posted
I am looking at purchasing an infrared sauna. I know prices vary dramatically, I am looking at very inexpensive ones but was not sure if it will work?
-------------------- KSN Posts: 34 | From Indianapolis | Registered: Feb 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
If you look on this page and read above where is says "Lymenet Flash, Questions and discussions and Medical Questions" you will see a section "post new topic". On the line below that click on search. There should be numerous discussions regarding your questions, or any other questions members may have. I actually researched what you were questioning about a week ago and found a lot of information.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
| IP: Logged |
manybites
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33750
posted
As long as it is not a tent but a sauna that you can sweat throught the skin and even head that is Ok.
When at the high dosages of medications i felt really toxic and had chemical sensitivities ( could not even smell my sons head with shampo smell ) and could not stand anything only sauna saved me.
It tried binders and coffe enemas and but still sauna helps a lot.It feel like you can breath through the skin and you feel better after using it.
In the begining I was loaded in infections and I could not handle it but after a while and treatment of lyme and coinfection I stay in without having any problem for the heat.
It is a good investment for life.I have an infrared sauna.
Posts: 1379 | From disable | Registered: Aug 2011
| IP: Logged |
linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
We bought a tent sauna, the kind where your head sticks out, but I neglected to air it out properly and it got moldy.
Should have left it open and blown a fan on it to air it out each time.
I think most folks who get the tent kind like them and they are less expensive.
Maybe they will come on and give their opinions.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The tent kind can be rough for those the multiple chemicals sensitivities (MCS) due to the petroleum in the tent.
If at all possible, one that is mostly glass and made with woods and glues (and no plastic parts at all) safe for those with MCS. Not all woods are.
HEAVENLY HEAT is the one best for those with MCS. It's good to look over what they think is important before making a decision even if MCS is not an issue.
These folks should also know what kind of Infrared Sauna to recommend that is safe regarding petro-chemical off-gas matters. I would contact all THREE. --------
IDENTIFYING ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS & MOLD EXPOSURE IN PATIENTS WITH PERSISTENT LYME DISEASE
Lisa L. Nagy, MD Video $15.
(Excellent to get, even if mold is not an issue, this is full of great information.)
She is NOT A LLMD, however, she understands the kind of toxicity issues faced by many with lyme. She did not have lyme but overcame very serious MCS. She spoke at the recent ILADS conference.
It's a great presentation to see. The DVD can be ordered. Great detail about toxicity issues also here:
it's important to note that those with MCS can be very sensitive to certain kinds of wood (cedar, pine, etc.). Be sure the wood frame would be from a kind known to be okay for MCS.
Styrofoam is also not recommended due to out-gassing. Glues, plastics, all that has to be considered.
So, I'm not sure these plans for a DIY light sauna would work for someone with MCS, the IDEA should, just needs to be with materials that are safe for MCS. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I'm thinking of getting a tent style one. I read alot of reviews about them & many people find them useful & good for the cost.
The tent style ones are in the $160 range. In a perfect world - it would be nice if there weren't pesticides on our food, air pollution, EMFs, Fukishima, GMOs, on & on. I don't know if the benefits of at least doing some kind of sauna is better than doing nothing.
I read that the tent saunas have alot of EMFs if you get the less expensive brands. I guess it's a balance. It depends on what you can handle money-wise & health-wise.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If possible, whatever fabric item that come into the home, buying USED can be a benefit if from someone who has a chemical and scent-free home.
If buying fabric models new, best during the time of year where the windows can be open much of the time -- or take somewhere they can be open and off-gas for at least a week or two.
Unless someone has MCS, this often works best but also consider detail here:
[ 09-02-2012, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
Yeah, I saw a documentary on PVC... Jeeze. Some people have that as siding replacing the old aluminum siding on their houses. It's really toxic stuff. People are ill and dying from manufacturing it (or living near where it's being manufactured). If it catches on fire, forget it. It's really carcinogenic.
The people upstairs painted something in their apartment & I thought it was going to kill me. It was 30 degrees & I had to open almost all of the windows & put the fans on.
I kept thinging of Ren in Ren & Stimpy saying "Idiot!"... (if you ever watched that)
I don't know what the answer is... I don't know if the tent saunas are vinyl or not. I guess I'll have to look. In Northern NJ, there's a wonderful Korean sauna/bathhouse. Maybe I'll just go there once a week. It's nice to be able to do it every day or so, though. The bathhouse costs about $30 a visit.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
(I don't know what the "sponge" is, though)
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Be sure it's not coated with a teflon treatment or flame retardant. The foam is a concern, though. But that might be able to be switched out.
The LIGHT box links above have people making their own canvas enclosure or they sell that, too, I think. That could work well.
If I read that last link correctly, and you can buy the heaters separately (?) then you could make your own enclosure or use an existing closet or bathroom, if it's eco-friendly.
Heaters would have to be "aired" out, too, during the first few times on, too. -
[ 09-02-2012, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
My doctor told me to use a sauna tent because when you have a autoimmune disease your head should stay cool. I received one as a gift and it has been a great way to detox. Just make sure you follow the initial instructions on how to air it out.
Posts: 63 | From dc | Registered: Sep 2010
| IP: Logged |
posted
I still have MCS and am doing ok with a portable tent, as long as I store it in the closet inbetween sessions so I don't have to smell it. I think you could find one for under $200.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Robin,
could you post the brand you have so others with MCS might know to check out that brand if they want that style? Are there any other particular identifiers for that? Is your model still on the market today?
Although you indicate it does have a smell to it, maybe this time of the year would be great to air it out. Windows will have to be closed up in 6 - 8 weeks for many of us.
Thanks. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Beware of the fabric tents. I bought one that was listed as being made of nylon which, after doing some research turned out to be lined with PVC on the inside. Trying to de-tox using a PVC tent is, for lack of a better term, insane. I'm pretty sure, based on some research, manufactures, distributors, are under no legal oblication in the USA, to disclose the materials of their sauna tents. Do research on PVC, it's considered the most toxic of the plastics. Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, fungicides, flame retardents, plasticisers, are all typically in PVC end products and will off gass, especially when exposed to heat and moisture, i.e, a sauna type environment. Please, do not trust a companies claim of these tents being made solely of nylon and or other safe materials. If you don't believe it, get a tent tested.
Posts: 40 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ctone: [QB] Beware of the fabric tents. I bought one that was listed as being made of nylon which,
after doing some research turned out to be lined with PVC on the inside.
Trying to de-tox using a PVC tent is, for lack of a better term, insane. I'm pretty sure, based on some research,
manufactures, distributors, are under no legal oblication in the USA, to disclose the materials of their sauna tents.
Do research on PVC, it's considered the most toxic of the plastics. Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, fungicides, flame retardents, plasticisers, are all typically in PVC end products and will off gass, especially when exposed to heat and moisture, i.e, a sauna type environment.
Please, do not trust a companies claim of these tents being made solely of nylon and or other safe materials. If you don't believe it, get a tent tested.
................................................
Breaking this up for easier reading for many here -
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Keebler: [QB] - Robin,
could you post the brand you have so others with MCS might know to check out that brand if they want that style? Are there any other particular identifiers for that? Is your model still on the market today?
Although you indicate it does have a smell to it, maybe this time of the year would be great to air it out. Windows will have to be closed up in 6 - 8 weeks for many of us.
Thanks.
.................................................
Keebler, I'm not sure what brand it is - it's on loan to me - I know it was under $200, I think they said it was made in China -
the tent is light grey, with blue outlining, has holes for the head and zipper opening for one's hands/arms to reach out of it.
Two things that helped make it possible for me, as I am recovering from MCS - the folks I borrowed it from had already had it out airing for awhile,
so if there's any way you can do that with the tent, elsewhere, where you're not around, that's a good idea.
Second, I keep it stored away in a closet with the door shut. So I am only exposed to it while using it -
I must say, too, that I had already had 6 months on a borrowed biomat, and that helped take down my smell sensitivity greatly, before I got this tent.
FIR works - you get gradually less toxic as you sweat out the toxins.
My doctor explained to me, and he was right, that we have to keep doing it, even if we don't see any subjective changes,
because there will come a point when the remaining toxins in us will go down below a threshold level, and suddenly those of us who have MCS will be able to handle smells, etc again.
And that's exactly what happened. I kept doing it for 6 months, once a week, seeing no changes, and suddenly, I could handle being near smells again.
I notice that my touch sensitivity is gradually diminishing - just depends what materials are made of, as to whether I can touch them.
I think I'm gradually getting back my ability to touch petroleum products again. I don't know if that's a good thing or not!
You'll know if you do it too much, as you can break out - I did the biomat sweating everyday when I first got it,
and thought I developed a case of poison oak! Not. It was too much of a detox, and the toxins were coming out of my skin.
My doctor recommends doing it a couple times a week, staying in till you sweat, then showering off in warm and cool, then doing it again if you can.
I'm still just doing it every 5 days, once.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Robin123: [QUOTE]Originally posted by Keebler: [QB] -
.................................................
Keebler, I'm not sure what brand it is - it's on loan to me - I know it was under $200, I think they said it was made in China -
The tent I had, was made in China, and I was informed by the factory in China via the Distributor that it was PVC lined. I would be extremely wary of the safety of any tent.
The lack of smell of a tent after airing out is no indication of safety or of lack of offgassing. Do a little research, you will find this is true.
Posts: 40 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2012
| IP: Logged |
mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
I love my tent sauna - I've been using mine for many years and I'm actually on my second one.
I feel so much better after I use it - I'll have to check to see where it was made.
I wear a towel around my neck and put towels on the chair so I dont get the sauna too sweaty. Then from time to time I spray it with vinegar/water (50/50) and wipe it down. You can also wash the pad on the floor.
It really helps with my detox - so if it's off gassing it's removing more toxing than it (possibly) adds.
I always feel better afterward and for the next day. If I use it several times per week I am so much better.
the only draw back is that I can't use mine in the summer when it's hot. I have too much trouble cooling down.
I use it up to 45 minutes full blast. I find it's easier to cool down afterwards if I only go for 35 minutes, though.
Start slow.
Posts: 1761 | From USA | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
My chemical sensitivies are bad when I'm toxic. The sauna heals me from chemical sensitivities....
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: - The tent kind can be rough for those the multiple chemicals sensitivities (MCS) due to the petroleum in the tent.
If at all possible, one that is mostly glass and made with woods and glues (and no plastic parts at all) safe for those with MCS. Not all woods are.
HEAVENLY HEAT is the one best for those with MCS. It's good to look over what they think is important before making a decision even if MCS is not an issue.
quote:Originally posted by mojo: I love my tent sauna - I've been using mine for many years and I'm actually on my second one.
I feel so much better after I use it - I'll have to check to see where it was made.
I wear a towel around my neck and put towels on the chair so I dont get the sauna too sweaty. Then from time to time I spray it with vinegar/water (50/50) and wipe it down. You can also wash the pad on the floor.
It really helps with my detox - so if it's off gassing it's removing more toxing than it (possibly) adds.
I always feel better afterward and for the next day. If I use it several times per week I am so much better.
the only draw back is that I can't use mine in the summer when it's hot. I have too much trouble cooling down.
I use it up to 45 minutes full blast. I find it's easier to cool down afterwards if I only go for 35 minutes, though.
Start slow.
Maybe you have a tent that is not of a toxic material - without testing it there is no way to absolutely know. However, keep in mind, some people smoke cigarettes for years with, at least initally, no apparent ill effects. The effects of toxic exposures can take years to manifest, or the effects can be immediate, depends on the individual.
People with lyme and or associated diseases are constantly tasked with having to sort out an array of shifting, varying symptoms - throwing in an off-gassing PVC tent into the mix complicates the symptom picture to such an extent that it would be virtually impossible to tell whether a given symptom is the result of the tent, some infection, a herx, or any combination of the three.
It's also difficult to determine exactly what effect PVC and it's associated toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals may have on any given infection. It's entirely possible that lyme could temporarily be put into cyst form or even killed by one or more of PVC associated chemicals or heavy metals.
Typically a fungicide is used on PVC fabric, it's plausable that a fungicides effect on the body could at least give the impression of temporary improvement in a lyme patient. Mercury used to be the treatment of choice for syphilis, another spirochete, so perhaps the lead or cadmium or possibly mercury often associated with PVC could have some inhibitory effect on lyme or a coinfection resulting in a least a temporary shift or lessoning of some symptoms - hence feeling better for a period of time after a sauna.
Posts: 40 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2012
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/