Ulcerative Colitis - Running Issues

scargill

Hi,

I was going to setup a new username to post this, but here goes anyway!

I have Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and am having lots of issues during my longer runs at the moment. I have just recently started running, with the aim of doing a half marathon in May. (My weekend run is at 6 miles now, 7 miles next week).

I was just looking for any advice that other runners with UC could give me.

At the moment I am either running in the evenings before dinner (around 5.30pm) or after dinner (around 9pm).

At the weekend I'm fairly flexible and can run anytime from about 11am.

It is often the case that after about 2 miles I get a cramp and REALLY have to go to the loo. I end up having to walk for 10 minutes or so before I can carry on. Sometimes I can't carry on and have to 'shuffle' home!

I did try carrying on running once, to see if the feeling would pass......let's just say I won't be doing that again - I'll say no more. :eek:

Do other UC runners find running early in the morning easier? (after going to loo)

I try to go the loo before going on my run - but as other UC sufferers will know it is sometimes difficult to go, and difficult to know if you need to go at all until 20 minutes into the run.

I was thinking of running for a mile or so and returning home to go to the loo before doing the run properly?

It'd be a bit awkward but at least I'll get a proper long run without interruption.

I'd like to hear the experiences of other UC runners.

Thanks

(FYI - My UC flared up badly about 8 months ago after a C-Diff infection and it's about 90% under control again. When I'm not running I don't have any problems, so it's not medical advice I'm after.)

robinph

Don't know anything about UC myself, but just to get the default answer out of the way, are the doctors/ consultants/ ??? that you see about it of any help in providing tips on dealing with exersice and issues that brings up?

In saying that though for my own medical team they haven't been much direct use in how to deal with my diabetes and running, other than pretty much telling me to let them know what I figure out myself. They have been very suportive though despite no direct tips so would be worth trying who ever it is you deal with as you never know what they might have.

From what you've said the idea of going for a short warm up run and back before heading out again could be worth a try. Is it something where once the initial issue has been dealt with you're then grand from there, but you need to have started the run before things happen?

scargill

robinph wrote: »

Don't know anything about UC myself, but just to get the default answer out of the way, are the doctors/ consultants/ ??? that you see about it of any help in providing tips on dealing with exersice and issues that brings up?

My GP wasn't sure - and I haven't been to see the specialist in Tallaght for a while, not due back to see them until July (which is a good sign - I was seeing them every month before Christmas!!)

robinph wrote: »

From what you've said the idea of going for a short warm up run and back before heading out again could be worth a try. Is it something where once the initial issue has been dealt with you're then grand from there, but you need to have started the run before things happen?

For me - that probably would be the case. It might be different for other UC people.

scargill

I'm bumping this back up as I reckon it fell off the the first few pages during Paddy's day and maybe people didn't notice it when looking at boards in work on Thursday/Friday!!

If you don't want to reply here feel free to PM me with your advice.

I had a 7 mile run on Saturday morning and thankfully had no problems at all. (expect for a numb foot - must see a physio about that!) I had a light dinner on Friday night and made sure I went to the loo several times before heading out.

It seems to be a little bit hit and miss - I'll see how I am doing 4 miles tonight at 9pm.

robinph

Just curious as to if you did these runs with the warm up lap first, or did you just go straight out and hope for the best?

scargill

robinph wrote: »

Just curious as to if you did these runs with the warm up lap first, or did you just go straight out and hope for the best?

I ran a mile first to see if there was any inkling that I needed to go. I was going to head back home if that was the case and then do a follow up 5 mile run.

But I felt fine after a mile and just kept going.

Onaragatip

Hi Scargill

I have been running for approx 2 years and have recently been diagnosed with UC (January 2010). I can completely empathise with your situation. For the first year of my running I was conscious that all was not right with my bowel .... during training runs (6-10miles) I would need to stop at least once during runs, preparation prior to races took a lot of planning to ensure that I could enjoy my race.

Last June my complications got so bad that I had to stop running completely. It got to the stage where I needed to stop 6-7 times during my runs and also had a number of complications coming from my then "undiagnosed UC".

With encouragement from my girlfriend I finally went to see a consultant in July as I was fed up with the situation and after numerous procedures/hospital visits I was finally diagnosed with UC in January this year. Since then I have completed a course of medication, changed my diet and now use fibre supplements which I find help me greatly. Regardless of the complications I started back running in early December as I needed to get back on the road, though most of my runs were under the cover of darkness 3-4 times a week.

Unperturbed I battled on and noticed a change near the end of January. I could manage most of my training runs without the need to stop and did a 10mile race at the end of January with no issues. At this stage I am about 95% there “touch wood” and have built my current mileage up to ~ 60m/week. I still need to be careful, but nowhere to the degree that I have been in the past.

For me I found that the UC interrupted every facet of my running and took the enjoyment out of the sport. I don’t fully understand your situation but all I can say to you is:

Go to Doctor/Specialist your UC is currently active and needs to be treated, I demanded to see a Consultant ... July is not an option!! ... Look for a cancellation ASAP!! Or else get your doctor to put you on a treatment now!!
Look at your diet, is there anything in your diet that could be aiding the UC "its trial and error". Maybe make an appointment with a dietician once you have completed your treatment,
Try a natural fibre supplement (Fybergel etc.) has been a big help to me!!, it’s something that could pay dividends in the long term and prevent a relapse.

Carry on with the training, running in the morning I would agree is much better, just see how things go. Have a look at this site you are probably aware of it

http://iscc.ie/

All the Best

Onaragatip

scargill

Hi Onaragatip - thanks for the reply.

Onaragatip wrote: »

Go to Doctor/Specialist your UC is currently active and needs to be treated, I demanded to see a Consultant ... July is not an option!! ... Look for a cancellation ASAP!! Or else get your doctor to put you on a treatment now!!

I was diagnosed in 1998 so am used to relapses at this stage! I had a relapse last year but it is currently under control and not active. If I am not running I am 100% like a normal person!
I attend Tallaght - I ever needed to see the consultant it is just a matter of making a phone call.

I am currently on Asacolon (800mg x 3) and Salofalk (Mesalazine).

I think the problem I have is that I never really know when I need to go to loo, or when I am finished.

Onaragatip wrote: »

Look at your diet, is there anything in your diet that could be aiding the UC "its trial and error". Maybe make an appointment with a dietician once you have completed your treatment,
Try a natural fibre supplement (Fybergel etc.) has been a big help to me!!, it’s something that could pay dividends in the long term and prevent a relapse.

Over the years I have tried various diets - nothing really seems to make a difference for me at all. I am going to start on the Fybogel to try to regulate things a bit more.

Onaragatip wrote: »

Carry on with the training, running in the morning I would agree is much better

I was out last night and had a bad experience. Ran a mile and couldn't run any further - was seriously under pressure. I shuffled back home, it was hell!
I was going to go back out and finish the run but I was cold and peed off so didn't bother!

I am going to switch the midweek runs to morning time instead from now on. I'll report back!

Irishwonkafan

Hi folks,

It's no fun! I use running as a support training for my other sport of Kettlebell lifting. I thought it was just the fact that "bouncing" when running was causing the movement. I was diagnosed with UC yesterday now all makes sense. I was finding that I had to drive about 4-5 minutes away to a 1Km circuit and hope for the best...do as many laps as I could before the teeth-gritting feeling came along.
I've read elsewhere that wheat was the catalyst for this sort of ailment but I've been off this for about 2 months with worsening conditions - the "red pool" after going, etc. SO I'll be watching this, and other boards on what's best. Interesting to see Fybergel being mentioned...I'll have a look.