posted
I was recently Dx'd w/ Lyme and am about to begin Abx treatment (along with plenty of fun and expensive supplements).
I've read in many places that a Sauna is good to help create a bad environment for Lyme to live in and aid in the killing of them. However, i don't have a Sauna, but I do have a Hot Tub.
Is a Hot Tub just as effective or is there something about a Sauna that a Hot Tub doesnt do? Is it just about raising body temp?
Thanks for your reply.
Posts: 47 | From NH | Registered: Oct 2010
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
A friend loaned me a hot tub for my son... one of those portable softtubs. He felt sick when he did go in (temerature of water was around 100-101 degrees). We returned the hot tub because he didn't seem to get any benefit from it - he said it was more like torture.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- It is impossible to get the body hot enough to kill spirochete. However, even warmth will help increase circulation and that gets oxygen circulation. THAT is what helps, the oxygen. And, again, WARMTH will do that.
For your hot tub - Just don't have it up too high as heat can be very, VERY dangerous for lyme patients. You also have to consider all the chemicals required to safely manage the pathogens that can grow in a hot tub.
Those chemicals are very bad for us. Explore alternatives to chlorine.
A cozy warm bath is much cheaper and safer than a hot tub. Twenty minutes is the recommended max time for lyme patients. Enjoy a nice warm bath.
If you can possibly get a low heat infrared sauna -- Heavenly Heat infrared sauna, they are mostly glass. Other brands of wood saunas that are good are Sunlight. Be very careful if you buy a High Tech Health brand as some of those were bad with bad plywood a couple years ago and are being sold on Craig's list, etc.
So be sure to have through inspection (and get onto the top of it and the back to really inspect it). A friend of mine got very ill with on of those and HTH acknowledged after about 2 years that she had gotten bad wood but they would not offer her any return, etc. I have read of the same problem for others with HTH. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Everyone around here is so down on getting to hot, but I say do what works for you. I love the heat. I wish I had a hot tub. I can't get down into a regular tub cuz my arthritis is too bad. I take long hot showers though.
Posts: 707 | From Colorado | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I have heard that infrared is the only way to go. This penetrates your skin 1.5 inches within to kill spirochetes. Infrared uses light and frequency to heat water molecules within your cell walls heating you from the inside out. This allows a better detoxing process.
The problem with the regular hot tub is it is a surface and no penetration. I have heard that if you can get your body temp above 102 it has benefits, but not sure? I think your body actually trys to cool you off with high external heat which works against you.
Below is a bullet list of things:
Further, heat transfer depends on a temperature differential. To get sufficient heat from a standard sauna into body tissue requires a high air or water temperature (up to 200F), to the point of extreme discomfort.
When infrared penetrates the body, it causes the water molecules in the underlying soft tissue to vibrate vigorously, generating heat
Hope this helps
-------------------- IgM- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgM- 41+
IgG- 31,34,39,83-93 IND IgG- 41++ Posts: 610 | From Lymeville | Registered: Nov 2010
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- For those who are bothered by heat.
[If not, this is not for you but it's good to know for others or for other times if heat does ever become a problem.]
Extremes in heat can cause us trouble. A couple key "mantra" words to keep in your back pocket: GRADUAL; MODERATION.
Yes, the spirochetes hate heat and you may have overdone it so the toxic levels are causing too much of a herx. Your liver may not be able to keep up.
Warmth works, too. Warmth can be splendid and beneficial. It can be cozy enough to feel good and also increase circulation and sweating.
� Twenty minutes in a cozy warm bath is usually a nice middle of the road. Gradually increase but just don't get too hot.
There are many reasons for avoiding over heating. One is that lyme often causes
� compromised myelin sheath around nerves. Too much heat can cause serious symptoms with nerve conduction.
[For many "MS" patients (many of whom may have undiagnosed lyme), even one degree increase can cause a "relapse" - While "MS" is usually not just "MS" we can take a page from their patient books regarding safety with heat.]
� Adrenals also can't take the shock of too much heat for too long - and "payback" can last for hours, days or weeks.
� Liver and kidneys can be overwhelmed by the release of toxins as lyme dies off (herx)
� Swollen / inflamed brains can't stand the heat - and the brain is very often inflamed with lyme and TBD.
� Cardiac issues are a concern for lyme patients. Heat can cause problems for those with either high or low blood pressure - and it can increase rhythm, for some that can be too much.
� Electrolyte and mineral depletion is to be considered. Hydration involves more than just water.
� other issues - there are always other things to consider - others may come and post more
Now, a few seem to do okay with heat (and the temperature can be relative) but, for many, our early warning systems go haywire and we may not know until to late that our lobster bake got too steamy.
Saunas can be excellent - if you can control the heat. Low heat infrared saunas are best but not everyone has access. A regular sauna can be adapted if others are not around, just don't get it as hot, cover with a damp towel, hydrate, crack the door, etc.
It is absolutely impossible to safely get the body hot enough to kill off all spirochetes - what kills them is the oxygen from increased circulation. Still, we could not possibly handle all spirochetes being killed off at the same time, as our liver and kidneys would be overcome with the toxic stress. We have to proceed gradually.
Also to keep in mind, heat irritates spirochete and that makes them spring deeper and ball up into a cyst form. Gradual warmth may keep them from getting so irritated so that the increase in oxygen from the heat can sneak up on them - or at least we have more of a chance.. When they get irritated, they spew more toxins.
� Other infections ? Lyme is not the only infection that most lyme patients have - with some infections, getting too hot can stress the heart, etc.
� For some, with time, working up to longer and warmer baths, etc. can work out fine. But the key is for gradual changes so that you know how to back pedal without getting knocked off the bike and out for a week. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thanks for the replies. I think i now understand what the heat is doing. I dont have access to a sauna, much less an infrared one, so i will start using my Hot Tub on a regular basis to help increase circulation and thus, oxygenation.
I have used my Hot Tub several times in the past and other ones in previous years, but have had no major adverse reaction to them. The only thing is i can only stay in so long and they kick my BUTT (extremely lethargic, palpitations, shallow breathing) so i usually only go in at night and for a short period of time. ALthough, i havent used it for 6 months plus (I know, everyone that comes over says they'd use it every night..it just doesnt work that way!)
Also, i have switched to all natural non-chemical based treatment and maintenance solutions.
Since I posted my treatment plan, i've heard a lot about this "Cyst" thing. Apparantly i do not have any meds or supps to deal with that so I guess that would be my only concern about using the Hot Tub. I wouldnt want to encourage that...
hmm..
Posts: 47 | From NH | Registered: Oct 2010
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