UC and exercise

[joelh]

I do moderate exercise 3 or 4 times a week. Mostly running or bike riding. My preferred time is in the morning. The only problem is that my UC symptoms are worse in the mornings. A good day is 2 or 3 bathroom visits in the first hour of the day. A bad day is 4 or 5.

What are some strategies that have help you folks? I guess I could shift my exercise time to the evening, but I am usually pretty wiped out after work.

 

[Rachael4848]

I have the same problem! Can't exercise in the morning, or take morning classes. Wish there was something to open up the mornings to something other than bathroom time! I tend to exercise less if I put it off till the evening too which is on me I suppose!

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Here is an interview of someone with UC that runs. They talk about it and I'm hoping this might give you some ideas. Please let me know if this helps any. Good luck

www.tips4running.com/running-with-uc.html

 

[joelh]

Thanks for the link, very interesting read. I am not sure that I buy into the whole "Evil Pharmaceutical bad western medicine" thing, but it diet and lifestyle modification help, I might be willing to give it a shot.

 

[FrancisK7]

Yes, "Evil Pharmaceutical Bad Western Medicine" is actually a thing. Someone in Mississippi even filed copyright claims on the title. It's a scary attraction!

My symptoms are much worse in the morning too, so when I know I need to be at some appointment, I prepare 2-3 hours in advance. I usually wake up at least 2 hours before I need to leave the house to make sure I evacuate what needs to get out. By then, my morning dose of asacol has started to do some work, my bowel has calmed down and I'll drink a tablespoon of cannabis oil with my breakfast (or in my morning smoothie) if the cramps are particularly bad. If I don't prepare conveniently, I'll start stressing about the eventuality I'll need to go urgently and won't be able to, which stresses my bowel and actually makes things worse.

I wonder if Immodium is proscribed for people like us? I never asked my GI.

 

[jwfoise]

I like to exercise in the evening, and that works better with my schedule, and my UC doesn't follow a schedule (it is more the good week/bad week schedule), so this hasn't been an issue for me.

Stress is my big trigger and exercise is stress reliever, so that's all good.

No useful advice, but I wish you luck joelh.

 

[MrsGWoman]

Hi. I know this thread is a bit older, but I was hoping to offer up some advice.

I was diagnosed with UC in 2009 and have never seen remission. (My GI doctor wasn't the best and it wasn't until I saw a specialist that I realized what I was going through wasn't normal). Since that diagnosis, I have run nearly 40 half marathons. That's 8-10 halfs in 12 months, respectively. I do training runs, smoking hot yoga, spin class, etc. Of course, I know where every restroom in the facility is and my treadmill is placed in the room next to my bathroom, I pack extra clothing and my zipper pockets on my running gear house extra bath tissue.

But, I guess my point is that even with UC or Crohn's, you can still stay healthy and exercise. Just know your limit and listen to your body! Hope this helps.

 

[Searchingforhealth]

I think that since running and exercise release endorphins than it can only help with UC! I think it helped my older daughter get into remission. BTW my younger daughter's GI doctor told her never to use Imodium or similar OTC meds for her UC symptoms.