Bath?

[this_sucks]

I was reading that taking a bath one or two more times a day really helps relax your muscles. im not such a bath person, more a shower person so i was wondering if the bath thing really helps? Also if it does, you do not use any type of bubbles or soaps? Because that would probably bother me it would seem.
Katie*

[Cricketmk3]

Baths are very soothing to me. Any kind of heat. A heating pad works well too. Absolutely no kind of bubble bath!

[Stella1609]

I love to take nice, warm baths . . . Really relaxes me all over. Ditto what Cricket said about no soaps, oils, bubbles, etc. Now, I've heard some people really enjoy those little mini spa jet thingies that you hang over the side of the tub, but I don't have one so can't comment.

Laura

[saraeyates]

A bath always seems to help me, with no soaps, etc. I have one of those mats that sits in the bottom of the tub and makes the water like a spa. It is great! I use it when I am hurting really badly, and it seems to help ease my pain some, probably because it is so relaxing.

[dyno]

I also enjoy baths. Again, no bubble bath or anything though.

[DetroitMel]

Ah yes, baths are good! I wish I was taking one right now! My doc recommends putting a few tablespoons of baking soda in the water (making it a sitz bath) when I'm having a lot of pain...

[Cricketmk3]

Saraeyates, What kind of spa mat do you have? I'd love one of those!

[work it]

Baths really help me when I am in bad pain. I make it as hot as I can stand it then just sit and relax..sometimes I will bring a magazine in to help pass time and it's about the only chance I get for "me time" After the bath I like to apply an ice pack..total shock and it numbs the feeling for awhile. Then I go to bed with a heating pad or my corn pillow.

[this_sucks]

What does the baking soda do in the bath? I was wondering what the sitz bathes are...

[XoChelsey03Xo]

I'm more of a shower person also, but I take baths every now and then. I always feel like I might fall asleep in the bath tub because the water feels so good. Chelsey

[DetroitMel]

Well I think I may have mis-spoke. I think the actual definition of a sitz bath is just a bath that has only a few inches of water in it, so it just gets the places that need the relief. I think the baking soda just helps to neutralize things and sooth sore/raw areas. I know it's often recommended for vestibulitis patients (such as myself) when our symptoms flare.

[Katrina]

Baths can help pain but be sure to be careful about infections.....they do bring risk of infection up and boy ic + infection is one bad flare! I think adding baking soda is good and the sitz bad are good.

I mention them in the list on this page

[saraeyates]

I use the homemedics bath mat. It is really loud, but it feels great. My hubby bought it for me for Christmas (late) after I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago. I use it a lot, and it helps for me if the water is really hot, kind of like a hot tub. On another note, I have gotten into the hot tub at my aunt's house when I was there, but that did not seem to help me with my pain, and all of the chemicals gave me raging infections every time that I used it. Hope that baths help for you.

[PikkuMyy]

I also love baths - they really help my PFD. I also use heating pads - sometimes those Thermacare ones which have adhesive and are meant for your abdomen. They stay warm for hours - really warm.

Sometimes I'll put epsom salts in the bath - you can buy it at the pharmacy plain without any fragrances, etc. and the salt helps to relax your muscles.

[sister]

I am wondering why people are saying no soap or bubbles. I add essential oils and use homemade soap. I make my own soap so I know what is in it. I also really love essential oils in my bath.

Is there some sort of connection with soap/oils/bubbles and flares? Would homemade soap be safer as it lacks harsh chemicals (detergents)? Are essential oils still ok?

Would unscented soaps be more gentle? Scents are generally the cause of any problems with soaps.

I am really curious now.

I apologize ahead of time if there is any suspicion of spam since I am a new member. I don't sell soap, I don't have the energy to run such a buisness at this point but I do know a lot about it as it is a really addictive hobby and now I am worried about any ill effects that IC sufferers may have from soap in the bath.

[ICNDonna]

ICers can be extremely to chemicals. The female urethra is very short and chemicals can enter very easily, especially if you recline in the bath tub. I am one who cannot tolerate tub bathing. Once in a while it looks so luring that I climb in, but I nearly always have a flare afterwards. I don't even use scented soaps in the shower.

Donna

[Stella1609]

I can bathe without any trouble, but I can't use some soaps and most body washes or bath additives. Even supposedly gentle bubble baths like Aveeno make me hurt.

Laura

[sister]

Has anyone had the same effects with more natural products like those found in health food stores?

[sacausa]

I use The Body Shop's passion fruit bubble bath and shower gel. It smells great and doesn't have any bad affects on my IC. :)

[Iris5]

When I was first sick (4/03), I took Sitz baths (plain hot/warm) water 3 times a day - once in the morning before I went to work (then I would turn on the shower and get ready), then right when I came home from work, and then right before bed. It was right after my hydrodistension and biopsies. What a miserable time that was - my muscles were so screwed up, and it was the only thing that brought me relief, even for at least a short period of time. After a couple of months, my medications slowly started to kick in, and I was slowly able to wean myself off of them. Also, I used to take them right before (I tried) to have sex to help open up my muscles.

I think sitz baths refer to your bones on your fanny, sometimes called sitz bones. At least that's what they call them in my yoga classes.