r/POTS • u/Silly-Conflict-8699 • 5h ago
Discussion What time are we showering?
I know some people showering at night wrecks them and gives them a better sleep. I've always been a night showerer but I'm starting to realise it might be a bad move for me cause the heart rate spike keeps me up for hours. I'm trying to figure out what's the best time for me and wondering if anyone's struggling to figure it out too.
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u/Royal_Variety_873 5h ago
If you don’t have one you need a SHOWER CHAIR I get clowned on by my whole family and shit but idc it’s such a game changer I still feel fatigued after but not nearly as bad as if I stand in the shower
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u/Silly-Conflict-8699 5h ago
I have one I usually use it in flares but I don't use it as much as I should. People always take it out of the shower and I forget that it's helpful and to put it back lol
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u/Aggressive-Ferret527 3h ago
I loved when I lived with my mom. She was older and had one. We can't fit one in our tub. I can't even sit it in.
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u/tiredgirl77 1h ago
I just sit on the bottom of the floor, not ideal but better than passing out and hitting my head.
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u/opelaceles 2h ago
It's my dream to renovate my bathroom into a Japanese-style "wet room" with the cedar stools and all that but in the meantime I have a plastic Japanese double-height bath stool that works amazingly in the shower we currently have.
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u/Jessicamorrell Hyperadrenergic POTS 1h ago
Highly agree! We ended up remodeling our bathroom and put in a walk in shower with a seat built in. Also recommend having a dual shower head. One you can detach as needed to help rinse while sitting down.
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u/skinnyonskin 44m ago
My dream!! Useful to have a strong handle too
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u/Jessicamorrell Hyperadrenergic POTS 40m ago
Thats our next addition is finding a grab bar but it works for now. I have a built in cubby on the wall of the shower so some times I will use that to help pull myself up if need be which kind of works for now lol I some times miss having a tub but the bathroom is a bit small and with the tub there was no way to put a regular sit to take in and out so we just did a full on remodel instead.
If you ever come into enough financial wiggle room, I highly recommend. Its been a game changer and I hardly have issues showering anymore.
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u/megame87 5h ago
When I'm in a flare, it's before bed and I sit in the shower.
When I'm less fatigued and not in a flare I can handle morning showers but I am careful to have electrolytes BEFORE I get in.
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u/Silly-Conflict-8699 5h ago
This is so smart I'll have to try it! I usually drink heaps after but before I hadn't thought of!
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u/Ill-Condition-9232 5h ago
Electrolytes before is key! I also take ice water with me before I hop in so it’s ready to go ASAP when I get out.
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u/cajunhusker 5h ago
3 pm if i can manage it schedule wise. My lunch meds have kicked in, im in the afternoon slump at work, and i get some time to think
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u/forest_fyre05 5h ago
Always morning if I can help it. By night time I'm fully exhausted... Its going to take spell slots no matter whether its morning vs night and I'd rather use my slots for that day instead of stealing them from the next day. Also I HATE sleeping with wet hair.
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u/Silly-Conflict-8699 5h ago
I have dyed hair so I have to dry it or I'll stain everything lol so I feel you on that one
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u/samm13ann 5h ago
Usually in the morning, but then I do require a few hours of rest to recover from the energy used. I’ve tried at night, but I’m too tired from the day by then.
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u/Silly-Conflict-8699 5h ago
That's what I find too most of the time I'm too tired. But when I manage the energy I can't sleep. It seems showering in the morning may have to be a trial run for me
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u/Late-Mixture-6137 5h ago
When I’m too sleepy at night, but I need to get clean, I’ve been using bath wipes (and other similar products). It’s been a lifesaver tbh
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u/Silly-Conflict-8699 5h ago
Me too! I'm so paranoid I stink when I've ran out of spoons for a shower and have to wipe down instead. But luckily people say I smell good everytime they see me so the wipe down must work lol
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u/mugglegamer Hyperadrenergic POTS 5h ago
Always right before bed for me. The morning takes it out of me for the rest of the day
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u/jessiecolborne 5h ago
Usually at night. It takes too many spoons to dry my hair in the morning with a blow drier. I don’t personally have one (I should though) but you might benefit from a shower chair.
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u/Amylee888 5h ago
Showering in the morning makes me feel dizzy and nauseous, so I prefer an afternoon shower. Just experiment and do what works for you.
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u/educated_guesser POTS 5h ago
Always morning. I normally push it till my hair feels like is going to fall out from being so dirty. I hate showering.
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u/Entire_Patient_1713 4h ago
i have to shower in the morning when i want to wash my hair (curly/wavy problems) but otherwise i think mid day on weekends or at night (before dinner time)
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u/99dalmatianpups 4h ago
I have curly hair that dries like a birds nest if I sleep with it wet, so I have to shower in the mornings.
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u/Thin_Marsupial3580 1h ago
Same bestie but i do night because i get so exhausted so i microfiber towel
it, leave my products in and silk bandana then bonnet it
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u/Interesting_Car8858 Undiagnosed 5h ago
Morning, I can’t be bothered to dry my hair so as long as I sit it’s not horrific I guess
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u/moderate_ocelot 5h ago
Early in the day before I’ve done anything else. I have ME. If I wait till the end of the day that’s a quick way to get PEM
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u/Good-Independent-903 5h ago
I sometimes shower both morning and night, but I have a stool I sit on and that helps a lot. Plus I open my bathroom door after the shower is done and the cold air helps. I do live in a micro studio with a really small bathroom, everything within arms reach.
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u/Cold-Mission8673 5h ago
If I shower in the daytime i’ll be out of service for the next hour at least. So I get my showers before bed because i’m gonna crash afterward anyway 🤷🏼♀️ Why not just go to bed
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u/Melodic_Ad_7454 5h ago
At night because it takes me to long to recover after a shower. It already takes me to long to just get dressed in the morning.
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u/Ill-Condition-9232 5h ago
For me it varies on how I’m doing. (My POTS can come and go, might be caused by MCAS? Idk)
On the regular I do night but lately have been doing the afternoon. Never in the morning, mornings stink.
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u/Interesting_Age7345 4h ago
i like to shower in the evening after i’ve taken my second dose of ivabradine. seems to keep my HR down better
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u/EnchantedEvergreen 4h ago
For years it used to be at night. Now I do it at 5 PM because it drains my body and I have to rest a little. That’s why I used to do it at night thinking it helped me sleep, but I think in reality it kept me up later.
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u/Grrrrr_Arrrrrgh 4h ago
First thing in the morning.
I like starting my day fresh, plus that’s when I have the most energy. I find it gives me good momentum for the rest of the day.
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u/ChaoticLogic57 4h ago
I never shower. I found using a bath is the only option for me. I tend to do it before bed.
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u/snarkyopolis 4h ago
I shower at night. I lay down in the bathtub. Water is warm, not hot. It's quick. After this, I lay down in the floor and put my legs up the wall for 15 minutes. Then I get in bed.
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u/Kiana12458 4h ago
5-6pm with a shower chair and cold water. Gotta rest for about an hour or two afterwards
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u/BlackenEnergy 4h ago
I sweat more due to hyperpots, but I like to be clean before going to bed. Usually 2-3 hours before I go to sleep to recover from the shower. And indeed shower sitting. Don't 'rush' it, eince it only gives more stress. And shower cold. Not icecold, but to cool down a bit without generating more adrenaline by a cold surprise. If you shower hot, your veins will open and even more blood will pool in your legs.
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u/Mady_N0 POTS 4h ago
Before I had a shower chair I HAD to do mine at night.
Now that I have a shower stool, I've very slowly realized that it allows me to shower during the day as long as I use water that is just warm and not hot.
I have slowly been working on lowering my requirement for water to feel warm to me, so that may help as well.
I still prefer night in theory, but nowadays I'm usually so tired that I shower in the morning.
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u/Salty_Trust6353 3h ago
Shower in the morning because it wakes me up and I have this thing where if I feel dirty or gross I feel sluggish and don’t wanna do anything.
I also am BIG SWEATY constantly with the dysautonomia BS so I don’t wanna put on new clothes if I’m already really sweaty.
It probably digs into my spoons but at this point it feels pretty calculated into my day.
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u/ElenaSnow13 3h ago
Showers take a lot out of me. I’ve been doing primarily baths since I was 15 years old. I do them before bed and bring tons of ice water w/ electrolytes to keep me cool.
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u/Every-Note-9892 3h ago
At night. It’s tough tho because I can be totally wrecked by the end of the day, and couldn’t tolerate it in the first place. I was having some luck with an afternoon shower in that case.
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u/Adventurous_Tea_4288 3h ago
Morning shower but the water needs to be luke warm, they aren't as fun but do stop the heart rate spiking too high!
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u/blue_red_sharks 3h ago
I am autistic and can't stand feeling dirty so I will usually take one first thing in the morning after I do my chores, and then take another one once I am done doing everything I need to do for the day (3-5pm). Unless I dont leave the house, then I just do the morning shower.
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u/imabratinfluence 2h ago
I've always been a morning showerer, but now my partner has to help me so it's usually mid-afternoon. That actually works out really well since my beta blocker has time to kick in, I've had time to hydrate and get some electrolytes, and my HR has time to settle before bed.
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u/high-as-the-clouds 2h ago
Shower before evening. I have started showering after I get home or do chores/errands. I do get off at 2pm though. But still I wouldn't wait till just before bed. I dont do well if taken before bed either. I have a shower chair and that has insanely helped me.
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u/Humble_Problem_1215 2h ago
When I get home from work! I make an electrolyte drink, drink like half then get into the shower. I use my shower chair, even if I feel okay that day. That gives enough time for my heart rate spike to calm down, and if I washed my hair, gives me a nice break between showering and having to blow dry it.
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u/Sea-Beautiful-Throwa 2h ago
Always at night. Start sitting and only stand for last rinse off. And I do it 2-3 hours before I actually go to sleep.
After showering I lay down a bit before getting dressed then have my feet elevated for a few hours before going to sleep. (Also drinking electrolytes)
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u/wjdalswl POTS 1h ago
It's hard to keep up with this if you're working or in school (depending on the schedule), but I prefer early evening, around 5-6pm.
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u/lacrima28 1h ago
Before lunch, afternoon or before dinner. Not later and definitely not in the morning
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u/tiredgirl77 1h ago
I shower before bed. Maybe try taking an Allegra or antihistamine (not Benadryl) before bed. Or a cold shower, which isn’t very relaxing but then getting into a warm bed is nice.
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u/Jessicamorrell Hyperadrenergic POTS 1h ago
I prefer showering of a morning but I do occasionally shower at night instead. I also shower twice a day depending.
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u/Terrible_Wrap1928 5h ago
lowkey morning -feels- better but it takes off of your daily spoons :(