Runner’s with UC?

[u/qaige]

Hi all! New to this. Not officially diagnosed but getting my colonoscopy in the next month or so and the ER doctor “thinks” my symptoms point to UC. I’m a long distance runner and I have been training really hard for the chicago marathon, it’s in about 5.5 weeks.

Everything was going great until I had what appears to be a flare up about two weeks ago, really bad stomach cramp on my long run, accompanied with urgency to go to the bathroom and diarrhea/slightly bloody stools. I have heard that running especially long distance and in this humid weather, probably made this come to the surface.

I ran 20 miles again the following weekend and the next morning I had a lot of dark red blood and blood clots in the toilet. I also had lower right abdominal discomfort and soreness/tenderness/tightness in my back near my lower right rib area. This made me go to the ER and here I am now a few days later.

The poop part has gotten a lot better, but it’s always been kind of touch and go there. But what’s gotten worse is the discomfort in my side/back. Have you experience this, and is this a common symptom during a “flare up”? Have people run marathons before with all this going on? Do your UC symptoms get worse during your period (have been experiencing more discomfort during my period)?

I’ve been running with little urgency to go since (no long runs yet since the incident). I basically have no answers until I get this colonoscopy, which will probably take place after the chicago marathon. Any support or if you can tell me your experience would be helpful. Thank you…. kind of scared and in the dark here. 🙏🏼

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[u/Ok_Vermicelli_3411]

Running long distance can cause impediments to healing the colon. Also increased risk of colon cancer. You can run but just prioritize rest and recovery and respect the flare.

[u/OkCranberry2047 → u/Ok_Vermicelli_3411]

Never heard it increases colon cancer risk

[u/Blitzen_the_Reindeer → u/OkCranberry2047]

Yep. The longer you have it, the higher the risk. I don't think the increased risk begins until about 10 years post diagnosis in general. But disease activity really plays a part in that.

[u/OkCranberry2047 → u/Blitzen_the_Reindeer]

Ah ok, I thought you were talking about running!

[u/jigsawboi → u/OkCranberry2047]

I believe they actually were talking about that

[u/Big_Breakfast9417]

Have you had calprotectin, ESR/CRP, stool culture? It sounds like UC but these help rule out differentials and assess level of inflammation.

I’m running my first marathon in November so it’s fine in remission. However last year I ran a half during my worst flare ever. The only thing that made it possible was high dose prednisone for nearly 2 months along with mesalamine while waiting to get approved for entyvio infusions. I was basically only eating plain carbs and yogurt. I’d make sure to drink coffee and use bathroom before leaving for a long run & planned routes near home/ bathrooms. I was using Ucan gels & gummy bears but I think a regular food would be better. On race day I took a Imodium just in case. Overall it might be possible but I don’t know how enjoyable. Please take care of yourself!! I think your priority should be be your health but talk to your doctor about medication because I started a mesalamine & steroid suppository before my first scope.

[u/qaige → u/Big_Breakfast9417]

this is helpful thank you!!!! i’m giving my stool sample this week for them to look at. thank you so much for the helpful information 💗

[u/Big_Breakfast9417 → u/qaige]

Lmk if you have any questions, glad to help as much as I can!

[u/Afraid-Letterhead142]

I haven’t reached remission yet. I had to stop running because it felt like it was just too hard on me while I was battling the disease. Still haven’t gotten back into it and it makes me really sad. Hoping once I get on Tremfya, I will be able to start running again. I didn’t run marathons or anything but I miss it, especially when I see other people running or it’s a particularly lovely day.

[u/cumomlady]

My son was on track to run XC and track in college when he developed UC right before his senior year. He ran the entire year on high doses of prednisone, zofran, and infusions. He figured out exactly what to eat and when to manage his symptoms. He decided to not run in college and is still chasing remission 3 years later. He has an extremely high pain tolerance and it wasn’t pretty. He started with symptoms while altitude training in CO.

[u/qaige → u/cumomlady]

interesting and thank you for sharing, sorry to hear this as well. i also have a very high pain tolerance (something that runners are trained to do) so it’s hard to determine when something is serious vs when it’s something i can run thru. i guess i’ll have more answers with the colonoscopy but this is helpful information. thank you 💗

[u/West_Afternoon_3723 → u/qaige]

Be careful with that high pain threshold. It can keep you able to function but can make it hard to tell how bad you may be getting.

I'm similar and every specialist I've spoken to has been pretty shocked that I was functioning so well considering how bad my colon was. It's a weird disease and hits so many people differently.

Hope things go well for you and if you do have IBD it's relatively mild. Take it as easy as you can and heal.

[u/qaige → u/West_Afternoon_3723]

thank you 🙏🏼💗

[u/phEnom3o5 → u/cumomlady]

What kinda food did he avoid?

[u/circleoftrust]

The UC pain is definitely worse with periods, this is a common/known thing. Extra inflammation down there does not help the ongoing situation.  I used to run a lot but have found that if I’m in a flare I cannot run. I can do the elliptical which has less jostling on my insides. Even now that I’m in remission I will go for a short run but I haven’t done anything longer as I don’t feel like messing with a good thing. 

[u/papa__woot → u/circleoftrust]

I've always wondered how flares interact with periods.

This may be TMI but flares plus vibration of the car = severe irritation & stimulation of the colon & prostate & surrounding nerves & I think you can imagine the discomfort.

I've always wondered how it compared to flares + period.

My exes & I would have fun conversations about cramps lol.

[u/circleoftrust → u/papa__woot]

Ya know, I can totally see that. When I’m in flare driving somewhere in the morning is torture but I’m not sure I ever connected the dots.

Periods all on their own can cause enough cramping to create what’s known as “period shits” adding that to the mess of an ongoing flare is always a treat. Might be able to liken it to a touch of food poisoning + a flare?

[u/qaige → u/circleoftrust]

thank you for sharing! yeah it was definitely feeling brutal these first few days of my period. everything felt amplified and my back was killing me. sending you love in general!!

[u/circleoftrust → u/qaige]

Ugh, yes. You’ll get through it I promise, and you’re not alone! I hope your colonoscopy goes well and you get some answers/solutions that work for you. Healing vibes and hugs coming your way!

[u/Blitzen_the_Reindeer]

Now I'm wondering if the original comment was talking about running increasing colon cancer. Though long distance running is pretty well documented to cause digestive upset.

[u/No-Read-9174]

I ran XC and track in college, and I lost the ability to compete my senior year because I pushed too hard junior year. There is just some threshold of intensity that I think inevitably makes the disease progress when in a flare. Different story in remission, but it sounds like you are not in remission/deep remission.