Hiya - thought I’d have a bath this morning instead of a shower as it was so cold and my legs so stiff!
Bath was lovely but … when I tried to get out I was stuck my legs wouldn’t work!
There was no one in the house to help me but after about 10 mins I managed to get out!
SPMS is so unpredictable!
Does anyone know if I can get any help with adaptations if there are any?
Thanks
Sue xx
My first thought is not to take a bath when you are alone! What if you slipped and seriously hurt yourself.?
Hopefully someone can access your home if you need help.
Hi Sue - really scary when you can’t get out of the bath. I now use a bath board which was suggested by my physio - they also offered to order me one but I bought my own - about £25.
You put it over the bath and sit on the end - I then lift my legs into the bath and then use my arms to lower myself into the bath - remove it to lie down and relax - then use arms again to lift me up - sit on the board and swing legs out. Also find it useful to sit on in the bah and use the shower head to have a shower instead of having to stand up. Think there is a you tube video to show how to use one so you could see if it would help. There is a you tube video for everything!
I don’t have a bath tho when I’m on my own just in case 
Helen
Yes, you need to get an ot to do an assessment, then she’ll pass you on to housing adaptations dept and you can be means tested for a DFG,… disabled facilities grant.
We went for this about 4 years back and I was fast tracked as urgent, but a year later I was still number 161 on the list!! So we bit the bullet and got a bank loan. I got a beautiful twinkly walled, snazzy wetroom which I call Hollywood!!!
Luv pollx
Oh dear!
ive not got stuck myself because I haven’t had a bath for two years now I’m SP too, I’ve got no upper body strength so can’t lower or raise myself in to a bath or out of one, OT recommended a bath board
there is a pump up bath aid (Manger bathing cushion) they’re a bit pricey at the best part of £400, take a look on tinternet, I’ve not used one personally but miss having a wallow, today particularly as I’ve got a busted boiler so no heating till at best Monday So I really wish I’d bought one now, it was the price that put me off even thinking about buying one, but rather than get stuck in the bath…
Best of luck
Hiya - thanks so much for all the replies!
Thanks - yes I’ll defo take the advice not to have a bath if there’s no-one else in the house!
I love the idea of the aids and will find out where I can get them from!
I’m having such a hard time with MS at the moment but your responses have cheered me up!
Thanks again Sue xx
Good to know!
I was gardening home alone last month.I Lost my balance and toppled into the flower bed! Thankfully hubby came home early. I cant get up from floor level!
Look on Betterlife healthcare on internet they usually have loads of bath aids, some are not expensive at all. A board is only about 16.00.
It was ages ago when we had a bath in the house, i got stuck. Sadly my husband couldnt get me out so i might as well have been alone, he has COPD and very weak. I took the plug out and let myself cool down and then between us i got out. We had the bath removed and a lovely corner shower put in with a seat so much better, but even after a shower it wipes me out.
I agree with the rest though dont have one on your own. MS is weird without doubt lol.
I was assessed by an occupational therapist who came to the house and one of the things that she got for me was a bath seat it lowers you in and then raises you up again to get out - however you can’t lie flat in the bath when you use it. As I can get in the bath OK but can’t get back out I get in on my own and then when I want to get out I shuffle to one end of the bath and hubby puts the bath seat in behind me I then slide onto it and up I come.
Hello Sue.
Adult social care is the way to go. I now have a wet room with a shower seat. I’m on my own and it works really well. My dad has a rising and lowering bath chair. In the early days if my bath was too hot it was a struggle to get out, Now I’m resigned to never bath again. On the days I’m too tired I used a cleansing foam. It’s brilliant.
Bet wishes, Steve x
Hiya
Ooh yes maybe I should find out about a wet room!
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.
I really appreciate you all!
Sue x
s
I’ve only had a few very quick, fairly shallow baths since I was diagnosed as it turned that one of my symptoms is Uthoffs Phenomena (I react badly to heat!).
One of the last ‘normal’ baths I had before I was diagnosed (i.e. hot) left me unable to stand as one leg just wouldn’t support me after. I didn’t realise the temperature was a factor but I was in a very confused mess. I thought I should mention it in case you have an issue with heat.
I only shower now, at a medium temperature, with a bath board & grab rails after a few falls
Sonia x
I have a floating thermometer, one meant for a baby, after some trial and error I have found a comfortable temperature range for my bath that doesn’t leave me unable to walk but is warm enough to lie in for a while
eeyore girl, its been said before, but contact social services and explain. They will come and do assessment. They are able to offer adaptions and you may want to rethink the whole having a bath scenario. I have showers now and never a bath.
Its a shock at first to have a carer come in and help you to get in and out of a bath/shower. But its beats getting stuck in rapidly cooling water.