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Running Exacerbates Symptoms...?!


Lux

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Lux Explorer

Hi,

I was wondering - has anyone had the experience wherein running, or any kind of high impact exercise has actually exacerbated their symptoms? I know this sounds strange, but it seems that after I work out, I feel great for about three hours - and then my bloating seems to come back with a vengeance (worse than prior to getting on the treadmill!)

I am so baffled by this. Other forms of (low impact) exercise, such as walking and yoga, don't appear to have the same effect.

Mind you, I have really only experienced several days gluten free at a time since being diagnosed. But I am absolutely certain it was not due to a dietary mishap (at least not the first time I had a symptom relapse).

I thought I was being so careful.


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sickchick Community Regular

No you aren't imagining things that happens to me and I exercize every day.

I am not sure what the specifics are as to WHY it happens, but it does :blink::P

NorthernElf Enthusiast

Hmm, I don't have this problem but then maybe it depends on what your symptoms are ? Mine are usually the aches & pains (which exercise helps), the sinus issues, and headache. I do get gut cramping and some bathroom issues, but usually a delayed reaction. I could certainly see that if you are one of those folks who must seek out a bathroom immediately, it could be a problem !

For me, exercise HELPS considerably when I've been glutened...but I am very careful what I eat so most of my glutenings are miniscule or cross contamination. Oh, and I run in the early am, before I even eat.

  • 3 weeks later...
blishter Newbie

Maybe this could be related to the famous 'runner's runs'? I just read an article regarding a study where they found that probiotics helped with those sorts of symptoms.

I've noticed myself that I sometimes have soft stools when I've had an intense workout, and wondered if it could be related to the above mentioned runner's problem - and recently increased my intake of yogurt to see if there's a change.

  • 1 month later...
Guest hightop girl

I have that problem after almost all runs, but not bike rides or swims. GI cramping, the runs etc. , bloating, and water retention, as well as sinus congestion are the end result wen I have gluten, which still happens because I am very new to this. I figured I was still eating something around lunch time that was bothering me... although I have no idea what it could be.

Guest hightop girl

I wonder if running before eating in the morning would keep this from happening. I do find if I am already bloated the running helps, but if I am not, it seems to bring it on. Weird!

Guest hightop girl

I have been thinking about this one, because I thought it was just something odd about me. It was one of my first symptoms, and continues to annoy me. I talked to my sis the other day. She does not have celiacs, but runs a lot. She said it happens to her if she runs more than about 15 miles. It happens to me if I run around the block. So... while running and bloating I thought of a couple of things:

1) Could this just be the bodies normal reaction to the blood being shunted to the extremeties while running, only with us it is more pronounced.

2) The runner's runs is a fact of life for most runners. It seems we adapt to certain distances, but always a threat. That is also just a normal biological function that somehow the motion of the hip flexors encourages peristolsis. Of course, the pounding of the pavement moves everything along as well. Once again, could it be that our diets that lack fiber contribute?

Whew! now that I got that out, I can think about something else while I run! :P


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motif Contributor
Hi,

I was wondering - has anyone had the experience wherein running, or any kind of high impact exercise has actually exacerbated their symptoms? I know this sounds strange, but it seems that after I work out, I feel great for about three hours - and then my bloating seems to come back with a vengeance (worse than prior to getting on the treadmill!)

I am so baffled by this. Other forms of (low impact) exercise, such as walking and yoga, don't appear to have the same effect.

I have similar thing, only after run and like you few hours later I start to develop my symptoms.

Bloating, tingling and weakness in my case. None of these happens when swimming even long.

So it has to have something to do with that "jumping and hard landing" which is involved in running.

Guest hightop girl

the last few days I have cut out fruit too... that has really helped. I ran today and still needed to head to the bathroom after, but no bloating. I think it is easy to blame all the GI issues with our bodies on Gluten, but some amount of this is pretty normal for runners. Ever notice that the big marathon winners usually have a jacket wrapped around their waist. It isn't because their butts are cold. It is because they have the same issues and when big prize money is on the line they aren't going to stop just to visit the porta potty. TMI??? Running is jarring to the system. To be honest, because running naturally encourages the GI tract, I really think it speeds up the recovery after being glutened... but what do I know. I haven't done this for long, and have never been glutened and then not gone ahead and exercised. There have been times I probably should have stayed home, but I am way too obsessive.

billcorno Newbie

One of the reasons I got into running was because it shook up my system and I seemed to function better. "Gut geshuttelt" as the Germans say.

I had a problem with the Big C, things would just get stuck in there. If I ran, it came out sooner than later. When I went gluten-free, it was better, but I still had runners' runs, to a degree.

Now-a-days, I've healed enough so that I rarely get it (I think that's the reason.)

Oh, and the endorphins are another big plus for me. Free and legal high. What's not to want about it? (Except running shoes are getting more expensive.)

Not sure about the jacket for elite runners. I think they have the timing down pretty well, so that they're safe for their two+ hours. Me, I'm just past the 1/2 marathon!

the last few days I have cut out fruit too... that has really helped. I ran today and still needed to head to the bathroom after, but no bloating. I think it is easy to blame all the GI issues with our bodies on Gluten, but some amount of this is pretty normal for runners. Ever notice that the big marathon winners usually have a jacket wrapped around their waist. It isn't because their butts are cold. It is because they have the same issues and when big prize money is on the line they aren't going to stop just to visit the porta potty. TMI??? Running is jarring to the system. To be honest, because running naturally encourages the GI tract, I really think it speeds up the recovery after being glutened... but what do I know. I haven't done this for long, and have never been glutened and then not gone ahead and exercised. There have been times I probably should have stayed home, but I am way too obsessive.
  • 5 months later...
biomech-athlete Newbie

I have the same problems. I cannot eat anything for at least an hour before a workout because my stomach and GI get uncomfortable right afterward.

I have that problem after almost all runs, but not bike rides or swims. GI cramping, the runs etc. , bloating, and water retention, as well as sinus congestion are the end result wen I have gluten, which still happens because I am very new to this. I figured I was still eating something around lunch time that was bothering me... although I have no idea what it could be.

I think the reason a lot of us are having problems, especially with running, is that there is a lot more up and down motion with running than swimming or biking. I think the intestines jump around with the body's movement when impacting the ground. I started working out on an elliptical instead of a treadmill and and found I was able to longer and with less discomfort because of the lower impact and not as many jarring movements.

Happy Holly Apprentice

While working out, are you possibly drinking something that may have gluten in it?

There are several sports drinks that I cannot touch without getting sick.

Hi,

I was wondering - has anyone had the experience wherein running, or any kind of high impact exercise has actually exacerbated their symptoms? I know this sounds strange, but it seems that after I work out, I feel great for about three hours - and then my bloating seems to come back with a vengeance (worse than prior to getting on the treadmill!)

I am so baffled by this. Other forms of (low impact) exercise, such as walking and yoga, don't appear to have the same effect.

Mind you, I have really only experienced several days gluten free at a time since being diagnosed. But I am absolutely certain it was not due to a dietary mishap (at least not the first time I had a symptom relapse).

I thought I was being so careful.

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