Chlorinated pool (re-raising old topic)
 

I went to an hourlong arthritis class (water exercise) at the local Y today and loved the way it helped with muscle and joint pain and weakness. But then I realized I still had as much burning/stinging. So I used Morton Epsom Lotion (thank you, Mrs. D!!)* but also decided to search this blog. I discovered previous discussions raising the possibility that chlorine exacerbates neuropathy. I read the articles in Mrs. D's links (warning about chlorinated water) but didn't find them completely convincing, so I thought I'd ask if anybody else has experience or knowledge about this issue. I thought I'd discovered the perfect form of exercise--stimulates circulation, builds strength without lots of weight-bearing. But maybe it's not a good idea as long as I have to use a public pool with (probably) high levels of chlorine.

*BTW, today I told my orthopedist that I thought the Voltaren cream (ibuprofen) that he prescribed didn't work as well for joint and muscle pain as Magnesium Lotion. He didn't seem convinced. (Footnote to "Stupid Doctors.")

i have my own inground pool and never have noticed an exacerbation of pn using it. i do keep the chlorine on the low end of normal though.

I stayed in Florida for a month in January and used the pool everyday, no problems for me either.

But chlorine cant be healthy and skin absorbs everything.

Chlorine
 

--in pool water has a drying and "bleaching" effect (no surprise there), and, at high levels, can definitely rob skin of its essential oils, so anyone who has skin sensitivity for any reason might well notice an exacerbation of skin sensitivity/irritation after long session in highly chlorinated water.

I know I can often tell just how high the chlorine content of pool water is by how my skin feels afterwards.

Thanks to all for the replies so far. I'm lucky that I have access to inexpensive water exercise and that I can (for now) get in and out of the pool, using nice plastic steps with railing. I think I'll try another session on Friday but will be sure to wash very thoroughly afterward and apply lotion (maybe the magical Morton Epsom lotion).