How Many Are Helped by a Warm/Hot Bath?

[eyeamdry]

I have not been able to get out of my bathtub for quite awhile because of my knees.  I can get in and can usually make it out with my husband pulling on me like a wet whale coming overboard.  I do not ever use the tub and he is always telling me to "go soak" in the tub.  The tub is where he heads when he has any pain to have a quick soak in hot water.  He is 72 and that fixes him just fine, thanks.

Our bathroom including the tub/shower thing is in bad shape and needs replacing.  I can't figure out how we can have a tub for my husband (and one that I can get in and out of) and an easy shower for me to get in and out of.  I have seen the "elder fancy hot tubs with jets, etc" advertised.  I think the tubs are about $8,000 or more.  This is just not something that is compatible with our modest home.  We don't have any more room for a bigger bathroom or tub. 

I kind of wanted to hear how much you folks are helped or not by a hot bath.  Also any ideas for me that might make our life easier?  We either get a walk in shower....or the shower/tub combo we now have.  I have a hard time even clearing the side of the tub without falling.  Lucy

[SueAnn]

eyedreamy,

There are walk in tubs that don't take up a lot of room and the cost is not that high, depending on your finances.  My uncle had to put one in for his wife and it worked great.   The cost might be more than you want to spend, but it can be well worth the expense to be able to walk in and out.


Sue Ann

[TripleC]

I love hot baths but I am like you have a very difficult time getting in and out because of my knees.  I can still manuever myself but if my knees get any worse I will not be able to do it anymore. I guess I will have to be happy with hot showers.

[KellyG999]

I am helped by HOT baths. I know "they" say too hot of water is no good, but I simply must have it. I Take a hot bath practically every evening, even in the summer. It helps unwind from the day and eases my sore body, if only for a little, and even helps me sleep. I am a big fan of natural, organic bath salts like eucalyptus and lavender.

Now I know I am fortunate to be able to get in and out on my own. As a bonus, my bathroom has a large oval tub with jets. I love love love my tub. Is that wrong?

Take care of yourselves today!! Nobody else will.

[Michael]

Lucy,
The warm bath is my godsend since meds don't have any value to me. I call this my aqutic phase. I will get into the tub many times a day. For one it is the only way I can fight the chills and pain. With winter comming and the dry skin issues just around the corner, I have found that about a 1/2 teaspoon of silicon and a 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon added to the water will give me a huge burst of energy...for about 20 minutes. I do make sure someone can assist me out of the tub because it is very slippery with the oil. Also my wife wants to hang me out with the laundry if I dry off with a light colored towel...the stuff is kinda messy but worth it.

[Cheryl]

Lucy,
I love a hot bath, too.  It is relaxing, it seems to soothe aches, and it makes my eyes feel less "stressed" at the end of the day.  (Using glycerin soap helps to counteract dry skin.)  I don't have a fancy tub, but I'm fortunate to be able to climb in and out of my regular one.
Wishing you the best,
Cheryl     

[gold55]

hi eyeamdry,
you should look into those "walk-ins".....they don't look like they take up as much space as a garden tub and I think you walk in and sit on a small bench.  they are probably pricey
I have to take a "tubby" every morning before work to "unstiffin" my feet and hands.  It really helps but then in the evening sometimes ice packs help on my toes!

[LizPetillo]

Helps my eyes and nose not be as dry.
Throat sometimes as well.
Hot showers ... definately. 

[Patze]

Oh gosh, I sure would love to take a hot one and have a ton of "soak" lotions and potions, but find that my muscles don't want to work to well anymore in very warm water (can get in just fine, but getting out is tough).  So I'm relegated to a warm shower these days.   The only "hot" water that comes into contact with me is the hot eye compresses.


Patze

[Sooki]

I can't take hot baths anymore either.  But I love my hot showers more and more.  It's such simple pleasure.

[Carebear]

I'm another one who can't take warm baths.  I overheat and my body just turns to jello.   

[arina83]

I like hot baths, but I love soaking in our hot tub! Both make me feel better, but when I'm so stiff and painful I can't think of anything else, a soak in the hot tub helps a lot! And it's easier to get in and out  of than the tub. Just sit on the edge and swing myself in or out.

Just need to make sure I don't get too warm, because that makes me dizzy.

[Joe S.]

I am too big for a bathtub (6'3"). I have not been able to use one for a bath in many decades. I use a hot shower. There was a time I had a membership to a Gym that had a hot tub and a sauna that I used several times per week for a year. I built a sauna in our old duplex. I used it weekly for about two years before my daughter took over the basement and used it as a closet. I would not dare use a sauna or hot tub now. I still love my hot shower in the winter and my cold showers in the summer.

[Doxie]

Oh, I would love to soak in a hot tub right now! I have a wonderful jacuzzi tub that I love to relax in, but I can't use it anymore, at least right now. I can't get out of it, my joints are too painful, and my bad hip makes it near impossible. So sad!

That's when I'd like to go to the county rec spa for a soak in their hot tub. (and some water exercises). Of course, I'm too fatigued after work to go there. So really, I have to be satisfied with a long hot shower, not a hot tub soak, but mmmm good!

[12lovehim]

In the last month I couldn't get in my bathtub so I discovered a trick for those who can... I got a snuggly chair a good book and my hubby moved it near our bath/shower combo. ( I have Reynolds so cold is cold no matter how the temp outside) We turned on the shower and plugged the tub and I soaked my legs knee downward... Wow did this help.. To just remove the chills, loosen my legs and get the steam for my eyes and nose...

Seems more complicated than it is.. but as tub fills up I soak my legs and the warmth and comfort spreads across my body. The pain in my legs and back couldn't be soothed but this helped me relax more...