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Does your Fibro flare in hot tubs or baths?

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Posted 8/10/2014 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! I am new and have found the post I have been reading very interesting and supportive! I was wondering if anyone else has experienced severe flares after soaking in a hot tub or a hot bath? I noticed that if the water temperature is set above 98 degrees,(which is generally every hot tub except my own), I can feel the severe nerve and muscle pain and stiffness spread through my body within 15 minutes after getting out if the tub. If I make this mistake, I won't be able to get out of bed the next day because the pain becomes so overwhelming. I am so sensitive that even putting my feet in a tub that is too hot will leave my feet and ankles throbbing for days. When I described it to my Dr., he acted as though it was an unusual reaction. I would blame the Raynauds but it can effect my whole body. Thoughts?
Posted 8/10/2014 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Belles, and welcome. I don't get in hot tubs but several members do and like them. A hot shower helps me loosen up. Maybe it's too much heat for your particular body. I did google this problem and there were a few others with fibro that have this same problem.

We are all so different with this illness. Yes, we all have pain in all four quandrants of the body, we have fatigue...some more than others...and we have cognititive memory problems. This is the criteria for a diagnosis once other illnesses have been ruled out. It doesn't go further because our other symptoms are so varied, I think, and some suffer from symptoms that others don't have. This is a crazy illness and this is why it's taking doctors longer to figure it out. It's also why some doctors dismiss it as an illness.

But for you, I would just stay away from hot tubs. It could be the heat, the jet-driven water, and maybe even chemicals used to keep the water safe. I have a pool and love it when it's between 80-83 degrees! Most say that's too cold and they like a warm pool but I find the cool water settles down my back muscles and I have less pain. I have a floating lounge and I get in that and the warmth of the sun feel great but yet the cool water on my back feels great, too. Go figure! But it works for me so I do this.

Do read Fibro 101... The first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. I've had fibro for decades and am still learning new things.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine
Posted 8/10/2014 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
No, the hotter the better, IMO.
Posted 8/11/2014 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
I recently got a hot tub. I love it! I keep mine at 103. I have been taking notes to see how my fibro does after it. So far it has been the best thing for my fibro. I do know friends that their bodies just can't stand the heat. You might be one of those. I have learned I can't sit in one too long or I get over heated and weak.
Posted 8/11/2014 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
These are interesting comments. As bad as this illness is, I find it fascinating how differently we all respond to the same stimuli. I know that there are some very common triggers. Maybe heat sensitivity is less common. Thank you for your input!
Posted 8/12/2014 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I'm a weird one. I don't use heating pads or anything with heat on my fibro. I'm so hot natured I just start sweating and it's unbearable. I use ice packs on a daily basis for my low back pain and hip pain. However, I love hot tubs and get a lot of relief from them.
Posted 8/12/2014 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Mine is the opposite - cold makes me hurt, and a hot bath just feels amazing. But we are all so, so different. I also have Crohn's, and it's the same way with us - different foods will be ok or make us flare.
Posted 8/13/2014 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know if this is coincidence or what but I find it very funny there's a hot tub ad beside this thread.
Posted 8/13/2014 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I missed that! Make sure it has a temperature control!;)
Posted 8/13/2014 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
One of the recommendations for fibro patients is to take hot baths or sit in a hot tub. I haven't been in any hot tubs recently, but hot baths bring me quite a bit of pain relief. The only problem I have in the bathtub, though, is being able to get myself out. It's so low to the ground and sometimes I just don't have the strength to push myself out. I know someone else has to have that same problem. It's pretty embarrassing for me though, lol.

Although I enjoy my hot baths, I do NOT enjoy hot showering. It makes me dizzy and sometimes the water hurts my skin. Unfortunately, this is the only thing that makes me feel cleen. Baths don't do that for me.

Fibro is such a personal experience for all of us, so we won't all have the same tolerances/intolerances. So although I guess it is unusual for you to have this intolerance, I hate taking showers. So we all have something weird about us. Lol
Posted 8/14/2014 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Yes! I can't take hot baths anymore and have to be careful not to take too hot of a shower! I have a friend who has fibro and she also can't tolerate it. She takes cold showers and they seem to help her manage things a lot better!

I definitely do miss those steamy bubble baths and hot tubs though!
Posted 8/14/2014 8:11 PM (GMT 0)

bwfm said...
I'm a weird one. I don't use heating pads or anything with heat on my fibro. I'm so hot natured I just start sweating and it's unbearable. I use ice packs on a daily basis for my low back pain and hip pain. However, I love hot tubs and get a lot of relief from them.

I use ice too bwfm. Heat is definitely NOT my friend. You aren't as weird as you think wink
Posted 1/6/2023 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Yes flares always baths, hot tubs, heated swimming pools, warm days with high humidity. Yes indeed flares of fibro!!I thought it was all my RA, or my osteo in spine ( and these may contribute) but definitely all over pain within hours of using warm pool and can’t feel the exertion whilst exercising but afterwards feels like burning, twisting, tearing pain all over body plus painful pulling at my spine and back and feels like I’ve been beaten with bars over my back ( not that I have ever!!) lately I’ve been attempting to use outdoor pool which is at 20 degrees Celsius and that is better than indoor warmer and atmosphere damp. However, I take Celebrex after and have to crash out for a few hours. Fed up with losing a whole day to do 30 mins gentle movement in pool, I’ve started to do pool at 7pm then meds, light snack, fluids and crash out. It beats daytime exhaustion or falling asleep for four hours. The timing of pool exercise ( my own alone because a class would kill me) then meds means not waking at 1am with crazy pain and taking 3-4 hours to work it off then destroyed day after.

Post Edited (CelineMayne) : 1/5/2023 6:01:12 PM (GMT-8)

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