HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Staying Healthy

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/10/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

Last year around this time I was very sick. I found this site and I am still grateful for the good advice and kind words of encouragement.  I was determined to get my health back and continue my active life-style.  I experimented with diet and supplements to find out what worked best for me.  I was willing to give up foods I thought I loved in order to get my life back.

I am still gluten free and dairy free. Once in a while I cheat but I am quickly reminded that I need to stay on track.  I take 2 800mg asacol/day and that is my only medication. I mainly eat food that I cook at home, but I do enjoy a restaurant meal occasionally--I just order carefully! I am proud to say that I feel great! Over the last 6 months I trained for an ironman triathlon and finished the race last weekend. I prayed alot during that race especially for a family member that was just diagnosed with cancer.  I prayed that everyone can have the strength to fight for what they want out of life. When I was so sick and weak, I thought I would never be able to find the energy to get through the day much less train for such a challenging sport.  I pray that I can continue to stay in charge of my health. Thanks again for your support. Stay strong!!

Posted 11/10/2011 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
What an encouraging post! Congrats on the ironman triathalon; that's quite an accomplishment. You can't imagine how much I needed your encouraging words this morning, so thanks. You are so right; we need to keep searching until we find what meds/diet helps us to feel the best. Take care!

Posted 11/10/2011 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Too bad HW wasn't like Facebook because I could really use the "Like" button with this post! :) Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Posted 11/10/2011 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Great to hear you're feeling awesome and back to doing what you love!

Please remember that when you start to have any symptoms to treat with rectal meds sooner than later.

Be well!
q
Posted 11/10/2011 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Very good and encouraging news!!
Posted 11/10/2011 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for this positive post!

When I went into a flare a few weeks ago, I stopped going to the fitness bootcamp that had been making me really happy for several months. The serious challenges that I was presented with every day increased my confidence and feelings of well being, but I knew that when I spend the morning running to the bathroom repeatedly, I couldn't spend 6 to 7 am at a full strength high intensity workout.

My first reaction was simple despair. I felt like everything I had worked for was down the drain. It took me some time but I finally realized that every day is a new challenge, whether I go to bootcamp or not. And no matter how hard I work in bootcamp on Monday, when I walk in the door on Tuesday, I'll have further to go.

Once I realized that everything changes every day, and all I can do is work through this a day at a time, my gloom began to lift. I anticipate going back to my bootcamp on this coming Monday, November 14. I've got my fingers crossed, but things are progressing to a point that I think I can do it. And considering how much better I feel about *everything* in life when I am working out hard, I am really looking forward to it.

I'm always happy to hear about other folks with UC who can still undertake serious physical challenges. Thanks for sharing!
Posted 11/11/2011 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Ironwoman, your post is exactly what I needed to read today. I was just diagnosed with UC a couple weeks ago. I ran my first 1/2 marathon last May. I feel like my approach to living & managing UC should be the same way I mentally approached the last 3 miles of that race. Whatever it takes, one step at a time, I'm going to get there. Only now, "there" is remission, and whatever lifestyle changes are necessary to allow me to live as full a life as I did before UC.
Posted 11/11/2011 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on your first half marathon! You are probably hooked on running now! I agree with you about staying mentally strong. I feel that as long as I take care of myself by keeping up with my nutrition and getting rest whenever I feel tired, that I can continue running etc. I am resting for the next two weeks as my recovery from the race. I'm not afraid to take time off to let my body recover. Also, I really have to be careful not to eat the "runner fuel" such as power bars and gels. They will stop me in my tracks! I had to find some that worked for me. Good luck with your running. It sounds like you're doing a great job. Quincy, I am prepared to use the rectal meds at the very first sign of any symptom. I have learned so much about this crazy illness and again I am thankful for the good advice. Lets hope I can stay in control. Thanks
Posted 11/12/2011 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
yeah   smilewinkgrin
Posted 11/12/2011 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Very cool post & I can relate, I think exercise is key along with the balancing act of diet & meds. Good for you and speaking from experience, things can get better.
I lost so much weight I thought I'd never get back, but I came back stronger than before and have never looked back.
Your post is very encouraging and congrats of your success.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply