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What once was simple..

I vaguely remember the days when taking nice a warm shower was my Zen. Now, I nearly dread the daunting on-edge task. I find myself in survivor mode with all sense on guard. Where did this all go wrong? Seriously, how the heck did I end up here! Gone are the days of singing in the shower, now I find myself stern and at war. Every move made is carefully calculated, every item is mentally noted..as is the where, the when, and the how. Three minutes are on the clock, Goodluck. Ready..Set..Go!
This really makes me wonder, am I the only bather in battle?!

  1. , you are definitely not alone in the bath/shower battle! Unfortunately, it's a pretty common issue in this community. Whether it's the shower itself that is no longer pleasant, the risk of falling, or the sheer fatigue that comes from all the effort of prepping/showering/dressing/etc; the work to stay clean is a real challenge for many members of our community.


    Here's just one of many articles on the topic of showering and MS (and check out the DOZENS of member comments at the end of the article) -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/the-unexpected-perils-of-showering.


    As an aside, I do love your writing style and the way you brought this very real struggle to life in your post. Thank you for sharing!


    Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.

    1. Thank you!

      1. I have to share that it downright stinks that a simple ritual that used to be so refreshing becomes a burden that leaves us wiped out instead. A shower/bath that was once a place to lose our thoughts becomes a place requiring all our attention. 's comments are spot on. I'm just jumping in to personally say that 'I get it.' Treat yourself to some wonderfully-scented shower gel to help ease your senses during the shower; sometimes the simplist things can help. Debbie (Team Member)

    2. You are definitely not alone! Showers are a challenge for a lot of us! Many a time have I showered to get ready to go somewhere and then could no longer go after surviving the shower.

      1. Miss magee15, I would like to pose to you the question posed to me by a long ago dermatologist. I went to see him because I had a mild, itchy rash all over me, and he asked me, "How often do you bathe?" I answered, "Every day, of course." amd he said, "Not any more you don't."


        I'd like to suggest that you bathe less often, and arrange to showe r with a friend so you have somebody to help with the toweling off and the slathering with heavy duty skin cream which is what exhausts me after a shower. At this point, (74 my last birthday) I bathe twice a week.


        All the best, Therry, a Team Member

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