Hot tubs!

[BlightyFiveStar]

Hi everyone

I recently went to GP and was talking about my RA. Her husband has RA and she told me they bought an inflatable hot tub last year which he has found helpful with aches and pains, and was nice for family. I wonder if anyone else has found them helpful, RA wise? Looking online, many don’t appear very deep so your upper body/ shoulders might not be in the water? I’m wondering in what way it’s better than a hot bath? And the cost/ time elements of filling/ heating/ cleaning it?

Please let me know your experiences !

Thanks in advance.

[AgedCrone]

Being a cynical old biddy I don't think there is a difference.....hot water is hot water after all. One advantage ...... it may be easier to heave yourself out than from a domestic bath tub!

Unless the hot tub has a jacuzzi & is big enough to share so it becomes an occasion I can think of nothing less hygienic than wallowing in water that is constantly re-heated......and where do you put it? In the garage? Bit cold this time of year!

We had one in USA,& yes you do treat the water, but after the initial novelty we never used it.

Plus as you say - an inflatable would need a lot of maintenance ...maybe your GP has a housekeeper to prepare hers?

Maybe invest in a jacuzzi bath instead?

[dwsurquhart]

I have found a hot tub quite beneficial. I use the one at my local pool. So the seats are at a good height, the water is deep with nice jets, and there are handrails to help you in and out of the tub. Also it is very affordable and you do not need to clean it.

[Canderson]

Bought a spa tub two years ago and find it very helpful and soothing. Because the water is filtered and treated I don't find it like wallowing in dirty water. As we keep ours in an outside shed we were eligible for the VAT to be deducted from the price. I also find it helps me to have a better nights sleep. Ask your consultant to refer you for a course of hydrotherapy to see if it helps you . I was eligible for 6 sessions which helped me to decide whether it would be a good investment or not.

[Matalow]

Hi Blighty, yes we have one, they are very good and have excellent controls so if you keep the lid on it saves on the electric heating bills,ours seats four ,I’m 6ft and my shoulders are immersed ok. We moved a year ago and are now close to a health club which we use for swimming, jacuzzie,steam room and sauna,so the hot tub is packed away in the garage. In conclusion if you haven’t got facilities near you the are a good idea.Hope this helps.

Regards Mike

[Pamelah5]

Hi, I did have a hot tube was before I got diagnosed with RA. Yes they are deep enough shoulders up to neck submerge under water. There are seats few different heights so depends where you sit.

You are more then welcome to try them out at some places using where they sale swimming pools, they have the facilities they are wanting to sell products.

Best wishes pamela x

[JEM95]

I’m planning to get one in the spring. I have a couple of friends who have them and understand from them they are really good - low maintenance, relatively cheap to run and very pleasant!

Thanks for posting this, some of the answers have helped me decide to give one a whirl (so to speak!!).

[Kell46]

Hi,my husband brought me an inflatable one with jets! It's the best thing for my Ra..as it's inflatable it's more comfortable,I've spent hours in it....would recommend most definitely X

[helixhelix]

A neighbour has an inflatable one, and loves it. She describes her and hubby having a dip after dinner and before bed in the summer (it's outdoors on her terrace), and says she sleeps brilliantly afterwards. Her issue is osteoarthritis (and other health issues) rather than RA, but similar sorts of issues.

[medway-lady]

I used a hot tub with bubbles on on a holiday in 2016 on a cruise ship it was lovely but led to pneumonia and a heck of a lot of chest problems and that one was monitored for water quality commercially. So I'd go for it but do the proper water checks needed religously.

[Lizzieuk1]

We have had ours for 10 years and it's great, very relaxing easy to keep and costs very little to run as is on a standard 13 amp plug- not all are so check that before you buy as it can get quite costly if you have to have an upgraded electrical connection and obv then more expensive to run. You get test sticks for the water so easy to monitor and treat. Also get a lifter for the lid as they are really heavy to move on your own!