Parkinson's Disease Support Group

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...

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hisknobs 10/17/2013

HAS ANYONE FOUND RELIEF FROM SOAKING IN A HOT TUB. SITTING IN A SAUNA OR A STEAM ROOM. I LEARNED THAT IT IS VERY BAD FOR PEOPLE WITH MS, HAS ANYONE SUFFERED INCREASED SYMPTOMS FROM INCREASED BODY TEMPERATURE?

deleted_user 10/17/2013

I'd use caution ! I must usually use tepid w a t e r not hot for showers or, yes, have big troubles with muscles

Zlata 10/17/2013

The only danger I found for me is climbing in and out. Strength in my L keg is not there But my husband helps me, so I get in . We keep the water temperature on about 88-90 degrees not because it's a problem for PD , but hot water makes me sleepy . I like good soak in a hot tub , it also helps with meditation and the aching joints ,

Z

deleted_user 10/17/2013

I'm personally very sensitive to changes in temperature as a result of the PD. A hot tub feels great, but I have to leave right away as I feel overheated..

terrapinstation945 10/17/2013

Im right with dopameanie on that one, my internal thermostat doesnt work well anymore. I love a good soak but cant take the heat.

In PD, thermoregulatory dysfunction can also manifest as heat and cold intolerance, (Parkinsons Disease and Nonmotor Dysfunction
Current Clinical Neurology 2005, pp 159-172)

Happy

Darls43 10/20/2013

Hi friends,

We bought a spa(hot tub) when we moved into our new house to help me with the rigidity. We have only just dialled the temperature down because we are going into summer here.
I always feel more relaxed after I have had a soak in it. The jets are so good on my calf muscles.
I have the same problem as Ziatica, in that I am often so relaxed I need help getting out.

Darlene

deleted_user 10/21/2013

Whenever I see a hot tub by the pool it is always tempting to sit in the hot tub. However, the times I gave in to doing it my muscles would cramp up badly. Once I got a bad cramp in my thigh that I could not hardly walk the rest of the day. That really scared me a lot because it would not go away. So if I go in them I am taking a chance. If the pool is not a little warm the same thing happens, so I guess the soaking part is what does it.....hot showers do not bother me.

OmbreGracieuse 10/25/2013

I have the opposite issue. I find that heat (even VERY strong heat) feels good on my muscles, specifically my back. Cold temperatures (even the winter weather) cause my muscles to cramp and cause me to tremor at a significantly fast rate.

I also take Baclofen four times a day though in addition to my Sinemet; before this my tremors responded both to cold and heat. Now it just seems to be the colder temperatures that do it.

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