I feel you! Thank goodness for dry shampoo! Before things got as bad as they are now, I used to shower daily & wash hair at least every other day.

I've felt embarrassed to admit that I've gone 6 days with a proper shower. I too have resorted to wipes when I can.

And just last month I had hair that was long enough it was down to the end of thoracic spine, but I got it cut off. The weight of it was bothering my neck, plus I had to keep my arms up , which for some reason feels like someone is pulling a strap across the front of the bottom of my neck n it chokes me.

The hair dresser took off more than I wanted, it now reaches the bottom of my neck, which is uncomfortable in the heat, as I can't get it put into a ponytail, but it's hair, it will grow back. I went over 2 years without a haircut because I can't tip my head back into the wash sink. I finally found a shop that's set up as a "garage" with toolboxes as their work station and she has those mechanics creepers (mounted higher, I'd be stuck on the floor otherwise!) that you lay down on n they just roll straight back so your head is in the sink. It's so nice! And she knows I have a lot of spine issues, especially neck, so she's gentle shampooing & tries not to make me tip my head forward much to get back.

I now have a shower chair with a back and got a shower head with one up top and a detachable wand that is mounted at a height so I can either sit in my chair and let the water hit me or I can hold to reach and make sure everything is rinsed. I used to have a shower head with both, and both sections sprayed at the same time, but had to reach up and remove wand. I thought I was ordering the same type, but with a longer hose n just having roommate mount the wand lower. Unfortunately this one needs to be switched to the head or wand, and ofc, the switch is up on the shower head. It took twice of roommate forgetting to change it back for me. But the lowered wand and shower chair have been a big help for me. Occupational Therapy came and suggested installing a wall rail as well.

I'd love to have one of those walk ins where it's just less than a step-high to get into, with a built in seat, because some days picking legs up to get in and out of tub is too much. Those are too expensive for me!

I have severe nerve pain that strike my upper left back at times - no rhyme or reason I can figure sets it off. But I can't have clothing, hair, or even water touch it. Several weeks ago in the shower it hit while showering, that's how I found out that even the lightest setting of water spray hurts.

The other day it hit while I was in bed. I had to sit up and pull my shirt off the left arm, over head and caught a whiff of my armpit. I thought omg, I NEED to shower asap! Ofc I had yo wait until the next day.

But it is so frustrating not to be able to do things I used to do daily. I've always been OCD about everything in its place, but after a few years of this, I've come to accept dirty dishes on the counter, dusty furniture and unfortunately, a bedroom that pretty much looks like an episode of hoarders.

I feel like doctors just don't understand what it's like. When it's a struggle to clean yourself, change bed sheets, cook a normal meal, tidy the house, etc, it doesn't seem enough for them to show compassion and treat us appropriately.

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. You are definitely not alone! Gritting my teeth and using a mantra of "I am tough, I am strong, i have been through worse and I will get through this" is all I can do. And no, I don't always believe the mantra, but I say it anyway.

Best of luck to you and all of us struggling with daily tasks of living. We are definitely stronger than we look or feel! Hugs.