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Does Physical activity increase your symptoms?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/5/2014 5:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have kind of been forced to be quite sedentary since getting diagnosed

everytime I seem to start being more active, my symptoms get worse.
there are other possible reasons for the symptoms that I haven't ruled out, but I was just wondering if anyone noticed this in their lives
Posted 6/5/2014 10:24 AM (GMT 0)
No, phyical activity doesn't make my uc symptoms worse.
Posted 6/5/2014 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
No, but if I really overdo it , sometimes my gut hates me for the rest of the day. But I have to push myself to the point of nearly passing out and I so my best to avoid that feeling! Last time I ran a 5k in 80 degree temps and high humidity that happened to me. This was also last summer when I was still getting out of a flare and for sure did too much, but I felt like I needed to prove something to myself. Instead I just learned to listen to my body and be ok with whatever works well for it, not what I want to work!
Posted 6/5/2014 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I think so, yes. I am pretty darn sure consistently jogging three miles per day does, pretty fast walking or a little weight lifting, I'm not sure about.
Posted 6/5/2014 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Cardio does me for sure. Weights don't bother me too much, unless doing some kind of circuit training. Once my heartbeat gets a little elevated, I better be close to the bathroom. It doesn't linger for me, though. It's kind of a one and done thing. Actually, being active and exercising helps me in the long run, I just have to be careful when and where I'm doing it.
Posted 6/5/2014 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
It doesn't seem to make things worse but if I'm flaring its mustering up the energy to exercise. I have noticed that being in extreme heat or sweating alot seems to have a negative effect. I live in south florida and play golf and if it is really hot that day it gives me trouble.
Posted 6/5/2014 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Over time it actually aids with bowel function which is why they suggest working out for IBDers, even though for many the thought of it isn't appealing or doesn't even sound realistic to be able to exercise, it can be done, you just have to modify it to how you're feeling, but some exercise daily (or at least 4-5 days a week) is better than never exercising.
Posted 6/5/2014 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Physical activity was always beneficial to my symptoms while I was doing the activity. Like my colon transferred it's attention elsewhere. Not total cessation of symptoms but fewer and the benefits of exercise overall was good for both body and mind. But never was anything like a cure.

Probably my body was giving off endorphins which helped my gut quiet down for that time period. My own theory. I also get the same effect with other activities including sex, a glass of wine or MJ. :-)
Posted 6/5/2014 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
yes, physical activity makes me worse during flares so i don't do it.
Posted 6/5/2014 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
We are talking flare here.... when I was in remission I could do what ever I wanted without issue. When I was flaring anything too strenuous would send me to the bathroom instantly.
Posted 6/5/2014 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've always been flaring, I still exercised regularly and more often than not even when I was flaring moderately. It doesn't have to be super intense, just something, even for 30 minutes/day.
Posted 6/5/2014 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. I was pretty sedentary during flares because it bothered me. But I never knew if that changed when you're in remission. Good to know.
Posted 6/6/2014 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Exercise can help to boost your immune system – the body's defense against infections. However, when you have an autoimmune disease, exercise can set off your tripwire immune systems, which turn on our colon.

I don't push myself at all when I exercise. But I'm on a sedating medication. I just remember having a lot of energy on prednisone, pushing myself and it made my symptoms worse.
Posted 6/6/2014 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
I try to exercise, just lightly; as hard as it is during a flare. Sometimes it's just a short walk if it's nice out. Which can also be hard during a flare. More just for the fresh air though and change of scenery.

I find I always feel better after - but the hardest part is just getting going... and fear of no washroom.

Recently I purchased a treadmill at a garage sale. This I love because I can walk/jog anytime and it's super close to the bathroom. I added an indoor rowing machine as well which I love.

Going to a gym was not an option for me when I was flaring. I wasted so much money on gym memberships before I finally said wait a minute... why not bring the gym to me. An it cost less than a yearly membership. Garage sales are awesome for that kinda stuff.
Posted 6/6/2014 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Wow thank you all for the responses!

I am in a mild flare, haven't got out of it,
I have been inactive for almost a year. and I just miss being active.

sometimes after being sedentary for awhile, the second i get moving i have to go to the washroom.

My main issue is that I don't want to lose blood. I just notice that whenever I started being mildly active again, the blood just seems to return.

I've lost like 45 pounds and I'm getting quite worried, since its mostly muscle weight (i think) so I'm trying to keep the muscles working at least somewhat.

I was doing 30 minute walks, before i started taking summer classes at uni. Now I just walk to the bus stop and to class and from the bus stop to home. I've also tried to do more house work and push ups daily to make up for the rest of my time sitting.

I thought about doing ab work outs......but that just seems like a bad idea considering all the movement it causes in the intestines
Posted 6/6/2014 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I've lost like 45 pounds and I'm getting quite worried, since its mostly muscle weight (i think) so I'm trying to keep the muscles working at least somewhat.

Why not do yoga at home? You can find a DVD at your library or buy one. There are many different types of yoga so find one that emphasizes gentle stretching rather that "hot yoga" which is very cardio-aerobic.

You will find yoga very beneficial to your body and mind. I did yoga classes outside the house while flaring because every yoga class (YMCA or commercial) I went to had a bathroom nearby. Stay in the back row and it's easy to slip out. I never had to but saw at least one person a class do that. Some people can't get through 60 minutes without needing to pee, with UC'ers it's different/same idea.

Get a good teacher however, not a hot dog. I quit going to class locally because they went too far in poses, making me and others do things without regard to age or ability. You should never stretch beyond comfort zone or go too fast.

Try it at home first then make it a goal to do a "drop-in" at a local class.
Posted 6/6/2014 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
crosses, I do a ton of ab workouts but then again my pain isn't in my tummy it's in my lower back when I'm flaring badly...ab exercises really help and they really help when I have period cramps so maybe that's why they don't bother me with my CD.

I love working out at home, the whole place to myself, I can stop and go to the can though I've rarely had to do that in the middle of my workouts, listen to the music I want and as loud as I want...a home gym (if you have the room) is much cheaper since you can buy great condition equipment used for cheap compared to a gym membership that they never want you to cancel.
Posted 6/6/2014 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
When I'm flaring as soon as I start doing yoga, the treadmill, sometimes even standing for any length of time, I immediately get cramps and need to run to the bathroom.
Posted 6/7/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I have a pool, so there is no excuse for not exercising, but I only manage to swim a couple of times a week, some people enjoy exercise, unfortunately I'm not one of them, but it does make sense to do something regularly I think.
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