Hydrotherapy/Hot bath & Hypermobility

[Eloise]

I've had three sessions of hydro so far - and to start with I was so happy to have the opportunity and a physio willing to put some effort in. The first two sessions I was ok - no better or worse, but after the third I have been in a right mess. The next day, my left knee gave way/twisted with loads of pain (this is the knee I am mainly having physio on), then the next day my right hip dislocated, and then again a few days later. Also, my general pain levels have been through the roof, as has my fatigue.

I am not sue if it was the hydro, or just time for a bad flare, but I am hoping they drop me back down to basics tomorrow, as I also have a kids club at church which I am hoping to help with all week!

Reading through this thread there seems a mixed response. So I guess I will just have to take things steady and see how things go. Thanks for the moan anyway.

[dragondee]

Eloise,
sorry the hydro is not going too well for you.
I had three of my four sessions but got a fungal infection so couldn't have the fourth.
The physio ladies were not too sure what to do with me so just told me to do the exercises carefully.
I still do a basic set of hydro exercises that help to keep me mobile.

Dragondee

[Eloise]

Thanks dragondee.

I went this morning and explained to the physio - he agreed that we should go back to basics and just 20mins so we can try and work out if it is just a flare up, or the hydro.

By the end of the session I was in quite a bit of pain and wobbly, and on my way back to my car my right SI joint slipped and now it is really hurting So I guess the hydro isn't very good for me. I am going on the theory that someone mentioned further up the thread, that the warm water and support allows my tendons to stretch too much.

[dragondee]

Eloise,
sending hope it's better now.

Been in the jacuzzi this morning but I could only stand a few minutes of it after doing my hydro exercises.
Is the hydro pool big/deep enough to swim in?

I go to a local hotel pool which is generally quite warm (30 deg) do some warm ups, swim a few lengths, 1 set of hydro, more lengths, 2nd set of hydro, more lengths, warm down, stretches, then out of the pool.
I dont know if something similar would work for you.
Take care
Dragondee

[Pootje]

I really like the water, but it isn't possible for me to hold my joints together.
My muscles arent strong enough..
I treid it a couple of times but every time I dislocated something!
One joint I can hold together and that takes so much energy that I can't hold the rest together..

[vh86]

Does anyone know of any good books or websites about hydrotherapy? I had 6 sessions earlier in the year which was good and I have kept it up but would like to learn more exercises. I feel more secure doing hydro than doing physio outside the pool, I always feel like I'm going to hurt myself and I feel every click and creak! I often hurt myself doing actual swimming, so being able to do more hydro exercises would be good.

[fancypants]

Sorry, I don't know any books on the topic - maybe try amazon? Or you could check with a support group for people with arthritis or for elderly people, they might know of groups that run with an instructor that you could attend & learn some more. I think there was an arthritis group where I went, I've joined up with the arthritis people as it's the closest to HMS there is here & just means I have extra support on managing chronic pain.

I just wanted to say I have had 2 sessions of hydrotherapy now. The pool is lovely - 34deg, so comfy. I was worried it would be too hot as everyone kept telling me it was, plus I'm no good with regulating my own temp. But it was just fine.

It's like a normal pool, but less people & warmer. The first time I went they gave me a few exercises to try & told me only to stay in 20 mins as I would be tired after. They were right, I was so sleepy the rest of the day. I went the next week & did the exercises alone. There is an aqua aerobics class I can join but I'm quite happy doing my own thing. I have 3 months at the pool for free, unfortunately it's closed for one month now over the hols.

Apparently in a while they'll give me more exercises, as I get stronger. I wasn't as tired after my second go.

I have to admit to being really scared before I went. But I did it & had so much fun. Hubby has bought a concession ticket for me so I can go outside hydrotherapy hours (9-11am), during public times & then hopefully he can come with me sometimes. Otherwise I can just use it once my 3 months is up.

I'm only going once a week. They recommend 1 - 2 times a week & only 20-30 mins a session. I am relieved to see they are so realistic about it. I was worried they might expect 45 mins or an hour or something stupid.

It's all been quite incredible - after all my initial dx was ME/CFS & I've been housebound & sometimes bedbound for 5 years. I was superfit when I got sick but now I have lost all my muscle tone & fitness. I'm excited about getting both back.

[Jo_dee]

I've just finished 5 sessions at my local hospital. I suffer with bad hips, knees and shoulders and we mostly worked on my hips and knees. I really liked it. Previously my knees were feeling tight, like they always needed stretching out but after the first session they were better all week and this continued for 3 weeks. The only problem i got was that i'd limp around the supermarket after but it soon wore off.

A few days after my 3rd session, my whole back went into spasm giving me alot of pain and discomfort. My osteopath said this was because my hips and shoulders were out of alignment. I didnt connect this with hydro at the time because i'd found it to be good for me. But the day after the osteopath my left hip and knee gave me alot of pain and I went to hydro the next day as it was much better but then a few days later, again, the same thing happened. I'm waiting for my next lot of pain now I only connected all this to hydro after reading this topic, seeing some people say it made them worse.

I dont want to put a downer on hydro because i really enjoyed it and i can see how its a good form of physio but for me personally.. i'm not so sure. Maybe i over did things? I never felt exhausted like other people do though..

[kaytee]

Hi everyone

I am new here. I was wondering if anyone could suggest anything to help me. I started hydrotherapy a few months ago - the rheumatologist said that that was all he could do for me really as I don't want to go on medication. I have found hydrotherapy really difficult and in the past few months I have not been able to sleep for several days afterwards because of the pain. 2 weeks ago I told the physiotherapist that I needed gentler exercises and the ones he gave me instead have given me so much pain that 2 weeks later I still haven't fully recovered and I had to have time off of work.

I have tried to tell him that it's proper pain that has often made me cry and not the 'normal' aches from exercising (as he asked if I knew the difference!). I don't think he understands.

Can anyone suggest any way I can get the physiotherapist to understand or offer any suggestions for me or to give my physiotherapist/rhematologist?

Thank you

Katie

Modnote: Merged with existing discussion on Hydrotherapy, if you search for excersises/body parts within the topic you may find useful information. Other board members will answer you here but try to avoid duplicating information.

[Jo_dee]

Hi Kaytee, I'm very new to this so i cant offer any real help i'm afraid but i just wanted to say that I too was patronised in the same way where I had to persist in saying that the pain I felt was different than what you get after exercising.

[kaytee]

Thanks for your reply Jo_Dee I will keep persisting. I am going again tomorrow and am going to have to be really firm with him as I really can't bear that pain anymore. Just need to be more confident!

[cracker]

Strood Sorts Center has a hydrotherapy pool. if your on diasalility and i think if you seeing a pysio you can use it mon mornings of friday mornings 8:30an - i think it 11:30 am it cost £1.75 to go in. the 136 bus to gravesend stops outside and it lookis like thet have lots of parking spaces. the bus back to chatham is over the road from it.