How to have a bath?

Helenbothknees

I can now climb into the bath to use the shower over it without any problem. But I hate showers, and I absolutely love baths (with bubble bath, book etc). At the moment, with two new knees, there's no way I can sit down in the bath - and even if I could manage it I wouldn't be able to get up again. Is there any kind of step or seat or similar which I could get - just for short term use; I don't want to shell out lots for one of those fancy bath lowering thingies they advertise in the Radio Times and elsewhere, as I'm sure eventually I'll be able to do it? Our bath has handles, so I'd have something to get hold of anyway. Does anyone know?

dreamdaisy

I remember being told that I would need a 125 - 130 degree bend to cope with the getting out (that was after my first synovectomy) but I think this is another area where you should seek professional advice. DD

Helenbothknees

I have that much bend, but not enough strength yet. But you're right; I'll ask the physio tomorrow. I just thought someone else on here might have found the ideal short term solution.

JuliaHod12

i havent had a bath in over 2 years!
I too loved a good old soak, but have had to suffer showers since the extreme knee problems.
Right now i have a seat which goes over the bath just so i can shower safely......... :-(

Helenbothknees

Poor you, Julia. But maybe you will be able to when your new knee is better; I was told that I would be able to. I could before, because I was in the slightly unusual position of being very flexible, but in such pain when standing that I could hardly walk at all. That's why my GP was reluctant to let me have a TKR; he said I'd lose all the flexibility. The consultant said I wouldn't if I exercised like mad from the start, and it looks like he'll be right in the end, fingers crossed! But I really would like to have a bath....

dreamdaisy

My last bath was in 1999. I smell a bit now. :oops: Do I miss them? No, not any longer. 'im indoors can spend up to two hours in the bath. Ye gods. We have one toilet and yup, it's in the bathroom. DD

Soretoe2

Hello Helenboth knees,
I was given a bath board via the occupational therapist at my local hospital and a small stool that had suckers to stick to the bottom of the bath to try. To be honest they were both a dismal failure as they were hard to sit on and did not allow the body to be covered by the water.
Not very comfortable for knees or hips and very chilly. I gave them both a try with hubby's help and sent them back. We did have a good laugh mind you..
I'm afraid they had nothing else to offer and said that it is a common complaint. Showers seem to be the only way.
So I am also a stinky person as I can only wash as I can't get in or out the bath.
Sometimes if you are registered disabled or meet the criterea, there is a process that allows a new wet room/walk in bath to be fitted from public funds. I do know someone who fought hard and got a walk-in bath and it is lovely.
All you can do is ask. If your physio can't help you could try the Red Cross, as they lend things out. You could try phoning your local one and asking if they have any suggestions. Wish I could be of more help as a relaxing bath is one of life's lovely things.

Helenbothknees

Thank you Soretoe, but I think I'll be able to bath eventually, so it's not worth going to that much trouble. I think your stool with stickers might work for me though; I could sit on that, then lower myself into the bath, then reverse the process to get out...at least, I think so. I might try to ask about getting one of those. I've abandoned my bath board as I can climb in and out no problem now; I just can't sit right down in one go.

diamond

At the moment i have no bath or shower as i am in the middle of getting my bathroom changed.I decided to change to a walk in shower for safety as i did not feel safe with shower over the bath.I have tried shower board but did not feel comfortable,invested in a bath lift as i loved having baths it worked great with remote control but it is not the same as lying back normally you would need a exceptionally deep bath for it to be relaxing.So decided safety first, i will miss my bath but i know personally that my knees won't bend enough after two tkr's.Thank goodness i have family near who are letting me use their showers this week.I am looking forward to getting this done,no holidays this year but a new shower room that i can use with confidence.My three year old grandaughter said you can use my bath Nana,if only but what a sweet thought.

pegleg

After I was told pre op that I couldn't get in the bath for 6-8 weeks post op we decided to rip the bath out and put in a shower pod , my wonderful partner worked his socks off to fit it and have it working by the time I was ready , it has a built in seat , radio and funky LED's ! . We had both slipped in the shower bath we had before and decided a shower would be safer and easier , and its wonderful , I'm sure there are ways for you to have a lovely bath Helen but please be careful :? xx

diamond

Glad you are enjoying your shower pod Peg,how i wish i could have borrowed your partner to do mine could have saved a fortune.I myself have had a few near misses and like you decided change was necessary.

Helenbothknees

I have a really good non-slip mat, actually bought by my regular cat sitter some time ago and left here for her stays. I feel quite safe with that. I just need a way to actually sit down in the bath....

freesia

I had both knees "extensively & openly" operated on several months back, both together, I was not able to shower or bath for 3 weeks - My first bath came about 10 weeks post op...

I would give you a few tips when you eventually do bathe, don't use too many bubbles, it might get a bit slippy, also make sure you have towels to hand to wipe the bath sides as when you push yourself up they need to be dry - again to avoid slipping..
You can get stools / steps & various handles ect, but I have not tried these myself....

But when my knees are finally replaced I will certainly consider getting a bath stool..

Interested to hear how your getting on with having both knees operated on together, IT's Hard Work...!! My consultant will be happy to replace my knees together too when the time comes, he said the pain levels, recovery time ect would roughly be the same as the OP I just had, so Think i'll brave it..

GOOD LUCK in your search for a long safe bath...

Colin1

Oh yes the old bath problem, nothing like the old hose pipe and scrubbing brush in the back yard mind you i have to be careful i dont scare the neibours. I have one of those wet rooms but i so much miss soaking in the bath with a cup of tea and the crossword it was bliss. My wife and i went to Felixtowe for a week a couple of months ago and the hotel room had a bath i got two baths a day for the hell of it LOL. My wife used to lift me in and out of the bath and it was a situation i could not get used to so we had to convert to wet room.
Colin

Helenbothknees

Ah, Colin, my neighbours would love it!

Anyway, I think I have a way - I just tried it in an empty bath. I have a small plastic stool about 9" high, usually used to reach top cupboards etc, since I'm somewhat vertically challenged. I put the non slip mat in the bath, then this stool, which wedged quite well against the back of the bath. I climbed into the bath (which I can do OK) wearing espadrilles which are non-slip - I can bath in them; they dry easily. Lowered myself on to stool, then held on to bath sides and gently lowered myself into bath. Then I removed the stool - and I'm there! I reversed the process to climb out, and it was quite easy - I do have fairly strong arms from doing yoga, carting round sacks of cat litter etc.

Now I have to try it for real - this evening; I don't do daytime baths. Freesia, thank you for the suggestions/warnings - no bubble bath the first time, and I'll dry the top of the bath thoroughly before getting out. And make sure my partner is around in case of any problems.

It may sound trivial, and compared to many things it is of course, but I'm so excited! This feels like real progress!

Helenbothknees

It worked! I had a lovely long soak, and no problems. The only minor snag was the stool starting to float when I wanted to get out, and letting out a little water did the trick. I feel so much better!

woodbon

I've got a an ordinary walk in shower and a bath and its not a problem for me if I'm careful, as we've got strong handle fitted to the wall, but the seat we had for my mother in law (she lived with us) was expensive but good. You need help with it though, its seat went down into the water, and you got in and out with a special extension that came out of the side of the bath chair. You DO need help though, unless very mobile! It's also quite expensive.
Love Sue