This is the topic nobody wants to talk about, but everybody with IBM needs to know about: when your arms and hands are too weak to wipe after using the toilet, what do you do?
The answer is a bidet. It's one of the most impactful pieces of equipment for IBM patients, and it's also one of the most affordable.
Why bidets matter for IBM:
• Inadequate perineal cleaning leads to urinary tract infections and skin breakdown
• Wiping requires grip strength, arm rotation, and reaching — all of which IBM weakens
• Infection from poor hygiene can lead to hospitalization
• The embarrassment of needing help with intimate hygiene affects mental health
What to buy:
For home use, install a bidet toilet seat. The Bio Bidet SlimEdge ($41) is the most affordable — no electricity needed, just connects to your water supply. The Brondell S1400 ($550) has a warm air dryer so you don't need to dry yourself at all.
For travel, pack a portable squeeze-bottle bidet. The Brondell GoSpa GS-70 ($10) collapses flat and fits in a purse. The TUSHY Travel Bidet ($25) is slightly more refined.
If you have weak hands and can't squeeze a bottle, the VIKKEN Travel Bidet ($45) has a USB-C rechargeable electric pump — no squeezing required.
A bidet is not a luxury. For someone with IBM, it's a medical necessity. Most bidet seats are HSA/FSA eligible.
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