Showering
I want to take a shower. I've been wanting to take a shower for several days now (like maybe 10 days). Really, I go in the bathroom lean over the sink, take some deep breaths and then turn right around and say "oh I'm good for another day." Just thinking about washing my hair and other stuff makes me tired. Good thing I live alone
When I take a shower I use a shower stool, plus I turn up my oxygen concentrator to 5 liters so I don't get out of breath. After I shower, shave, and get dressed, I sit down for a bit before I turn my oxygen concentrator back down to 2 liters.
Hi jahlah, and thanks for jumping in here and sharing the success you have taking showers using the tips you've shared here with all of us.
Keep up the good work!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Thank you Jahlah, I just have to make that move into the shower.
I've had COPD since 2002 and am at the "severe" stage. Most of us know how hard showering can be. Some tips I've learned are 1) hand-held shower wand 2) Terry cloth robe for drying off - just sit down and rest 3) turn up your 02 a notch or two and 4) most helpful - put a small fan on your bathroom countertop to keep air circulating around you. This last tip is the best, if you're sob you can even stand right in front of the fan as it pushes air on your face! Of course, also use your nebulizer and don't forget your meds. I do feel so fortunate as I haven't been hospitalized with an exacerbation since 2013 - 9 years ago! Keep putting one foot in front of the other.!
Hi! Your wife is lucky to have such a caring spouse on her team. 😀 The loss of independence can be scary and frustrating. First, try your best to remember that while you can offer support, you don't have to be the one to fix everything. No one has to carry that on their shoulders. <3 That said, it may be good to sit down with her and have a gentle conversation about what she wants in a support person. She may already have things she would like help with, but is reluctant to ask. Or maybe she just wants someone to listen while she expresses her feelings, without trying to change anything. Let her guide you. As far as showering goes, if she is not using one already, you may want to consider looking for a shower seat or bench. Encourage her to take her time, and use her oxygen in the shower if needed. It takes as long as it takes, no pressure. And if she needs help, it sounds like you will be there for her, which is a great thing.
I know these are general ideas but I hope it helps. Please feel free to stick around and ask as many questions as you'd like. We are here to support you and your wife on this journey -- we understand what you are going through and you are not alone.
Whenever you want to ask a question, just post it on www.copd.net/forums. Take it one day at a time! Glad you are here. -Melissa, copd.net team
my wife has COPD and she gets out of breath when she gets in the shower and I don’t know what to do to help her 
, I hear how much your wife struggles with showering. This is something many of our community members have difficulty with. Here are a few articles that have some tips that you both may find helpful: https://copd.net/living/community-feedback-tips-for-showering, https://copd.net/answers/expert-answers-showering, https://copd.net/living/personal-hygiene-showering. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member).
