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

I wish they had a separate pool or hot tub for us that was warmer. I don't even go to the indoor pools at the gym anymore cause it hirts. Well everything hurts right now. Wish I was further along in my pregnancy for little one to come but he's not ready lol. Then I could start back on my meds and hopefully get relief from them.

I am assuming because it is still around 100 here, I'm not having any problems. Our pool is between 90-95 I suppose. It doesn't bother me too much. My sensitivity was never as bad some though. Except now that it's in my back. That's fun to dress for. Ha! In fact, sometimes the pool room is so stuffy it kills my asthma. The funny thing for me is, I can barely walk on land. In chest deep water, I can walk with a little balance problem. Anyway, it's going to be in the 90s for the next 10 days here. I have terrible cold intolerance. That's why I guess it's good I live in Texas. I wear jackets and blankets when its 70. Anyway, that as probably a very roundabout way to say my pool's warm lol.

TK

Congratulations!!! I love little babies. One of my babies was 13 yesterday and my youngest is 10. So mine are 14,13, and 10. Time flies!!

TK

In my neighborhood in Tucson, we had two heated pools, getting in took some doing and once I was in though, the heat was nice. What was intolerable was getting out and having my skin feel that cooling burn. It made me sick to my stomach. The pool was two doors down and across the street, but it was awful getting out and getting home. Before RSD, I swam laps every day. That was my time to meditate and de stress. I miss the water so much.