Crohns and exercise

[karisue]

crohns and exercise

Hi,

Over the past 18 mnths have had hemicolectomy, been in and out of hospital,
recent stay in was mid February for 6 days on IV antibiotics etc. 2 wks later back on the antibiotics for another week with yet another week off work. In the end I had got so depressed I just couldnt handle anymore, also have had to deal with melanoma back in August which I am now free of.

My GP put me forward for "Active for Life" scheme working with the local leisure centre, it is a scheme for people that have or are having health problems. I thought how is this going to help me ! After giving in a letter from my GP and having an interview I have been given certain activities to try out, ie gym, swimming, classes etc. All these are at a low cost because of the scheme I am on. I have my own personal advisor who I see once a month unless I have any problems, they showed me the equipment in the gym and wrote down which pieces of equipment I was only allowed to use due to my health problems and showed me how to use it.

I can't believe the benefit from it, I feel stronger inside, and cant believe the energy I have, although there are some occasions when I'm at home and think I cant be bothered, but I make myself do it. I even go swimming every friday evening. I know not everyone is the same, but for anyone out there just try it, I could only go about twice a week but now I have built myself up.

 

[danman]

That's great karisue,

All the hard work seems to be paying off for you.

I'm starting to swim again after my surgery. Hopefully I'll start to feel the benefit too.

 

[Stleger88]

I work out everyday and I think it helps me keeps things under control

 

[mommy1st]

I also love to work out, I have to do it. I just recently started running and playing basketball again since my last surgery and I feel really good. I'm glad that it is helping you feel better, keep it up.

 

[kromom1]

Never underestimate the power of exercise!! So glad you are feeling better.

I work out on an elliptical machine and use resistance bands several times a week, and it gives me so much energy (plus helps me keep of those "prednisone pounds!"). I am not one who particularly enjoys exercising, but I know I need to do it for my physical and emotional health.

 

[shootingstar]

Exercise is great, especially when you can find something that you truly enjoy! I try to practice yoga every day and it makes me feel really great.

I also really enjoy dance classes. It is a lot of fun and it doesn't feel like "exercise" to me

 

[spiceman]

Hi, how long should people leave exercise after surgery? I started running etc after about 7 weeks, hope that was ok to do so.

 

[SpoonNinja]

What type of swimming do you do? like laps or the aerobic stuff or something else? i had a swimming class for school and we had to do 20 minute swims which were laps back and forth and you had to keep going no brakes for 20 minutes or longer if someone took a brake. whenever i would do thoes it would make my stomach cramp up and i wouldnt even be able to stand up straight. is that normal?

 

[ErinDF]

Hello,

There has definitely been some research that suggests that mild exercise is very good for crohns. http://www.ccfa.org/reuters/excercise It is also priceless for problems like depression!

For the first 10 years after diagnosis I was a serious competitive athlete and also didn't have any flares. My first serious flare came a year after I had graduated college and stopped working out so much...so maybe there is something there. I'm finally going back into remission, so I hope to get back into shape by starting running and things like that. We'll see.

Oh...and spoonninja...getting side cramps or "stitches" are very normal when swimming, especially if your muscles are not used to that activity. In addition, 20 minutes of straight swimming may have just been too much for you at the time you were doing it and it might have irritated your intestines. I'd suggest if you have to do this in the future talking to your teacher about your condition and letting her know you may be limited in how much you can swim...