Heat exhaustion

[Carebear]

Yes, I know.  And unusual topic for the winter.  But it was not the sun, it was a hot tub that nearly did me in just before Christmas.  Actually, it was the day before my birthday, now that I think about it.

I have had to watch myself in hot tubs for at least twenty years now so I consider myself overly cautious.  Well, I had just attended my first "arthritis" water class and was warming up in the hot tub afterward.  When I exited, luckily the life guard was standing right there, and she caught me before I hit the floor.   

I'm posting this to warn others.  It was a very frightening experience and I don't wish for anyone else to have it happen to them.  I really don't know why it happened.  Maybe it was that I had just exercised (although the water was rather cool), or maybe it's my medication or the usual culprit...Sjogren's.   Needless to say, I'm watched very carefully now by the staff when I'm at the pool.

[angels04]

Hi. Sorry to hear about your experience..glad the life guard caught you!
I have a hot tub at home and have recently found that I cannot tolerate it the way I used to..I also passed out one night after getting out..lucily I didnt get hurt and my daughter was nearby to get my husband
I wasnt diagnosed at the time..but it all makes sense now.
thanks for sharing your story!

[Carolina]

Hot tubs are off limits for those with auto immune diseases.

Another one of the joys.

Hugs

Elaine

[Joe S.]

While I agree with Elaine, I will carefully have a hot shower, and also avoid the Sauna.

[olmphoto2]

We have major problems regulating our body temperature.  It's something we can NEVER take lightly, especially excess heat.  Heat exhaustion may become life theatening heat stoke extremely quickly.

[irish]

It is extremely dangerous to go in hot tubs when you have sjogrens and I would expect, any other autoimmune disease. I also have myasthenia gravis and I can't even tolerate an extra warm shower. I also stay away from tub baths as I get so weak I can hardly get out of the tub.

Also, people who are on blood pressure medications should stay away from hot tubs also. A person has to have a strong circulatory system to be able to tolerate a hot tub. The heat causes the blood vessels to expand and all the blood leaves the vital organs and goes into the collateral circuation. When we stand up there is not enough blood in the brain to sustain consciousness.

It is similar to a low blood pressure event with loss of consiousness. I know, "we sjoggies don't get no fun atall." Irish

[Billydude]

I find this post very interesting.  I also cannot tolerate a hot tub and had no idea this was something other Sjoggies had difficulty with.   I went through a long period of difficulty with heat and always sweating from the head but I seem to have passed that phase and now I'm always cold.     Perhaps I can tolerate a hot tub again?   I haven't tried.

[smallfry]

I didn't realise that low boold preasure can cause you to pass out in a hot tub,

We have a hot tub or spar and we don't heat it, but we only use it in summer Dec Jan Feb when it is our hottest here, its great as it is undercover so we are not roasting in the hot sun, and it's just enough to cool down in it's our poor mans answer to a pool,once summer is over we drain it so we don't have all the upkeep of it.

Cheryl