This may be a silly question, but a question I've been thinking about recently. Before diagnosis I used to take two to three saunas a week. I've read that taking a sauna produces a significantly higher increase in white blood cells and always wondered if taking saunas potentially accelerated my CML? Not that it created my CML, but perhaps moved things along a little quicker. It has also made me hesitant to take saunas after diagnosis. I've been concerned that increasing my white blood cells now may also increase my remaining CML and slow my response. I know this is a rather odd question and expect that anything in moderation should be okay. Just curious if anyone has thought about this?
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Impact of Sauna on CML
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I don't have any science on this, only a coincidental anecdote. A few days before I was diagnosed with CML, I was in a sauna and suddenly felt weak and faint, to the point where I had to crawl out of the sauna on the floor. It probably had mostly to do with the heat, dehydration, and my white count already being 170,000+, but that incident led me to visit a doctor, which led to my CML diagnosis. I wasn't a regular sauna guy, so I'm sure the sauna had nothing to do with my CML or white count, but your post just sent me down memory lane:)
I have had a number of Saunas over the years when I used to visit the gym. The steam room and the Sauna I used mostly after a workout. I could probably count that I’ve had maybe 20-30 in my lifetime so it’s not a large amount.
We also have to remember that for CML to start it’s the translocation of our chromosomes that causes our disease and I doubt that the a Sauna would cause this. But anything is possible.
I think mine started from persistent stress and worries for extended periods of time over many years. Can you recall being in a similar boat?
Its one of those questions we’d all like answering how we got CML but the chances of nailing that down is probably impossible. Unless you’ve been to Chernobyl or been in an atomic fallout their is no way to really know.
Hope ur doing ok all the same Ian?
Al
Thanks for the replies Alex and William. Yes, I used to take saunas after workouts as well and found it helped with muscle soreness and also better sleep. I don't expect the sauna caused the translocation, but wondered if it accelerated things along after the translocation occurred. It has made me hesitant to take more saunas since diagnosis. However, I do find them relaxing and would love to hear if anyone takes them regularly and has a good response.
Alex, I think your theory on stress being the culprit is very reasonable. I work in a job, in California, that for about a year leading up to my diagnosis involved a pretty large state emergency. Looking at my timeline you might be able to guess which emergency. I expect the 24-hour emergency response and long night shifts did not help. That emergency has passed now, but I have wondered if that contributed. Oh well, nothing to do now but continue forward and hope for a maintained response!
Thanks again for responding and I hope everyone has a happy holidays!
Blimey the Wildfires I presume. Gosh that must have been an adrenaline and cortisol fulled event for you in the emergency services. Personally I believe stress hormones over an extend period may be the culprit for a large number of our cases. I’ve read many articles of stress weakening DNA especially Telomeres (the ends of our chromosomes) so I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
I hear you on your new “fears” of the sauna, psychologically it will effect our behaviour if we think something has played a part in our diagnosis. The way I look at it you’re on medication and responding so I highly doubt it would have an impact going forward. If I could get a sauna now I’d have one right now too 🤣. Where I live we are in the highest restriction Covid area in the UK. Oh the joy.
Good luck with everything mate and hope you get that drop we all desire soon.
Take care
Al