Exercising with IC...Help or hinderance?

[Maidy]

Hello, I've posted in here maybe once or twice before. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago after 6 months of torture and begging the doctor to test me for IC.

I am basically in remission. Over the last 6 months I've felt almost normal again. I still have bouts and flares, but I seem to get through them easier than that first horrible year. Stress is a major trigger too. Can't even tell you how many vacations I spent crying in the hotel room while hubby took my two beautiful girls to the beach alone because I was too sick and in too much pain to go.

Anyway, my question is really about exercise. I was very active before IC. I danced several nights a week and kayaked and cycled and walked. With the onset of IC, came the extreme pain in walking, and of course, the chronic fatigue from battling the pain and the frequent night visits to the bathroom.

I feel really out of shape and since I'm finally feeling so good, I want to get back into shape. I'm still the same size in clothes, but I notice I'm looking a little spongy. LOL! Also, since I turned 40 this past year, the Perimenopausal symptoms have been horrible. That makes the IC worse and vice versa. I can control the hormones I hope through being more physically fit.

So, I started an exercise routine with an ab roller, hand weights and a friend is giving me her elliptical machine. Well, I did the routine for two days, then did some biking and lots of walking and by the 4th day I was in intense pain. I had a major IC flare! I rested and took it easy and it gradually went away, but I want to start up again. I'm just scared.

Has anyone been able to exercise successfully with IC without causing problems? I'm hoping that exercising with increase the general health of my body and help to combat the IC as well.

Suggestions? Stories?

[kadi]

Hi Maidy,
Yes, I can exercise with IC, not like before IC, but I can exercise again & I think it's important to find a way to do it for all the other health benefits it brings. I figure I'm not just a giant bladder (though it felt that way for awhile) & I don't want to wind up with other health problems down the road because of inactivity.

Here's what I can do:

1. Yoga (started with ICN shop's video on yoga for IC & worked my way up to more challenging work, I do still avoid postures that bug my bladder though).

2. Walking (started with 10 min a day, now I'm doing a 45-60 min walk in the am & 15-20 min walk in the pm) I'm on summer break, though, so I have time to do that.

3. Elliptical Trainer: Set resistance low & don't do arms. But, my mom has IC too, & she can do arms. Started with 10 min, now up to 20-25 min.

4. Rowing machine: Set resistance low (started at setting 2, now up to setting 4). Started with 5 min, now up to 10 min. I usually do elliptical first, then rowing machine for about 30 min total

5. Physical therapy exercises for pelvic floor (Saw a PT for exercises to reduce pelvic floor dysfunction caused by the IC. When we've spent awhile cramped up because of the IC, the muscles around the bladder & in the pelvis can become a problem)

I can't do intense ab work, the ab roller you used would have sent me into full blown flare & I do have to choose my weight machines carefully (no adductor/abductor leg work for me). The treadmill bothered my bladder the last time I tried it, but my mom uses the treadmill all the time without problems. So, we're all different & have to find out by trial & error, I think.

The main thing to remember is that you've had a period of inactivity & your body is not the same as it was before IC, so start with a small amount of one activity at a time, do that for a few days, see if you're ok with it before adding a new one. Just like we can't add a bunch of new foods or new meds all at once & know which one made us flare, we need to try our exercise routines piece by piece to see what our bodies/IC will do well with. We have the rest of our lives to do this, so no need to rush, build slowly & steadily & you'll be back up to a good routine fairly soon...

I feel so much better when I work out (as light as it is compared to my pre-IC days)! I'm 39, so we're kind of in the same boat, I think.

Good luck! And let us know what works well for you:)

[sunny day]

Hi Maidy,

I went through several months with aphysical therapist including pelvic floor dysfunction. Since May I have remained as a wellness client instead of a patient. The therapist set up an exercise routine for me. I do the treadmill, a limited time on the elliptical machine, several weight machines and exercises on tne ball.I do wear an SI belt for exercising. The exercise helps me immensely. But if I feel pain during certain times of the month I stop or do a mini workout. The best part is the therapist is there to give me pointers. One thing I cannot do at all is the bike. It helps with my stress level. I also have lots of stretches she gave me to do at home. Not a lot of therapists know how to treat IC. I found a great one and she is a woman! She is definitely an angel in my life. I can't tell you how much better I feel since seeing her. Best of luck to you!

[Maidy]

Thanks for the encouragement Sunny! And thanks for all the tips and guidelines Kadi. That really helps. I think the ab exercises are what is causing my trouble. I did some yesterday again, and today I feel pain in walking again. I hate that! LOL!

I'm not concerned about getting flat abs. My two kids stretched out the skin too much that my abs will never be flat again. LOL! I just thought if the ab muscles were stronger, the back would be too and maybe it would help the IC.

I think I'll go very lightly on those for now and try the elliptical trainer with the settings you suggested.

Thanks so much guys! It's so nice to have a place to come to where others understand what you go through and how IC affects most all aspects of your life.