Severe pain during exercise anyone else?!

[lozisnozz]

Suffered with gynaecological issues ever since starting my periods. Was later diagnosed with PCOS when I was 24 but certain symptoms did not align. 4 ovarian cysts ruptures, 2 biopsies and numerous ultrasounds later was finally referred for a Laparoscopy to investigate for Endometriosis and currently waiting a surgery date to be given for this. My pre-op is scheduled for 21/11/2024.

In preparation for the surgery and to improve my BMI was advised to lose some weight but more positively doing it as this is what I want to do to hopefully get to a point where I like what I see in the mirror instead of constantly avoiding it..

Issue I am facing is that during bootcamp classes for example or cardio workouts I end up with sudden, severe ovarian pain that makes me feel nauseous and like I am going to pass out resulting in having to stop and ride through the wave of pain. Does anyone else experience this and have any advice on the matter?

Also would appreciate if anyone could give me advice in preparation for my Laparoscopy such as what to be aware of, questions to ask as after 11 years of fighting for this surgery I am extremely nervous about being told like many other woman on this forum that “no endo found” - referral made through the NHS.

Thank you in advance for any responses or advice given from this post.

[Pelvic_pain]

Activity often aggravates and so causes more pain. I found all I could do before surgery was trying and walking as much as possible

[Daveexaggerate]

Hi,Sorry your going through all this pain.

I have endo and do pilates every week. Certain moves cause pain for me due to the nature of using those muscles around areas I have issues.

My advice to you would be to try do those bits of exercise but at a lower pace till you find a way of doing it that doesn't cause pain for you. It's not worth making you feel worse and potential pain days after due to it.

My pilates instructor always tells us to listen to your body and if something feels off dial it back.

Maybe you can find some alternative work out for those bits that cause you pain? Sometimes I just don't do the moves 😆 I just take some time to do some breathing.

😁 Good luck on your journey.

[lozisnozz in reply to Daveexaggerate]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It was a high intensity circuit with not much time between to catch my breath so wondering if this was a big contributing factor that brought on the pain. Will definitely listen to my body as recommended and not exceed my limits. Will ensure before the class next time to let the instructor know of my condition prior so if they see me stopped to not put pressure to keep going and just allow me to reduce intensity when required.

[Daveexaggerate in reply to lozisnozz]

That's sounds like a great idea and I'm sure they will be happy to help you 😊 I honestly think people who do the high intensity work outs are amazing.

[SavageGold]

I get a lot of leg and tail bone pain and groin pain (sorry not so much ovary pain, we are all glued differently inside) at bootcamp. Some coaches are really good at giving me alternatives if I can't do something. My current coach leaves me to do an alternative to an exercise now. Because it's not worth having to take 6 weeks off every injury incurred. My no no nos for my pain areas are crunches, sit ups and Russain Twists and every variation. I lie on my back and twist my legs side to side instead. Or put my hands under my bum and do leg raises instead. Or knee to elbows. I much prefer planks all variations especially rainbow planks but they may hurt your ovaries depending where your adhesions are as a core exercise.In the last few years as I've deteriorated I've started using a walking stick when I need it. We are all at our own place physically in our lives so the best advice I can give you is to be loud and proud. Yell 'I can't do that. What's the alternative?' I hope that helps.

[lozisnozz in reply to SavageGold]

This is fantastic advice and guidance on what to avoid that could possibly have caused/triggered the pain. For me I think it is more the anxiety it causes me of what other people think that I have stopped and frustration at myself that my body won’t allow me to do exercises to ultimately make me healthier, it feels like you can’t win sometimes but I will definitely try the alternatives you have suggested. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post.

[SavageGold in reply to lozisnozz]

I totally understand your anxiety. My initial reply to your post was very nearly a long moan about one coach who kept making an example of me for being slow at sprints at bootcamp but I didn't want to scare you. It wouldn't have helped. I decided after a couple weeks to be a stubborn cow, to stop even trying to run when it was too much and I started yelling at him for an alternative right infront of everyone when he said Russain Twist. Everybody including himself have got used to it, and others now speak up when they need alternatives because of knee or shoulder issues. But if nobody speaks up, a coach can't read minds and can't help. And everybody is really working hard at a bootcamp. They won't remember the person who yelled for an alternative during class because they are all focused on their own exercise at the time, and how much pain their in afterwards! I understand you using bootcamp for losing weight to love yourself. I love bootcamp. I love mud. I love the feeling of lifting heavier weights as I improve. I love the comraderie of it.

Anyway that's my whitter for bootcamp!

I'm just curious you don't need to reply but do think you'll do any obstacle course races with your training? They are great fun and you do them at your pace and bootcamp lends itself very well to the training.

[lozisnozz in reply to SavageGold]

It so really refreshing to hear another mindset point out the obvious and you are right if you don’t speak up or ask for an alternative how can the coach know so I will definitely do this moving forward.

Regarding bootcamp I am just getting back into a regular routine with my classes, body pump is my favourite at the minute as weight training I find is the best to support my weight loss journey and manage symptoms. Due to start PT sessions on Monday and cautious to perfect my form at the minute before looking to increase intensity and prevent any injuries. I would definitely be interested in obstacle course races in the future but this would be after recovery from my upcoming surgery.

[BloomingMarvellous]

The tissue in the pelvic floor is both tight and weakened with endo. Have a look at @corerrcoverypt to get a handle on how to exercise appropriately and not cause yourself more damage. She's also done a fab talk with @leahbrug on instagram Podcast number 52 or 57 Dr Angie Muller. Hope it helps x

[lozisnozz in reply to BloomingMarvellous]

Thank you for replying to my post I will definitely be looking at your suggestions this evening! x

[BloomingMarvellous in reply to lozisnozz]

♥️ Do take care ♥️

[HT267]

Hi Lozisnozz,

I found this and it was really frustrating as exercise was a stress outlet for me. I found weights and squats didn't aggravate it as much but cardio seemed to really trigger it aswell as any ab centric things like pilates or yoga. As my symptoms got worse I then could only do walking but if you do a good number of steps per day this can still lead to weightloss xx