Activity vs. Rest

[kariswalstad]

Hello! I'd love your input on finding a balance of how much to rest versus how much activity is ideal for healing. I really struggle with this because there are days that I know for sure I just need to be in bed, but some days I feel better and I want to go hiking or clean the house or any number of things. Sometimes I can be quite active and then be ok the next day, but other days I run errands for 2 hours and then the rest of the day is shot. Is there any way to find some consistency? I quit working in order to focus on healing, but in the scope of 24 hours, I think "I should get a job" and later "There's no way I can get a job yet, I can't count on my body" and then later "Am I EVER going to be able to work again" and later "Maybe I could do this (insert whatever) job and still heal"...Thanks so much for your input; I am so grateful to have found you potty people! Karis

[tommyboywalker]

Hi Karis,

The only way to find any consistency is to let the GI tract heal. Through diet. Order Tex's book on Microscopic Colitis. It should absolutely be your bible. So much great information in there and from the folks on this forum.

Know your food sensitivities and respect them religiously with no cheating. Use Enterolab testing if you want to know specifically what your gut is having trouble with. Gluten, dairy, soy are big ones, but there are so many more.

Many of us use the drug "Budesonide" for a period of time to lower inflammation in the GI tract and give a jump start to your healing. Sure worked for me and I am solidly in long term remission with zero symptoms, my GI is behaving as it did before my diagnosis. During my healing on not so good days, I would also use some Imodium (Loperamide) to help make for a better day. It slows down the GI tract and really is a safe medication in my opinion and my GI doctor completely agrees with that.

As time goes on, you should have more good days than shaky ones. That is my hope for you! Be patient but I know that is hard. It takes considerable time to heal the GI tract!

All the best to you and keep us posted! We're all in this together!

[Marcia K]

Hi, Karis. Welcome to our group! Plan your activities on how you're feeling. If you're tired, take it easy. If you feel like you have more energy, do more but don't overexert yourself. I have a fairly high energy level most days, but I try not push myself too much. I walk for exercise and fresh air. I work in a large facility and I cover a lot of area during my workday. I don't mind it then, but some days I feel it once I'm home and I know that I have to slow down. As your body is healing you need more rest. Take it slow, baby steps.

[kariswalstad]

Thank you both for this input! I had a bacterial overgrowth earlier this year so I did two rounds of Rifaximin and one round of Entocort, but nothing really helped. My counselor suggested searching the interwebs for people who have healed themselves and here you all were! Turns out I had gotten Tex's book back in 2014 but hadn't been willing to change my diet at that time. I've re-read it and am in enough pain that I am willing now!

My main symptoms now are the debilitating fatigue, joint and muscle pain (especially the neck; this was the first place I heard I wasn't alone there), severe brain fog, and vision problems. I have been GF for 5-6 weeks now and that helped almost immediately with the D. I had completely forgotten what "normal" digestion felt like and the first time I went almost 3 hours without thinking of the bathroom was quite a moment! I also went DF about a week ago but that was a much harder surrender than the gluten and not as drastic relief. I, of course, loved spicy food, pizza & ice cream, so that's all out the window (for now).

I am sending my EnteroLab in tomorrow and am really looking forward to getting those results.

I am trying very hard to be gentle with myself, be patient, and trust the process, but it is exhausting! So glad you all are here and willing to share your experience.