MS and hottub

[melsi]

Has anyone been in a hottub since they have been diagnoised with MS? I was told once by a doctor that I couldn't go in hottubs or sauna's with my MS. Should I take that risk or avoid both?

[andeolus]

I haven't been in a hot tub, but I have tried to take a hot bath (one of my favorite things to do). It really made me sick. I'm sure your mileage may vary, but if I were you I might practice in the bathtub and see how you handle it.

[Sapphiresgold]

Depends - how badly does heat affect you, and is it worth how it affects you to spend the time in the hot tub? I generally won't even take a really hot shower anymore, let alone go into a hot tub. It just creates too much fatigue. Cooling down helps, but 'recovering' within the day is never complete, and I don't feel my best for the day.

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]It depends entirely on the person. I know people who can go in a hot tub with no problems whatsoever and some who can't use an electric blanket.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]You should fiind out for yourself! M[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]maybe you'll have a pleasant surprise. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]
Also know that if you do feel bad after, it's just temporary and no permanent damage is created[/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]

[freedom1]

As the others have said it depends on whether or not heat affects you.

I have a hot tub and use it frequently. It really helps my stiffness, I love to use it before bed to relax my body and I don't wake up with that groggy feeling from drugs. Since it is mine I am able to keep the heat low, generally about 80 to 85degrees. I am minimally affected by heat and feel that the benefit to my stiffness and spasms and a good nights sleep outweighs any problems that the heat may cause.

[Jules A]

Originally Posted by BigA

It depends entirely on the person. I know people who can go in a hot tub with no problems whatsoever and some who can't use an electric blanket.

You should fiind out for yourself! Mmaybe you'll have a pleasant surprise.

Also know that if you do feel bad after, it's just temporary and no permanent damage is created

I would probably try it if you don't have any reason to believe you are heat intolerant. Good point to have someone else there in case you need assistance and of course if start feeling icky get out immediately.

I take relatively hot showers and sleep with a heating pad 9 months out of the year and haven't had any problems so far, knock wood.

[loveJlaws]

Hot tubs are a huge no-no for me. It really drains me of every last bit of energy and takes forever for me to cool down.

[Leah27]

I went in a hot tub during the time when I was being diagnosed. I only went in for about 20 minutes at a time, at the end of the day, and my symptoms were only worse for a short period of time. I guess I'm lucky! For me, it was worth it to relax my muscles and be social after a day hiking.

But I agree, take a trusted friend with you. I no longer put myself in any situation that could worsen my symptoms without being with a trusted friend.

[Camsue]

I belong to a gym and recently swam laps...After I decided to try relaxing in the hot tub..

Big Mistake!! I felt so drained and weak I was barely able to walk out without assistance. The heat just drained all my energy.

If I decided to go swimming again I will skip the hottub!

[Toomnyhats]

Are you heat intolerant? If so I would avoid both. Whatever happens with your sx when you get too hot outside will happen in the hot tub or sauna.

For me it would depend on "why" - why are getting in the hot tub? Social? Or therapeutic?

I am heat intolerant. Recently I slept wrong & my back muscles tightened up. Very reluctantly I soak in a tub filled with very, very warm water but ... the moment I felt my sx worsening I pulled the plug.

The short soak worked to loosen my muscles so it was worth it to me, especially since I was able to get cooled off as soon as I noticed sx worsening.

[Redwings]

It's safest to avoid both of them. However, what you do depends on how big a risk-taker you are. If you experience physical weakness or feeling faint during a hot shower or bath, that's all the evidence you need to know that going into the hot environment of a hot tub or sauna is a BAD idea.

If you're not heat sensitive and have no sensory or motor problems with physical after a hot shower or bath, you might be brave enough to try a hot tub or sauna. BUT [B]NEVER[/B] go into one alone. [B]ALWAYS[/B] have a trusted person with you who can pull you out if you get weak or lose consciousness. Even if you simply, innocently fall asleep, you won't be able to get out in time and you could literally cook to death.

Once you start to get weak from the heat, your body will lose its ability to cool itself. It doesn't happen often, but people with MS have [I]died[/I] from heatstroke after getting into situations (sunbathing, hot tubs) they couldn't get themselves out of.

The smartest thing is to not put yourself in that situation to begin with.

[Curious1]

I can't handle a hot tub either, heat intolerance kicks in right away and turns my whole body into a cup of jello - without the cup... The only way to find out if you can tolerate it is to try it yourself and see what happens. Just prepare to be able to relax for a couple of hours afterward if it impacts you the wrong way. Good luck.

[kewi1976]

One of my worst flareups was from thr Hot tub I enjoyed sitting in that 140 hot water for about and hour or two, but little did I know, I was going to pay for it.

During my relaxation I didnt feel anything funny. Once I took off my swim suit it felt like i still had it on, because of the tightness. From my chest down i was being squeezed like i had on a rubber glove or something.

Days and weeks later I was walking around feeling so bad. Everything was numb and when i say everything, I mean "everything". I couldn't even feel when I as using "it" or not.

I personally wouldnt recomend getting in a hot tub, but thats just my bad experince.

[Alicious]

Like the others say, it really just depends on how your body acts in the heat. Definitely make sure you aren't alone when you test it out, though.

I take long hot baths and long hot showers, and the only thing I notice when overheating is that I don't see as well out of my right eye where I've had ON. Other than that, it doesn't affect me one bit, and once I've cooled my vision goes back to normal.

[TLC_31]

Originally Posted by kewi1976

I enjoyed sitting in that 140 hot water for about and hour or two

It was probably 104 degrees, not 140. Even so, MS or not, an hour or two in a hot tub brings other dangers. The warm water is heavenly for bacteria, some of which can travel with the steam into your lungs. The heat will affect your heart and blood vessels, especially coming from a cold environment.

It's not like a pool of acid, and I've taken a handful of 15-minute dips over the years. But there's plenty of issues to be aware of, I've linked to only of couple of sites here:

http://www.canadafreepress.com/medic...tion100206.htm
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Condit...87_Article.jsp