Running and the urge
I am a VSG vet from 10/10. I watch the posts but have never posted in all these years. I have been working with a PT since a year ago July. I am 51 and have lost 117 lbs. I am 5'8" and started at 267. So now I am training for a 1/2 marathon and am having trouble with doing the distance (now goal is 8 mil) w/o major GI distress with diarreah and bloody stoools after a long run. I am worried as this the first negative thing that I have encountered in my journey. Has anyone with VSG experienced this? I had a colonoscopy last week and I am clear. It took 2 hrs to recover from the distress today. I am bummed because I have found peace in running.
Are you eating/drinking something different before/during your long runs?
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
Are you eating/drinking something different before/during your long runs?
First ultra: Stone Mill 50 miler 11/15/14 13:44:38, First Full Marathon: Marine Corps 10/27/13 4:57:11, Half Marathon PR 2:04:43 at Shamrock VA Beach Half-Marathon, 12/2/12 First Half-Marathon 2:32:47, 5K PR Run Under the Lights 5K 27:23 on 11/23/13, 10K PR 52:53 Pike's Peek 10K 4/21/13, (1st timed run) Accumen 8K 51:09 10/14/12.
I did some research and found out that this can happen to long distance runners under certain conditions. It's called Exercise Associated Intestinal Ischemia. I was stupid. I was dehydrated, didn't eat, and it was hot and humid. When the body is over-exerted, the blood cannot get to all organs, so it goes to the ones that are stressed the most. Since the colon did not get enoigh blood, the mucus lining and some cells die causing an extreme urge to go and will come out as blood in the stool. I guess since VSG I thought I was Superwoman.
I had a colonoscopy last week and was declared "all clear". I did, however, contact the doctor today (I am waiting for him to call back).
So bottom line, don't screw around with what your body needs. I will never go running again without the fuel I need to survive.
Thanks,
T -Roy
First ultra: Stone Mill 50 miler 11/15/14 13:44:38, First Full Marathon: Marine Corps 10/27/13 4:57:11, Half Marathon PR 2:04:43 at Shamrock VA Beach Half-Marathon, 12/2/12 First Half-Marathon 2:32:47, 5K PR Run Under the Lights 5K 27:23 on 11/23/13, 10K PR 52:53 Pike's Peek 10K 4/21/13, (1st timed run) Accumen 8K 51:09 10/14/12.
I did some research and found out that this can happen to long distance runners under certain conditions. It's called Exercise Associated Intestinal Ischemia. I was stupid. I was dehydrated, didn't eat, and it was hot and humid. When the body is over-exerted, the blood cannot get to all organs, so it goes to the ones that are stressed the most. Since the colon did not get enoigh blood, the mucus lining and some cells die causing an extreme urge to go and will come out as blood in the stool. I guess since VSG I thought I was Superwoman.
I had a colonoscopy last week and was declared "all clear". I did, however, contact the doctor today (I am waiting for him to call back).
So bottom line, don't screw around with what your body needs. I will never go running again without the fuel I need to survive.
Thanks,
T -Roy
Water, water, water. You have to stay hydrated.
I did follow up with my Dr. and had a colonoscopy which showed...NOTHING. Which in a way was a relief and then finding out about the EI eschemia.
A lot of people have "runners trots" not just people with WLS. I just had to figure out my triggers and on bad days run my first mile, come back to my house and use the restroom and go back out. Now that I know it's "normal" it's not as distressing.
Most half and full marathons will have porta potties on the route.
My doctor called and said Yes, this can happen (with the blood) and he thinks I am fine. He said to make sure I empty the bowel, I am well-hydrated, cut back on my distance for a while to see if I can slowly build up the length of my run without this gut ischemia occurring again. I will try it, but I do not like the idea of this happening again. I will go back to my 5K make sure I am properly fueled and hope for the best. I do enjoy running.
Thanks,
T-Roy