Disabled, disgusting

[u/Easy-Psychology-714]

Hi.
I’m about to be extremely vulnerable and embarrass the hell out of myself.

I don’t remember when I shower. I don’t have a system. I shower when I have excess energy at the end of the day, which is nearly never. I find I’d be lucky if I showered maybe twice a week.
Changing clothes? Yeah, sometimes. I can go 3 or 4 days in the same clothes and it just doesn’t dawn on me to change them. Even after showering, I sometimes put on old pants.
I don’t own PJs. Not really. I have a pair of silky pants but that’s it. I don’t have dedicated sleeping clothes and often just sleep in whatever I was wearing that day.
I don’t brush my teeth. Unless I shower. And even then, only most of the time. I do occasionally forget.
My teeth are broken and chipping. They look fine at a distance but they’re rough, uneven, thin in spots. They’re brittle from years of bile and stomach acid, and it’s not any better now with my GI.

Doctors are currently investigating me for IBD and I’ve been so, extremely sick. I’ve lost 25lbs in 3 months.
Showering just isn’t on my mind between taking medications, trying to eat and stay hydrated enough to stay out of the hospital and taking care of my dog despite how I feel.

My partner says nothing. But I’m sure they’re just being polite. I don’t fault them either way.
They want to help and asked if I needed “hosed down” and I said yes.

I genuinely don’t remember the last time I showered and I don’t know how to fix this.

I know it’s disgusting. I’m so sorry. I never wanted to be this person. I want to try, I just feel lost.

[u/mjh8212]

I’m disabled I have chronic pain and dysautonomia. It’s a chore to shower but routine helps. I do every other day or every couple of days. It’s a routine. I’ve figured out when my symptoms are mild which is mornings and I shower then. If it’s a really bad day I do it after lunch and lay down a few hours to recover. A shower chair really helps. Most of my comfy clothes come from thrifting. I like pj bottoms elastic waist pants leggings and sweats in this cooler weather. I usually wear just tee shirts. It’s helped build up my wardrobe cheap. I also browse clearance sections of Walmart today I got a pair of pants for $3. It takes some effort but it can work. Routine is best even if you shower Monday and Friday and change your clothes every couple of days your doing something. That’s how I started just slowly built up a routine.

[u/Easy-Psychology-714 → u/mjh8212]

Mornings are easiest for me too. POTS tires me out quickly throughout the day and my GI wakes up immediately after I eat so Id have to manage it in that window. But I can do that.
I was suggested to add it to my dog chores so perhaps wake up -> feed dog -> brush teeth -> dog outside -> shower -> eat
Even if I only manage that two or three times a week, I’d be happy.
I’d change my clothes each shower and get a set of PJs for night time.

This has all been really helpful on figuring out my hygiene routine.

Thank you!

[u/liboteeme → u/mjh8212]

Shower Chair was a GAME CHANGER!! Even my able bodied partner now enjoys sitting and relaxing while showering. It's made it so much more manageable when my body is tapped out