Hello All,

I was hoping that maybe someone might have any tips or things that have worked to keep the CRPS limb warm in a pool that is causing increased pain due to temp. Our local pool is only 85 degrees and is causing a huge increase in pain during and after use. I really want to continue this therapy but, I also don't want to increase meds in order to combat the after affects. The first pool session was just on Wednesday and I hadn't really gotten pain under control before trying again today and now WHAM I am struggling to keep composure. This makes me so sad.. anyone else out there that has experienced this or found something that made it doable?

Thanks in advance,
Tessa

Sorry you're having such a rough time at the moment Tessa...

I can't think of any way of protecting yourself from the water temperature if it's causing you pain because it's too cold I had some physio in a nice warm pool around the time my CRPS was diagnosed, and even that hurt sometimes - since the CRPS I just can't bear cold water, and I just have to not go in colder pools. I'm lucky to have a warmer pool nearby (although sadly the price is too rich for me at the moment), but if I had no other choice than a cold pool I still couldn't do it. Even the buoyancy of the water and ability to do more exercise just isn't worth the pain and risk of spread.

I'd say just don't do it. That horrible level of pain is your body shouting at you to stop, and it's definitely worth listening. Try to find a warmer pool (most will tell you their temp if you ring and ask) or just talk to your doc/physio - physios tend to know where warmer pools are, or can discuss an alternative therapy for you.

Take care, and I hope your pain gets more manageable very soon, its horrible when you just can't get away from it...

Bram.

Thanks Bram,

So I think maybe I have found a couple of ways to combat the effects. First I went out yesterday and purchased legging style rash guards like surfers wear. It is not as heavy as a wetsuit but I am hoping it will create just enough added warmth. The other issue I was having is that while kicking or walking in the water the pressure from the water on my thigh is also causing increase in the electrical lightning shocks down my leg. I am hoping that the light compression of the leggings will prove to be beneficial with that issue. I think the edema in my leg gets pushed around by the water or at least that is my theory. When I got home yesterday after my swim I got into the hot tub and this did help settle things a bit. Afterwards, I applied the medicated compound cream and by 9PM things were finally at a manageable pain level.

It would be so nice to have a warmer pool near by but, even this pool I went to was a 40 min drive each way in the summer and up to an hour or more in the winter. We may just have to find a way to gather enough funds to install one of those endless swim spa's.

Living in the mountains where snow flies early and stays well into June most years, might really wreak havoc on me since the onset of CRPS II. I am brainstorming daily on how I will keep my leg warmer so that I can enjoy all the many things we do in the winter for fun. Not ready to give up yet or think about moving.. must find solutions.

My doctor just signed off on my hunting/fishing disability card so that my sweet husband can assist me and we can drive on roads we would normally walk during hunting season. This will be a huge help in keeping my legs warm and allow me to be part of this years season. Trying to find my new normal.. and adjust without giving up!

Again thank you Bram for your input and kindness,
Tessa

I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the leggings, I know what you mean about the swelling too, I swear I could feel it moving in the water when I tried to walk forwards.

A warm endless swim spa is my dream.... oh well...

Here in the UK the darned weather is constantly changing, and mostly seems to like being damp and chilly - the CRPS definitely doesn't like it, and given the funds I would move somewhere warmer with a more stable temperature straight away! I hate feeling so cold and miserable all through the cold months, with our recent heatwave I've realised how much happier my leg is when it's warmer - bit of a shock how much difference it made. Nice at the time, but it makes you come back down to earth with a bump when it goes colder again.

Good luck with it all, that positive attitude of yours is a great weapon in the fight!

Bram.

I did aquatherapy for a bit and was scheduled to start again except insurance took so long to get the referral in that my dr was sent to another base. The water temp should be between 96 and 106 degrees. Usually that's good, but not always. I didn't get much relief from the therapy although it did help a tiny bit with muscle atrophy. The water was just too cool for me evidently. I wish they were able to schedule me separately from others so they could raise the temp but they couldn't. There were just too many people doing the aqua therapy for me to have separate sessions. I hope this helps some. I am going to start working on getting back into aqua therapy when I move and seeing if any place is able to raise the temp for me.

Thanks Allanira,

I don't know if you read above where I mentioned the surfer type capris? These are great - they add an extra layer of warmth and even protect my legs from just the pressure of the water while walking or swimming. They are uncomfortable to put on/take off but so is most other clothing for me so I just get through it. Afterwards it has been helpful to me to either sit in a hot tub or just soak in a warm epsom salt bath.

I know you mentioned aqua therapy didn't help much but I would think even just water walking would be great for you and your baby? I honestly do it for the benefit it provides to my joints (especially my failing hips) and for the mental benefit.. I don't do it expecting the CRPS II symptoms or pain to be relieved much by it

I do hope you find a pool that works for you!

Thanks again for your input,
Tessa

hello zookester...I have been diagnosed with hypersensitivity of the central nervous system, I am not happy with this diagnosis you can read my bio and tell me if you had an of my experiences...as for the POOL..i have taught aqua fitness for many years and now I totally depend on it to keep me moving...if the days the water is cooler I take a shower with the water as warm as I can stand that day and even use a heating pad on my legs that are affected the most...try this I find it soothing!
tg

Hi . I had the same problems with the water temp at my aquatherapy sessions, so I had to stop. It hurt going into the pool. It was so cold and we asked to raise it, but it still wasn't warm enough for me. I loved it so much but had to stop because of the pain it caused with the water temp. The exercises were helpful though. I also had to get two surgeries done for a complete hysterectomy so I couldn't continue until my staples were taken out and I healed. but I decided not to go back though after that because of the cold water. I hope you can find a pool now that's warm enough. I don't have any other places around here to go. I try to go on short walks in the nice weather. I won't go out in icy and bad weather anymore for fear I will fall again and break anther bone and aggravate the rsd. I also do a home exercise program that pt gave me. It's not as nice as the pool but it's better than nothing. I used to love to swim and go to the beach, but those days are over for me now because of the cold. Plus I can't stay out the sun because it makes my skin blister even with sunscreen because of the rsd. It stinks but I have to accept it. Take care and hope you have a good night.

I live in NM you would think the water would be warm in an outside pool but guess again lol. My in laws have a pool I got into once but not again unless the temp is reading around 120 lol. I think a lot of the meds cause sun sensitivity. I used to swim all the time and lay out and play in the sun. No more. Good thing I do have the inlaws because I can ask them to take goober boy out to play till his brother is older then I will be sitting on the porch watching them. Wishing I could go out and play too. I wish there was a way we could afford a deep hot tub that I could do exercises in but thats a no go unless I found one for $20 lol. I am going to look into aqua therapy when I move back to MY home and see what temp they keep it at and if they will raise it for when when I come in. If not then I will be wearing my floors down with walking and then laying on the floor to do other rom exercises. I have never liked cold weather.

Allanira,

120??? was this a typo or can you really stand it that hot?