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Weightlifting during flare

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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/19/2019 1:49 PM (GMT -7)
I have this bad habit during the start of my flares of avoiding all body movement and cutting back on my diet. I even start fasting. It's some kind of weird survival response... it's like becoming totally helpless. Well, this time I would like to change that. I decided to stop fasting and keep eating as much as possible, and I'd like to keep exercising.

My doctor told me today that during a flare, the main kind of exercise to avoid is cardio. Prior to this flare, I was weight lifting regularly, so my body was used to it... but in the past, I've never weigh lifted during an active flare because I've been worried it would do something to my immune system, or increase bleeding. I always waited for the bleeding to totally stop before I touched weights.

I started prednisone less than a week ago at a very low dose. Back then, my CRP was 95, which my MD said is very high. As of today, my prednisone got upped to 40mg. My MD said my body temp, blood pressure and heart rate are all normal.. no signs of fulmination. I'm having 8-10 bloody BMs per day. They vary from watery to pieces of stool in them. I've also lost about 10lbs already, partly because of not eating enough.

I'm wondering what other people's thoughts are about weight lifting during a flare? I would like to preserve body mass, if possible. The only obvious downside I can think of is that my bowels have rapid transit right now, so my absorption isn't that great... and I'm wondering how I'd build body mass.

This disease sucks but I am trying to stay hopeful.
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Serenity Now
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Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 2400
Posted 9/19/2019 2:37 PM (GMT -7)
When I was flaring - and note, I was not on prednisone, I think that might make a difference - I suspended cardio but did gentle things like Pilates and some very light weight-lifting. I did most of my same routine but just used lighter weights. Just to keep things going... not lose too much muscle though I did inevitably lose some. Then when back in remission I worked on getting back to my old level. This is just my non-expert input.
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MarkWithIBD
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Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/19/2019 5:17 PM (GMT -7)

Serenity Now said...
When I was flaring - and note, I was not on prednisone, I think that might make a difference - I suspended cardio but did gentle things like Pilates and some very light weight-lifting. I did most of my same routine but just used lighter weights. Just to keep things going... not lose too much muscle though I did inevitably lose some. Then when back in remission I worked on getting back to my old level. This is just my non-expert input.

Do you think pred could make a difference in a good or bad way?
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Rosiedays
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Joined : Jul 2017
Posts : 313
Posted 9/19/2019 5:37 PM (GMT -7)
I really thought the prednisone would make me want to run and lift again and I’m at three weeks now and haven’t started yet. I might just be too emotional and tired to right now.

My thoughts in regards to a flare were that I could hopefully maintain muscle mass and avoid losing. I told myself I would work harder or gently depending on how I felt in the day. Unfortunately all I’m working on is sleeping. I have been following a blog about a woman who runs like an athlete and she has UC. I’ve been living through her vicariously and I’ll post a link in this thread. She’s actually quite inspiring. I also follow a guy from Vancouver who lifts weights on Instagram. I used to lift regularly and coach runners for the Vancouver sun run. I don’t feel like I can do this any more, but it would be a good long term goal.
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Rosiedays
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Joined : Jul 2017
Posts : 313
Posted 9/19/2019 5:45 PM (GMT -7)
Flaredupfitness is the Instagram guy I follow and darn it! I can’t find the runner.

The runner makes running a priority, she runs indoors near a toilet when she is flaring, doesn’t get upset with herself about shorter easier runs and talks to her GI about supplements and gets blood tests often. Low iron effects my running.
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MarkWithIBD
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Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/19/2019 6:25 PM (GMT -7)
Sounds like it really depends on the person, then. Only way to know is for me to try.

In the past I've found that exercise takes all the heat in my bowel and distributes it to the rest of my body so things don't feel so cagey in my bowel. It doesn't really help the over all condition though.

One time I did this intense yoga class in the sun in the spring time and my flare went nutso after that. I have been afraid to try working out with a flare since then.
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Uniform Charlie
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Joined : Jul 2015
Posts : 1095
Posted 9/19/2019 6:43 PM (GMT -7)
Ease into it. Do 30% of your normal workout then work up from there. I think you should avoid high intensity type lifting sessions that take days to recover from.

I don't know where your doctor is coming from with saying no cardio. I can't see what difference it makes. Weight lifting is still "cardio" i.e. higher heart rate. Maybe running is too much impact? Bicycle could be a mechanical irritant as far as the seat I suppose. Why would low impact cardio be a problem?
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Rosiedays
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Joined : Jul 2017
Posts : 313
Posted 9/19/2019 6:55 PM (GMT -7)
I’m looking forward to how it goes Mark. I plan on going swimming on Monday. It’s a good stress relief.
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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/19/2019 7:32 PM (GMT -7)
Swimming is another thing I was considering.

The 30% tip is a good one. That's way less than I was planning!
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iPoop
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Posted 9/20/2019 5:07 AM (GMT -7)
You're not going to gain mass during a flare, best you can do is slow the weight loss. Exercising on prednisone is a good idea, reduces the bone wasting to have some light exercise. We also have higher blot clotting risks during flares and staying active and moving is highly recommended.

You will findout that you heal slower on pred, suppose you had a moderate workout one day, you'll wakeup the next morning feeling like you were hit by a train and had pushed yourself to your limits. You are still sore and achy and do not feel refreshed. So, most certainly lower your weight during lifts, and do less sets while on pred. We had a guy powerlifting on pred, and he tore a ligament off of the bone (painful). Prednisone weakens ligaments, so do not push yourself to the limits while on it. It did heal but was painful and a slow process.

I worked out during flares, the gym had a bathroom a short jog across the room, with multiple toilets. I ran over and used them a number of times. Certainly, some excercises can be uncomfortable during a flare, anything putting pressure on your lower abdomen, like ab crunches.
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UCinGV
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 499
Posted 9/20/2019 7:10 AM (GMT -7)
In my experience weight lifting helps me during a flare, or at least doesn't make things worse. I actively weight lifted more regularly when I was in flares. And unlike distance running, you can weight lift right next to the bathroom.

Cardio I don't think helped directly but regular cardio does reduce my stress level, which helps with flares.

I've figured maybe if my body is busy repairing and building up muscle tissue it would be too busy to attack my colon. But others have reported exercise making their flares worse. We all know how crazy and unpredictable this disease is.
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Rosiedays
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2017
Posts : 313
Posted 9/20/2019 7:37 AM (GMT -7)
I slept last night! smile it feels wonderful. I think I have to remember that even though my UC symptoms are improved my body is repairing itself. I did five minutes of yoga this morning , hard to get into the mind set that less is better than an all or nothing approach to exercise.
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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/20/2019 11:32 AM (GMT -7)

iPoop said...
You're not going to gain mass during a flare, best you can do is slow the weight loss. Exercising on prednisone is a good idea, reduces the bone wasting to have some light exercise. We also have higher blot clotting risks during flares and staying active and moving is highly recommended.

You will findout that you heal slower on pred, suppose you had a moderate workout one day, you'll wakeup the next morning feeling like you were hit by a train and had pushed yourself to your limits. You are still sore and achy and do not feel refreshed. So, most certainly lower your weight during lifts, and do less sets while on pred. We had a guy powerlifting on pred, and he tore a ligament off of the bone (painful). Prednisone weakens ligaments, so do not push yourself to the limits while on it. It did heal but was painful and a slow process.

I worked out during flares, the gym had a bathroom a short jog across the room, with multiple toilets. I ran over and used them a number of times. Certainly, some excercises can be uncomfortable during a flare, anything putting pressure on your lower abdomen, like ab crunches.

It might be slightly different in my case because I take DHEA and pregnenolone while I'm on prednisone. These are hormones that go offline while taking pred, which are responsible for wound healing and muscle development. I find that even if I sit around and do nothing, if I take DHEA I conserve muscle mass. But I'm still losing weight, which is why I need the gym.

I'm not concerned about ligaments breaking or anything as I don't power lift, but that's a really good caution to remember, thank you. I seem to recall that prednisone hinders collagen production, so that would explain the tendency for more soft tissue injuries!

Either way, I'm going to start at a reduced weight.

The weird thing is that I'm losing most of my mass from my mid-section, like around my waist, while my arms and chest still look relatively muscular. It's giving me a very weird shape.
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Serenity Now
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2009
Posts : 2400
Posted 9/20/2019 12:38 PM (GMT -7)
"The weird thing is that I'm losing most of my mass from my mid-section, like around my waist, while my arms and chest still look relatively muscular. It's giving me a very weird shape."

That would be a dream come true for me! ;) (sorry, I know that's not helpful but couldn't stop myself)
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16180
Posted 9/20/2019 1:46 PM (GMT -7)
I am sure it 'll feel good to exercise and do something about it! Take it easy, as I bet you'll feel pretty beat-up the day after the gym.

Usually pred takes mass from the extremities and settles it around the core. You're lucky.
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ASellers
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2017
Posts : 95
Posted 9/20/2019 6:56 PM (GMT -7)
Whatever you tolerate. I find exercise helpful, just was harder to motivate when sick. If you don’t already supplement protein that might be good with your plan. I drink protein powder with some amino acid mix and it’s good on my stomach but some people say it hurts theirs. You never know.
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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/20/2019 7:08 PM (GMT -7)
My ribs start showing really fast, then my spine, then my hip bones. I get grotesque looking.

I can understand why you'd think I'm lucky if you have the opposite problem... but it does affect my self-esteem. Not to mention if it gets bad enough I have problems walking.
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32546
Posted 9/21/2019 11:25 AM (GMT -7)
I suggest you not overdo just because of the state you're in UC-wise.

How aren you eating in general? Can take protein shakes? Boost has a pure protein powder you can mix in liquids that you can drink...
Take in enough carbs if you're exercising as well.


q
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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/21/2019 5:33 PM (GMT -7)
I can't drink boost because there are too many allergens in it. I'm currently looking for a dairy free protein powder... but a lot of the powders have gums added and I find they make me bleed. Also powders tend to be high in iron which is a big no-no during my flares for some reason.

Thanks for the tips quincy
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Vlight
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2019
Posts : 26
Posted 9/26/2019 8:34 AM (GMT -7)
I have small arms and very small forearms. I Get to normal size when I do weight exercises but I just can’t grow this past month. That was disappointing.
Cardio helps for me. Just walking. And no crunches.
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Sara14
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 6235
Posted 9/26/2019 8:45 AM (GMT -7)
I work out on prednisone (once I feel good enough to). All of the GIs I've ever said it's fine to exercise during a flare. I've never had a single one tell me I couldn't do cardio. They've all said if I feel good enough to exercise, to go for it. I don't work out when I'm having many symptoms because I don't feel well enough to. I have not noticed feeling more worn out the day after a work-out while on prednisone. If anything, it usually gives me a little bit of extra energy.
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Sara14
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Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 6235
Posted 9/26/2019 8:48 AM (GMT -7)

UCinGV said...


I've figured maybe if my body is busy repairing and building up muscle tissue it would be too busy to attack my colon. But others have reported exercise making their flares worse. We all know how crazy and unpredictable this disease is.

That would be awesome if it worked that way.
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