Anyone find cold plunge or sauna helpful?

[PuraVida2024]

I'm six weeks in on ADT. Working to stay ahead of fatigue with resistance training and weighted vest walking as I gear up for radiation and chemo in the next few months. Anyone done any cold plunge or sauna to help battle side effects or get better sleep? What was your experience?

[Mascouche]

I end my showers with about 2 minutes of water being the coldest it can be. In the summer I find it now cold enough to my taste but in the winter it feels like nails biting in the skin and after 2-3 minutes the head starts to spin.

It might seem like torture when just reading this but it does not feel that way to me. If makes me feel as if I am waking up for a second time, more fully.

Another thing I found that helps me fight off fatigue/brain fog is to use my inversion table for about one to two minutes. Being upside down makes the blood flow to the brain and gives me yet one more boost after my cold shower.

[timotur in reply to Mascouche]

Yes, I’m a big fan of Irish showers (last minute cold). It’s like shock therapy, clears the mind, and feels good when it’s over. Winter is tougher sure. It’s a good way to prep for upcoming procedures that might be uncomfortable as it increases your tolerance level.

[Mascouche in reply to timotur]

I agree. It is termed "Controlled discomfort".

[Kaliber]

I have a medical grade Jacuzzi ( many very powerful jet combos ) and it’s wonderful for my many severe SE body discomforts. The hot water soak ( hot tub like ) and massage jets for everything on the upper and lower body is near miraculous during my severe body joint and esp muscle pains. The deep tissue massages for my waist down neuropathy is great as well. Caution: turning up the jets TOO high and staying in the stream too long can bruise you and leave you with its own discomforts. Just imho .

❤️❤️❤️

[pj1121 in reply to Kaliber]

What is a medical grade jacuzzi? I definitely would like to upgrade to that. Big fan of hot tub - cold outdoor shower!

[Kaliber in reply to pj1121]

the term medical grade is an old term referring to specific construction of a spa that qualifies if for insurance claim coverage when used for medical care benefits.

Basically it means jets that are powerful enough to actually deeply massage muscles and different parts of your body. They usually have large numbers of different types of jets ( designed for different parts of your body ) and multiple pump motors and water diverters that produce various combinations of powerful , pulsing therapeutic streams of water. Most spas have two pump motors ( circulation and jets ) some have three. The 3 pump models ( one for circulation and two , higher power , high / low pumps for jets ) usually qualify as medical grade .

[LongevityAT]

I did both, sauna and cold plunge. I can't definitively say this combo lessened my ADT SE's but the incredible benefit was in my mindset towards this disease. It kept me focused and reasonably relaxed and helped me to make clear decisions. In another post someone mentioned the Wim Hof Method, I'm an instructor for Wim and have a very strong daily breathwork/meditation practice as well. I was also at the gym regularly and this all did help my body with recovery after workouts.

[macdunno]

I would like you to direct your question to Tall Allen in the forum as he has had years of research and knowledge to help you.

[swwags in reply to macdunno]

??????

[fast_eddie in reply to macdunno]

?????? 😎

[swwags]

Dry sauna here and cold showers normally. I've done this for awhile but not in relation to chemo.

[Sagewiz]

Thanks for positing. I have been wondering the same.s I have done them in the past (pre-diagnosis). I am just getting access to a place where I can do them again. However, I have no experience with any benefits to the PC or its medical and pharmaceutical side-effects.

[corvid54]

I love saunas and have had one built in each of my last two homes. So I have a favorable bias. However, there is a concerning uncertainty.

One big benefit of extreme temps (sauna, hot tubs, ice baths) and exercise is boosting what are called heat shock proteins (HSP). Those proteins help many metabolic functions work better. A UCSF study found that saunas raise levels of HSP 70 which has been associated w more aggressive prostate cancer, maybe making ALL cell replication, including prostate cancer cells more efficient.

Now, because sauna use is so deeply a part of Scandinavian culture (especially Finnish), Id expect to see clear evidence in these regions. Bear in mind that the “control” (aka nonintervention) groups in Finland still sauna up to twice a week, compared to 4 or more times in the intervention groups. Of course we know that exercise (which produces Heat Shock Proteins) is beneficial with prostate and other cancers. The perpetual gap between basic science findings and real world patient outcomes is again an issue. (Lies, damned lies and statistics).

Honestly, I admit that Ive reduced my sauna use and wonder what is right. Probably for now its a matter of “if it feels good do it”.

[j-o-h-n]

With the showers and the saunas are you supposed to use water?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[i0rion]

I follow the method Jack Dorsey uses when I can. I use a chest freezer to chill the water to 39f and an European sauna to reach 220f. The experience feels incredible and when I do 3 sets I feel I can do anything. It gives me focus, energy and a feeling of well being. It breaks me down and forces me to relax. When I don't have time I just do a 3 minute plunge after a shower.

[SeosamhM]

I'm 8 years in and I use my steam sauna almost daily (for me, a dry sauna - even with IR - simply doesn't start the sweat). I started using a steam sauna routinely for just the purpose you envision, i.e., mitigating chemo and radiation side effects. It worked. Now it is an absolute necessity for me - both physically and psychologically.