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Pasta, Exercise, And Pain

Trapp

By Trapp
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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Trapp Newbie
Trapp
Posted

I've been gluten free for almost a year now. When I first started experiencing symptoms (extreme stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, constipation...the works!) I was working out (running and Pilates) about 3x a week, and I always noticed that my symptoms were way worse while exercising. Since I've been diagnosed around a year ago, I've been very lax about exercise (classical conditioning, anyone?) Recently I decided to get back on the horse and train for an upcoming marathon. Unfortunately, I am once again experiencing pain during or after training. As you can imagine this is seriously inconvenient and upsetting. Has anyone else had similar problems with exercising? (My doc think I'm crazy and says there's no correlation, but the pain is too similar to when I've accidentally eaten gluten to believe her).

On another note, has anyone experienced severe stomach pain from gluten-free pasta? I had been eating le Venziene ;(100% corn) for about 5 mos before I started getting severe cramps afterward that would last for hours. Since then I've tried various brands and ingredient combos (rice, rice+corn, quinoa, and combos of various ingredients) and keep getting the same pain. Does anyone else have the same problem?? I really don't want to have to give up my pasta :(

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Celiac Mindwarp Community Regular
Celiac Mindwarp
Posted

Could the pasta thing be cross contamination? An old gluteny sieve, spoon or pan? Seems most likely if all types of gluten-free pasta do it. Or maybe it is the sauce not the pasta. Or old condiments. Or an old plastic drink bottle. The only other thing I can think is that other grains are giving you a problem.

Can't help on the exercise, sorry.

Good luck, I hope you get to the bottom of it

eers03 Explorer
eers03
Posted

Freaking right, I have the same problem!!!  I have never been a marathon runner but pre-diagnosis last summer I would put in 6 miles per day 4 times per week and at some point take my hybrid trek out for a 26 miler.  My workouts are partly how I figured out I'm celiac because I wasn't recovering the way I should from a workout.

 

I, like you, have opted to be more lax in the last year.  When I tried to run early summer or spring at two miles in I would get shooting pain in my feet.  Earlier than that, I was getting shooting pains in my shoulders and back.  As I gained my weight back, those things became much milder.  So now, I ran twice last week.  No more than 2 miles of hill trail (West Virginia) and everything seemed fine.  Then, two days post run I'm walking through the grocery store in my Nikes and POW!  Plantar Fasciitis moment.  NOOOOOOOOO!  Its feeling better now but those odd nuances never occurred before.

 

Celiac can create some inflammation that can manifest in various places...  Obviously our intestines and for some in their joints...  For some like me, bone density drops some and you get achey in general...  What is inflammation also hard on???  Our tendons...  If you are a runner, BOOM, there it is...  As far as some of your "symptoms" that are similar to when you've been glutened...

 

You can be cramping abdominally from dehydration...  Your muscles CAN be cramping from your potassium levels being too low...  Your bones CAN ache because they are calcium depleted from years of malabsorption.

 

Also, perfectly HEALTHY runners often have to make extra trips to the bathroom after a workout for a #2.  I mean big time.

 

So what do I suggest?  Rome wasn't built overnight and neither will your recovery.  Instead of starting back by training for a marathon...  What about a 5k or 10K or a tri?  With a tri you get the brief run, swim/row, bike?  If you do the 5K, train to make it a FAST 5K.  You're getting the intensity that way without all the extra pounding that comes with endurance running.  I just think training for a marathon right now, may be a little aggressive if your body is pushing back so hard.

 

Its frustrating as can be.  I'm with you...

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

What's on that pasta?  Butter?  Spaghetti Sauce?  Alfredo sauce?  Olive oil?  Besides, possible cross contamination, you could be having problems (intolerances)  with:

 

  • Dairy/Milk
  • Tomatoes
  • Garlic 
  • Mushrooms

 

Can't help you about the pain, especially since it affects your intestinal tract.  Maybe you need more time to heal.  Going for a marathon is a tough challenge.  I'm skipping out on an annual Century ride due to a fractured vertebrae (complications of celiac disease).  Try swimming instead.  It's even gentle on your intestinal tract.   Eers has some good suggestions.   Let your body heal.  You'll have time to do marathons later.  

Lock Newbie
Lock
Posted

I just found out I've been walking around on a broken foot for two months. I'm in a lot of pain. The doctor is sending me for a bone scan. Seriously, is extreme exercise worth the risk? I realize some people have a devotion to it, but if your motivation is health and fitness, there is some research that puts doubt that hard exercise is really that healthy for you. Running causes damage to feet and joints. Walking is much safer. The artery damage that causes heart attacks is not really connected to exercise but there is a widely held myth that it is. We are bombarded with messages that exercise equals heart health, more is better, but if you dig into the scientific studies, the truth is that only hold to a point. If you are a complete couch potato, you will benefit from exercise, but it is not a linear relationship. The benefit declines the more intense the exercise until it gets to the point you are at very high risk of injury with little or not extra heart health benefit. Far more important is to heal your digestion and consume the right nurtrients to prevent cardiovascular damage. However, if you want the buff look, training is necessary. There is swimming, rebounding, braces for weak joints, and so forth, to try to prevent injury.

 

Forgive my rant, I am not really objective right now because of my foot, I feel like I need to warn everybody else because of what I did. I only hit it and had a bruise, and didn't even think to go get it x-rayed. Now the damage is much worse because I didn't get it treated immediately. It's possible celiac has weakened my bones, I think all celiac/gluten sensitive people need to be very aware of sport injury risk.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

I just found out I've been walking around on a broken foot for two months. I'm in a lot of pain. The doctor is sending me for a bone scan. Seriously, is extreme exercise worth the risk? I realize some people have a devotion to it, but if your motivation is health and fitness, there is some research that puts doubt that hard exercise is really that healthy for you. Running causes damage to feet and joints. Walking is much safer. The artery damage that causes heart attacks is not really connected to exercise but there is a widely held myth that it is. We are bombarded with messages that exercise equals heart health, more is better, but if you dig into the scientific studies, the truth is that only hold to a point. If you are a complete couch potato, you will benefit from exercise, but it is not a linear relationship. The benefit declines the more intense the exercise until it gets to the point you are at very high risk of injury with little or not extra heart health benefit. Far more important is to heal your digestion and consume the right nurtrients to prevent cardiovascular damage. However, if you want the buff look, training is necessary. There is swimming, rebounding, braces for weak joints, and so forth, to try to prevent injury.

 

Forgive my rant, I am not really objective right now because of my foot, I feel like I need to warn everybody else because of what I did. I only hit it and had a bruise, and didn't even think to go get it x-rayed. Now the damage is much worse because I didn't get it treated immediately. It's possible celiac has weakened my bones, I think all celiac/gluten sensitive people need to be very aware of sport injury risk.

I'm so sorry to hear about your foot.  I fractured a vertebrae 10 weeks ago doing NOTHING!  My bone scan show osteopenia, but they didn't scan the thoracic area of my back, just the lumbar (lower).  I'm pretty sure that area has osteoporosis.  Anyway, I'm taking more calcium and hopefully I'll be able to build up.

 

I was a runner.  Ran my last 1/2 marathon at 50 while anemic.  After that, I couldn't even ride my bike because of the anemia.  Now, the anemia has resolved but I don't want risk another fracture.  I'm just walking and swimming (still can't do free style yet  :( )

 

My fracture was the worst thing that's happened to me so far.  I feel so depressed about having to give up my two favorite sports.  I was the "tortoise" who plodded along with my dog so I wasn't a crazy athlete.

 

Giving up gluten wasn't that bad since my husband's been gluten-free for 12 years.  I am bummed that I'm having to cook ALL THE TIME because of my new fear of being glutened (my last accidental glutening was severe).  But that still  is not as bad as giving up my bike and runs.  But, then again, it's not worth the risk!  I just have to find other ways to have fun!  (I just picked up a new shirt to wear for hiking!)

 

I hope your foot heals quickly.  Keep us posted on your bone scan.  

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