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Any alternative ideas for long hot baths?

60 replies

Epilepsy · 05/09/2024 19:36

I used to love a very long and very hot bubble bath with a book each evening, especially when the weather was colder. I have Raynaud's and always seem to feel "chilled to the bone" and my feet especially loved the bath! It was also part of my "winding down for the evening" nightly ritual/routine (I love a strict routine) - long hot bath for an hour, straight into bed under the preheated blanket with a cup of tea, and keep reading for another hour before sleep. Sadly now my uncontrolled epilepsy means I can't do this anymore.

I have tried lots of alternatives, I could obviously sit down in the bath and have a seated shower, but it's just not the same and I still need someone with me atm really. I have tried things like lying down listening to music, listening to different types of music like classical, having a hot chocolate, rubbing into scented lotion, doing my physio/stretches in the evening instead, lighting a scented candle, oil diffusers, watching a TV series, sitting in the fresh air of the garden wrapped in my blanket, a vibrating massage mat thing, playing with the cat, reading a magazine, puzzle games etc but nothing is the same Sad DH has offered to sit in the bathroom with me nightly which is very kind, but he is 6 foot four and our bathroom is tiny and also has adaptations - he would have to literally fold himself to sit on the tiny step I use to get into the bath  He would do anything to help, he has tried massages, or just rubbing my head, he has even offered to push me around outside for fresh air every evening (and I know he is knackered from his working hours). The best thing I have found has been an electric foot warmer, which was so revolutionary I use it in the day too! I do have lots of lamps/fairy lights and turn certain ones on (god I'm sad ) at set times which has been comforting. Nothing seems to replace my bath ritual though.

I really do have much bigger more important and serious stuff to think about instead of baths, it's really the least of my worries in theory, but now the evenings are drawing in I am feeling the sadness for my missed baths more than ever. I miss the routine of it as well as the hot bubbles etc and about this time of year I used to start to look forward to December when I could crack open the Badedas Smile

Can anyone think of anything else that would give a similar nightly wind down/treat feeling? I don't drink alcohol and have limited mobility (and money!) I miss it so much.

Thank you for any ideas or advice - ironically if I don't reply it'll be because I've gone to sleep, very seizurey at the moment. I'm just so fucking fed up.

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 06/09/2024 18:13

Sounds a bit daft but life jacket? I have epilepsy but it's controlled and I'd go mad without my badedas bath!

Boohbooh · 06/09/2024 19:52

I contributed to the thread yesterday and went to my GP today for my annual checkup to find that I have low blood pressure. She advised that I need to avoid baths in case I faint in it! So, thanks also for all of the suggestions, I'll be looking into them!

blueberrycherubandbump · 06/09/2024 19:54

Infrared sauna, I realise you can't do it at home but it does make you feel lovely and toasty

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Caspianberg · 06/09/2024 20:02

Sheepskin bed topper?
microwave heat pads?

Gonk123 · 07/09/2024 08:35

I have reynauds and it’s bloody awful so I get the feeling cold to the bone. A bath seems to really help and agree with the electric blanket. If I don’t have a bath and just use electric blanket, it can take over an hour to start to feel warm again which is ridiculous. Now the weather is turning, I am already fed up knowing what is to come.
I am not sure of a solution other than to have someone with you while you bathe or perhaps have a heated throw, to try and stop getting so cold in the first place. I have one in my living room which is a god send. I know it’s not just about being cold but perhaps if you address that it might help in some way.

Epilepsy · 07/09/2024 11:02

Thank you for more messages! Lots of love for saunas/sauna blankets on MN! I didn't even know what they were and have looked but out of budget sadly. I'm actually more of a steam room than sauna person, when I used to be a gym member I loved the steam room. Seriously, I could have lived in there.

@Unforgettablefire do you mind me asking if you take baths? I seriously thought about one of those inflatable travel neck pillows round my neck as a kind of life jacket solution Grin

@Boohbooh oh how frustrating for you! Especially after you were kind enough to post here as well! I hope you can get it resolved.

@Gonk123 Raynauds sucks doesn't it?! Do you have an electric warming slipper boot thingy? I am evangelical about mine, it wouldn't be an understatement to say it has changed my life! Really warm feet in minutes whenever you want them even if you look a bit of a knob when your feet are in it Wink

I do also have a heated throw - we all have our own but I have a velvet one which feels extra luxury!

Thank you for all your suggestions.

OP posts:
Epilepsy · 07/09/2024 11:13

Basically I need to win the lottery and live in a giant (yet easy to heat!) bungalow, with a huge bedroom which has a bath in it too. I think that would solve some of the problem - if DH was watching TV in bed I could have a bath while he was within reach, I wouldn't feel "supervised". Or even better, a bathroom with a giant bath we could both fit in! DH hates baths, though of course we happily used to have baths together when we were first dating though Grin and I know he would happily get in the bath with me again to make me feel safe, if he could fit. Sadly in our current house he has about as much chance fitting in the bath solo (let alone with me!) as my cat has of fitting in the tiny cardboard Amazon box she is currently attempting to lie down in Confused Seriously, why do they do that?

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 07/09/2024 11:40

@Epilepsy I've taken baths for donkeys years and even lock the door. My epilepsy is well controlled I've not had a seizure for about 30 years (phenytoin) but I had to be careful until I was stable as sometimes even when I got the aura I'd not have time to act on it.
It's a horrible thing to have, the bitten tongue is so painful and the confusion afterwards 😖

Please don't take any risks your life is worth more than badedas.

Epilepsy · 07/09/2024 12:36

@Unforgettablefire, I'm glad you're so well controlled, that sounds amazing.

What a shame we can't name change on threads (although I understand the reasons why!) as "your life is worth more than badedas" is truly name change worthy! I shall adopt it as a motto, I think Smile

PS if your username is music related, I realised the other day that album was released FORTY YEARS ago Shock Even though I was a child, reading that made me feel shocked. Mind you, I was amazed to read that Noel Gallagher's "child" was 24 and thought HOW (even though I have one myself of that age!!)

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