should have stated that there are two different kinds, my brother just got
an infrared sauna, he seems to think this is a better one for the arthritis
than the steam one, would appreciate anyone who has used either of them and
your opinions, they are expensive so what to know before I spend all that
kind  of  money.

I go to my health club three times a week to have a sauna Becky. It helps my
OA such a lot, but I'm not sure about the immune system. More importantly,
it's a means of socialising. I've made so many friends there and the time
spent in the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi is a place for putting the world
to rights:)

You should at the very least try a sauna in your area before you splash out
and buy one.
And if ever you're in UK, post here, and you can visit my Club with me!!

Janet

The 'sweating out the toxins' bit is a myth. It's bull. With a sauna,
and the immunosuppressant medications used by many with RA, it's VERY
important to keep it extremely clean (not as much as in a
whirlpool/jacuzzi, but similar) in order to avoid it becoming a breeding
ground for germs (especially the steam one ... though steam always seems
to help clear my sinuses, if that's an issue for you, which it is for
many with RA it seems from reading this group over the years). The deep
heat does help some folks. The heat can also cause some SERIOUS problems
for certain people while on medication. I'd suggest talking with your
doctor about this before laying down a chunk of cash that size :-)

Ari

I used to love using a sauna.  Now I would be afraid to.  I'm on too many
meds that affect how I react to heat and that affect my blood pressure.

Jo

I agree with all the warnings folks have given about blood pressure and
dehydration and checking with your doc.  That said, I've had access to
whirlpools, steamrooms and saunas in differing assortments over the years
through health clubs.  I found the whirlpool best for helping with the body
aches and pains.  in fact, sometimes when I was flaring too much to work out,
I'd stop in just to soak.

Steamroom, I liked second best.  It did wonders for my sinuses.  Also, I came
down with a WHOLE LOT fewer colds when I had a steamroom to go to.  My work
environment exposed me to lots of viruses but breathing in that steam heat
seemed tohelp kill the colds before they took hold.  (I remember reading
about an NIH study on that years ago, but haven't ever seen it put to
widespread use.)

Dry saunas can be nice for really warming you up on a cold day, but I'm not
fond of them overall.  I sat in it at the club that has all 3 of these,
mostly to dry off some after the others.  And I've used it at the clubs that
didn't have the other options, but I certainly wouldn't *choose* it over
either a steamroom or a whirlpool.

If you decide to look into any of these for yourself, remember to consider
the costs of operating and maintaining the unit.  I know when my husband sold
spas he'd scomment on how few folks realized there'd be ongoing costs
associated with owning one.  What I really liked, and really miss, was
belonging to a quality health club that had all 3 of these so I could work
out on days when I was up to it, and could pamper myself on the others.