Can anyone run?

[Cellis]

One thing I'm learning about IC is that everyone's body is different and everyone's case is different. However, one thing everyone seems to agree upon is that running irritates IC.

I just started PT two weeks ago and I was heartbroken when my physical therapist told me I had to stop running. I love running, and it has actually been one thing that has brought me relief! After sitting in the office all day running is great relief, even when I'm having a flare. I could be feeling SO sick with my bladder but then I start running and it all goes away. Am I nuts? Is there anyone else out there that has experienced this? I'm thinking it might just be the whole distraction aspect of it, but I'm always amazed when I start out and the discomfort goes away.

The fact that it brings me relief made my therapist second guess herself a little bit and now she has changed it to giving up running while I'm in therapy over the next 5 weeks. She basically said the muscles in my legs were too toned/tight and that we need to give them a chance to loosen up while I'm in PT. I think the bigger culprit was all the strength training I was doing for my legs. I immediately stopped doing the inductor/adductor machines since those seem to be a big no-no according to this site. I've stopped doing all strength training for my legs until therapy is over.

I've also learned that ab exercises are terrible for my IC. I was taking a difficult mat-based Pilates class that now I realize was lined up perfectly with the start of some of my worst flares. I stopped that but continued with ab exercises and I'm finding that they really aggravate my symptoms. I suppose I'll have to find some sort of workaround or way to safely tone without making myself sick.

Finally, I just want to add that hot yoga is amazing! I am so happy that's one thing I haven't had to give up. I love it and it's great because I get my mandatory stretching in for PT. The heat in the room also feels great on my muscles.

[omarito]

i think u should listen to ur physician in letting running for a while, until treatment is over, but i think u should try again afterwards, i think u can fight better when u feel better, i believe it is a marvellous thing to like sports,
hope u feel better soon

[born2swim]

No I can't run!!! (sobbing over here). I was training for my first half-marathon when my IC symptoms started (pain and horrendous urgency). Running is thus far the worst thing I can do to my bladder and I doubt I will ever try again (if I get better, why rock the boat right?).

Since starting Lyrica (I didn't tolerate neurontin), I am doing better and lifting weights doesn't bother me (even some leg exercises and mild ab workout). I cannot do some movements, so I am a little restricted, but I have lifted weights the last 2 days and am doing just fine bladder wise! I am not normal, but to be active again is a miracle to me (it's been over year... I even had a handicap parking pass because walking would send me into a flare). Walking too much (say 20 minutes or something) will bother my bladder, but it doesn't send me into a 2 day flare anymore. It will irritate things for a few hours after and so I just drink my water and rest after walking too much. (I did about 4 hours of shopping the other day and wasn't in terrible shape... like I was when I tried Christmas shopping)!

So... things do get better. We want an immediate improvement, but have patience and try meds until you find what works for you. The bladder combo I am on right now involves singulair, lyrica, and sanctura. It seems to be working alright for me! I hope the lyrica continues to calm down my bladder! I just upped the dose to 150 2x/day.

[ICNDonna]

I can't run more than a little bit. I have to stick with smooth exercises.

Donna

[Cellis]

Thanks to everyone for your helpful replies.

@ omarito: Yes- it's been hard for my to listen to my physical therapist and stop all together but I really want to give PT a fair chance so I'm committing to everything she's told me to do. She did say that I can reintroduce it slowly toward the end of my treatment so I'm very optimistic about it.

@Alyssa: I'm sorry to hear you've had to give up running too. I definitely feel like I'm in the minority since it doesn't bother me, but apparently it is affecting my pelvic floor muscles, which is why my therapist had me stop. Other things like certain foods and not drinking enough water are my major triggers. (Oh and abdominal excercises as I mentioned.) I'm really trying to take a holisitic approach and I'm not taking any medicines. My case isn't as severe as others (unless I'm having a flare and then I have bad pain/discomfort)- it's more of a nuisance so I'm trying these other lifestyle changes first.

@ Donna: Thanks for your input as well. This certainly takes some getting used to, but it's great to have a resource like this forum to help educate me and learn from others' experiences.

[I C Hope]

I love to run. It's a great way to release natural pain relieving endorphins. Anybody that runs and reaches the 'runner's high' know how great that feeling is.

I don't see how being tone in your legs makes a difference in PT. I can see 'what' you do to get tone can strain the bladder and it's surroundings. I wonder how long the effects of PT last, if they work, after treatment?

You know the old saying 'exercise never killed anybody'.

Best
Amy

[glassd18]

I try running a little, but it jars my bladder too much. I do walk for 40 minutes when I'm having a good day, and pray I don't have to go, but I'm usually getting pressure half way through so it's hard to find joy in it.

I've been thinking of aquiring an eliptical (sp?) as it is low impact, and works the muscles, but I would hate to invest in something that I don't know would help or hurt so I think going to a gym and using one there a few times first would be the smart way to go.

I think a treadmill would be easier too as I can always get off it and go potty when I need to because when your outside, and that gotta go comes on...

My fitness level has gone down terribly since this disease really kicked off in January of 2006, and I have been trying to get the get up and go to start a regime, but it's not easy, but I know it would be beneficial. I suffer mostly from frequency, pressure/pain, urgency sometimes, and hesitancy.

Good luck!!

[gopher7895]

I had to give up running since my IC diagnosis a year ago. My doctor told me to stop for a while to give my body a chance to heal. I knew running bothered my bladder but I felt it helped me in so many other ways I wasn't willing to stop. I miss it a lot and still have hope I'll be back running again in the future. For now I walk on my treadmill as often as I can. I do yoga too.

[JKL]

I can't run...it aggravates my IC. Any physical exercise that involves bouncing around fast, I cannot do.

Also, I have asthma and the big boobies gene (OUCH). ;) hehe

[jessied]

I run for 30 minutes every night. It hasnt seemed to bother me any

[Quinn24]

I also can run any distance without any bladder pain. Treadmills don't bother me either. The only time I cannot run is when I am in a flare, but then again I can't really walk then either but I guess I am lucky that on a day to day basis I am okay. This maybe due to the meds I take everyday that is making running doable (okay, is that a word??)..:loco:

[LuvMaui]

I don't run, but I love to hike.

Unfortunately I think my current flare was caused by my hiking. I won't stop hiking, but I will take things a bit slower.

[Aerobicho]

i am an aerobic teacher and i have really been battling with this question. i used to run alot. and since i seem to have come out of remission, i am noticed that running ( thats my me time) caused sooo much pelvic pressure and it took 2 days, a hot bath and some seriouse palpatations to get it to release. i lost 40 pounds when i was in remission and now i deal with the fear that those pounds will come back on without running. i have stopped for now but i do elliptical and cycle ( both at the gym) and havent had that major flare again. it was such a bad flare that i'm scared to even attempt it. Has anyone ever heard of Chi Running? someone at the gym was telling me about it. i looked it up online but was right expensive.

[born2swim]

Yeah, running is horrible on my bladder (probably one of the worst experiences my bladder can go through!). I don't think I will ever be able to run again. Since my IC diagnosis, I have gained 100 pounds. That was just over a year ago. Sickening, I know. Exercise is CRUCIAL for me and losing weight. Also, the IC diet royally sucks and that contributed as well. I can't even do ellipse machine or bike... but I am not in "remission", so hopefully one day, I can do cardio sufficiently. I was able to swim a bit though!

Chi running... never heard of it!

[marymove]

I LOVE to run and it actually seems to help my IC. I ran the Chicago Marathon in Oct. with no bad side effects,at least bladder wise. I will say one thing-I don't run when I am flaring. I just walk.Ever since going on Elavil, running is absolutely no problem!!

[Angeles]

How about long walks semi fast paced walks instead? is that possible?
(considering having vulvodyinia as well) anyone?

[JKL]

How about long walks semi fast paced walks instead? is that possible?
(considering having vulvodyinia as well) anyone?

Walks like that cause no problems for me. : )

[born2swim]

How about long walks semi fast paced walks instead? is that possible?
(considering having vulvodyinia as well) anyone?


I can't do fast paced walks either. Too much bounce for me :( I can swim though, so I plan to pick that up as a routine (just can't swim too fast or zealous).