Re: Bathtubs and shaving legs

[Guest guest]

I use a shower chair. That helps a lot with balance and shaving. Plus when

I close my eyes while washing my hair standing, I fall.

Jen

[Guest guest]

This isn't my area of expertise, but how about using a chair/stool about the

height of the bathtub? Place the stool OUTSIDE the tub, sit on the chair/stool,

and rotate so your legs are in the tub?

Sounds plausible, but I'll admit I haven't had the need to try this.

Dan, RN

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

After I had back surgery, my PT suggested I use a " shower chair " . We

found one (inexpensive) at our local Long's, and it was so

lightweight, I could lift it in and out. The tub is very deep and

circular, but with that chair in, it gave me the freedom to shave,

bathe, etc. I think I only used it for 3 weeks total so it is almost

new. I'd be happy to give it to you. The chair is very sturdy, and it has firm

back support. We'd just have to figure out a packing/shipping cost. Or you may

be able to find one there locally.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

I use an electric shaver. I cannot stand in a tub or shower and must use a

shower bench. MDA Clinic here in Michian told me to stop using a razor cause of

the numbness in the legs. I can cut myself and not realize it. I sit on the

toilet seat lid and use the electric one. Its easier for me.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna!

You know what's weird with me about shaving and I think it's because of the CMT.

Years ago I noticed I had to shave my legs less and less because the hair wasn't

growing. (this doesn't apply to my armpits though) Now after being diagnosed,

maybe my hair doesn't grow (rarely) because of my nerve endings. I have no idea

if that can be true, but it makes sense to me. I don't have to shave for months

at a time. And like others have said, I too put a chair in the shower. My

shower is small though and sometimes I can get away with putting my butt against

the wall. By I too will fall if I close my eyes while shampooing. It's a

dangerous place to be....The ol' shower mess!! lol......

Take care,

[Guest guest]

I think I can sit on the side of the bath tub if necessary, but actually I will

probably just get an electic shaver.

Donna in Tampa

[Guest guest]

I was told that the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) here in San Diego will loan

equipment to anyone in need, regardless of military status.

I have never verified this, and I don't know if it's just a San Diego thing or

not. Worth a try.

O

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, the decreased hair growth on your lower legs is due to the

C.M.T. Peripheral Neuropathy causes decreased hair growth, thin

shiny skin, etc. I, too, have decreased hair growth on my lower

legs (and my lower legs are shiny), which in a way is nice because I

don't have to shave as often. When I worked Home Health, diabetic

patients had to meet certain requirements/codes for medicare to pay

for R.N. visits monthly to do footcare. Of course, diabetics can

have peripheral neuropathy and one of the different " codes " you had

to use pertained to " decreased hair growth on legs " , " thin shiny

skin " , etc.

I, too, have trouble standing in the shower to shave my legs. I

have to lean against the wall and be really careful because I lose

my balance easily. I have been thinking about getting a shower

chair for quite a while, but just haven't done it. Hope you're

doing well!

Holly

[Guest guest]

Just as feet widen with age (for the entire population, not just CMT),

hair on women's legs lessens (for the entire population, not just CMT)

http://www.americanhairloss.org/hair_science/

After puberty our body produces more sebum but as we age we begin to

make less sebum. Women have far less sebum production than men do as

they age. Leg hair has a short growth cycle because of varying degrees

of hormones called cytokines that are regulated by your endocrine

system. Also circulation and Diabetes can cause leg hair loss.

In general, younger women tend to shave more frequently than older

women. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leg_shaving

Not everything is because of CMT.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi! I'm a mew member to this site!

I got diagnosed in June of 2006. When I started shaving my legs, my dad gave me

one of his old elecric shavers, with the 3 circular shavers on it. That was

probably the comfiest way I ever shaved my legs. I did it on my bed, the hair

collected inside the shaver. Years later my parents bought me a womens

electric razor, and I didn't like that one. So I resorted to the bathtub.

One odd thing, I find when I shave my legs, my legs become really really shaky

for about an hour or so.

Anyhoos, what I do now that works best for me (because I truly hate showering

and only shower when I dye my hair) is I hang my legs or leg over the bathtub

after I get them/it wet (the bottom halves of my legs, my butt is sitting in the

tub) and I shave that part, as

high up as I can until I hit water. Then, I kneel on a washcloth and do the

rest. That way I don't lose my balance. Hope that helps

[Guest guest]

A shower chair with a back and handles is @ $60.00 and makes taking a shower so

much more enjoyable; plus I lean it back on the back wall so I can still stand

and lean on it with my lower body for more balance. I do find that I take longer

showers which is another plus as I totally relax while showering!

Plus, after I am done my shower, I can sit to dry myself off before I even leave

the shower so less chance of slipping when getting out. I have a shower stall,

so it is easier, but I used to use this in my bathtub/shower.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

,

I don't have CMT but my husband does. He thought his decreased hair

on his legs was due to CMT or to his pants rubbing, but that doesn't explain

why my legs with giant calf muscles have lost a lot of the hair, too. I think

it is a result of aging. I even shave less frequently under my arms now. It's

one of the perks of aging, LOL.

Elinor

[Guest guest]

WOW...Thanks Holly,

Sometimes I have to check on who's sending what e-mail because I'm thinking I'm

reading about myself. Like looking in a mirror. That's good to know, thank you

so much.

One of the neurologists I had to see also mentioned to me, " Your skin is really

thin " . I would have assumed he knew it would be because after being a doctor

for some 28 years, it just so happens his first case was someone with CMT in

N.J. When I get the EMG test done it doesn't take much for them to get the

needles in my legs. I don't feel them anyway.

Do you think Medicaid would pay for someone to do any kind of message therapy on

me? Lord knows I need it to just get moving. Right now, in the afternoon the

pain is so bad I lay on the bed on my stomach and punch my lower back to get rid

of the pain.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Elinor,

That's too funny, so not only do I have CMT, but also you're reminding me I'm

getting old. You've got me laughing, I'll give you that much!!

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hey, getting old ain't such a big deal. I'm 75 and grateful that I no longer

have to shave my legs or under my arms. Besides, I wear pants that not only

cover hair, but also varicose veins and my CMT skinny legs .

Ruth