Showering: How on earth do you take a... - Lung Conditions C...

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Showering

Looseloafers profile image
29 Replies

How on earth do you take a shower when you are very out of breath? Any tips please. I take of clothes...sit down...walk into bathroom...sit down...step in shower...sit down...get out...sit down...get dried...sit down...put jammas on...lie down!!! 🥴🥴🥴 I’m getting very fed up! How do you manage? Sorry for long post xx

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Looseloafers profile image
Looseloafers
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29 Replies
Jomo46 profile image
Jomo46

I’m the same. But saw tip for don’t try to dry yourself much ( tiring) put on a towelling dressing gown. It works.

Xx

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54 in reply to Jomo46

I was going to say exactly the same but you got there first! 😀

Woofly profile image
Woofly in reply to Jomo46

Yes! I also use my towelling dressing gown, much much easier, you can get them on Ebay and its great! Here is the link.

ebay.co.uk/itm/LUXURY-EGYPT...?

Hope the link works, if not just put "towelling dressing gown" into Ebay.

barbs47 profile image
barbs47 in reply to Woofly

Hi they sound interesting are they heavy, I know some of them are very heavy which I can’t manage. Thanks Barbs x

Woofly profile image
Woofly in reply to barbs47

No, mine isn't at all heavy, I do advise getting the biggest size as it makes drying yourself easier.

barbs47 profile image
barbs47 in reply to Woofly

Thanks Barbs x

skischool profile image
skischool

Fortunately i utilise my oxygen,prior to even going upstairs i thoroughly wash my feet in a bowl in the comfort of the living room,then proceeding upstairs,still using the o2 i wash my hair leaning over the bath,only then do i undress and enter the shower without the o2 clean myself and towel down when i have reapplied the o2,it's a rather long winded operation,but time is on my side and it seems to make the whole operation a lot easier.

Squeaky clean Ski's with a lot of time on his hands. :) x

P.s i might add i don't do this everyday but at least on every birthday. :)

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply to skischool

So once a year then skis unless you have more than one birthday like the Queen. Lol 😘😂xx

skischool profile image
skischool in reply to sassy59

Perhaps I could also have a public holiday birthday shower by leaving the bathroom window open Cassy you cheeky lady 😊😻xx

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply to skischool

😂👍💜🥶xxx

Oshgosh profile image
Oshgosh

Do you use oxygen. I lay my clothes out well before I nee them.

I find I get cold as I can’t move very quickly.

corriena profile image
corriena

Put a chair in the shower. Open window and door so air moves and dosent get too stuffy, wash with aquias or zero base ( if your not on oxagen) so you dont have to worry about rincing it off thoraly a two in one shampoo and conditioner and use a toweling robe as suggested to dry yourself. Thats what i do hope it helps a bit. Oh and i get everything reddy before i get in

Spacecat1 profile image
Spacecat1

Wish we could find a quick fix .my hubby helps me. Washing hair and washing me down . Makes me sit down. Then wraps me in my big fluffy dressing gown and gently rubs me down. then puts my nighty on all nicely warmed on the radiator.

I do wish I could do it myself.feel a bit more independent but needs must.luckilyhubby happy to help.

Caspiana profile image
Caspiana

Hi Looseloafers, 👋😊

Everyone has given great advice. Although for some people a steamy shower helps with respiratory problems, it can be a hindrance too. High humidity was never my friend, so I'm the shower I would leave the door open and had a fab as well. I also showered with my oxygen on. Just go slow and give yourself plenty of time. xx 🙋

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

You’ve had many great replies Looseloafers so hope you find something that works for you. Take care xxxxx

Hacienda profile image
Hacienda

Morning Hun, It is a Struggle, I have to Plan my Shower, The Toweling Robe is a Must have been doing this for years. Now though, as I am on Oxygen 24/7, I increase my Flow by 2 levels, Position the chair, as I have short hair , a Little Shampoo, so quicker to rinse off, I actually pour Shower gel onto chair , sit on it , easier to wash Body. I also have my "Ventolin " at Hand to relieve my Breathlessness as The Oxygen can only relieve the other organs, But a Huge Help. Pheww, I am now ready to go into the Bedroom to relax with Robe on and slowly come back to Life with Deep Breathing Exercise , Clean for a few more Days( The every day Shower Has Gone). Take your Time, Plan in advance. Much Love. C. XXXX PS: if you can Leave your window slightly ajar.

skipwork profile image
skipwork

How about using an inhaler first. I guess you have tried that

Cliff

Suzie42 profile image
Suzie42

I am not in same position as you but have had from time to time mobility issues and found a hairdryer came into it's own, drying areas I couldn't reach whilst sitting down. Not on high setting, you don't want to burn.

Jandm profile image
Jandm

The exact same way one step at a time. Be kind to yourself, if it takes all day then so be it

teenieleek profile image
teenieleek

The towelling robe works well but it takes ages to dry, have to put it in the tumble dryer.

JasperDylan profile image
JasperDylan

Hi I’m on Oxygen but I don’t take it in the shower with me it’s outside if I need it.

The best way I have found his to give yourself a good wash using a decent sponge leave your face till last

Take in a few big breaths of air then fade the shower to wash your face and then if you are washing you hair keep your head facing down and wash it rinse it you can breath easier this way

I dry my Top half first get breathless all the time but get used to it

Then I wrap the towel around me sit on the Toilet seat put my oxygen on sit there for around 5or 6 minutes then dry my bottom half.

I always have the door slightly open to allow air to get into the bathroom .

Hope this helps you or any others

JasperDylan profile image
JasperDylan in reply to JasperDylan

Face the shower predictive text

BreatheasyBe profile image
BreatheasyBe

Hi looseloafers I’ve recently been told I can pre oxygenate the blood by putting the oxygen up while I rest for a few minutes then return it to normal for those tasks that require a little more exertion such as going out to walk up hill. I’d imagine you’d need to check with your consultant first as not ever one can tolerate or require this. Basically if the sats are low to begin with then by pre oxygenating before you’re going to be doing something that brings the sats down anyway at least they aren’t at the lowest point to start with. Good luck

Try breathing in deep breaths, holding your breath for 3-4 seconds , then breathing out and keep on doing that. It works just as well when you are out of breath from whatever.. It's the only way I can have a shower or quickly get my breath back quickly.

Jansy16 profile image
Jansy16

I thought I was the only one, I struggle myself to shower. Everything has to be planned. I think the stress building up to showering doesn't help when you are so short of breath. Thinking of you all our there with this problem.

Dilly2 profile image
Dilly2

I sit on the toilet thinking I'll have a shower

I always end up thinking I'll do it tomorrow 😌 so what I do is fill the sink with warm water 💦 little bit of shower gel in it clean my top half one day the next day clean my bottom half. Easy peasie .

Looseloafers profile image
Looseloafers in reply to Dilly2

That sounds doable to me! Otherwise I’m just going smelly! Just kidding 😊😊😊

Dilly2 profile image
Dilly2

My family said I don't smell

When you Meet some they insist they need to shower twice a day

I suppose it depends what do.

I can't do anything that make me sweat

If you want to go around smelly that's your choice ☺️☺️ x

Tissot profile image
Tissot

I have similar but I allow myself plenty of time and get out of shower put a big towel bathrobe on and sit till I dry and take time dressing

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