Hygiene

Ok, I'm completely embarrassed to even be asking this question, but does anyone find that their fibro prevents them from keeping up with their hygiene properly?

For me, taking showers is a completely exhausting activity and I find that most days I just don't have the energy to do it. I never let it get to the point where I start smelling really bad, but most of the time I only shower once a week or so.

I'm also really embarrassed to say that with all this fog and absentmindedness I forget to brush my teeth a lot.


Someone please tell me I'm not alone in this.

Hi Kythe-

Getting cleaned up seems to be a major chore for me too. I had my hair cut short so it does not take as long and I "force" myself to brush my teeth in the morning and at night (I smoke and I can't stand the taste in my mouth) Legs are shaved only once a week. 

Maybe brush your teeth right after supper so that when your too tired at night it is already done? Because if your like me and a lot of people the less I have to go to the dentist the better! GamJill

well...I seem to be the opposite so far.  I dont even want to get dressed till I have my shower.  Yes...it's a bit uncomfortable getting in there....but when I'm done, I feel so much more limber.  If I am sore and stiff in the evening, I have another shower to ease the muscle tightness, plus it really helps my RA pain.  Maybe if you just try it a few times, it will be the same for you.  Less pain getting out...plus if you are feeling tired and sore and grumpy....at least you can feel fresh and clean!! I think that has alot to do with our feeling of well being. It's hard to brush the teeth sometimes when you hurt everywhere...but....if you let it slide too long...the discomfort of sitting for lenghths of time in a dentist chair...I chose to force myself to keep up with dental hygiene.  It's just not worth the added pain and suffering you will get from neglect.    This is how I look at it anyway..just force yourself...and the next thing you know..you will be looking forward to those showers and the comfort they give. 

 

Hope this helps

The fog is rolling in lol. I just did up a post and hit a key and it went somewhere into the fog. Anyway, I was brought up to take a bath, I always hated them because I couldn't sit that long. I took one a few yrs ago before a dr. appt. As I started to get up I fell, slammed my ribs and inside of arm into side of tub and my tailbone on the bottom of the tub. I now only takes showers . I have to take a hot shower each night, I have constant burning pain in my back and the shower does help that. I also shampoo my hair and my hair is a bit longer, to the shoulder. I have to bend over to dry my hair because I can't hold my arms up for any length of time. I brush my teeth 3-5x per day, mouthwash 2x, and floss. I have just a little bit of OCD. I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't brush them before bedtime. When I'm shaving my legs, my hips, knees, and ankles are killing me from bracing myself. My family kids me about how long I take for my shower, I can only go as fast as my body will move. I can't wait for it to be over, too. I feel drained when I get done, but I also feel a sense of accomplishment.

God bless.  Alice.

P.S. I will attempt to hit the right key, ta da

I always let my hair air dry. Blow drying really isn't good for your hair. I also can't stand hot air blowing on me, it makes me feel sick.

Hi Alice,

It is hot and humid here too. Tomorrow it suppose to be in the 70's again. Looking forward to that. Hope to go berry picking.

luv and hugs, Karen...

Here are just a few tricks to get through the exhausting shower ordeal that I use. I suffer from extreme deadening fatigue. Also I have long naturally curly ringlets which I pride myself on and I always tell myself that I might fall behind on every other point but at least I will have good hair! (pathetic aint it)!

Put a seat in your shower, even a plastic lawn chair and get a hand held shower .
A rechargeable electric razor is good for a touch up when you are going to be in shorts and you can do it in any chair with a hand towel under you leg
Use a hands free hair dryer holder. Rigg one with duct tape and a tripod if you have to. Styling spray and and some clips are quick and you can relax in a chair while your hair is drying.
Brush your teeth at the kitchen sink. You have to throw your dishes in there after eating anyway.
Never underestimate a sponge bath. Keep a shower puff and liquid soap on a main level bathroom (or again the kitchen sink) A quick wash can give you such a lift!
If you cant get to your hair try a fake clip in ponytail. You just pull back your own hair and clip the ponytail on top. I have friends that have used them and they are quick and easy and look really cute. You can get them at Walgreens or Sallys.
Want a quick, affordable mani pedi? Any 9-12 year old girl will gladly paint your nails just make sure you pick the color or you will end up with neon green on your toes.
These are just a few things to try that have helped me. I am so much more likely be able to drag myself out of the house or to the next room even if I feel clean and fresh. And my spirits are always up if I have good hair!! haha

Kythe, sitting down all the time will make you have more fatigue.  You really need to keep moving...keep the blood circulating.  Some days I'll get up and don't know how I am putting one foot in front of the other, but I get my dog and head out for a walk.  We usually walk about close to a mile each morning.  By the time I get home I am feeling sooo much stronger!  Then I fix breakfast.

 

I shower every night and wash my hair every night.  I can't sleep at all if I don't shower.  I let my hair air dry.  It is always sticking straight up in the morning but I have a spray bottle with water in it so I dampen my hair and then blow dry it and style it.  This way, your hair isn't soaked and you  don't have to hold the blower for very long. 

 

I always brush my teeth and I shave when necessary.  As I age, the hair on my legs isn't growing like it used to so now I only have to shave once every four days. 

 

Sherrine

Kythe, I have a shower chair, too. My DH got it for me after I almost passed out in the shower. I had just come home from the hosp after my hysterectomy. I used it for a couple of wks till I felt stronger, then back to standing. I find it difficult to sit to shower or work in my kitchen. It just always feels awkward and I feel off-balance.

Sherrine, I wish the hair on my legs would slow down as I grow older. I have to shave every night or I have to braid it lol. Options, options!!

Karen, I hope tomorrow is a good day for you and the berries. What kind are you going for and most importantly, how are you going to fix them for ALL of us? Shortcake? whipped cream? lol Sounds like a fun outting, have fun, but don't tire yourself out.

God bless.  Alice.

I've actually used an electric toothbrush for a long time and I love it. It's not the actual brushing that's a problem, just my memory is like swiss cheese and I simply forget. I wonder if I should start writing "brush your teeth" on my arm. LOL

Kythe, my family and I don't always share the same schedule so we leave notes for each other. During the daytime, I will 'remind' my children by leaving a text on their phones. If I won't see them after I go to bed I leave a note on the bathroom mirror. I used to leave it on kitchen counter but they walked past, same thing w/ fridge. But, they all need the bathroom at some point. lol. Usually, I remember things, but I still write things down on my calendar. Sometimes writing it down helps to reinforce the memory. I have left notes to myself on the bathroom mirror. My children think that is too funny, maybe you might remind yourself w/ a note right there in bathroom.

Karen, glad you got some needed rain, hope the 'morrow is better for you. I've never had blackberries, my DH loves them. He used to pick them at his G'ma's house.

Hope you have good day.   God bless.  Alice. 

I am a bather, not fond of showers. They seem so violent. I enjoy just relaxing in the tub with a good book, a glass of something nice like diet sprite or fresca. I, too, become so depressed or in pain enough to let the hygiene go for several days. In the spring I was so depressed that I could not force myself to clean up! My sweet husband never complained when he came home from work and I looked just like I had the day before, except worse. :) Now I am doing better, I feel so awesome after a long soak with a good book and good jazz in the background, with my candles burning. My after-bath routine is complicated, I have a rule- no matter who is waiting, moisturize!!! Sometimes I think the after-bath routine is what kept me from bathing more often in the spring, because I can't not do it! :) I think we have a consensus that this subject is relative to FM, and many of us deal with this as a challenge.
Peace!

What is the best electric toothbrush for fibromyalgia?
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claire