HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hot bath & bp/heart rate

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/27/2015 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
I just took a very long bath in Epsom salts because I have been too tired to shower/bathe for days. I actually took today and tomorrow off work so that I could prep for my doctor's appointment tomorrow; I knew it might not be easy to prepare and muster up the energy to get there

Anyway, I know from experience that hot baths can be draining and exacerbate symptoms (this is also the case in people with multiple sclerosis--part of my own diagnostic complications). I turned up the heat because I've read it can be therapeutic to do so, killing off bacteria, even if it temporarily make symptoms worse. I finally got out when my whole body felt like it was beating with my heart.

I am lying in bed now and just took my blood pressure: it is 108/57...but my heart rate is 104. Which makes sense, since it feels like I just ran ten miles.

So I guess I'm wondering before I do this again...does anyone know whether this is good or potentially damaging? All my bartonella "rashes" (they sure look like stretch marks to me) get inflamed when I take a hot bath and look even more disturbing than usual.
Posted 4/27/2015 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
From my understanding the worst thing you will do is set off a massive herx - which is what I always experienced when I would do an Epsom salt soak for more than 10 minutes.

But, make no mistake about how serious herxes can get, so if you feel like a hot bath has set something into motion that is dangerous, please don't hesitate to get to an emergency room. Fortunately most people don't react severely during a herx though, it's usually just an increase in symptoms or some new symptoms popping up for a while.
Posted 4/27/2015 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think it's a good idea. You're body is trying to tell you that with your Blood Pressure and pulse. In the long run, I don't think this potentially dangerous method of self-torture will do much good.

Before I knew I had Lyme, I took a very hot bath because they used to help. I was in so much pain and could not figure out why. I don't think it did much good. It just made me miserable for the time being. I'm still doing plenty of bug killin'!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply