My fellow gimps--a miracle has occurred

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I want to proclaim to you the miracle that has happened to me. Let me preface by saying that I have never cared for swimming. It is boring, to the max. Well, guess what, after you haven't really walked for five or six years, walking in water is the most awesome, amazing, feel-good thing-that-is-good-for-me I can imagine.

It took my son a whole year to talk me into going into the pool. First of all, I was pretty concerned about getting in and out of the pool. They have a lift at the pool I go to, but I actually do the stairs like a 2-year-old; I step down once or twice and slide the rest of the way down on my butt!

Secondly, I thought I would be self-conscious, but I wasn't. I guess getting naked for every doctor and nurse and student in the tri-state area has cured me of modesty. Thirdly, I didn't think I'd be able to do much. On a bad day, I can hardly walk 10 feet. I did 10 laps in the pool (water-walking) my first day. That is three-tenths of a mile! And fourthly, it makes me feel pretty hot-damn good. In 2 weeks it has already vastly improved my walking on land, and my ability to stand in one place. I'm sleeping better (I am a raving insomniac, as you can tell by the time of my posts). I have gotten more benefit from 2 weeks in the water than I did from a whole year of lifting weights and doing a recumbent bike.

Fifthly, it is nearly pain-free. I do have a bit of lumbar pain, but I'm pretty sure that is just because I haven't been able to stand straight for a long time, and I'm working muscles I haven't used in a while. The reason I tried the pool was because I was really trying to increase my cardio, and I maxed out on my bike--it hurt so bad I just could not do any more. That's not a problem in the water.

Some stuff to beware of--it is VERY easy to overdo, and not know it until later, especially if you are a cardio and pulmonary patient like myself. The hot whirlpool and arthritis pool felt great when I was in them, but afterwards sometimes I did not feel so good. I think that heat is not good for someone like me--at least not yet. I'm gonna stick to the swimming pool for while. I have been going 3 times a week, but after the first month I will probably start going every day; that's how much I love it.

Be sure to check with your doctor before you start anything like this, because there can be unexpected pit traps--for instance, one minute in the steam room nearly keeled me over, hehe. That humidity just sucks the air right out of me. It is very easy to get dehydrated. Be sure to drink lots, if that is appropriate for you. Water-walking makes my Lasix way more effective and I actually had to cut my dose in half this week.

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Thanks for the pleasant update! I kept imagining the water being just the right temperature while reading your post!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

WOW! That sounds great! When I've recovered enough from my surgery to get back in the water, I'm going to go sign up at the local pool.

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Wonderful!

The diuresis is because the water around your body increases your lymphatic return -> increased renal blood flow -> whee! let's make more urine!

Increased muscle mass and usage in your legs will have a similar effect as it increases, and it will make your heart stronger, too, thus, improving the old Frank Starling curve. Go, you!

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Awesome. Glad you have found something that makes you feel better. Keep it up! Who knows how you will feel in 6 months. :up:

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

How wonderful for you!

My 20-year-old son lifeguards at our local YMCA- and there are lots and lots of folks just like you who use the pool in this manner. So happy you tried it!

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Ever considered scuba diving?

No i'm not joking

https://www.hsascuba.com/scripts/About.php

I know a quadriplegic that dives

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I used to work at a rehab pool that specialized in exactly this kind of thing and had in-water physical therapists. I've seen people that absolutely can't stand on land be able to walk around in the water. It's very good resistance training, in a way that can't be easily duplicated using free weights, if at all. It's also excellent for cardio, if you get into deep water running. A good therapy pool will be around 93°F as that is average skin temp and will prevent you from becoming hypothermic if you're in the water for a long time. It also makes it a LOT harder to lose excess heat if you're exercising hard, so heat-illness is definitely possible.

However, because of that particular environment, you can very much work on posture, gait, and normal active range of motion without getting too easily fatigued as you would on land.

Another thing to consider/ask about is whether or not your Physical Therapist is familiar with aquatic therapy. If your PT is, you'll find them to be an excellent resource for what to do while in the water, even if they don't/can't accompany you into the pool.

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Caliotter, Ruby, the water's great, come on in :)

Haha, GrnTea, you are not kidding, sorry if this is TMI but I have to run to the bathroom right before I get in, right after I get in, and the minute I get home. This is the best my kidneys have behaved for a long time!

Blackvans, I have already ordered a snorkel set! So, great minds...I don't have enough air yet for regular swimming but I figured a snorkel mask would help me practice that, and I used to love, love, love diving. I can't wait to try at least some small dives.

Akula, that's a great idea about looking for a PT who knows water therapy. I am going to see if I can find one.

Friday I had a bit of a thrill. These two triathletes were working out in the lane next to me. There were some teenage boys fooling around in the water-walking lane, you know the kind. Anyway, the triathlon guys kept looking over in my lane and putting the evil eye on those boys. When I went to get out, the triathletes both smiled at me, gave me the thumbs-up, and said, "Good workout!" It's just a little thing that made my day. I'm all puffed-up and egotistical now.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

i am so very proud of you :yes:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Awesome!!

I've been looking into aqua therapy and water aerobics for some time; guess I'll take the plunge soon. ;)

Thanks for the inspiration! :up:

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ooooo, Lady,? pun intended?

Awesome!!

I've been looking into aqua therapy and water aerobics for some time; guess I'll take the plunge soon. ;)

Thanks for the inspiration! :up:

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