Steamrooms, hot tubs and hot baths ok or Not?

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lorrhaw
lorrhaw Member Posts: 751
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I had surgery in August and had 12 lymph nodes removed.  I have now completed 30 treatments of radiation which included my lymph nodes under my arm.  I know that with all of this I am at risk of lymphedema so I wear a sleeve when I fly.  I can live without going into a steamroom or hot tub or even soaking in a hot bath if it will help keep me from getting lymphedema but these are luxuries I have always enjoyed and now that it is getting colder I'd like to start indulging if possible.  Do any of you have any experience or information to help me decide whether or not I can resume these activities.

Thanks for any help.

Lorraine

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    I was told to avoid all of the things you mentioned because they trigger lymphedema.  Now that I actually have it, I can tell you that heat worsens it, so I still avoid all of the above except a bubble bath, and I have one every night.  I just try not to make it quite so hot anymore.  I am not willing to let that one go, and besides - I already have it so it's not like I'm worried about getting it anymore! Tongue out

    It just depends on what you're willing to do without.  I can tell you that you do NOT want to develop lymphedema.  It's for life, and it sucks, believe me.  So, if you can give up those things without seriously ruining your quality of life, then do it, and if you can't, then keep some or all of them, but  maybe cut back on them, you know?  I personally don't think I should give up the stuff I truly love because of this...we have already given up so much to stupid cancer. 

     Best of luck to you!  I think you just have to decide what's important to you.  And please let us know if we can help - this is a great forum and the ladies here are awesome.

    Suzanne

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Lorraine, it's included in the official risk reduction guidelines--I agree with Suzy, LE sucks, and you don't want to risk it.

    Here's a link to the Lance Armstrong LE handout, and to the NLN guidelines:

    http://www.livestrong.org/Get-Help/Learn-About-Cancer/Cancer-Support-Topics/Physical-Effects-of-Cancer/Lymphedema

    http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/positionPapers.htm

    Kira

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  • lorrhaw
    lorrhaw Member Posts: 751
    edited November 2010

    Thanks Ladies, I thought I had read somewhere that they were to be avoided which is why I asked the question so thanks for confirming it.  None of the above activities are important enough to me to risk it so I will say away from them.  Now if I was told that I had to stay away from my nightly glass of wine that would be a different story!

    Thanks for the information.

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited November 2010

    I still indulge in a hot bath but it might be once a month. Thanks to chemo  giving me numb legs and feet.  I am more scared of falling getting out the tub than the effect it might have on my LE.

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  • inspiewriter
    inspiewriter Member Posts: 876
    edited November 2010

    I was told to skip the hot tubs too, the heat would make it worse, even if you kept your arm out.

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  • CherylG711
    CherylG711 Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2010

    I could not give up the hot tub but have lowered the temp to 96.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited December 2010

    I also enjoy the hot tub, and like Cheryl, have lowered the temp - in my case from my usual 104 down to 100, and I stay in no longer than 15 minutes.  I have early stage LE and so far after almost 2 years of regular hot tubbing my LE is stable.  But I also measure my arm at least weekly, and if it shows any signs of increase, I go into my "prevent defense" (increased MLD, wearing sleeve daily, wrapping) and I don't hot tub till it goes back down.  But I'm aware it's a risk and not recommended that I hot tub at all.  But I love to hot tub and it's important to my QOL, so I've tried to take steps to minimize the impact it has on the LE arm. 

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  • InTwoPlaces
    InTwoPlaces Member Posts: 354
    edited December 2010

    I can't stay away from our Hot Tub either, it's a very nice way for me and my DH to relax, but we have also turned down the temp to 100F

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  • CherylG711
    CherylG711 Member Posts: 102
    edited December 2010

    The hot tub is a good way to warm up after doing water aerobics in the evening.  When I get back from the pool I am pretty chilled, so a little bit of a soak helps warm me up.

     InTwoPlaces.....I see you are from my neck of the woods!!!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited December 2010

    When my parents were living in Sonoma County, CA, they had a hot tub that just would never get warm enough--we called it "the tepid tub"

    Seems like tepid tubs--or a bit warmer--are the safest bet.

    Kira

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  • InTwoPlaces
    InTwoPlaces Member Posts: 354
    edited December 2010

    Cheryl,

    How nice to see someone here from my part of the world Smile

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