Hi, I was searching some info whether us with PV diagnosed can go to sauna.
I used to go to sauna quite often before I was diagnosed and before I had any symptoms.
But since the diagnoses I rather didn't go.
I used to have pruritus after hot shower, but not now anymore. But maybe there are other things to consider except pruritus (slower blood flow with PV, etc.)
We are planning girls wellness weekend with my friends next week so I was wondering if it safe to use sauna.
I have used a sauna, though not on a regular basis. It has not been an issue for me. I have not ever heard of a sauna being contraindicated for PV. There are a number of conditions where a sauna would be contraindicated. Suggest you consult your care team about whether it is OK to use a sauna in your case. I would think that it is particularly important to ay attention to hydration if your decide to use a sauna. We can ill-afford dehydration with PV.
Hope you enjoy your girl's wellness weekend.
Hi DariBeeI used a sauna on my last holiday every morning after a swim for 5 days. I really enjoyed it and felt it did me good.
I am female, 70, PV and used to have pruritus but now don't, so it was a lovely treat. I did keep my bottle of water with me and sessions not too long.
Hope you enjoy your girlie weekend.
Hi, I asked my consultant a couple of years ago. She said Saunas are ok but don't spend too long inside and keep water nearby if possible. Same for Steam rooms. Enjoy your weekend.
the research says that 22 minutes a day is optimal to reduce all cause mortality. I found it hard to do 22 minutes so I compromised by starting with 22 minutes plus of exercise ending with 15 minutes of sauna. The overall effect is the same according to the research I found.
Thank you all for your posts 😊 It looks as long as I keep myself hydrated it should be OK.
I have and use an infrared sauna and am using it about 2x/wk now that colder temps are here. I drink an electrolyte replacement (LMNT) mixed with 24 ozs of H2O while sweating. More H2O after sauna. I’m on 150mcg of Besremi and my labs have been in acceptable ranges.
I have used 2-3 cycles at a time of extensive dry sauna sessions with subsequent cold water immersion many times since my diagnosis of PV (2018) and also since being on Besremi (130ug/ biweekly). My experience typically is deep relaxation and clarity of mind. I always feel less achy and more normal and healthy afterwards. I wish I could do it more regularly, I.e. 2-3 times per week. This however will have to wait until I retire in Europe. Currently U.S. based…
It’s always prudent to consult with your doctor.
Yes I know that relaxed feeling 
thanks
I will also ask my doctor at my next appointment.
Hi DariBee,
While I haven't looked for any specifically MPN/PV-related studies re: this, the other studies I did find suggest that regular use of a dry heat sauna has significant health benefits similar to a period of strenuous exercise of the same duration, and as NegritOcho stated, the known and well-studied benefits include a decrease in death rates from all disease states.
In fact, I was so impressed by the evidence that I have researched home sauna units, and once my discretionary spending funds have been rebuilt from the cost of having a new water heater, whole house water filter, and UV sanitizer installed a few months back, I plan on buying a prefab kit and doing a DIY install. The benefits of deep infrared in particular seem to be significant.
Here are some [prolly too many 
] references:
Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events
Conclusions and relevance: Increased frequency of sauna bathing is associated with a reduced risk of SCD, CHD, CVD, and all-cause mortality.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/257...
Sauna bathing: a warm heart proves beneficial
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Safety and efficacy of repeated sauna bathing in patients with chronic systolic heart failure: a preliminary report
Conclusion: Repeated 60 degrees C sauna bathing was safe and improved symptoms and exercise tolerance in chronic CHF patients. Sauna bathing may be an effective adjunctive therapy for chronic systolic CHF.
From: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/161...
Repeated sauna therapy reduces urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha)
Abstract
We have reported that repeated sauna therapy improves impaired vascular endothelial function in a patient with coronary risk factors. We hypothesized that sauna therapy decreases urinary 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) levels as a marker of oxidative stress and conducted a randomized, controlled study. Twenty-eight patients with at least one coronary risk factor were divided into a sauna group (n = 14) and non-sauna group (n = 14). Sauna therapy was performed with a 60 degrees C far infrared-ray dry sauna for 15 minutes and then bed rest with a blanket for 30 minutes once a day for two weeks. Systolic blood pressure and increased urinary 8-epi-PGF(2alpha) levels in the sauna group were significantly lower than those in the non-sauna group at two weeks after admission (110 +/- 15 mmHg vs 122 +/- 13 mmHg, P < 0.05, 230 +/- 67 pg/mg x creatinine vs 380 +/- 101 pg/mg x creatinine, P < 0.0001, respectively). These results suggest that repeated sauna therapy may protect against oxidative stress, which leads to the prevention of atherosclerosis. From: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/150...
Cont. below
Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
The Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Sauna Exposure in Individuals with High-Stress Occupations: A Mechanistic Review
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Sauna use as a lifestyle practice to extend healthspan
Source: reader.elsevier.com/reader/...
Far infrared radiation (FIR): its biological effects and medical applications
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Benefits and risks of sauna bathing
Abstract: Although sauna bathing causes various acute, transient cardiovascular and hormonal changes, it is well tolerated by most healthy adults and children. Sauna bathing does not influence fertility and is safe during the uncomplicated pregnancies of healthy women. Some studies have suggested that long-term sauna bathing may help lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension and improve the left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with chronic congestive heart failure, but additional data are needed to confirm these findings. The transient improvements in pulmonary function that occur in the sauna may provide some relief to patients with asthma and chronic bronchitis. Sauna bathing may also alleviate pain and improve joint mobility in patients with rheumatic disease. Although sauna bathing does not cause drying of the skin-and may even benefit patients with psoriasis-sweating may increase itching in patients with atopic dermatitis. Contraindications to sauna bathing include unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction, and severe aortic stenosis. Sauna bathing is safe, however, for most people with coronary heart disease with stable angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction. Very few acute myocardial infarctions and sudden deaths occur in saunas, but alcohol consumption during sauna bathing increases the risk of hypotension, arrhythmia, and sudden death, and should be avoided
Also this is a 2016 Time magazine article:
From the Jewish schvitz to Mesoamerican “houses of heat,” people all over the world have long associated a good sweat with a wide assortment of health benefits. And some of the latest research seems to support those ideas.
One long-term study of middle-aged Finnish men found those who spent time in a sauna 2-3 days a week enjoyed a 23% drop in their risk for a fatal heart disease or episode. The heart health benefits were even greater for men who sweated it out in a sauna more frequently.
Sauna bathing leads to a significant increase in heart rate and reduction in total vascular resistance, thereby decreasing blood pressure,” says Dr. Ernst van der Wall, chief of cardiology at the Netherlands Leiden University Medical Centre.
In a recent editorial appearing in the Netherlands Heart Journal, van der Wall lays out the research in support of sauna bathing as a safe and salubrious habit for healthy people of all ages. He also says expert concerns about the safety of sauna bathing for those with heart conditions may be overblown. “Death in the sauna is a rare event, even in Finland where the frequency of sauna bathing is high,” he writes.
Still, the big questions surrounding sauna bathing’s safety have always centered on its occupant’s (and her heart’s) ability to withstand the heat. Traditional saunas use either wood or electricity to warm the air in a chamber to a temperature of 185 degrees, which many people find unendurable for more than a few minutes.
Infrared saunas, by contrast, do not heat the air around you. Using electromagnetic radiation, infrared lamps warm your body directly. That may sound freaky or even unsafe, but neonatal beds for newborns have long utilized infrared heating elements to ensure babies are kept warm without being stifled.
“As infrared heat penetrates more deeply than warmed air, users develop a more vigorous sweat at a lower temperature than they would in traditional saunas,” says Dr. Richard Beever, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the University of British Columbia.
While there’s not a ton of published research looking specifically at infrared saunas, Beever has published a review of all the existing studies he could turn up on the subject. He says there’s evidence to support the use of infrared saunas for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and chronic pain.
People who spent 15 minutes a day for two weeks in an infrared sauna enjoyed a significant drop in blood pressure compared to a control group who spend the same amount of time in a “room-temperature” space, one Japanese study reported. More research found time spent in an infrared sauna could help even out irregular heartbeats, improve scores on physical fitness tests and boost endothelial function in the heart’s vessels.
Beever’s review also looked at some of the other purported health benefits of infrared saunas—including pain management. Among 46 chronic pain sufferers, those who spent time each day in a sauna for four weeks enjoyed a 54% improvement in sleep quality and were 27% more likely to return to work compared to a no-sauna group.
Beever makes it clear all of these reports were based on small groups and require further study. Also, he found no strong evidence of lost weight, improved cholesterol scores or some of the other benefits frequently linked to sauna bathing—infrared or otherwise.
But he also points out that no accidents or adverse reactions occurred in any of the studies he reviewed. (For men hoping to father children, spending time in hot saunas or baths has long been a no-no. Healthy sperm and heat don’t play well together. Beever says infrared heat may damage sperm as do other forms of heat, but at this point there’s no data on those risks.)
So what to think of infrared saunas? The existing evidence, though scanty, suggests spending up to 15 minutes a day in one could benefit your heart and ease symptoms associated with chronic pain. And, for now, there don’t seem to be any significant health risks.
Ask your doctor first. But if you’re wondering whether an infrared sauna is worth a try, the evidence suggests you have little to lose and possibly something to gain by checking one out.
The 2nd to the last sentence is perhaps the most important one in the article- talk to your doctor[s]!
Best,
PA
Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Told you I might have too many references....
All of this just re-confirms my commitment to install [and use] a sauna ASAP!
Best,
PA
Hi PhysAssist, I forgot to respond 🙈. Thanks a lot for all the information. If I can choose I prefer finish sauna over the infrared due to the pleasant feeling straight after the cooling I paid attention to hydration last time and I enjoyed the sauna.
Hi DariBee,
No worries, and thanks for answering.
As I said previously, it really looks like a healthy practice.
I still have some of the pre-fab saunas saved for future reference, but IDK when the pocketbook strings will loosen,
I re-read your initial post, and wanted to ask, what if any symptoms do you still have, and what treatment are you currently using- my pruritus hasn't really budged, not that I'm surprised.
I was a bit dismayed by the low Besremi dosages and associated treatment efficacies I saw while reading all the positive responses to your post, Of course, I'm happy for those respondents, but frustrated in my own case.
[I am well aware that we are all different and need /respond differently to treatment as well...]
I'm currently taking 300 mcg of Besremi biweekly and aside from intermittent transient decreases in my Hct [but no real change in my RBC/WBC/Pltlt counts], I'm nowhere near the levels my Oncology/MPN specialty MD 's agree I need to be at.
My original Heme/Onc MD, who is waiting in the wings to take over once I've been titrated to reasonably good control [if ever], currently wants nothing to do with my care, because she would've had me getting phlebotomized numerous times over the past year, and expressed that opinion, but was countered by the MPN specialist, saying,: "No, just increase the dosage...", and for the past 2 months, seems to have refrained from expressing her thoughts- not that I blame her...
Well, that's enough whining for 1 month or more, so let me finish by saying thank you for answering and appreciating my [somewhat overzealous?] postings.
Best,
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
right now my blood counts are almost perfect, only platelets are higher (539).. I've been taking only aspirin 100mg for over 1 year now. No phlebotomies needed. I used to take Pegasys after I was diagnosed with PV 2 years ago with HCT 0,67 and allele burden 46%. That time I had many symptoms including pruritus, headaches, visual disturbances, fatigue... After one year on Pegasys my blood counts were fine and PV symptoms disappeared.
The reason I had to stop Pegasys after one year of taking it was that I had a big worsening of anxiety and depression. I have a history of mental health issues and interferon unfortunately worsened it. Maybe there were also some other causes, not just Pegasys, it was a difficult year.
Actually to be honest I don't understand why my counts are still so stable even after one year without any treatment (just aspirin). I am not complaining though
Except aspirin I am taking curcumin and NAC on daily basis and I started exercise 3-4 times per week - I do running.
BR
Darina
Oh and I just remembered that at the very beginning of my treatment I had few erythrocytapheresis to get my counts quickly to safe numbers. And after that my pruritus got worse..After these erythrocytapheresis my iron levels were very low...so maybe there was some connection.
Besremi - CBC after the 5th dose kept at 200 mcg
All about me and my Myelofibrosis
Pruritus and peginterferon
