, it's a case of trial and error finding out what is best for you.

As for gardening, well mine's not very big and I have adapted it to suit me (well my brother did) I have got pebbles, paving slabs and a bit of artificial grass and some planters, low maintenance but still enjoyable. I treated myself to a very modern rocking chair and a soothing water feature for when I need to sit down.

By the way I have severe COPD among other things and am nearly 70. If I can figure out how to get photos on here I will post one of my garden.

And another thing like most others I imagine, I am sick to the back teeth of this covid thing, god help us all.

[Hacienda]

I always have to plan ahead, This Morning, Increase my Oxygen, Window slightly open, Chair in set Position under the Shower, Shampoo/gel at Hand, Big Toweling Gown Ready, Small Towel for head, I have a Wet Room so it is spacious. Rest in between each action, Job Done, Then into Bedroom (Bungalow) so less Walking, Dry short hair & do all the other things slowly to be presentable, No Hurry, Can't anyway. Hubby Hoovers, Maintains Garden. I Just Plod along and I do Exercises with my Oxygen on higher, I have FEV1 @ 17% so Lungs can't do much. Hope you find your Niche Looseloafers. Stay safe. always plan ahead. C. XXX

[Spacecat1]

I use a chair in the shower and hubby helps me get undressed and get in the shower he helps by washing my hair and back.

[HungryHufflepuff]

What do you mean by a hose attachment ? I haven’t yet found a shower head I get on with and am always looking for something new.

[Yousaok]

Get a cleaner and Gardner is a easy fix maybe see about care to help get washed dressed

I sit in the shower then sit on the loo with towels around me to sit and get my Breath and start getting dressed very slowly housework I just do a room a day but loads of stuff just gets missed and learn to not care anymore if I change the bed thats it for me for the day and everything seems to take hours now anything under the sink I can't do as cant breath when I stand up due to emphysema I used to have a cleaner to make bed but now its just me until she can come back again

[Oshgosh in reply to Yousaok]

Yes,the best thing is as you say not to care if it doesn’t all get done.

Changing the bed is a bit of a nightmare.

I take the pillow cases and duvet cover off first,then a bit later change sheet and mattress protector.

The king size duvet cover is a nightmare.

The Dunelm ones are easier to put on,they are piped round the edges,so easier to get in. I can’t shake the weight,so husband has to step in to shake and shake,or else it’s lumpy

The pillows get done through the day.It used to take10 minutes.those were the days

[Maricopa in reply to Oshgosh]

I just bought a queen bed instead of our split king. Much easier to handle changing it. The split king was changing 2 twins!

[Julie14]

I got assessed and received a lot of aids in the home which all help to save my energy as i get short of breath easily. I have perching stools, bath & shower seats, toilet frame etc

[wheezyof]

Cheap and cheerful get microfibre turban towel for your hair. Pound shop and most discount shops Home Bargains, B&M etc sell them. Just wrap them round wet hair, they absorb the water very quickly. (from £1)

Stool for the shower, I got mine from local chemist for £16.

Wilko's back brush was £1

Little bit and rest.

Accept help that's offered and ask for it if you need it.

I bought really good knee pads for gardening. Weeding and planting on hands and knees easier than standing or bending. A chair nearby so I can sit for a breather and watch the wildlife.

Have a hobby to hand (knitting, reading, crossword puzzles) so when you do an active job showering, making a cuppa, etc you have something to do while you rest.

go to blf.org.uk and look at the blogs and vlogs to get some ideas of how people manage.

[Izb1 in reply to wheezyof]

Must have a look for these turban towels, they sound like a good idea. Like your other suggestions as well wheezyof x

[Eian59]

I have a seat in the shower and a towering robe , then just sit on a chair to dry my feet and get

dressed it makes a huge difference and you don't get out of breath .

[Jaybird19]

A lot of sitting between shower and dressing in large towelling dressing gown . LOts of sitting down . And garden is not accessible now so need gardener , but i can do pots and have a kneeling stool . This has legs as a seat and upside down turns into kneeling pad with sturdy handles ( the legs) which helps to get up along as muscles havent got too weak.

[micox]

My COPD nurse recommended I use my Salbutemol inhaler before showering it works but sod's law says it increases my essential tremors afterwards. You don't get anything free!

[2greys in reply to micox]

Yes, use your reliever inhaler Ventolin/Bricanyl first then shower slowly. Perhaps leave the door and/or the window open to prevent steam building up. Steam is a real problem with me, I even have a pedestal fan blowing in through the open door.

[Maricopa]

Drying off is the worst!