Showering with epilepsy

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AliCat518

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I've recently developed a huge fear of having another seizure. Basically all day, I worry about it (unless im busy and my mind is too busy to think about it!) Unfortunately, my mind isnt busy as often as I like. Im a student, taking only one class (my last of undergrad) so I sit at home all day on week days. I had a "seizure" 4 months ago (blacked out for a few seconds..nothing like my other seizures) so I dont have a drivers license. I live in a rural area so walking somewhere isnt an option.

Anyways, im dealing with coping with the fear for most of the day. However, when it comes time to shower, im terrified I will have a seizure and drown. I dont take baths, but is it possible to drown in the shower?! What do you guys do to ensure youre safe?!
 
When it comes to showering or bathing with me, I sometimes will leave the door unlocked. Now if Im going through medication changes and have recently been experiencing seizure symptoms, I will for sure leave the door unlocked and my husband will check on me. He will ask me through the door if Im ok. So far, things have been good. I did once when I was younger have a seizure while in the bathtub. My dad heard me saying something and he found me layed back in the tub with my head turned to my right. I dont remember what happened, but he called my mom to help him. I was probably around the age of 13 or so.

Do you have anyone that lives with you?
 
Yes it is still possible to drown in the shower. When I have had seizures in the shower, something always ends up blocking the drain. Like a shampoo bottle, sponge, my foot or head. During some auras I sit doew involuntarily, so there is no thud of me hitting the tub driectly into a TC.

so I have been working with a plumber friend and a techy friend to build a shower sensor that will either shut the shower off and reset the temperature should something not be within the laser sight. (Ie: laser set at a 3 foot height, so if you fall over, your under the laser and it triggers the shut off of the water.

Or it will register if something larger than 2 feet is touching the tub
 
I live with my boyfriend, but he is at work 7am-630pm. I generally groom horses and do stuff outside during the day and like to shower before he gets home!

I always leave the door unlocked, but thats only helpful if he's home.

I too had a seizure in the bath once when I was about 13! Luckily my sister heard me flailing/knocking shampoo bottles all over the place and rescued me! Pretty scary huh?! Glad you made it through your bath seizure too!
 
Rae, wow thats so scary!! I didnt even think about something blocking the drain. What a great idea to make a sensor of some sort.
I dont think thats possible in my case, but if I were having seizures in the shower, I would definitely look into that!
 
The only time I've had a seizure in the bathroom was just after I'd got out of the shower once. I usually only have a shower when there's someone else in the house, and I always leave the door unlocked.
 
AliCat518 said:
Anyways, im dealing with coping with the fear for most of the day. However, when it comes time to shower, im terrified I will have a seizure and drown. I dont take baths, but is it possible to drown in the shower?! What do you guys do to ensure youre safe?!
Click to expand...

IMO, one can drown or be injured in the shower/bath. I had my 1st TC seizure as I was stepping out of the shower. I fell and hit the hot water faucet and was lying there, seizing long enough to suffer 1st and 2nd degree burns on my back and right arm. I ended up in the hospital for 2 months due to the burns and multiple testing for the seizures. Now I make sure I take my meds as prescribed, get plenty of rest, and if I feel like I'm apt to have a seizure that day, I don't shower or bathe (or go anywhere), nor do I cook. The kitchen can be a dangerous place, also for one with seizures. I also once had a CP seizure and burned my hand while cooking.
 
I've had a few seizures in the shower before. One time I fell out and broke the sink in the bathroom.

I know you might want to be clean when he gets home but if you're afraid that you might have a seizure in the shower then wait till he gets home to take it. I think he'd probably rather come home to you dirty rather than find you laying on the floor in the bathroom.
 
valeriedl said:
I've had a few seizures in the shower before. One time I fell out and broke the sink in the bathroom.

I know you might want to be clean when he gets home but if you're afraid that you might have a seizure in the shower then wait till he gets home to take it. I think he'd probably rather come home to you dirty rather than find you laying on the floor in the bathroom.
Click to expand...

:agree:

I would do the same, and just wait til he got home til you showered.
 
I usually have a shower with my wife, it sometimes gets crowded but we both know somebody is there if something were to happen. There was a time I was right scared of taking a shower, I was having baths with my 2 yr old son for a while. I finally got tired of it and had a shower, I do leave the door open when I'm alone. Good thing the bathroom is right above the living room/dining room, I can be heard if I fall.
 
I wonder if my health insurance will pay for a cute guy to shower with me, just to be on the safe side... :)
 
My doctor told me no baths and my son's doctor told him no baths.

I only take showers, but I still worry I'm going to have one and fall etc. and I'm alone a lot right now since my husband is in Afghanistan. When he was home, I'd get up for work and grab a shower and not worry at all knowing he was in the other room.
 
I need to think about how to word this without sounding unclean! :P

I dont ever bath, I only shower!

And my mum normally is in her room doing ironing so she checks. to be honest, even before I had seizures, I was never fond of long showers so its a quick in, shampoo, condition, soap, rinse, out! :D Not normally enough time for anything to happen :)
 
My childrens father has basically had to "move in" to ensure the safety of everybody involved.I completely stay away from ANYTHING that could be a problem while he is at work.2 years ago i was relaxing in tub with door open and kids wandering in and out and he still pulled me face up completely submerged its not like falling asleep where the water hits your nose and you wake up-anyway i just thank God he wasnt out on the tractor.Of course,now his ex thinks she needs more alimony since he shouldnt pay me alimony because he is living here so i feel stuck between getting a stranger,letting kids go with him or giving up money and ability to pay bills on disability alone and trusting he keeps coming around and that HE pays--Life is a crapshoot--PEACE and HAPPINESS to everyone
 
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