Having To Plan To Take A Bath Or Shower... What A Pain! Options

[thankful]

I was reading these posts and thankful that I usually have the energy to take a bath every morning. Then I remembered that in order to take a bath, I first have to lay in bed for an hour or two, drinking salted drinks and taking meds. Then I enjoy a warm, not hot, bath which is one of the only times when my muscles don't hurt so much for some reason. Then I get back to bed and lie flat until I get dry enough to put my hose on. Forget drying my hair! I've grown my hair out and just put it up in a braid because it demands the least amount of time with my arms reaching upward. It air dries that way. Not stylish, but gives me more energy for important things, like laundry!

I've recently started trying various POTS meds, and notice an increase in my function level which is great!!! But I realize that if I'm going back to work anywhere, I couldn't start my work day until at least 11am because the meds and salt haven't kicked in before that. Oh well, I'll take what I can get!

[sue1234]

Sophia,

Oh well, what a mix up on the New Orleans thing! I thought you were going to the Voodoo Festival, which has music for the next 48 hours or so, with Eminem tonight and Kiss/Sting(can't remember which one) tomorrow night, along with alot of lesser known musicians. When you said New Orleans music I just assumed you were heading to the big fest!

[Sophia3]

Sue

My New Orleans fest was 2 hour short gig, with great NOLA food and music. Can't go wrong with that combo either.

now back to our topic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[prettyinpink]

I get so irritated that theres never a good time to take a shower. I have energy in the morning but, if i take my shower in the morning I'm exhausted and need to take a long nap which ruins my day. I'd rather take a shower at night so i can just go to bed afterwards but i'm so tired at night its really really hard and sometimes impossible.
Someone suggested wipes like baby wipes but you can buy them in the pharmacy section to help tide you over until you can take a shower. Theres also shampoo that doesn't require water you rub into your hair and let it dry. I've only used in the hospital but it worked pretty well.

[lmt033167]

For those of you who have trouble with washing your hair, have you ever tried dry or no rinse shampoo/conditioner?

My youngest son has asthma and gets sick easily and it drives me nuts not to be able to wash his hair when he's sick so I use it.

Clean Life Products - No Rinse Shampoo ($6.99) or Conditioner ($4.99) no water needed just apply, lather & towel dry. Word of caution - it does have a scent.

[lifesaver]

I am going to try taking my shower at bedtime and wash my hair in the sink. So good to know that feeling crappy after a shower is common to Dys. The bedtime shower is such a simple solution--kind of my V-8 moment, lol.

[Caron]

We put in a whirlpool bath when we built our house 12 years ago. I love sitting in their reading with the water really hot, but every time I have done that over the past few years it triggered a bad spell. I'm cold ALL the time with a low body temp, so a hot bath really sounds inviting. Instead, I crawl up in a ball on the couch with 1 or two quilts, layered clothing and socks and try to stay warm.

No hot baths for me anymore! sniff sniff

[shadesofgrey49]

I miss baths

[Brye]

I miss Hot Tubs and baths!! There's that commercial on TV I see frequently where they have that walk in bath tub with a chair type seat. It's aimed at an elderly population but I've been tempted to look into that option. I occasionally look longingly at my neighbors hover round chair as well. Some times I just feel old and I keep thinking I'm too young to be old yet!

Frustrated ... Brye (thanks for listening)

[BelieverEM]

It feels so good not to be alone on this one. Often, I only manage to shower once a week. In between, I either use "No-Rinse Body Wash" (I put it in a spray bottle because it's thin as water and difficult to apply straight from the bottle) or pre-moistened bathing cloths. I've tried them all, and my favorite is "Comfort Bath Ultra-Thick Washcloths" because they're easy to use (no rolling or bunching) and actually get me clean. Applying babdy powder afterward is a MUST, to get rid of the slightly-sticky feeling, and to stay dry (just getting dressed can make me break out in a sweat).

My hair is far too thick for the "No-Rinse" shampoo to do any good (I tried it once, and had to use almost the entire 16-oz bottle to dampen my hair, which was tangled beyond reconning, even with the conditioner chaser! My only way to get my hair lean without showering is if a parent or sibling if available to help me. Then, we use the "E-Z Shampoo Hair Washing Tray" in the sink (around $30-- you can get others for more money at sites like http://www.rehabmart.com/category/Bath_Hygiene.htm). I like the tray better than a basin because I don't have to lay down or tilt my head back at all. The cape (like the Comfort-cape) and funnel (like the shamp-ease shampoo funnel) styles also work well. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

When I DO shower, I use my shower chair, prop up my legs, and use the hand-held showerhead. I use lukewarm water (slightly cooler than skin-temp) and do not leave the water running-- for example, I'll rinse my hair, then turn off water while I lather shampoo. Rinse hair, then turn off water while applying conditioner...

I'd be interested in hearing how the rest of you manage to stay clean!

Erin

[Renata]

So heartening to hear that many others have the same struggles with showering/bathing that I do. When I'm well enough to shower, I shower in the evening so I can go straight back to bed and recover overnight. I use a shower chair and don't have the water too hot. Someone has to be around to help me as well. I've had quite a lot cut off my hair to make it easier to manage too.

[potsgirl]

I sometimes feel like cutting off my long hair, but actually, having long wavy hair is pretty easy, once it's washed. I always let it dry on it's own, and never have to handle the heavy (for me) hairdryer! Still, sometimes I wish I had the money to go to the salon and have them wash it once a week!

Cheers,
J

[Sophia3]

Believer

PLEASE re post your link. It did not work for me.

Thanks

***EDITED*** never mind, I took off the ) thingie and it worked (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)