Forums:
I need some advice from those of you who have been in treatment for a while. I am wanting to get some exercise, preferrably walking, but whenever I try to walk at a normal pace for even just a few minutes, my bladder pain goes way up. For instance, I walked in my neighborhood for a few minutes this morning, and had to come home and lay down with a hot pack for 30 minutes until things calmed down enough to stand up. Then it took another couple hours before I felt almost back to normal (right now my normal is level 4 pain).
Now, my neighborhood is very hilly, and when I walk out my door, I have to go up hill before I can go down hill and I know this is part of the problem because I can go to the mall and walk (flat surface) and the pain stays under control as long as I walk slowly. But driving also causes me pain, so I can't drive to somewhere flat and walk everyday.
We have a fitness center that is literally a three-minute drive away. Do you think walking on a treadmill is a good idea? In the past, before my IC got out of control and I was still on the Western meds, the treadmill wasn't my favorite way to walk and I felt like it made my bladder feel a little worse as compared to walking on the road. But I'm pretty desperate to get moving, and I'm wondering if that is my best alternative. Any ideas?
By the way, bending, stretching, and sitting still cause me discomfort, so I don't know if I can even do yoga. I've been pretty stationary for three years (before that I was very active) and my muscles are weak. I have muscle soreness almost everyday (die-off related).
I had a call with Dr. B last week, and my protocol is shifting from cleaning to more of a strengthening and tonifying dose, which is encouraging. But my dose has been radically changed, and we are still tweaking it to get me back on track from a recent flare. Any advice and/or encouragement is appreciated. Also, if any of you can relate to what I'm experiencing, I would love to hear about it.
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa! So glad to hear that
Hi Lisa! So glad to hear that your pain levels are coming down and having the ability to get up and moving a little more. This is fantastic!:) I hear you on switching protocols often trying to get flares under control.
As for exercising Imwoukd think the treadmill would be a good place to sart even surface, shock absorption, and can set your pace. As far as strtching and yoga goes, maybe trying to modify the poses or stretches in your pain free range of motion, whater range that maybe. I think the movement will help with helping push some of the die-off out of your lymph, amd hooefully help a bit! Yes, hills and stairs definitely increase my pelvic pain, too much stress I suppose on the whole area?! I also have trouble with my L hip and knee which limits walking any distance.
Not sure if any of that was helpful, but so glad to hear pain levels are coming down! Keep up all the hard work!:)
Hi Lisa! I'm glad that you
Hi Lisa! I'm glad that you are slowly improving! When I was first in treatment, walking/moving was completely out of the question. But when I actually could walk some, I felt that it did help my pain levels (on a flat surface). Hills are still iffy for me, but not totally awful. I still prefer to walk on flat surfaces. I would think that a treadmill would be similar to this, but perhaps taking it slow at first is best just to be sure. If you can't walk in your neighborhood due to hills, how about walking around your house (inside) or maybe your backyard? Before I took to walking outside, I did a lot of walking and pacing inside my house. Maybe that could help?? I do feel walking helps me a lot! ..even if just to feel "normal" when I'm feeling a bit crumby.
Hi Lisa Ann!
Hi Lisa Ann!
I am so excited for you that your protocol is changing and you are ready to move! How is dancing in your livingroom?
I am studing biomechanics and aligment a lot in the past few years so I have a strong bias against treadmills. Because the ground is moving under you, it encourages you to "fall" into your step, using your quads and knees, rather than "pushing off" with your glutes and hamstrings" ( a natural gait). Also, it shortens the hip flexors which I think stresses the pelvic floor muscles. The stationary bike also shortens the hip flexors (because you are sitting down) which is not great for the pelvic floor. That is all a bit academic and I know you want to move. So maybe if you are very conservative with the treadmill and stretch your psoas/hip flexors and quads after you walk, that would be a place to start until you can get out and walk more.
Is there anywere near you where you could do a very short, flat walk? Then at least you could do two of those a day, divided up?
Also, Leslie Sansome has "walk at home" program and you can get her walk 1, 2, and 3 miles in your livingroom series for free on YouTube. I have often used these when I could not walk outside because I am taking care of the kids and they don't feel like going on a walk (although I do drag them with me sometimes!) Check out her one mile "flat" livingroom walk. I know you want to get outside too but thought I would mention Leslie Sansome-her stuff is not bad.
I agree that this is gently moving the lymph and that is probably good and I trust that you will be able to build up to longer and hill walks.
Also consider starting with a 5 minute walk, 2 times a day (like an herb dose!) and work up to a half hour over a period of weeks.
If we don't excel at health, the only other option is disease.
Thanks so much, ladies, for
Thanks so much, ladies, for your great replies! I am feeling very encouraged!
There is a small stretch of our neighborhood that is a little more flat that I can try. Mimi, I will definitely check out the youtube videos you mentioned. I had a feeling that the treadmill was maybe not the best idea for me.
Speaking of having good alignment, for years I have had to sit a little sideways with one foot propped up under my leg (don't know if you can picture this), and I know it's not good for my posture, but it hurts a lot to sit normally sometimes. Another interesting thing is that almost daily and at times several times a day, I find my spine adjusting itself. I used to go to the chiropractor regularly so I know what it feels like. I think it is so amazing that the herbs and everything else make my spine get into alignment without someone physically adjusting it!
You guys are such great support system. I just can't say enough how good it is to have you all walking along side me on this path. You're the best!
Very Sincerely,
Lisa
One more thing I just have to
One more thing I just have to say. Knowing that you guys are experiencing the same things I am in regards to movement, even a couple years into treatment, really helps me. Sometimes I feel so isolated and alone in this, and feel like it is taking forever. I know it's really not, but you know how it is. Sometimes I feel really strong, and sometimes really weak emotionally. You all made me feel stronger with your replies, so thank you!
Lisa
When I first noticed IC I
When I first noticed IC I couldn't walk across the room without it feeling like a knife was being stuck up my bladder. And now I walk for hours with no pain. It has been a year. I didn't exercise until it didn't hurt so much because I didn't want to irritate mybladder. I understand but believe me it will get better. Follow the protocol and soon you will be able to walk without the pain. I do still keep my eye out for restrooms as I walk since when the urine builds up the pressure can start pain...Hope this helps...Julie
When I first noticed IC I
When I first noticed IC I couldn't walk across the room without it feeling like a knife was being stuck up my bladder. And now I walk for hours with no pain. It has been a year. I didn't exercise until it didn't hurt so much because I didn't want to irritate mybladder. I understand but believe me it will get better. Follow the protocol and soon you will be able to walk without the pain. I do still keep my eye out for restrooms as I walk since when the urine builds up the pressure can start pain...Hope this helps...Julie
When I first noticed IC I
When I first noticed IC I couldn't walk across the room without it feeling like a knife was being stuck up my bladder. And now I walk for hours with no pain. It has been a year. I didn't exercise until it didn't hurt so much because I didn't want to irritate mybladder. I understand but believe me it will get better. Follow the protocol and soon you will be able to walk without the pain. I do still keep my eye out for restrooms as I walk since when the urine builds up the pressure can start pain...Hope this helps...Julie