Community Forum

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with UC in February. It has been a long and frustrating journey since then to try and get my symptoms under control. As we all know, there are good days and bad days.

One of the hardest things for me has been figuring out exercising - I have been a runner most of my life, and at first when I was really sick I couldn't run at all. I would come back from a run and get very ill and then be in the bathroom for hours. Also, there is the added stress of being worried I will get sick while I am out for a run and not have anywhere to go to the bathroom. Finally, sorry if this is TMI, but it's really uncomfortable with the hemorrhoids to run.

I have been slowly trying to get back into running and have greatly reduced my mileage, but I am wondering if anyone out there has dealt with this and if they have any advice on how to help? I understand if I am not going to be running marathons in the future, but I would like to find a way to do the exercise that I love. Thanks in advance!

 Reply posted for annanas28.

this is part 2 of my post below. I was cut off :(

Races are still a toss up for me. In Chicago last year I saw the inside of practically every port a potty. I was crying on one of them feeling miserable and still hit a pr. Then this spring in Tacoma I did not have issues at all. I felt invincible!!! DId a half marathon just last week and again no bathroom issues. Don’t really know what the problem was in Chicago but I don’t do well if I feel cold. It was very cold that morning and I had to wait more than an hour at the start.

I don’t eat pasta, bread etc as my staple carb. I do well on white rice and sweet potatoes and I love them too, lucky me!

You are a runner and will be able to enjoy that in your life again I am sure of it. However be patient. Just baby steps. First things first, get well. Also start writing a log. Write down what works for you and what does not. 

Your post was the reason why I signed up for this forum. Hope it all works out for you 

 Reply posted for annanas28.

I have UC for 11 years now and have been managing it very good the last years. I have been also a runner all my life and it is very important in my life.

First of all you need to get this under control first. Until that happens just go to the gym, it's the least stressful because you can go to the bathroom whenever you want.
(this is what I do on bad days)

When you are feeling better start running and this is what works for me, but it will be a lot of trial and error.

1. Run early in the morning and do not eat before ( this is MAJOR and super important for me) Thank God marathons are usually early
2. Take routes where you can go to the bathroom. Even if you don't have to than at least you are not stressed out about it. This can be difficult, at the moment my route is in nature so I can squat down if I have to, and believe you me it happens often enough 
3. Bring toilet paper, you know you're going to need it
4. some days just suck it up, I have had to squat down sometimes 4 or 5 times during a long run, it sucks!
5. this is nasty information but I wear things that looks like pads for menstruation during races. I know it is tmi but this is the colitis forum so we all know. It happens to me that I just have to go so bad but the bathroom is not close enough. I am not blowing the load in my pants, but it does kinda leak. This way I feel like sh!t but at least nobody can see it. 

 Reply posted for geekyra.

I really like the mention of yoga.  Maybe something that would help the runners out there is to do some kind of relaxation technique first.  Whether it's yoga or meditation or what ever reduces your stress.  Lots of people talk about the interplay of stress in the disease so it would be great to apply that before a bigger work out like a long run.  I like to walk and besides the obvious going to the bathroom first, I also do it first thing in the morning before I eat so there isn't as much of a natural need to go.  Then I also have a route that has a short length followed by a long one.  If I find myself with an issue, I cut it short and go home instead of continuing to the longer portion.  Maybe you can plan the route to help, something like maybe a short circle done a few times instead of a long way there and back so you have an out should you need to get home quick.

 Reply posted for geekyra.

Thank you Geekyra! I have been doing yoga once a week and it does help - I need to do it more often I think and not give myself as many excuses to sit on the couch :) I am glad to hear you have found something that works well for you!

 Reply posted for annanas28.

Hi-

i figured I'd share since proper exercise has been a determining factor in halting the pattern of flares during my 1st 5 yrs with Crohn's. 

I do a range of activities from running, elliptical and various other cardio workouts, to weights, to yoga. Yoga is my focus because its proved the only consistent exercise I can engage in when I'm battling my Crohn's and trying to keep in remission.  Afterall it's done at your personal speed and level and can be done right at home or even a large enough bathroom so you've got close proximity. 

i found out today after finally going to the doc that I've got a bacterial infection in one of my lymph nodes which is easily fixed with some antibiotics and would explain why I've been feeling fatigued, burnt out, and feverish off and on for the last couple weeks. That said I can still get on the mat and do my practice whether it's a painful lymph node, disgruntled digestive track, aching joints, or a simple cold.

I find yoga in conjunction with rest and listening to my body helps me move past whatever illness or byproduct of my disease crops up. 

For nearly 6 years I felt like I'd never get my pre-illness strength back; but yoga has allowed my body the opportunity to rebuild.  The good days and bad days happen whether I'm in remission or  experiencing a full on flare & that was the hardest part to grasp when I began to pursue physical health, with dedication, despite Crohn's.

Yoga's helped my joints by easing the constant ache that persists regardless of good and bad days, its increased my muscular strength and balance, as well as my mental reserves and ability to manage and accept my disease while proving a solid foundation for additional physical activity.

I'd suggest trying yoga as you heal and condition as you move yourself toward getting back to running at your desired distance and speed.  Best of luck!

 Reply posted for annanas28.

Thanks for writing back Anna! It helps to know there are other people out there dealing with the same things I am. I was also thinking about what you wrote about with exercise ad realized today I've also noticed that - when I exercise "like I'm used to" but I'm having an exacerbation I wonder if lactic acid build up, which is normal after exercise, might have a role to play in increasing GI symptoms too at those times. It seems like I just can't tolerate those symptoms after exercising to the level I am used to when I'm having colitis symptoms. So yeah, I'm finding out how to listen to my body better. 
 And thank you for reminding me that it's not my fault I feel this way. I do sometimes blame myself or wish things were different, but I have to accept each day as it is, know it's not my fault, and do what I can do each day to help myself feel better. So thanks for the reminder and the insight. You feel better too - thanks!

 Reply posted for bird11.

Thank you bird! I really appreciate your advice and your empathy. I have also found the elliptical is the most manageable if I can find the energy. I do need to listen more to my body and what it is saying and not get so mad at myself. I recently read a book emphasizing that there's no fault in having this disease and it helps me to remember that.
thanks again and I hope you are feeling better soon! 

Best,
Anna 

 Reply posted for kcm.

Thank you so much K - not only for the very helpful advice but also for sharing your own story. While i am sorry you have hone though this also, it makes me feel like I am not alone and can overcome it by being patient with myself. Patient has never been my strong point but maybe this is an opportunity to work on that! Thanks again and good luck to you as we'll :)

best,

Anna :) 

 Reply posted for annanas28.

Hi-
I'm sorry you're having this hard time. I understand too. I was very active with running, aerobics, elliptical until the last two years in particular when the ulcerative colitis pain has become a daily part of my life with little exceptions.
  I find that if I taper my exercise and try to understand that when my body is in a "flair up" it actually is telling me it needs rest, fluids and soft/easy foods - then I can accept that that's what my body needs a little better. What I do then is take a leisurely walk instead if possible, depending on the amount of pain and other symptoms I'm having. There are many days when I can do the elliptical, which is encouraging. But I'm learning my GI tract has times when a little TLC is needed, and not to be hard on myself about the days when I really do need to take it easy. Another thing that's helped me is knowing that "this flare up won't last forever". I may not feel very good now, but I will feel better again. So be good to yourself and a little easier on yourself when you need to be. i think letting yourself recover and pace will make it possible for you to do more when you're GI tract is healed up a bit.

 Reply posted for annanas28.

Hi,

I have had UC for 14 years, and was only 9 years old when I was diagnosed. Despite the diagnosis, I was still able to continue my preferred form of exercise (gymnastics) through my teenage years. I have also recently started running, hiking, and paddle boarding- so I want you to know that good exercise is possible with UC, even though sometimes it doesn't feel like it. 

First and foremost, DON'T go out if you aren't feeling well. I totally understand where you are coming from when you say that you're afraid to go out on a run for fear of having to find a bathroom. I went hiking last year with my bf while I was really flaring- and it didn't end well. I ended up having to sneak into the bushes =/ You do what you gotta do I guess, but that moment really showed me that sometimes you do have to put your pride aside, and admit that you're sick and it's probably not the best time for this activity, in order to keep yourself healthy. 

When I have a flare up, I tend to feel a lot worse in the early mornings and at night. So for me, it is better to exercise in the late morning or right after work/school. 

The fact that you do marathons is inspirational! I don't know you or your UC, but I would continue to try running these while still putting my health first. 

Good luck! =]

-K