How to deal with a Crohn’s flare up?

Injury/Nutrition

5 years ago 10/10/2018 4:13pm EDT

Hello let’s run. I’m currently going through a Crohn’s flare up and it’s made me so weak as I haven’t been able to complete any workout the entire year and I have not been able to hold much food down as I’m constantly vomiting and I’ve had really really poor results this year because of it with a 19:04 5K and 2 8K DNFs (my PRs are 16:55 in the 5K and 26:48 in the 8K) so I’ve shut down my XC season. Is there anything I could do to stay in at least decent shape so I can compete well in indoor? This is my last year of college so I don’t want to go out like this.

5 years ago 10/10/2018 4:31pm EDT

re: Crohnsrunner1997

Do you take medication regularly? I was only diagnosed a year ago, but at the time it was very hard to run due to stomach pain. Now that I have a good prescription my flareups last a day at max and occur infrequently.

5 years ago 10/10/2018 5:46pm EDT

re: CrohnsRunner1996

CrohnsRunner1996 wrote:
Do you take medication regularly? I was only diagnosed a year ago, but at the time it was very hard to run due to stomach pain. Now that I have a good prescription my flareups last a day at max and occur infrequently.

I do regularly take my medication, but I've gotten into a horrible flareup thats just stopping me in my tracks.

5 years ago 10/10/2018 6:42pm EDT

re: Crohnsrunner1997

Was diagnosed almost 10 years ago, been running for about 6 of those years. 24yo now. Sorry to hear you're having a tough time. It can be a really brutal disease.

Make sure your treatment is in order. I've been in remission for about 6 years, around since the time I started running. My Crohn's doctor is a lifelong marathon runner, so I suppose that's helped. After I got through puberty we figured out the right dosage and since then my condition has stabilized. No flare-ups or emergency room anymore. Just lots of PR's (though I'm not quite as fast as you... my 5k is mid-17).

It's all about being on the right medication and the right dosage. Sounds like you're growing and from my understanding it's normal for us to have to adjust our treatment when that happens. Hang in there, have a serious conversation with your doctor and get this sorted out sooner rather than later. After you figure it out you'll be back for sure!

5 years ago 10/10/2018 11:31pm EDT

re: Crohnsrunner1994

Wear a diaper under your split shorts?

5 years ago 10/11/2018 1:22am EDT

re: Poopies away

You should try running 100 mile weeks, that should fix it

5 years ago 10/11/2018 7:22am EDT

re: Crohnsrunner1997

Crohn's sucks. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago and was immediately put on Remicade which is a total game changer; I have run 12 marathons since then and lots of shorter races (I haven't PR'd with that many marathons obviously but the point is, I feel great, other than stomach discomfort a couple times per week but nothing I can't run through.) Remicade usually costs $4000 every month but I live in Canada so it's free. Is there any way you could get funding for something like that? Humira works for a couple of friends of mine too.

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How to deal with a Crohn’s flare up?

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