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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/1/2013 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys

This is one for you keen athletes who carry on battling through need some advice please!

I'm a keen soccer player and the season is just about to start, recently getting my self better in the off season starting to feel good again gaining weight stress free, doing nice hard workouts but at my own pace and in my own time.

Question is, would it be wise to start playing or am I going to have to give it up? During soccer it's a lot of cardio and can cover between 4-10 k a game not to mention all the nerves and anxiety it can bring on before hand. All I'm thinking is ino cargo can bring a lot of inflammation on the body and am worried ill flare back up.

Please if anyone has any personal experiences or good advice how to remain playing and how to manage the inflammation I would be truly greatful

Thanks everyone
Posted 7/1/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I put myself through university on a swimming scholarship. No need to give anything up, just rest a ton more before and after. Keep up with your meds and if you need a break, don't be afraid to ask for a sub. Enjoy!
Posted 7/1/2013 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
either play or wonder -


I would go with the first -

gl
Posted 7/1/2013 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
If you're in remission I say go for it. If you're in a flare... your body needs rest.

I was a competitive athlete all through my 20s until I got too sick to train. Hoping to go back to it soon!
Posted 7/1/2013 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am very active and have no problem as long as I am in remission. When I was flaring in the past, I had a hard time doing anything that took me too far from the bathroom.

There is something called "runner's colitis" which sometimes causes cramping, diarrhea and sometimes blood with those individuals that perform high intensity exercises such as marathon training. The high intensity exercise diverts some of the blood flow from your gastrointestinal tract and is magnified by dehydration. One key to avoid this is to stay as hydrated as possible.
Posted 7/1/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
hello, i've had the uc since 2010....i'm irish and i play G.A.A football, rugby and golf and when iv'e no signs of a flare up or the illness then i feel 100% to play and nothing stopping me.

Current meds:
immuran
humira
Posted 7/2/2013 9:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

Thanks for the positive feedback, i think i was always going to have a go at playing it was just the pyscological factor making me think twice, but reasurrance like this is exacly what i need.

Jaxwentworth - thats a very interesting fact and sometimes after ive been for a big run i can feel alot worse, plenty of water for me then :-D
Posted 7/2/2013 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldnt stop anything unless you are having 20-30 bms a day and losing significant fluids. I work out hard core 5-6 times a week (Crossfit Level 1) and have spoke with GI about this many times. He said the exercise is very helpful and not exercising would not help me. My symptoms are Blood and mucus and extreme cardio has no negative effect. Cardio should not have ANY effect on your inflammation.

Best...
Posted 7/2/2013 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Although it might just be my imagination, but when I do the ab routine for P90X my bowels mis-behave the next day.
Posted 7/2/2013 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I asked specifically about ab workouts, etc (exercises you would think would be bad for our condition) and he said, Absolutely no, it has no bearing. Just my .02
Posted 7/2/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Good to know...must be my imagination.
Posted 7/2/2013 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
i would say to go ahead & do it! there have been professional athletes who were battling with crohn's or colitis at the peak of their careers even. just make sure you listen to your body - it will tell you if it needs more rest, different diet, etc.
Posted 7/2/2013 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
ever notice how some girls have really long, slender feet and toes, while other girls have short, stubby ones ?
Posted 7/2/2013 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Exercise, high intensity exercise, is really the only thing that gives me relief from my flare. When I am exercising, my symptoms go away. Before and after are a different story, but once I start moving, I am totally fine.
See what happens, maybe you'll have the same experience.
Posted 7/2/2013 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Go for it Derby. The sport/fitness and team camraderie benefits will be great.

Just avoid the caffeine/sugar sports or energy drinks. I know amateur sports and you see a lot of guys chugging back the red bull before games and having lucozade sport etc. I'd avoid those and just go for a good per game meal and water if you can.

What position are you?

Crystal Palace fan here :p
Posted 7/2/2013 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
For me, if I'm in the middle of a horrible flare at its worst, I need a rest. But if I'm trying to get into remission, still battling some symptoms but no bleeding, I find that I will feel the same whether I work out or not. This is after plenty of trial and error too. I have been trying to get off Prednisone for the past year and over the past 6 months really increased my workout back to normal. I workout very hard in kickboxing, hot yoga and cardio resistance classes plus I lift weights. I can honestly say I feel better right after I work out. Maybe it just gives me a high knowing I am getting more fit and getting stronger, or maybe its the extra cortisol my body produces at when I workout. I don't know, but it definitely hasn't been hurting my UC recovery at all.
Even my GI mentioned how much muscle I had on my legs, so apparently its working!

So go for it! Especially if its something that you enjoy and that makes you happy. That alone can have a positive effect on your body.
Posted 7/2/2013 9:54 PM (GMT 0)

soystud said...
ever notice how some girls have really long, slender feet and toes, while other girls have short, stubby ones ?

I'm not sure what to make of this soystud...lol.
Posted 7/3/2013 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
thanks a lot guys for the positive informative responses.

Jimbo NZ - i play centre mid mate but since having colitis im thinking of dropping to right back (nice steady role) :-)

the reason i have had concerns raised is from a video i watched from the guys at SCD lifestyle stating the more extreme the cardio it sends inflammation through the roof.

Soystud - if your bored go and count sheep or something

cheers guys

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