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Exercise and flaring

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/3/2017 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am a runner and have been experiencing weird episodes that I am not sure I would call a flare. Most mornings I get up, have a BM and go for a run and I am fine. Some days I will start running and realize that I need to go to the bathroom again. I usually just wait until my run is finished and go. On those days there is always blood and then I will have a few urgent bathroom trips for an hour or so and then I am fine. I don't have blood or urgency at any other time than this. I can't figure out why this would happen? I do try to go before hand but my body doesn't always cooperate. Anyone experience something similar?
Posted 10/3/2017 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say it's possible you could be seeing the warning signs of an impending flare. I'd temporarily up your maintenance medications as a reasonable precaution to see if it helps.
Posted 10/3/2017 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Not impending....are flaring! Seems very low in rectum depending on the consistency of the stool. If there is blood, the tissue is already more inflamed to the point of fragility. But in saying that, flaring, yes....but maybe a fissure or an internal hemmie as well.
Rectal meds now are helpful.

q
Posted 10/3/2017 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your replies. The weird thing is it could be weeks or months between this happening which is why I didn't think it was a flare. I will start rectal meds tonight.
Posted 10/3/2017 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Always err on the side of caution. Remember that for some of us, , symptoms don't match inflammation. Low in rectum or very mild recctal inflammation can present as constipation or smaller, thinner or sparser stools. A signal for some of us who recognise if it's continual. But stress, change in food schedule or intake can cause sparser or smaller or less, or thinner stool....but it's usually once or twice, not continual.

Periods or hormonal changes can have a hand in this as well....seems like it could be a possibility for you?

Were you not on any rectal maintenance?

Keep us posted....

q
Posted 10/4/2017 2:27 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Always err on the side of caution. Remember that for some of us, , symptoms don't match inflammation. Low in rectum or very mild recctal inflammation can present as constipation or smaller, thinner or sparser stools. A signal for some of us who recognise if it's continual. But stress, change in food schedule or intake can cause sparser or smaller or less, or thinner stool....but it's usually once or twice, not continual.

Periods or hormonal changes can have a hand in this as well....seems like it could be a possibility for you?

Were you not on any rectal maintenance?

Keep us posted....

q

I was not using rectals just the apriso. My GI prescribed them only as needed so I was putting off using them.
Posted 10/4/2017 2:30 AM (GMT 0)

Connor77 said...
I can tell you that when I'm exiting a flare and bleeding stops, if I exercise too vigorously, or if I do too much abdominal exercise, I'll start bleeding again. If you think about it, inflammation makes the tissues more swollen, more loose, more watery. The blood vessels get more delicate. Then you go running which adds agitation. It's like tossing around a water balloon, it eventually breaks.

I feel like the bowel blood vessels in people with active IBD are really delicate and can be broken easily.

The first time I became aware of this was after my first flare. I started taking yoga classes and after the first class I started relapsing. Had to re-start prednisone and everything.

Yes, that makes sense. I don't want to stop running though. I will try to keep it at an easy pace until things calm down.
Posted 10/4/2017 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
I too had to stop my exercise/yoga due to sensitivity.
May I ask, what type of rectal maintenance can be suggested?

For several months I have been having severe abdominal pain from my UC, unfortunately my hydrocodone(has not disrupted going to the restroom since I first began use in mid 2016) hasn't been helping as much as it had been in previous months. According to my GI dr, I am in remission because there is no blood or mucus or runny stool atm. I have been constipated for almost 2 months with much difficulty and pain. Normally I'm able to poop every morning, with the stool being formed and a normal amount. I have lost a couple of pounds, even though I have stoppped my normal yoga excerises.

Would you happen to have any insight?
Posted 10/4/2017 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
You'd be better off to creat your own post here.

Steroid rectal medications treat inflammation when we're flaring and they are not meant for an ongoing maintenance treatment. If you're in a remission then why are you taking hydrocortisone enemas, a steroid that treats inflammation?

Rectal meds for maintenance of uc are canasa suppositories, rowasa/pentasa/salofalk enemas, and mesalamine foams (available in some countries).
Posted 10/5/2017 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Ahoy fellow runner!

Not that I’ve been doing this for very long, but running seems to be functioning as a gauge of impending doom for me. When I’m on the cusp of recurring symptom flare the first place I notice is on my run (cramping, fatigue, general malaise afterward). So I’ve been backing off my mileage/taking extra rest days on those occasions, and since I’m still glaring, in general, I’ve adapted my activities a bit (more cycling, less running). It hasn’t helped stave anything off, but it has helped my sanity.

Did a marathon 2 weeks before my dx c-scope. Oh god. So much blood. 😂
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