I have an MS bladder. When I get the "tickle" that tells me I need to empty my bladder, I sometimes do not make it. Instead of tightening my muscles as I walk to the toilet, the signal is confused and so I need to wear a pad during the day and a paper diaper at night.

I also have fatigue so taking a shower is no longer a daily event and I move much slower than the average person so what used to be a quick cleaning process is much more laborious.

What it comes down to is that I feel less than fresh and a washcloth bath does not do the trick.

So we saved up our money and purchased a bidet. Since it is basically a new toilet seat with gadgets, it did not take renovating my bathroom.

And the verdict? Heaven! For those who are not sure what a bidet actually is, it is a little sprinkler for private parts.

We got a deluxe variation. It has a seat warmer, a sprinkler for the feminine area, a sprinkler for the tushie, and a direct spray that can "encourage" a bowel movement.

Since I am a bit constipated (yes, I am a physical mess), I tried the direct water spray and it helped.

The water temperature is adjusted to "perfect" and has a tank that keeps the water warm, never have to wait or subject my private parts to anything but "perfect."

Odor I used to have because no matter how often I changed the pad, I still felt unclean until I got a bidet.

Now? I am a happy woman! It also had a blow dryer. I am saving on toilet paper!

I know, I know, TMI but so worth the expense. Being homebound, it is a nice splurge. Plus it is a tax write-off in the medical part of our taxes.

Just had to share.

Sounds luxurious. Enjoy

I am so glad you found something that will work for you. A bidet is a great idea for anyone with mobility issues. Thanks for posting this.

Also, for me, feeling clean always makes me feel better. It must be a psychological thing. There have been times where I have not been able to shower and I end up feeling, well, just gross. Once I take the shower, I feel better. The pain and such may not be gone but I feel better. Coleman makes towelettes that you can use while camping. Not sure if that will help you "feel" better on the days you can't shower but just a thought. Of course, you could make your own using wash cloths and keep them by you. But, the Coleman wipes are more compact and you can take them with you where ever you go.

I have incontinence issues and always am sensitive about whether or not I am emitting an odor, no matter how many times I change pads or clean up.

One of the most humilitating symptoms of this crummy disease...especially when you're being intimate...

I use pampers baby wipes after potty and also have the
rinseless soap to use each time. I smole cleeeeeen..lol

But, if you cant reach!!!

I always thought a bidet would be nice.
Lucky Cyn..

Thank you for sharing that...not only for those of us who are "active" here, but for possible lurkers who will read it and say, "That's me! I could do that!"

How I wish my mom could have had access to a bidet the last few years of her life! She used to say, "I don't care if I'm not rich, or pretty, or thin, or in perfect health...I just want to be clean!" She wasn't obsessive or compulsive, she just liked being clean. Hands, face, feet, hair, everything.

Especially the last couple of years she wasn't even able to wash "the strategic spots", as she put it, between baths. And she literally cried because she couldn't get the aides to "do a good job".

It's not TMI if you're comfortable sharing, and if it will help somebody else.

I tried moist towelettes. I kept them next to the toilet, they were the flushable brand. Cold to the touch and although they worked, somewhat, I still did not "feel" clean.

I also keep baby powder by the toilet and using toilet paper, I would dust.

@B2U. I completely identify with your mother.

@DebbieD. I know, right?!

I am capable of taking care of myself. This was an issue I could not seem to find an answer for until DH and I settled on a bidet.

Now I can "shower" twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening. The rest of the time, I use the traditional USA solution of wiping.

That's great, Aarcyn! I didn't know bidets offered such specific help. Had always thought of them as gently bubbling up, like a drinking water fountain. Thank you for enlightening me, and others!

I have a delicate ? about how bidets work...if it's cleaning your backside, how does it keep from splashing what it's cleaning into other "orifices"? I would always worry about getting infections in other "regions."
Sorry if this is too TMI...I was always curious about how bidets work.
Glad this thread exists...learning a lot already!

Debbie, just google "how does a bidet work?" and you'll get lots of youtube videos and other sites explaining the different features.