new here...excercise?

[Sherry5]

I am in the process of being diagnosed with IC and I have to say I am a little floored. I think this has been a problem with each of my pregnancies and has decided now to be a full time problem. I started having severe pain 8 weeks ago. I have a history of female problems( ovarian cysts, adhesions, etc.) so my OB did a laperoscopy and removed some endometriosis, but this did nothing to alleviate my pain. After feeling my bladder, my OB decided that I probably have IC. After reading this website, I think he is right. I am having some tests done on Friday.

Anyhow, I am used to working out 4-5 days a week religiously. I do step classes, kickboxing, and work with weights. I was on bedrest for 5 months with my last child(which I now think may have involved IC) and I feel it is necessary to work out this often to keep my slow metabolism on course. I was overweight from this last baby, and when I work out daily I am not skinny, I am still on the heavy side of "normal"

Needless to say I stopped working out when my horrible pain started, and I hadn't been back for eight weeks. I went back today and found out I have gained 6 pounds and lost muscle mass. I also had quite a flare up this afternoon and am afraid it was caused by my workout. I am afraid I will not be able to keep up my rigorous schedule now that I have IC.

Does anyone have any experience with excercise and IC? Is there anything I can do to help myself? When I don't work out, my back hurts and I don't feel healthy. I also get cranky. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

[daydreamer]

I take dance classes because I feel the same need. I noticed I would flare after classes and I was thinking it was too much somehow. I used to buy water from the machine there because it was nice and cold. One week I brought my own from home...and no flare! I figured out the Dasani water was the culprit, and the one time I tried Dasani again it was the same.

I guess the point of my story is that they may be other factors like the water involved besides the exercise.

[Sherry5]

Daydreamer- So you still exercise? I take water from home everyday. I have a reverse osmosis filter in my home, is that good? I do not know the acidity level of the different waters.

I had some grits today as well. I am hoping that is what caused my problems. I am also a week away from my period. That may be a trigger. I will give it a month, I think before I start changing my habits.

Thanks for your input! :)

[desolationangel]

i don't know about more rigorous exercise, but i used to do yoga a few times a week and intend to go back to it. it's not intense but it helps me not feel like a lazy bum...

it's ridiculous.... i've always been obsessed with my health. now i have a silly disease that won't let me work out, and will let me have deep-fried beignets but not an orange!!

[ICNDonna]

I find I do best with low impact exercise. Walking or the exercycle seem to be my best choices.

Donna

[Sherry5]

Desolationangel, you have a Snape picture! I happen to be a huge Harry Potter fan, and an Alan Rickman fan. It is nice to talk with someone who shares my interests.

I really like yoga, but I am afraid I won't get the cardio that I need. If I continue to have this reaction, though, I will have to start walking and doing Yoga. Itwill throw my whole lifestyle off, though. I work out with my sister and have many friends at the gym, including instructors. I guess we all have to make adjustments, don't we.

[desolationangel]

i really hope you eventually get to the point where you can go back to your normal routine. i know of one girl with ic who got so much better with elmiron that she was able to go to africa; so i'm sure that she can go to the gym. maybe we'll get that close to normal too!

and yes, alan rickman is quite possibly the greatest actor ever.... *le sigh*

[trytosmile]

I used to work out 5-6 days a week myself, jogged 10 KM every other day, kick boxing, baseball, ball hockey, golf. You name it. That part of my life is over. I now do yoga, pilates, walks. I know my body and know the days I can do more or less. It all helps to but I do miss my vigourous activities. Over time I have learned to accept it, well almost. It isn't easy as I'm a very stubborn person. (my knee surgeon finally said after the third knee surgury, ok one sport has to go...lol) Anyway I'm keeping positive and hoping to one day slowly add some of these activities back into my life style or maybe find some new ones. Yes a few pounds came back on and my muscle mass is well gone, self confidence isn't the best but I will get it back somehow, somewhere.

[twiggy]

I had to give up running (grrrrr!). The elliptical trainer seems to be okay. I am just starting back to exercise after two years of constant pain. It will be one step at a time. I have lost all muscle tone. It is disgusting. Take it easy!

[Sherry5]

Desolationangel you have given me hope! and Alan Rickman is quite good. There is a thread on the Harry potter website for older people that I like to read, and one of the girls has a picture of AR all blonde and shirtless holding a statue that you might enjoy. I would show it to you, but my husband would have to show me how, and he would laugh at me;)

Thank you Jen, I will try to smile. After all, Madonna does Yoga and she has a fabulous body. I can dream.

Also, before I had these problems, my husband and I booked a cruise for the 30th of this month(I'll have to get a one piece now:() and I am a little worried about it. We had also planned on trying to get pregnant again this month. The cruise is still on, but we are thinking long and hard about the pregnancy. Any advice?