Shower chair issues

[TinyLady]

Finally my delivery of long awaited equipment arrived today and included 2 shower chairs to try. I've been using a basic one bought from Amazon....

But they are awful! Extremely painful on the back of my legs and so massive. I am trying not to fall through the hole in the middle of them. I literally cannot sit for more than a second or two and it hurts a lot.

My carer sat on them and said they were OK, not comfy but not painful. We think it must be because I am so small. My legs dangle and my bottom just wants to fall down the middle. I'm so dissappointed. Has anyone else had this issue? Are there smaller chairs? Because these two are entirely useless!

I hate to complain after finally getting something....

[Ellie]

My carer sat on them and said they were OK, not comfy but not painful.

No disrespect to your carer, but her rump muscles are probably meaty and she was (hopefully) dressed, so not a good test subject and besides, it's irrelevant what anyone's opinion is bar yours.

My legs dangle and my bottom just wants to fall down the middle.

Has it not got a footrest?
Chairs come in a variety of seat widths and materials. My seat width is 46cm and when I go for respite, I have to use the "small chair" as the others are too wide.

Seats can be hard plastic, moulded polyurethane, padded or mesh, so you know there are oodles of better alternatives. xx

[TinyLady]

Ellie - yes, I asked my carer to sit on them as I was so shocked by how painful I found them. It made no sense. But clearly for somepeople they are OK. Iwas dressed trying them out... I darent without clothes!

Good to know there might be other options. The width and depth of these two are far too big. They were made of moulded plastic. Let's hope they can be removed and replaced with something better! My entire wet room is full of shower chairs!

Do you fall down the hole in yours Ellie? Surely the hole must come in different sizes too?

[Piglet]

TinyLady why don’t you contact Occupational therapy and get them to assess you for shower chair. You shouldn’t have to purchase them your self. My husband was measured for his.xx

[TinyLady]

Piglet these were ordered by the OT, but I have been investigating to try to find out if they are a standard size or if it is possible to get one that is small enough, then I can insist/advise. Because these two are no better than chocolate tea pots.... painful chocolate teapots, not even tasty ones!

[Piglet]

TinyLady hope you find the right one🤗 xx

[Ellie]

TinyLady The size of the opening in my shower chair is 19.5cm at its widest point, which I don't have any problems with, and there's a bevelled edge around the opening.

I've definitely had shower chairs in respite where the openings were larger than my home chairs. xx

[AngieCanuck]

Mine has adjustments for height…of course I’ve got on highest setting (5’11”) but legs can be adjusted.

[Tabbycat]

TinyLady you need to let them know they are no good, otherwise they will assume they are OK. If they have given them to you to try, they must be expecting you to give an opinion?

There are a wide variety of shower chairs as Ellie says. If the ones available on the standard list don't fit, they should order you one that does on a "special order" after taking your measurements.

There are also a wide variety of paediatric chairs for children and teenagers, so they do definitely come in smaller sizes.

[Ellie]

AngieCanuck Oh, something has got lost in translation - we're talking about wheeled shower chair/commodes - at least I think we are...

[Maria C]

TinyLady if we could get that Chinook flying, I would be delighted to come and advocate for you. I’ve recently been told that I have opinions and I’m not afraid to share them. 😳😂🤣

Your OT needs to arrange equipment for you that fits YOU! Please let them know why the current shower chairs are unsuitable and tell them what you need to be comfortable. The equipment is out there. Your OT needs to do better for you.

[Tabbycat]

TinyLady

Just one example of what is available in smaller ranges:

https://ambrestone.co.uk/product/raz-atp-paediatric-tilt-in-space-hygienic-paediatric-shower-chair/

If the OT is not experienced in neurology then ask to see a more senior OT. Your shower chair needs to be able to support your posture and care for your pressure areas in the same way your wheelchair does.

Can you attached photos of what they have offered?

[Ellie]

TinyLady Do you know the width and depth of your trial chairs - maybe they are bariatric chairs.

FWIW, my little niece uses my chair over the loo without issue.

Anyhoo, clearly those two trial chairs failed their trial hands down... xx

[TinyLady]

Thanks everyone. OT contacted me and asked how the shower chairs were and I explained no good! She said she might need to get a rep out.

Yes, they are wheeled commode type chairs. I think one is a swift Mobil 2 and the other is a easy clean or something? They are standard size. Not had a chance to measure opening size, but would assume "standard". Trouble is at 150cm tall and with a wasted bottom I'm quite far from standard size 🤣

Tabbycat- I will have a look at the link for some ideas, thank you. I'm grateful you are all encouraging me to get the right equipment. I need to be able to sit on my showerchair without pain!

My OT is experienced and I'm sure she will sort it, I think I'm just unusually petite. When I had my hip replacement they had to make it specially as even the tiniest off the shelf one was too big.... i always think old ladies look tiny... but clearly I'm of a very small frame.

[TinyLady]

Tabbycat - checked out the link... there are some really good chairs there, even some for people with pelvis problems (which might explain some of my issues with the 2 chairs - my pelvis is a mess). So it has given me hope that I will find something. They also seem to have padded seats. I think I need padding!

Thank you! 🙂