Exercise!! Absoloute bull#%^*: Hi, I was... - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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Exercise!! Absoloute bull#%^*

CS32 profile image
CS32
37 Replies

Hi,

I was advised that exercise would help with Endo pain (I used to stop exercising once I felt the first twinge coming on) I've done as advised, to continue exercising, yesterday and I am suffering so badly today. It hurts so much and my next dose of pain relief isn't for another 2hours.

This absolutely sucks and is not fair. I feel a hormonal wreck and very sorry for myself 😥

Endometriosis is horrid.

CS

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CS32
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37 Replies
AllthatGlitters profile image
AllthatGlitters

You are right it’s awful. I hope you start to feel better soon x

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to AllthatGlitters

Thank you. X

Pureunicorn profile image
Pureunicorn

Hi, sorry to hear your in so much pain, I'm the same I'm not the most fittest person but even doing too much walking can make it worse! I'm a TA so walking around and then having to sit on small chairs can really upset my endo, I'm stage 4 and on ibuprofen, paracetamol and tramadol but sometimes that doesn't even help! I've had a bad night after managing to do nearly a full week at work, but really suffering for that now 😫 sorry I dont have any answers for you but I hope just knowing your not alone will be of some help/ comfort x

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Pureunicorn

Thank you for your reply. It's so sad but reassuring to know I'm not alone. What a horrible condition it really is. X

Faybee87 profile image
Faybee87

Have you tried yoga? I find it really helpful to manage my symptoms and find it really helps with loosening all of the tight muscles, I suffer a lot with hip and leg pain from endo and it feels so good after yoga!

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Faybee87

Thank you for your message, I haven't tried Yoga yet. Perhaps I could give it ago. Cardio is a def no no. X

Faybee87 profile image
Faybee87 in reply to CS32

I feel your pain! I used to run a lot and it breaks my heart that I've got to a point where I can't do that anymore, but I feel like the yoga is good for my body and mind, it's something I know will feel good and doesn't feel like exercise in the traditional sense. My hope for myself is that it gets me to a place where I can run again, but if that's not the case, i'm more than happy to just keep coming to my mat. Adriene Mishler on YouTube is fabulous if you do decide to give it a try xx

princessk09 profile image
princessk09

Sometimes we just have to listen to our bodies and not push anything. Everyone is different when it comes to endo pain and what triggers it. I love exercising and have been weight training for years and doesn’t affect me too much, just get the occasional twinge.

Yoga and Pilates is supposed to be helpful for endo as it is relaxing and doesn’t cause pressure on the body or swimming may help. xx

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to princessk09

Thank you for your message. You're right, we are all different and I guess it's a matter of trial and error. I'm certainly going to give Yoga a try x

Lily1986 profile image
Lily1986

I know exactly how you feel! Everyone always says exercise makes the pain easier, it is usually people without endometriosis or any clue as to the pain it causes that give this advice.

It would be nice if the relieve was as simple as that!

Really hope the pain eases for you soon xx

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Lily1986

Thank you Lily. Previously I just stopped exercising until the pain was over but pushed through this time which I will never do again and if I'm totally honest, the endorphins done nothing for me what so ever. I wish it was all so much more simple 😪 Thank you for your message x

Northernmonkee1 profile image
Northernmonkee1

It is totally rubbish I nearly passed out exercising with pain. I got told exercise is good for period pain. Which is not endo pain. I usually just try walking !! I find advice from people without endo draining and I don't engage with their advice now.

Take care and hope you get some support with your pain take care xx

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Northernmonkee1

Thank you. We're on the same page. Advise from non endo sufferers is a good shout!!! X x

Amusegirl profile image
Amusegirl

Depends on what exercise you are doing, anything that jars the body will cause bad pain. I can't walk, but I can cycle on my indoor bike whilst watching a show because there is no bouncing up and down. I live for yoga and might have ended my life without it,but it takes a lot of work. I think when you're in the angry phase, not much will work but long-term no exercise will increase oesteoporis, lack of muscle mass, more body fat, high blood pressure and an early grave, but as I said, if you're just plain pissed of, that doesn't sound too bad to some.

You just have to go through the process but feeling sorry for yourself in life doesn't end up anywhere nice. Endo really is so difficult, I hope you pass through this phase next year, it took bññ me some time. X

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Amusegirl

Thank you Hun x

Amusegirl profile image
Amusegirl in reply to CS32

You will get people who enable you to do nothing (because they don't and it makes them feel better) and those who try their best to have a positive mindset. I think it's normal to be a bit of both, but too much of either can feel unhelpful, which can happen on a page like this. Sometimes you go away assured and sometimes more confused than ever.

At the end of the day, Endo is a life sentence and you have to go through all the feelings and stages and allow yourself to feel however you feel because it's really shit. I've had 2 specific excision surgery's, 2 for giant cysts including a tumour removed and it always comes back.

So eventually you'll be in a position where you have to choose how you want to face your life. I have many other illnesses too and looking after myself is a full time job and I spend around £300 a month on massage, various supplements, CBD teabags and my yoga pass.

If you do fancy yoga, use YouTube and search for Yin Yoga, which is just holding stretches and helping ease open the muscle fibres. Endo sufferers have really tight spines and when you consider every nerve in the body stems from the spine, your whole body tightens, especially around the groin.

I ache after any achievement of exercise, but I tell myself that it's looking after my heart health, muscle health, digestive health and then always rest for a day or two. Just don't do anything too strenuous and if you do something, see it as you trying your best to look after yourself, which takes mental strength and bravery. But likewise if you're pissed off at the world, don't feel guilty about that either.

Anyway, hope that helps, having a bad day myself and just had a crazy rash cover my head and neck, so feel UGLY. Urgh. Xx

mamajojo profile image
mamajojo

I am the same. depending on how I am and what I do I find exercise really aggravates it. that's if I can actually physically do anything with the fatigue!! years ago I use to go to the gym several times a week and really push myself through exercise classes cardio/weights in the gym. when I stopped going I actually felt better for it and even lost noticable weight!! I've done yoga and pilates in the past and didn't find any difference altho I would try again with the right teacher (yoga was an awful experience as she was trying to push me in to poses I just physically couldn't do!)

I am at a point now tho I need to do something to get more active to get fit and lose weight! I have just started training as a TA and worry how it will affect me so it is interesting to read pureunicorn's comment! hate endo so much and how it impacts our life! xx

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to mamajojo

Awww it's such a bullache. I'm better today. Yesterday was day 7 of pain and I'd literally reached my limit. Hope you can find an alternative that works for you... I'm going to try yoga x

mamajojo profile image
mamajojo in reply to CS32

thank you and you too. how amazing would it be to find something that works!! hope you find relief soon lovely endo pain sucks big time x

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex

I do sympathise ... I’ve just started back at ballet and touching wood seems ok

Best wishes 😊

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Ladybex

Thank you x

PaoPetite profile image
PaoPetite

No exercise help!! Whoever suffers from extreme endo pain exercise triggers the pain more!!!! No yoga no meditation no pain killers nothing helps! The only help is to have endo removed properly by a specialist not a gynaecologist! 😞

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to PaoPetite

This is where I'm at!! I agree with you. But I feel guilty for not trying 😔 Ugh x

PaoPetite profile image
PaoPetite in reply to CS32

I had to wait for my surgery 2 years! and I gave up on training my body shape changed put on weight massively :( now I have recovered my endo luckily has not come back (yet) it is so hard to go back to the routine as your muscles are completely death...! Nevertheless keep trying maybe your body reacts differently from mine!

Good luck 🤗

Penguins_81 profile image
Penguins_81

I understand how you feel. Period pain and endo pain are different. My dr told me to go for runs! I told her she had a bazaar sense of humour as when my endo flares up I’m on the floor crying in pain and can’t move.

I try to exercise when I have good days- walking or pilates. When I’m in pain then I just do what my body needs- hot baths, rest and I try and book a massage or reflexology appointment to help ease stress and muscles.

Look after yourself and listen to your body. You know what’s best for you Xx

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Penguins_81

So true. I just need to listen to my body as I know it best. I've changed my diet and doing all these things that I was advised to end up worse off! Thank you for your message x

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy

My take on Endo and excercise is that every woman's experience is different and texts differently to every stimulus. I think that if you can do exercise, than it is a very good idea to do so, because it will help. If it is too much and caused more inflammation than perhaps seeking other forms of movement or therapy could help, such as yoga, yoga nidra or restorative yoga. If this is too much, there is also pelvic floor therapy.

Before my Lap, the cronic pain I had only allowed me to do restorative yoga, which was so subtle and careful that it helped more than hurt. I would also go into thermal baths, jacuzzis and bath tubs, this would also help.

Find what works best for you and if you're body yells and screams at you for something, listen to it and try something different.

I wish you peace and relief in this process!

With kindness

Margarita

Mparstoy profile image
Mparstoy in reply to Mparstoy

* texts: reacts

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to Mparstoy

Thank you. X x

shmookieguinz profile image
shmookieguinz

If I’m having a bad flare up, I don’t go. However, I use exercise (cardio and weights - aerobics & Bodypump classes) about 4 times a week as a way of preventing bad flare ups and it has helped a lot. I got back into it a month after my recent excision surgery and it’s really improved my recovery and made me feel energised and fantastic. But if I was in bad pain, I’d try to get it under control rather than potentially make it worse. Exercise does actually reduce internal inflammation and has loads of benefits for endo. I think it’s more about the timing and frequency. When I can, I do about 7-9 hours a week of workouts and classes. It really helps me.

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to shmookieguinz

That's really interesting. Thank you. I think trying an alternative and really listening to my body is the next thing to try. I'm going to wait this one out and try again for my next cycle x

Anastasia17 profile image
Anastasia17

I agree with everyone, you do what you can depending on says, each day is different, don't beat yourself up. I used to do Pilates with a bit of yoga, which I really enjoyed, but last year only went sporadically as some evenings after work I was too tired, I tried to compensate by doing a 30mns at lunchtime if I didn't feel too tired. Now I have been diagnosed with a gap in between my (not much of) 6packs, so I am a bit weary of Pilâtes as I am not supposed to stretch upwards or sideways. I am thinking of maybe joining a complete yoga class and carry on with gentle lunchtime walking, also depending how I feel. What has really decreased the pain however is since May, I am on gluten, dairy, soya, chocolate, caffeine, dry beans free and also no tomato purée as I automatically get a cystitis and no hot spices for the same reason. This diet has really reduced the inflammation, diarrhoea, bloating, pain, and associated mental effects. It seemed tough to start with but we manage to have the same meals as a family with rice, gluten free pasta (my family will have normal pasta), potatoes in all cooking forms, vegans ice cream when they have normal ice cream. We are on our way to a restaurant and I will be able to have a meal like everyone else (fish, potatoes, greens and possibly vegan pud). I also complement with vitamin D, magnesium, Omega3, iron tablets and nuts such as walnuts, pecan nuts, etc. Yes, it's tough but on a positive note, we could end up as winners in the long run because we follow a really healthy diet, I also lapse sometimes, chocolate is a bit tough, but if I don't lapse too often, then my body can cope a little bit. Good luck and see what works for you. 😊

StefaniaJW profile image
StefaniaJW

Yes. For some people, sitting for long hours or lack of exercise can exacerbate the symptoms. Personally I need to walk at least 1 hour a day or do some other form of physical activity and eat very healthily if I want to keep the symptoms at bay.

By exercise I always mean mild outdoor activities like light walking in nature or light yoga in a park. Never strenous activity indoor such as working out at a gym or zumba (even though there are several endo sisters I know who run marathons or work out in a gym and feel well).

However, many endo sisters (even those who benefit from exercise) cannot move or do physical activity during a flare up. If you are experiencing a flare up, take painkillers, herbal teas, eat nourishing and healthy foods like fish, bone broth and veggies and sleep.

TMLDN profile image
TMLDN

I also keep being told that exercise will help, mine gets worse as soon as I start moving?!

springonion profile image
springonion

I have been a yoga teacher. My advice is: if you do yoga, I would only advice: gentle forms of yoga, like restorative, yin, etc. or even prenatal yoga. BUT NOT the vinyasa, ashtanga, Vikram, etc. And above all to listen to your body.

CS32 profile image
CS32 in reply to springonion

Thank you x

springonion profile image
springonion in reply to CS32

You're welcome :)

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