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I am a 54 year old who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 5 years ago.  I am a runner.  I ran 2 half marathons early this year b-4 my flare-up.  I am in a flare-up now and have been for 10 weeks.  Anyone else out there with this disease who runs.  I ran Sat and again yesterday.  I want to keep running, but when I'm in a flare-up I have no energy after having 10+ bowel movement per day.  Any advice???   My dr told me not to run when I was there 2 weeks ago.  But I feel so much better when I run.  Any advice????

 Reply posted for laurat129.

 I have been running about 20 years and can't imagine not running.  I ran the Nashville half marathon in April while in the early stages of a flare-up.  I took an immodium the night b-4 the race.  I was going to take it the morning of, but read it can dehydrate you.  It did help.  I will be running the Peachtree Road Race again this year.  I will take an immodium the night b-4 the run.  Don't ever eat blueberries b-4 a run.  I did that one year because they're so good for you.  I ran the Peachtree Road Race and it was terrible.  I couldn't find a bathroom.  By the time I did, I had to take my clothes off an wash them.  I did finish the race, but it was difficult. 

We all just have to hang in there.  It is so great to have people to share this experience with and get advice from..  Thx to all of you for your thought.

Anita

 Reply posted for jhunt8220.

One more item, I am thinking of trying epsom salt baths. My massage therapist swears they help when you ache. Will keep you posted. At this point I will try anything....   All the best.. C

 Reply posted for jhunt8220.

Yes to the muscle fatigue and joint aches, especially when a flare up is on the horizon. That part I hate. Tonight I tried to trail run 5 miles and ended up walking with many stops. Not sure how to get through those moments, except hope the next day is better.  I really like this forum, as I thought as a Crohn's patient I was feeling aches that were not normal.  I do know I am about 5 days behind on my latest B12 shot, so we will see Monday if it is any better. Hang in there, I firmly believe the excercise not matter what I do has made my Crohn's systems better. All the best. C

 Reply posted for jhunt8220.

 I dont know how you guys do it, I work out 5 days a week but the one thing I can not do is run when I am having a flare up. Its like as soon as I start to run, it hits me and I have to run to the bathroom I hate it b/c I would love to get on the treadmill at the gym and be able to stay on without having to run after a few minutes.

 Reply posted for papanena99.

Have any of you atheletes experienced a high level of muscle cramping, fatigue and joint issues? Are taking any supplements to help. I have UC and PSC and get pretty bad muscle cramping regularly on long bike rides and runs. I also seem to take forever to recover some time and have overly sore muscles than I did in the past. Anyone else?

 Reply posted for papanena99.

Hello, I am a Crohn's patient and a runner (slow but moving). I did run more prior to my surgery (a year ago), slowed down just due to motivation.  Now I run in order to feel better and sweat.  And I truly believe it helps....however, my energy was pretty low trying to work, run, have a family and a life. My doctor has been aggressive testing my blood levels and I am on B12 shots and recently starting taking Vit D (50,000 mg).  What a difference. That changed my workouts and endurance.  Throw in a few potty stops and I am doing pretty well.  Still have outbreaks which exhaust me and never know when something I eat will beat me up. Would recommend to anyone to push their doctor to test blood levels for deficiancies. All the best. C

 Reply posted for papanena99.

Hello Anita,
I was never a runner until I was diagnosed with Crohns and was on prednisone- I was also worried about keeping the pounds off, so I started running every morning.  In hindsight, I think it may not have been the best thing for me- I ended up losing a ton of weight anyway, because I just didn't feel like eating anything anymore.  I have to admit, it did help me to feel better about myself at the time though- made me feel like I had some control over my body...  I've now been in remission for a while, with flares off and on, and am back (up) to a normal weight and not running...  I think it would be good for me to get back into the routine though- I agree if you're used to doing it regularly, it doesn't feel good to stop.  Anyway, good luck, and don't push yourself too hard!

Hillary

 Reply posted for Teri Stum.

Thx so much.  It is so hard not to run and not to push myself.  But the 2 runs I've done lately have been shorter and taken me longer.  I'm hanging in there.  I started feeling better Mon with less bowel movements each day so I'm on the road to recovery.

Thx so much,

Anita

 Reply posted for jhunt8220.

Does running help keep the lbs off from prednisone?  I haven't actually gained any yet, but am afraid I will.  I've been on them 4 weeks.  Started on 60mg, but have cut back to 30mg.

Thx so much,

Anita

 Reply posted for epb.

Thx so much for your response.  The 2 runs I've done lately have been shorter than normal.  I also didn't push myself speedwise.  I will be running the Peachtree Road Race July 4th, but will just do whatever I can do.  I am type A so it's hard not to push.  Thx for the advice.

 Reply posted for papanena99.

I am a runner as well.  I completely understand.  I have run while I was having Crohn's symptoms, but it's been tougher during this latest bout.  I even ran a 50K and had to make some pottie stops to bleed.  Very nice.  More recently, I've just been too tired.  I have a 2:38 marathon PR, but a jog around the block wiped me out.  I had to bale on races with teammates and inform my sponsor that I couldn't race for a while, but the hardest part is just missing the every day ritual.  Here's my advice:  If you run and feel more wiped out after (either immediately or within 24 hours), you need a break.  It takes a lot of energy to heal, and you don't want to steal that energy for running, etc.  You definitely don't want to do hard workouts until you are out of your flare.  (Sorry, don't follow my poor example above.)  Keep your HR under 70%max.  You'll build from there.  It will all come back, and you'll enjoy it even more. Hang in there.

 Reply posted for papanena99.

Hi papanena99,

I used to run with my UC (I had to stop because a back injury.)  It was especially hard to do morning runs. When I ran I would always bring toilet paper with and find routes that had public washrooms. I had to go in bushes and under bleachers at times. I'd try to run so early in the morning that it was still dark out so nobody would see me if an emergency happened. The other option that I ended up doing was buying a treadmill and running in my house. Hang in there and take it easy on yourself by taking shorter runs or adjusting your schedule during a flare ups. You'll get better and be back to your regular running routine soon.

Take care,
Teri Stum

 Reply posted for papanena99.

I have UC and am a cyclist and runner. Mostly been on my bike lately but hope to do a half marathon before the end of the year. I know it is tough to train when you are having a flare up. Good luck.