Ic and exercise

[Kiernan]

Hello everyone

I was diagnoses with Ic about 1 and 1/2 years ago. I am on amitriptilene100mg at bedtime, elmiron 400mg/day, and valuim for spasms, prn and vicodin for pain prn. I had two cysto with urethral dilatation. My bladder holds about half what a normal amount is. My urethra was narrowed as well. I think the Elmiron is helping (just about one year on it). My question is this, is it ever possible to get back and exercise, walk, run which I use to do. I can feel my bladder when I am walking upstairs. Its unbelieveable. I get spasms after intercourse. Any pressure on my bladder affects it. I am 50 and need to walk again. Is this other woman are experiencing? My husband is very patient but its difficult b/c I get worried just knowing having sex will set it off. Usually when I am in a flare which seems to be once a week, i take vicodin- but try not to take more than two because don't want to take too much. Do other woman feel as though they are in some type of pain everyday? Besides this message board i know no one that has IC. I am in good health other than that. I am slim but want to exercise like I use to. Thanks for any comments. Just having a bad day.

[kadi]

Yes, it is possible to get better & exercise again. I could not exercise at all when I first got IC, but with treatments & diet, I am now able to do a lot more.

I can do:
elliptical trainer at the gym
rowing machine at the gym
light weights
yoga
walking around my neighborhood & the lake park near my house

I almost always have some discomfort each day, but I have days where it is very minor. I work full time as a teacher, attend church, make jewelry, work out lightly. Things are much better now. I've had IC for 3-1/2 years, it took about 2-1/2 years to get a treatment plan together that worked (see below my name).

Hang in there, it can still get better!

[Kiernan]

Kadi thanks for your response- I appreciate. It gives me some hope that I might return to more activity. When you have a chance could you answer these questions; you say you are in some pain everyday, do you need medicine for that? Are you on the IC diet? What got you to this point? I am a nurse(school nurse) work part time. Did you work up to your exercise regime? Thanks again.

[MomforGod3]

Just to let you know too I've had IC since about 2002 and struggled off and on with it for a long time. I did follow the diet and found out what foods caused me to flare so I avoid them: anything with acid BIG TIME and cokes the only soda I can drink is sprite, I mostly drink water. I do excise but to be honest with you that is also off and on. When I do excise I feel alot better I don't know if it's a mind thing or what. Before I did Tae Bo, Lord I loved that so much but now that jumping up and down bother my bladder so I recently joined Curves and I love it is light impacted excise and you can change your excises to fit you.
With me I don't take pain med. everyday. I try and take it when my pain reaches about a 6 on a 1 to 10 scale. I feel I have a high pain level don't know if true or not. When I do I only try to take like one tramadol sometimes I need more.
I also understand the worry about the spasm after intercourse part been there too. I thank God everyday for the wonderful Godly man that he sent to me he is great about understand visit the When Sex Hurts thread they have some good ideas maybe that will help. Hope this helped you some take care.

[Sonat]

Hi Kiernan,

after starting medication, I started walking (fitness center) and doing light weight lifting (veeeeeeeeeeeeery light)...after a year I got bored:rolleyes: , but yes, it is possible to exercise.
Have you ever thought about yoga or pilates?


Sonat

[marymove]

Until my diagnosis(four months ago) I ran 5K's, 10K's and 1/2 Marathons along with triathlons every summer with daughter. My uro looked at me like I was crazy and told me no more running. SUCKS. She also said biking was out, and I have a sensitivity to the chlorine in water. SOOOO, now I am a walking freak. Two times a day and then light weights and modified sit-ups. I talked to the trainer at my gym and she studied for a couple days and gave me great idea's on what I could and coun't do. Along with my chiro, I feel that I am getting stronger again. Yoga has also been highly recommended by some people on this site. Just bought a tape, so we'll see. It's really hard not staying active when that's what you are used to. Good luck!

[Kiernan]

Hello everyone

Thanks to you all that responded to my thread about pain and exercise. I walk when not in a flare. Any type of pressure starts the spasms. My uro wanted me to take 2.5 of valium before walking and intercourse. I hesitate to do that b/c don't want to take it all the time. I am going to try yoga(thanks to all for recommending that). If it wasn't for this chat board I would be lost. One other question- I am having my first colonoscopy in March, as I turned 50. I am alittle concerned the prep and the actual test could start spasms and flare. I will be medicated for test- but just wondered if anyone has done this and did it have any bladder effects. Thanks again for all your advice. Mary

[Sonat]

Hi there, again...:hi:
I had a colo a few weeks ago and it did slightly bother my bladder, but more from the 2 days of not being allowed to eat anything..
Whenever I do something like that, my body immediately starts dehydrating and I have to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes...
After the colo I did have a bit of urgency/frequency, but no pain, so I could live with it...