Hi All
Think I may know the answer to this but if you have lymphodema can you use hot tubs - my friend has one in the garden and was looking forward to an hour in it but unsure if this is allowed - she also has a sauna but I would assume this is out due to the heat and dry factor??
Hi Lisaf
As you guessed hot tubs and sauna’s are not recommended. I must admit that I do sneak into steam room and sauna at local gym for short periods of time with no ill effects. I also use the hot tub and just keep my arm out and not stay in it for too long at at time. I don’t think this is totally recommended but I also read that if you spray your arm with cold water to keep it cool this helps.
Hope you get a chance to enjoy it. Anne xx
Hi lisaf
You guessed right!
Saunas really are a no-no for swollen arms.
Hot tubs, well you can try resting your bad arm arm out of the water. I don’t know much about hot tubs, but is it possible to adjust the temeprature? Perhaps your friend could set it as low as possible when you use it? That might give you more options.
It’s a bummer, ain’t it. As well as the massive negative impact on our quality of life, we often have to forgo, or compromise about, the tiny treats that might have been such a morale booster.
Hope you can work something out, lisaf!
X
S
Hi all,
I have a hot tub.
You can select a lower temperature but its the chemicals that go in the water that wouldn’t be good for the skin. Especially where you had the Radio Therapy.
What I want to know is, how long should I wait before getting back into it. We bought it to help with my Rheumatoid Arthritis and basically only use it for the Summer really.
My follow-up appointment to my Rads treatment is in Oct. The hot tub would certainly be all covered up for the winter and turned off by then.
They say you can have a bath, but baths don’t have chlorine in and they lose temperature after a while and also you don’t really immerse the whole of yourself in it.
I don’t know a lot about saunas but I guess the skin getting too hot would not be a good idea.
Regards,
Whirlwind
ps It was recommended that I didn’t go in the hot tub whilst having Rads either.
Thanks for the info’, whirlwind, it’s very helpful.
Lisaf, have your rads finished? Something else to think about!
X
S
Thanks all, thought so - finished rads around 10 months ago - might speak to my friend and have a little dip in hot tub. my arm doubled in size and hate hate hate my sleeve but to be honest my arm feels more uncomfie with sleeve, love it late at night when it comes off and get some bliss, sleeve now goes to knuckles but will not move to glove!!!
My arm never seems to change during day etc, doesnt swell on holiday when didnt wear sleeve etc, roll on a cure!!! xx
Ta all