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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/26/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm flaring and am really starting to feel pretty nasty- D, canker sores, painful BMs (fissure- hope that's to much info), major fatigue, chills, fevers. At this point is it still beneficial for me to get in some light exercise? Obviously I can't when I have the fevers, because then I'm just down for the count, but I'm wondering if I'm doing more harm than good if I exercise or if the light exercise is actually beneficial.

Last week I worked out and didn't feel a difference in my workouts, but today while I was working out, I felt drained and took it easy and cut the workout short. For those of you who exercise, do you stop during a flare? I am afraid I may feel this way for a long time, so I'm wondering if I should just tough it out for now, because I'm afraid if I wait until I feel good, it may be a long time from now. I'm also afraid of my arthritis coming back, so I feel like I should keep going just in case it does and I can't walk anymore.

Thoughts?
Posted 1/26/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
considering that i am about 30 pounds underweight, i figure that i need every spare calorie that i can get, lol. however, on days when i feel good, i do go for a hike in the woods with my dog for a couple miles, but i don't really count that as exercise.
Posted 1/26/2010 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I would say do what you can. I know when I am flaring I just feel too weak to do too much. Be gentle with yourself. Good luck!
Posted 1/26/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
I've had cd for 39 yr's Ist surg removed 8ft, obstuction. flare agin 6 yr's later where it was resected, very strict diet meaning moslty vegan,lots of grain. no green leafy or dairy, like a knife going thru, where resection occurred, inflame in that area, elected resection 1989 due to narrowing did not want an obstuction, now med are imuran and pred. dehydration issue because of dumping sydrom from 9ft of small intes. removed, but I am a avid mountain biker, endurance type. plus was horse jockey for 16 years, so exercise I feel is really important, if you feel good to go. I put electrolytes in everything

Posted 1/26/2010 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Have you considered walking? That's my main form of exercise. I don't do it as consistently as I probably should, but whenever I do make myself go out for that 30-minute walk it makes me feel better for a few hours afterwards, both physically and mentally. To get the most out of it you should walk fast enough to make you slightly out of breath but not so breathless you can't talk.

As for the workouts, maybe you could do a less strenuous regime until you get over the current flare? Whatever you do it shouldn't leave you feeling fatigued and worse than before you started, as you are taxing your body too much in that case.
Posted 1/26/2010 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I was Dx'd last Feb and I still have daily abdominal issues.  Like everyone else I have better days than others.  But I still workout every other day or at least every 3 days.  I took about 4 months off when I was really sick and one day I just told myself to start again.  I noticed an  overall difference in the way I felt within two weeks.  Now if I don't workout regularly I start to feel bad.....fatigued, back aches, just overall not as good.

On the days I feel good the exercise is great....on the bad days it is a struggle but I still try to do it.  Right now I run (4-6 miles) or swim (45-60 min).  On a "bad day" my mile run times increase by a full minute and I can't get past 3 miles and I tire really quickly when swimming (after 30 min), but I still do it and think I feel better overall for it.

Also I frequently have abdominal pain after exercising even on the good days?  I have asked the GI about this several times and he just keeps telling me to do activities that don't jar the stomach?????  I didn't think swimming jarred the stomach???  I have learned to just accept it for now! 

Posted 1/26/2010 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I asked myself the same thing today.  This is what I do - when I am well, I run and do yoga.  When I am really sick (bedridden) I obviously don't exercise.  But even then I know it is important to get up and move around a bit.  If you are feeling up to it, go for a walk.  You will get some sunshine, some fresh air, release endorphins that will help you mentally and the benefits of moving your body and getting things processed throught your digestive tract will help you recover.  Obviously don't overdo it, just a 30 min walk is good.

Also, do you do any yoga?  Even some simple poses help, especially with digestive issues and relaxing your mind.

Good luck!!

Posted 1/26/2010 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
You should still try and do some kind of exercises even when your flares are bad, yoga is a good suggestion for bad flares, there are many types of yoga to choose from.

:)
Posted 1/28/2010 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
yoga is wonderful

Posted 1/28/2010 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think anything with impact would be good for you. Unless I am COMPLETELY healthy I feel that running or jumping HURTS my "stomach" and I fear I will have a sudden urge to defecate. Count me as another advocate to walk. In honesty I have been flaring for a week or two now and have been doing nothing during this time. Just too tired too pained too tired of dealing with this (aka mentallly down).
Yoga does sound good.
Posted 1/28/2010 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely You should exercise. Try going for a walk outside. It will help your fitness both physically and mentally. Nothing high intensity, just a nice walk
Posted 1/28/2010 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with wednesday, there are special poses disigned for digestive issues, but when your in pain it's best to lay an breath an relax your mind

Posted 1/29/2010 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I try to exercise whenever I feel up to it. If my temp gets above 99.5 I am not up for it, nor do I think it's really all that good of an idea. Otherwise I try to use my stairmaster about 4 days a week. It's less impact and the bathroom is right in the next room! Years ago I decided that a good quality workout machine was worth its weight in gold. I personally can't run... Unless I want to risk a loss of bowel control! That has proven *very* embarrassing! Walking seems easier, less jostling of the insides.

For me it helps mentally... helps reduce stress, allows me to feel "in control" of something related to my body.
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