Cold water therapy

[OlgaSz]

Hi everyone,

Generally painkillers don't cut through my pain and they give me many side effects, so I am looking into alternatives.

I was reading some research about cold water therapy helping with fibromyalgia and other autoimmune pain. I was wondering if anyone tried it for Endo?

[SavageGold]

Hello. I'm a cold water swimmer. When my endo is bad I do just dip for endo. The open water dipping confuses the nerve endings helping pain. It shocks my digestive system to stop pushing so I get some peace from toileting. It reduces inflammation and it makes you really sleepy for the rest of the day while your body tries to bring your core temperature back up, then sadly the pain returns.

Please don't start mid winter though. It's not as simple as getting in and out water for your body. It can affect your sugars and cause shivering and after drop which is dangerous for driving home. Somebody this year died after cold water therapy due an undiagnosed heart condition and she was with a team leader. To be fair though I think she died in normal temperatures.

I have introduced newbies to wild swimming, even one in January last year, but she doesn't have any health complications except mental health. I introduced a one in August with MS.

May is when the mental health swimmers start advertising to new swimmers. It's generally 9 degrees in the water.

Getting in at this time of year can cause severe skin pain as well if you're not used to it. If you have a wetsuit and you are used to cold water by all means go for it.

All the usual provisos: take a hot drink like soup and hot hot chocolate. Not coffee.

Wrap your clothes and towels in a hot water bottle.

Take lose warm clothes. Forget about putting a bra on. It takes too long and you need to focus on getting dry and warm.

I've got a tow float I love to put behind my head and lie in the water looking at the sky. The feeling of being able to totally relax my muscles is wonderful.

Do you have a local Facebook group to swim with?

[OlgaSz in reply to SavageGold]

Hi SavageGold,

Thank you for your message. I am pretty familiar with cold water swimming, as I used to do it quite often over the pandemic. While I knew about the positive effects on mental health (that was the main reason I went for it) , I wasn't diagnosed with endo back then, so never thought about the potential of helping here.

For now I am considering creating a cold water tub in the garden, to do some dipping.

[Bubble-z]

Hi Olga

I’m the same, pain killers don’t help me at all so I completely gave up on them. The only thing that helps me when I’m in n agony due to endo is hot water bottle.

[OlgaSz in reply to Bubble-z]

Hi Bubble-zI totally get that! Hot water bottle is my best friend. I also have this electric heating pad that I can attach to by belly or my back. It is called slim pal and it is my saviour when in the office. I am looking into alternative pain management techniques as the conventional medicine is just failing miserably...

Have you tried any other things?

[Bubble-z]

I know, one day I took 8 painkillers but non of them helped with my pain. I haven’t tried electric heating pads, they didn’t even occur to me! I’ll definitely get them, thanks for mentioning them.

How do you manage to work? Doesn’t it affect your memory? Don’t you feel confused or get foggy headed?

I’ve been diagnosed just a few days ago and since then I haven’t gone back to work as I feel so depressed!

[OlgaSz in reply to Bubble-z]

I am so sorry you had to experience that...

I don't know, my periods were always super painful and heavy, and I thought that's the way it is. I prefer to work from home on my worst days, but it doesn't always happen. I just put my headphones on and tell everyone that I need to focus today and I carry on with my day. I know I am not as efficient as usual, but the work gets done. I used to work in hospitality where I had to smile all day despite my actual feelings, so that probably helps.. 😅

When I was firstly diagnosed I was actually relieved as I finally knew what I was facing and someone confirmed I wasn't making this up! I made many changes in my daily routine and the symptoms improved massively. I feel somehow in control of it now and in some crazy way in peace.

[Bubble-z]

I’m so glad to hear that you’ve found a way to manage your pain and I hope things get even easier for you!

[OlgaSz in reply to Bubble-z]

I hope the same for you!

[BloomingMarvellous]

I go every week and last week the hip leg was really not in a great place when I arrived but 15 mins of cold water 💦 and bingo no pain for nearly the last 5 days. I also feel better able to handle pain when it does arrive.

[OlgaSz in reply to BloomingMarvellous]

That's amazing! My hip and lower back started to bother me after the laparoscopy in October, so I am trying to find a solution for it. For now yoga does wonders, but I am looking for ways to up my game.Do you go to the lake/sea or do you have one of these cold water barrels? Do you think it is cold that is therapeutic or swimming and gentle movement? (Sorry for the interrogation 😅)

[BloomingMarvellous]

I live near the sea so that’s most of the year ( and off our small boat until now as she’s been sold ..) except for winter months where our local lidos do early morning sessions over the weekend . They are lifeguarded which can be reassuring if you’re new to the game. 15 mins once a week is said to be enough for 7 days. Immersion is the key so you don’t have to swim. My bro often goes to Sweden and says there they appear to just stand around chatting in the ice laden harbours - he’s not tempted in the least 😂 . Doing it gradually from autumn onwards helps you adjust gradually as the temp drops. Always be guided by your body on the day sometimes warmer can feel freezing 🥶 if your on an off day !

I like both as the winter lido sessions are very friendly and social - full of laughter and encouragement.

[OlgaSz in reply to BloomingMarvellous]

Thank you for all the info! It all seems very promising! 😁

I am considering one of the barrels, as I am more than an hour away from any reasonable open water. That's good to know that the immersion should be enough!

Thank you 🥰

[BloomingMarvellous]

worth going to fb and see if you have a local lido that does it to start with 💕

[OlgaSz in reply to BloomingMarvellous]

I tried to find some previously, but I am pretty far from any water reservoir - it is at least 1h drive one way, which makes it unsustainable for me...