Crohn's and swimming

[user 99049]

In a pool there is chlroine and in a lake there is bacteria. I am curious whether people believe that swimming in either of these will increase the likelihood of a flare.

 

[EthanPSU]

I'm guessing just so you don't injest it you'll be fine. I go swimming in a lake like every month and have had no problem

 

[user 99049]

thanks ethan!

My daughter is four and she has crohn's. Since she is young it is hard for her to never drink it. My wife believes that swimming in a pool causes her to flare, but I don't want it to be true.

 

[shamrock15]

I don't believe you have much to worry about. I have been swimming at least once a week, frequently more in the summer, in both lakes and indoor pools. I have not encountered any problems related to this. In fact, it has contributed as a great form of exercise for me and I have been in my best health in the last 5 years in this time. I am on a remicade and aza, and although these do reduce immune responses, I have not had problems. If your girl can do the swimming, I would say go for it!

 

[user 99049]

thanks shamrock!

all I need is one or two more posts like yours and I will be able to convince my wife to take her swimming!

 

[Lisa]

I swim AS MUCH as possible!.....in my Mom's pond (complete with fish!).....down at the creek.....in my neighbors' pool.....

AND - I just spent 2 days at Six Flags New England water park with my daughter!!! ...

Oh - and am heading up to Maine this weekend and hope o hop in the ocean!

I have ~never~ had a bad experience with swimming and flares - even went through my diving certification course a few years back.....

 

[Clash]

My son is 15 and on Remicade. We live on a lake and he spends alot of time between there and our pool during the summer. He has also been on camping trips to the river with out any issues. He swears he sleeps better after a day of horsing around in the water. The only thing I have noticed about water activity since his diagnosis is that he tends to wear out faster, probably due to his recovering from anemia and that general Crohn's fatigue issue.

 

[Catherine]

My sarah is a competive swimmer and is back in pool 6 times a week. We only notice a problem if she over does it or doesnot get enough sleep.

 

[kiny]

I don't worry about that atm. If you are that worried and that restrictive you might as well move to a non-western country where they have low CD if it makes you feel better, would be much easier than worrying about exposure to bacteria every 2 minutes. I avoid dairy and red meat, but that's about it for me atm. As long as she doesn't swallow the water.

 

[user 99049]

thanks everyone, you made my day!

 

[KB's mom]

I have a 4 year old daughter with CD too. She LOVES to swim but I have noticed that she has more D when she has been swimming. I really think it is because she is so young and still swallows a lot of the water. I try to keep her from going under so much but she thrives in water and it is very hard to hold her back! It makes sense to me though that the pool water aggrivates her belly...the good news is that this will pass as they grow older and take in less water :ysmile:

 

[Jer's Girl]

I have noticed that I actually have less Crohns pain when I am swimming. It is important to stay active when you have Crohns and can sometimes be hard when you aren't feeling well. Encouraging your daughter to play actively is a really good thing! Also, swimming is easy on joints so it is a little easier on the body than higher impact sports.

 

[723crossroads]

thanks ethan!

My daughter is four and she has crohn's. Since she is young it is hard for her to never drink it. My wife believes that swimming in a pool causes her to flare, but I don't want it to be true.

I swim in a pool and it doesn't affect my crohn's. I bet if you drank the water it wouldn't be good for you though. Make sure she understands that.:ysmile: