Swimming in lakes

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creation301

New member
We have this discussion every summer...are pools really any better than a lake?  I know that pools are treated and lakes obviously are not, with that said, there are still tons of PA and other bigger bacterias found in swimming pools. Just curious.<div><br></div><div>So the question, do you let your child swim in a (murky or clear) lake?  Our doctors have said no, but they would also tell us not to ever use a public bathroom (as if that is possible).  Any stories that you could share would be helpful.  We are going on vacation this next week and there are lakes all around. =(  </div><div><br></div><div>I know we can't guard against each and every threat, and we frankly don't want to, however, if there are really good reasons... then it is worth the effort.  (We know that our child "could" stand by the divider in the interstate and probably stay safe...but why would we put her in that position?  Same question with lakes.)</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you for your input. </div>
 
C

creation301

New member
We have this discussion every summer...are pools really any better than a lake? I know that pools are treated and lakes obviously are not, with that said, there are still tons of PA and other bigger bacterias found in swimming pools. Just curious.<br>So the question, do you let your child swim in a (murky or clear) lake? Our doctors have said no, but they would also tell us not to ever use a public bathroom (as if that is possible). Any stories that you could share would be helpful. We are going on vacation this next week and there are lakes all around. =( <br>I know we can't guard against each and every threat, and we frankly don't want to, however, if there are really good reasons... then it is worth the effort. (We know that our child "could" stand by the divider in the interstate and probably stay safe...but why would we put her in that position? Same question with lakes.)<br>Thank you for your input.
 
C

creation301

New member
We have this discussion every summer...are pools really any better than a lake? I know that pools are treated and lakes obviously are not, with that said, there are still tons of PA and other bigger bacterias found in swimming pools. Just curious.<br>So the question, do you let your child swim in a (murky or clear) lake? Our doctors have said no, but they would also tell us not to ever use a public bathroom (as if that is possible). Any stories that you could share would be helpful. We are going on vacation this next week and there are lakes all around. =( <br>I know we can't guard against each and every threat, and we frankly don't want to, however, if there are really good reasons... then it is worth the effort. (We know that our child "could" stand by the divider in the interstate and probably stay safe...but why would we put her in that position? Same question with lakes.)<br>Thank you for your input.
 
K

kellyga

New member
We asked our CF doctor about lakes and he kinda scolded us. He said that he absolutely did not wants us to discourage her from doing anything active or playing outside. It was good for her. He did not say that it was 100% safe, but there are bugs everywhere. Made me feel better than he wants us to focus on her whole life, not just her CF.
 
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kellyga

New member
We asked our CF doctor about lakes and he kinda scolded us. He said that he absolutely did not wants us to discourage her from doing anything active or playing outside. It was good for her. He did not say that it was 100% safe, but there are bugs everywhere. Made me feel better than he wants us to focus on her whole life, not just her CF.
 
K

kellyga

New member
We asked our CF doctor about lakes and he kinda scolded us. He said that he absolutely did not wants us to discourage her from doing anything active or playing outside. It was good for her. He did not say that it was 100% safe, but there are bugs everywhere. Made me feel better than he wants us to focus on her whole life, not just her CF.
 
K

kitomd21

New member
I think that doctors want our children to live normal lives...that being said, I'm wary about non-chlorinated swimming water. Though there may still be bacteria present in pools, the burden in a lake is far greater. That's the plain truth. Consider accidentally inhaling a small amount of lake water vs pool water. I'd go for the pool water any day - given the choice. I know there are adult members on here that grew up around/in lakes...needless to say, each individual with CF is different. For every person doing "well" with CF and having swam in lakes, there may be another individual that isn't as "well" because they swam in lakes. Just an opinion....
 
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kitomd21

New member
I think that doctors want our children to live normal lives...that being said, I'm wary about non-chlorinated swimming water. Though there may still be bacteria present in pools, the burden in a lake is far greater. That's the plain truth. Consider accidentally inhaling a small amount of lake water vs pool water. I'd go for the pool water any day - given the choice. I know there are adult members on here that grew up around/in lakes...needless to say, each individual with CF is different. For every person doing "well" with CF and having swam in lakes, there may be another individual that isn't as "well" because they swam in lakes. Just an opinion....
 
K

kitomd21

New member
I think that doctors want our children to live normal lives...that being said, I'm wary about non-chlorinated swimming water. Though there may still be bacteria present in pools, the burden in a lake is far greater. That's the plain truth. Consider accidentally inhaling a small amount of lake water vs pool water. I'd go for the pool water any day - given the choice. I know there are adult members on here that grew up around/in lakes...needless to say, each individual with CF is different. For every person doing "well" with CF and having swam in lakes, there may be another individual that isn't as "well" because they swam in lakes. Just an opinion....
<br />
 
K

kkilroy13

New member
YES! For sure. Lakes have a lot of bacteria. I learned that the hardway, i grew up on the lake and have done water sports my whole life but the last three years both of my lungs have collapsed i havent even been able to swim. I did decide to go waterskiing the end of last summer, it was fun but my first try getting up i was engulfed in water and had my mouth wide open and enhaled some of the water- i got pneumonia from the bacteria and all the crap i enhaled. i think as long as your careful you will be fine. We need to know our limits and know when to stop, but know when to live as well...we can't let this disease dictate our lives more than it already does. Sieze the moment and do al the fun things you can while you can <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

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Kate 25yo w/CF Delta 508, B. Cepacia, Pseudamonus dx @ 3yrs..currently waiting to be approved for a double lung transplant.
 
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kkilroy13

New member
YES! For sure. Lakes have a lot of bacteria. I learned that the hardway, i grew up on the lake and have done water sports my whole life but the last three years both of my lungs have collapsed i havent even been able to swim. I did decide to go waterskiing the end of last summer, it was fun but my first try getting up i was engulfed in water and had my mouth wide open and enhaled some of the water- i got pneumonia from the bacteria and all the crap i enhaled. i think as long as your careful you will be fine. We need to know our limits and know when to stop, but know when to live as well...we can't let this disease dictate our lives more than it already does. Sieze the moment and do al the fun things you can while you can <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

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Kate 25yo w/CF Delta 508, B. Cepacia, Pseudamonus dx @ 3yrs..currently waiting to be approved for a double lung transplant.
 
K

kkilroy13

New member
YES! For sure. Lakes have a lot of bacteria. I learned that the hardway, i grew up on the lake and have done water sports my whole life but the last three years both of my lungs have collapsed i havent even been able to swim. I did decide to go waterskiing the end of last summer, it was fun but my first try getting up i was engulfed in water and had my mouth wide open and enhaled some of the water- i got pneumonia from the bacteria and all the crap i enhaled. i think as long as your careful you will be fine. We need to know our limits and know when to stop, but know when to live as well...we can't let this disease dictate our lives more than it already does. Sieze the moment and do al the fun things you can while you can <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />------------------------------
<br />Kate 25yo w/CF Delta 508, B. Cepacia, Pseudamonus dx @ 3yrs..currently waiting to be approved for a double lung transplant.
 
K

kkilroy13

New member
YES! For sure. Lakes have a lot of bacteria. I learned that the hardway, i grew up on the lake and have done water sports my whole life but the last three years both of my lungs have collapsed i havent even been able to swim. I did decide to go waterskiing the end of last summer, it was fun but my first try getting up i was engulfed in water and had my mouth wide open and enhaled some of the water- i got pneumonia from the bacteria and all the crap i enhaled. i think as long as your careful you will be fine. We need to know our limits and know when to stop, but know when to live as well...we can't let this disease dictate our lives more than it already does. Sieze the moment and do al the fun things you can while you can <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

------------------------------
Kate 25yo w/CF Delta 508, B. Cepacia, Pseudamonus dx @ 3yrs..currently waiting to be approved for a double lung transplant.
 
K

kkilroy13

New member
YES! For sure. Lakes have a lot of bacteria. I learned that the hardway, i grew up on the lake and have done water sports my whole life but the last three years both of my lungs have collapsed i havent even been able to swim. I did decide to go waterskiing the end of last summer, it was fun but my first try getting up i was engulfed in water and had my mouth wide open and enhaled some of the water- i got pneumonia from the bacteria and all the crap i enhaled. i think as long as your careful you will be fine. We need to know our limits and know when to stop, but know when to live as well...we can't let this disease dictate our lives more than it already does. Sieze the moment and do al the fun things you can while you can <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

------------------------------
Kate 25yo w/CF Delta 508, B. Cepacia, Pseudamonus dx @ 3yrs..currently waiting to be approved for a double lung transplant.
 
K

kkilroy13

New member
YES! For sure. Lakes have a lot of bacteria. I learned that the hardway, i grew up on the lake and have done water sports my whole life but the last three years both of my lungs have collapsed i havent even been able to swim. I did decide to go waterskiing the end of last summer, it was fun but my first try getting up i was engulfed in water and had my mouth wide open and enhaled some of the water- i got pneumonia from the bacteria and all the crap i enhaled. i think as long as your careful you will be fine. We need to know our limits and know when to stop, but know when to live as well...we can't let this disease dictate our lives more than it already does. Sieze the moment and do al the fun things you can while you can <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />------------------------------
<br />Kate 25yo w/CF Delta 508, B. Cepacia, Pseudamonus dx @ 3yrs..currently waiting to be approved for a double lung transplant.
 
N

nmw0615

New member
Growing up, I swam in anything I possibly could. Rivers, lakes, ponds...you name it, I swam in it.

I do have Pseudomonas now, but there's no way for me to say that I didn't get it from all that swimming. The only thing I know for sure is that getting a piece of wood stuck under your toenail is really painful. That's the most harm I can pinpoint on swimming in a lake.
 
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nmw0615

New member
Growing up, I swam in anything I possibly could. Rivers, lakes, ponds...you name it, I swam in it.

I do have Pseudomonas now, but there's no way for me to say that I didn't get it from all that swimming. The only thing I know for sure is that getting a piece of wood stuck under your toenail is really painful. That's the most harm I can pinpoint on swimming in a lake.
 
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