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Running Without a Colon - Any tips?

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Posted 10/18/2009 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all -

I had my colon removed six years ago, at age 16. I began running about nine months ago, and have been experiencing difficulty with a few things: feeling light-headed, sick, otherwise abnormal. I've been experimenting with things like eating fairly soon before a run, which seems to work sometimes and not others. I drink a fair amount of gatorade beforehand too. I run at a fairly slow pace (10 min/mile), 20 miles a week. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips, any seasoned runners out there without colons who have found some things that work particularly well?

Thank you so much!
Posted 10/19/2009 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I had to have a permanent ileostomy due to permanent damages to my colon, rectum, and pelvic floor during a prior surgery. I don't run. I do travel and walk a lot for exercise. However, I am chronically lightheaded, and have very little energy. I have read so much that sodium or potassium imbalance can create this feeling. The colon is what reabsorbs water and electrolytes back into our bodies. If running I would think it would make it worse.

Do you get Vit. B12 shots? I do. I needed them prior to having the ileostomy due to having pernicious anemia. However, I have heard that some people without the use of their colon have to get B12 shots monthly. If you still have your terminal ileum and it is still inside your body (not made into a stoma) you likely are absorbing your B12. THis was just a thought.

Good luck, Rosemary
Posted 10/19/2009 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I have a question. How do you keep bag from bouncing around?

Ten min. miles aren't bad at all, especially if you are doing 20 per week. How far a day?

The nutrition drinks (Boost,Ensure, ect.) diluted will give you some calories and lots of liquid. "They" say drink before you go out, take liquids with you and drink plain old water when you get back. That worked for me before this ostomy but haven't ran since surgery to try anything yet. Hope to soon.

When you do get a good plan of action please share with the rest of us.
Posted 10/19/2009 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
You are probably dehydrated...do you have watery output on a regular basis? I found that I had to bulk up my output on a daily basis to stay hydrated because exercising magnified my dehydration. I used to use psyllium caplets but have changed my diet to do it naturally which has helped a lot. It is a lot of trial and error.

I just wear tighter shorts (think spandex) under my shorts (it gives a layered look) and it does just find keeping things flat/not bouncing:)
Posted 10/20/2009 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Trigirl-
I also wear tighter shorts and tuck it in. But I don't double layer. I don't think anyone will see anything.
I empty right b4, so it's not heavy and it doesn't fill up enough while i'm running to make a difference.
Posted 10/20/2009 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all thanks for your responses!

esoR - thanks for the B12 tip - I forgot about that! I had a blood test that said I was deficient in it a while ago, and I guess I've let it slip!

I actually don't have a bag, had an immediate j-pouch and pull-through (couldn't find a forum for those types :).) I don't have problems with having to go, usually, although sometimes I stop and come home for a bathroom break. I guess you're right, OHIO 76, a lot of trial and error. I will definitely try some of the other hydration options you guys have suggested, aside from Gatorade (trigirl, OHIO 76).

Trigirl - the whole "take liquids" with you thing hasn't worked out for me yet, but it's probably a good suggestion. It hasn't been convenient to stop at home to drink something, but maybe I should take a smaller bottle with me with a strap or something. PS - I do five miles, four times a week.

Chasblah - do you have any suggestions or coping mechanisms for running?

Anyone have the related autoimmune/inflammatory diseases that can accompany ulcerative colitis (which is what I had)? I have remnants of asthma and arthritis. Any running tips for those too? For a more holistic running improvement :)
Posted 10/20/2009 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Seesha,
I ran a half marathon to raise money for CCFA in july and am training to run a half marathon Dec. 5th in Las Vegas. I had
my colon removed two years ago. I have an ostomy. One of my trainers has a j-pouch and several of the people I train with
have j-pouches.At first I got light headed and dehydrated. The trainer suggested that I eat protein one hour before running
and I carry my own water and replacement fluids. No gatorade it has to much sugar.We work a lot on energy and hydration.
Everyone has to figure out what works for them.I wear a belt that can carry up to six small bottles. I learned that I need to
drink a little liquid every 15 to 20 minutes. I do have arthritis so I take something for that before I run and when I finish I
sit in cold water in the bathtub or ice my knees. The kind of socks and shoes you where are critical. Some people in our group
have tried running and they just can't do it so they walk. I love training with the group and running for my fellow crohnies.
As far as coping mechanisms for running. If you are not enjoying it don't do it! There are other ways to exercise. Two years
ago I was so sick I could not do anything. Training for my first half marathon and the people I met along the way changed my
life. Good luck and let me know if I can help. Fruitcake
Posted 10/20/2009 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
NASCARon, I went to the sights!! WOW they were great. How do you find all these? I end up the craziest places and when you guys put them up I always look and find what I've been looking for. THANKS bunches.

Chasblah, I have some tight shorts but have been too shy to wear them. Will put them under the jog pants.

seesha87, Fruticake had good bottle ideas. I have the six little bottles but usually take one bottle in a waist belt. I have a camel back also but too big and heavy unless you're doing 3+ hour runs. Is 5 miles about an hour for you? You definitely should take liquids over 1/2 hours with ostomy I was told.

Fruitcake, I have arthritis too. I have been walking and taking acedomynaphine(?) before going out, but wondered if I was masking pain and then working too hard. Am trying to learn my limits so I don't get worse auto immune stuff, or more crohn's. How do you judge workouts? I know I feel lousy after most workouts these days. Maybe still recovering from the surgery stuff, but it has been 9 weeks.
Posted 10/20/2009 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Nine weeks is not very long. It took me about a year to really recover.You have to let your body adapt to not having a
colon. Walking is good. You have been through a lot and I think you are a remarkable person for getting out there and
doing stuff. Believe it or not we get used to being sick and living with what ever is thrown at us. The hard part now is
living well. Training and finishing the half marathon was an amazing healing adventure for me. We have to go through a
mourning process and mourn our lost colon,having a bag or a j-pouch is not something any of us wanted.I took all kinds
of drugs to prevent surgery and suffered the side effects and the meds only made me sicker. The people around me think
that having an ostomy is a handicap but for me it is a blessing because I am well. When I finished my race I cried for a
long time. My mourning was over and for the first time in years I felt like a whole person again.
When you train for marathons or big events your immune system is stressed so you have to build up one step at a time.
When we train we only run for 45 o 50 minutes on certain days our big runs are on a weekends and when we get to eight
miles we skip to every other weekend and do shorter distances during what we call recovery week. We do cross training
on the days you don't run and we always take a day off. You have to listen to your body. I teach in the water so if my
joints hurt I run in the deep end of the pool. I still get my workout but my joints don't hurt. I take Calcium plus, a multi-mineral
and herb system for comprehensive skeletal support. Rainbow Light Nutritional makes it. This keeps my bones and muscles
from hurting. I judge my work outs by how my body reacts. For the first year after surgery I would be so tired the day after
exercise that I would have to rest. If I didn't I only hurt my body instead of helping it. I had to take things slow and now that
is paying off because I have not had injuries and I am stronger. Hang in there and have fun!
Fruitcake
Posted 10/22/2009 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Fruitcake, I LOVE running, it's essential for me to remain mentally-balanced and sane, like a natural anti-depressant :) I started getting problems as my mileage was increasing, and I actually really appreciate (Trigirl) the fluids every 1/2 hour thing. It makes a lot of sense to me now, and it's very helpful to have a benchmark like that!

That was a really nice, heartfelt post, Fruitcake :) I also agree in giving your body time to heal (to Trigirl). It took me a year to recover also. I wasn't able to exercise (or even walk) without fainting for five or so months. You're obviously putting up a good fight, just remember to give yourself time, like Fruitcake said. Just wanted to reiterate it. I really admire your strength as well, same with you Fruitcake.

Also, trigirl - I have arthritis too, and I read a NYT article a while ago that says you shouldn't take painkillers too soon before a run. Apparently it can actually be bad for your muscles. It talks about ibuprofen, not sure if acetaminophen is in the same category. Thought I'd share the link.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/phys-ed-does-ibuprofen-help-or-hurt-during-exercise/?scp=2&sq=painkiller%20run&st=cse

I used to take indocin for arthritis, but my doctor said it could interfere with asthma (believe it or not). So on the arthritis front, I'm not sure what to suggest (from personal experience, I mean).
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