Churning Guts

I suffered with this for a couple years. Finally in November, I had some lower GI bleeding and got a CAT scan, x-ray, and colonoscopy. I was diagnosed with IBS and given a couple rx's. The first one helped a lot with the cramps, and the second one didn't do anything, so I don't bother with it because it's $200 for one month! :noway:

I had the same symptoms except mine had a lot of bite too. :embarassed: IBS is aggravated through intense exercise and certain types of fiber, like that found in bran. I do much better on lower fiber (~20g/day) and avoid it around my workouts. Too many carbohydrates in your pre workout meal can also cause GI distress. It doesn't happen when your stomach is empty because there's nothing in there promoting intestinal contractions, and it doesn't happen during lifting because it's not as intense as high intensity cardio. I do get symptoms after lifting intensely sometimes, but only on leg day.

There's no way for me to be P.C. about this so here it is blunt and straight forward:

After some intense cardio exercise my guts start churning. The kind of churning where you look like a deer in the headlights and bolt for the nearest bathroom, bush, what-have-you.

Any one have any idea why?

Its insanely uncomfortable and the worst part is its all bark, no bite. Meaning I feel like I have to go #2 really really bad, but nothing happens when I try and the feeling remains.

Nothing I have tried has helped. Not pepto, not eating, not laxatives. Just waiting it out. Takes 3-5 hours to feel normal again.

Some things I noticed:
It never happens when I exercise first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
It only happens with intense cardio like running or kickboxing or jumprope, but not weight lifting.
It happens whether or not I have previously relieved myself that day.

Any info or advice anyone has would be wonderful since I can't always exercise first thing in the morning.

Go to the Doctor. Coming from a Nurse.

I know exactly what you're talking about! When I do super hard cardio I feel sick to my stomach.....I don't think its any of the things listed above.

I think the key words that you mentioned is working out on an empty stomach---even when i work out in the evening---if I haven't eaten since lunch or a few hours after I feel sick--when I eat closer to my workout, I don't feel sick like that.

I would try to get something in your stomach before a hard workout, even if its just a granola bar or something.

I should also take my own advice ) good luck.

GO TO THE DOCTOR...tell him/her about your diet and don't forget any vitamins and meds you take...could be a simple fix.

I don't think it's a twisted intestine. Trust me-you would know if it was. The pain wouldn't let up and your stomach would bloat like you were seven months pregnant! My husband had one and in nearly killed him. You might be getting some exercise induced lactic acid since it only affects you when you do intense cardio. Are you working out with a heart rate monitor?

You may be working anerobically and are just burnig sugar instead of fat. This high intensity can cause lactic acid build up and cramping. Try doing speed intervals instead of constant pace. This allows your body to dip into it's fat reserves when you are in a recovery interval and disperse the lactic acid build up from the speed interval. And during the slower interval, take deep breaths in through your nose and out through you mouth.

Good luck I hope this helps!

No I don't use a heart rate monitor. When I check my hr after running its usually about 85-90% of my max. My resting hr gets lower the more I run, but it always gets way up there during exercise.

What would you suggest for time intervals? I'm always afraid to slow my pace because I don't know if I'll pick it up again haha.

The speed intervals would cause more lactic acid than steady state cardio, even if your HR is close to the theoretical max while you're running. Explosive movement is anaerobic, and intervals are explosive. Steady state running is aerobic--if it were anaerobic, you'd last about a minute before so much lactic built up that the acidic environment would stop the possibility of any contraction.

Besides, the lactic acid build up occurs locally in whatever muscles you're working, not in the intestines. While high intensity exercise can exacerbate IBS, it's not due to lactic acid irritating the colon.

Your body will always use both fat and carbohydrates for energy production, just in different ratios. You're burning a higher percentage of fat at a lower intensity and longer duration than you are at a higher intensity for a shorter duration. Once you increase intensity, it becomes very difficult for the body to produce energy from fatty acids since it takes a long time and requires an aerobic environment. It'll still happen, but in lesser amounts. This is all unrelated to the issue though, and I think it would be a good idea to see a gastroenterologist.

I did ask my doctor and was told that when you start a new exercise routine, like running, you are using more muscles in your core than you think and everything gets a bit of a workout and some of that causes gas or a need to go to the bathroom as soon as the exercise stops.

I can say that after a few workouts it stopped but when I increase my speed and do intervals I sometimes have the issue arise again. Doctor explanation after doing some tests is that similar this is a reaction to over exerting yourself...similar to the vomiting we see the biggest loser contestants do every single season, just the other end.

As always, I recommend at least consulting your doc to make sure there is not an underlying issue, especially if it doesn't stop. Better safe than sorry! :drinker:

OH, AND SONG YOU ARE GETTING RIPPED! :happy: