Crohns and sports

[Dearie]

Wondering if anyone has any concerns or considerations I should be aware of with a child who has crohn's and plays sports?

My son is about to begin soccer and his coach just sent an email to the team informing them to be prepared for quite a bit of running and exercise this season. I don't want my son to do more than he should be doing in regards to sports but I also don't want to be overly worried about him playing for no reason.

Do other parents of kids with crohns take any extra precautions when it comes to sports?

 

[KWalker]

Although I don't play anymore because I don't have time, I played soccer all through my teens up until I was 18 (now 22). I even played on the travel teams. I got the occasional stomach cramp from running but other than that it didn't give me any trouble

 

[my little penguin]

My child has done competitive swimming and baseball.
Our GI encourages sports.
WE have asked the swimming coach to permit Ds to self limit.
In other words- he may only swim 1 out of every two laps that his peers do. IF his stomach aches are bad he may rest longer. The coach was fine with it and DS knew when to push himself.
We did explain he had crohn's so the coach would not think he was having a normal little kid stomach ache.

We did not tell his baseball coach since running was not a regular part of practice.

WE use swimming as an objective gage on how his disease is doing.
He is only 8 years old so we have two years of pre dx swim times.

 

[EthanPSU]

I feel it is fine, I was diagnosed my junior of highschool and continued to play soccer and run track. It was almost like the symptoms of crohns went away when I was in the midst of physical activity. I did not tell my coaches about my crohns either.

I feel if your son is younger like middleschool or so it is ok to tell the coach but if your son is in highschool I would reframe from it, just because the coach might not play him in games because he feels like he might not be able to perform.

 

[RFarmer]

If your child tells you they don't feel good, and don't want to play sports, then FOR GOD'S SAKE do not make them play sports.

I knew a lady who was absolutely adamant her daughter play on the school's hockey, volleyball, basketball teams, even though her daughter was visibly sick. Turns out it was cancer.

I hate that woman.

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi Dearie,
Once my son was diagnosed and began EN treatment, he was back to two phys.ed. classes per day plus two hockey teams. I did speak to his phys.ed. teachers and coaches so they wud be aware if he did need to take a break. I've left it up to him to decide when/if he feels he needs a break. So far, all has been good. Our GI encouraged him to get back to his usual activities as soon as he felt he was able.

However, the only time he has had any pain has been in long distance running (5-7km) but the 'start and stop' in soccer, football, etc. doesn't cause any pains though.

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Dearie,

We don't take extra precautions here. Matt has been playing since he was about 6, he was diagnosed at the end of the soccer season in 2010 and last he missed most of the season due to his surgery and poor physical condition. Being older than your boy I left it up to him to decide when enough was enough...it never was! :lol:
Last season he managed to get the last 6 weeks in and then went onto twilight soccer over the Summer and has now started into the regular season again.

Once he was fit he has had no issues at all. I was concerned an incisional hernia that popped up in the off season might rear its ugly head once he started back into the 1st grade men's competition but it hasn't. Bear in mind that he is solidly in remission.

Sarah has never liked sport so never played any extra curricular sports whilst at school. In the last couple of years though she has developed a love of exercise and runs about 8kms daily. She is also solidly in remission.

Note: Whilst at school the teachers were fully aware of their conditions and the potential impact that sport may have on them. We didn't know what those impacts could be so I expected the teachers to take their word it if they ever complained that they were unable to do anything. I made it clear what I my expectations were.
For extra curricular sports (Matt) the coach/s were fully aware of the his medical condition. Following surgery I asked the surgeon at his 6 week post op appointment for a certificate stating he was fit to play. This was for club and insurance purposes.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Johnnysmom]

I know there is a pro football player with crohns. Jacksonville Jaguars I think. I don't want to limit my son in any way but it's a balance for sure. My husband has strong feelings that johnny is not treated in a way that makes him feel he is not capable of achiveing because of his disease. I think you let them go until you start seeing signs it just too much and then you have to adjust. I have told johnny like it or not he will probably always need to be more aware of getting enough sleep, eating well drinking lots of water.

 

[Dearie]

Thanks to everyone for your input because I definitely don't want to put any unnecessary limitations on my son especially since even though he is only 9 he loves, loves, loves playing sports and he would be devastated if he were not allowed to play.

And, I will encourage him to inform us if he ever feels that he needs a break (though I know he never wants to take a break lol) as I continue to cautiously watch his every move from the sidelines just as I always have (he gets VERY competitive when he plays his sports lol).

 

[JDTM]

Johnnysmom -- the player you're talking about is David Garrard. I also JUST found out about another football player who just retired from the New England Patriots, Matt Light -- turns out he'd had Crohn's for over a decade, and didn't tell anyone until recently! Anyways, not sure if your son is a football fan, but if so, you might want to tell him! I've been reading more about Matt Light's story and it's pretty inspiring.

 

[Jenn]

I've not heard of any restrictions on sports except where medically necessary (ie. my son had a PICC line last year for IV antibiotics). I think let your son's body do the deciding for him, as long as he feels good, it's good for him. My son plays baseball. I have to encourage him to get out and get some exercise, he's naturally pretty lazy.

 

[jmckinley]

I agree with everyone. Although my son isn't playing sports right now, I would let him. Be sure to ask GI about the meds he is on to make sure none will cause sunburning, overheating, etc... Let him go for it! Get those extra calories and liquids in him.

 

[Kat]

My daughter has never stopped playing soccer - it is truly her passion. When she made a new Travel Soccer team, we just let the coach knows so if she has to stop for whatever reason he understood. She just finished High School soccer with a pretty tough conditioning schedule - she did great and loved any minute.

 

[colitismother]

Hello All,

My son 12 y/o son was just recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. He loves sports and all he could think about is how we could no longer play baseball again. Turns out, Jake Diekman, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers also battles with Ulcerative Colitis too...Jake has been a huge inspiration to Chris and I wanted to share Jake's campaign in case there are any other kiddos or people suffering out there that are big sports fans!

Jake Diekman of the Texas Rangers just released a limited edition T to raise money for Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America! Check it out and google Athletes Brand and Jake Diekman! We love him!

 

[colitismother]

Dearie & Johnnysmom,

I want to reach out to you about a pro athlete, Jake Diekman, pitcher for the Texas Rangers, formerly the Philadelphia Phillies who suffers from Ulcerative Colitis. I think he's a great role model for any person with IBD or sports fan. On the days he isn't pitching he's actively visiting pediatric hospitals or inviting those with IBD down on the field.

He has been an inspiration to many people, especially young kids interested in sports, who see this man with IBD, not letting his disease impede his ability to perform at the highest level in his sport!

Is there a way we can make this site aware of this great individual? He's currently working w/ a company called Athletes Brand to create shirts that Jake Diekman designed with proceeds going to CCFA? Would love to see other benefit from his inspirational story.

 

[CrohnsKidMom]

Welcome Dearie! Our GI has always given us his ok for sports. My 10 yo son plays soccer and baseball in the summer, and ice hockey in the winter. It is all recreational sports, so less competitive (although Canada and hockey... well, you know). I let the coaches know about my son's CD and that he may not have as much stamina as his teammates. It has worked out well so far. He is not the star player, but always contributes to the team and always has fun! During the times when he was not feeling well, I just let him decide if he was able to play or not, and tried not to make a big deal out of it one way or the other. But I'm sure it's more complicated for older kids and those playing competitive sports.