Newbie

[ragdollscot]

I did my first week last week and boy did I struggle with my chest been to the doctor and he thinks it's my reflux so I am going to repeat it🙈😢 I have bought a treadmill Is it a good way to do this as well as outdoors and if so any tips xx

[Hidden]

I can't comment re treadmill. But I know a thing or two about living with reflux, having had to deal with it for at least the last 15 years.

Doctor will no doubt stick you on omeprazole and close the case. But there's loads you can do yourself.

I'd say 4 things are key.

1. Diet. Some foods will likely trigger it more than others. Only you can narrow it down because it's different for everyone. Spicy food is supposed to be a no no but that doesn't trigger me. For me it's sunflower oil, refined flour based stuff like white bread and pasta, and cheese. I can have all of those things, but in small measures.

2. Exercise. You're already on with that. Exercise speeds up the metabolism so things hang around for less time.

3. Hydration. Lots to drink, dilutes stomach acid, rinses out the oesophagus, and keeps everything moving.

4. Timing. Whatever you're going to eat, it's best to do so with smaller portions buy more often rather than bigger portions less often. Never be full, and while running while hungry is not good, avoid eating if possible less than 2 hours before a run. Then there's less splashing about in your stomach as you run.

[ragdollscot Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Been on omeprazole now on lansoprazole as have had gerd for years am trying not to eat for 2 hours before and it is helping an on a healthy eating drive to so hopefully all will settle down thanks for your reply xxxx

[Hidden in reply to ragdollscot]

On your healthy eating drive, while that's clearly a good thing, what they don't tell us us that it's best to change diet slowly rather than big changes suddenly. Our digestive systems need time to adapt, otherwise all sorts of gastrointestinal upsets can happen.

[davelinks Graduate]

Use to get heartburn badly after meals especially when I went back to work after lunch and had to bend down to work on something. Have been on Omeprazole for years and don't get anything now, can virtually eat what I want without worrying too much about diet. Medication can make you windy with the farts though 😁 have no problems when running if only making a few noises😁 but no pain at all.. GERD is one big pain but Omeprazole helps massively!😊

Have never used a treadmill except for gait analysis, it's way better to get out and run in the big outdoors. But c25k can be done OK on the machine, a lot do it, but the transition going from treadmill to road is a little harder so I've heard, set the incline on the machine to 1% to replicate running outside.😊

[ragdollscot Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Have been on the medication for a couple of years but my diet hasn't been good so trying to control it with that and the running hopefully it will settle xx

[Hidden in reply to davelinks]

Both omeprazole and lanzoprazole both give me terrible side effects. Basically on a good day, I'd merely feel sick and dizzy and weak. On a bad day I'd feel like I was being repeatedly stabbed.

I'm OK with ranitidine which works in a slightly different way, but these days I hardly ever take anything. I keep a bottle of gaviscon handy just in case I get one of my now rare attacks but I rarely need it.

I don't feel like I have a restrictive diet. Sure there are things that set me off sometimes but it's mostly stuff I should be limiting anyway.

[ragdollscot Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Maybe I should speak to the doctor I get the stabbing feeling not the sick feeling though I do often feel weak x

[Hidden in reply to ragdollscot]

Yep. Don't just accept side effects. There are several medicines that achieve the same results. It's just about finding the right one for you.

[davelinks Graduate]

Hope that works for you..

[Sarahwee]

I'm really impressed. It would have been so easy to give up on 'medical grounds' but you didn't. You bought a treadmill instead!! Good for you!! 👍😃

I run outdoors but the other day I had to use a treadmill due to work location and time restraints. I ran further on the treadmill and found it slightly easier but it meant I could still do my run.

However you do it you're doing it. Awesome!! 😁😁

[ragdollscot Graduate in reply to Sarahwee]

Thank you I went out for a run last night intending to repeat week 1 and made a mistake pressed week 2 and I did it it was hard but I did it so chuffed with myself thanks for your support xx

[ragdollscot Graduate]

Haven't tried the treadmill yet it was too nice a day to do it inside last night but it's here for days I can't get out xx

[foreverendeavour]

Treadmills are much easier as you just have to pick your feet up and put them down again on the moving belt, you're not actually propelling yourself along. Also there's no wind resistance. I'm only a beginner (week 5) but I think treadmills are cheating!

[ragdollscot Graduate in reply to foreverendeavour]

Oh well better than sitting on the couch though and I got it for the times I can't get out so at least I'm doing something haven't done it in it yet as I have been able to get outside x

[foreverendeavour]

Gosh sorry I hope you didn't think I was criticising! I think it came out wrong, so sorry! Yes of course a treadmill is great exercise, you only have to go to a gym and see all the fit bodies pounding them to prove that! But I remember years ago I used to go to the gym and use the treadmills and thought I was reasonably fit, then went running outdoors one day and really struggled! My friend who is a triathlete told me about the treadmill being easier. Have fun getting fit - it's hard, but the rewards for half a hour of exertion are so encouraging!

[ragdollscot Graduate in reply to foreverendeavour]

Ha ha don't be silly where I live is perfect to go outdoors but I wouldn't do it myself or if it was dark I'm a wimp ha ha so I thought it was good to have so as there's no excuse been out again tonight weather has been fab thank goodness xx

[foreverendeavour]

Crack on and good luck! The pain is real but the reward is worth it!