Post Run Cramping - Week 8

Posted this in fitness section before dawning on me, this might be the better spot for my question.

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Morning! I'm hoping someone can help me with a question I have. I apologize in advance for being long winded. I had a total hysterectomy (robotic via lap) BSO on October 23rd.

At week 4, I was cleared to walk and do light weights/resistance band exercises which I've been doing without a problem. I've been walking 4 miles a day, 5 days a week. Not power walking, but not leisurely either.

I was told I could start running again at the 8 week mark. Originally I thought that was Christmas until I did the math last week. So I decided to run 2 miles at the 7 week, 6 day mark. (I'm a marathon runner so in my warped world, two miles isn't really much in terms of distance.) I ran on a treadmill and set it so that I could run at a flat 10 minute pace. I felt fine running straight through.

This past Saturday, I ran outside (run #2). I had a great comfortable run - I even remarked to myself how easy a transition this was back to running. However, when I looked down at my watch after the run, I discovered I had run 2 miles at a 9 minute pace without even realizing it. I then walked as planned two miles back home.

Not long after returning home, I had awful cramps (worse pain than what I had after surgery) and actually got nauseous. I was fetal in bed for a good half hour. Took ibuprofen (I can't take pain pills) and the pain went away and I went on with my day. Yesterday doing some slow walking I felt a hint of cramping. This morning cramping still (nowhere as bad a Saturday) and some nausea.

Anyone have a similar experience? I have a call into my doctor but he's not in the office and I'm trying to figure out if I could have done damage. No fever or bleeding, but definitely not feeling well.

Thoughts?

Sorry for the double post - my doctor isn't in the office and I value the feedback of you all.

You are doing too much!! I am not a marathon runner but I am a physiotherapist. (for 20 years!) I like fitness and jogging and stuff so I have an idea about how frustrating it is not to be able to run. You are obviously pretty fit, but put things into perspective. It takes at least 6 weeks for things to heal inside. Even then, things will go on changing and consolidating for up to a year!!! When I worked on the gynae ward we told the ladies not to do any impact sport for 3 months after their op. After that we advised gentle exercise like swimming to keep up stamina and strength and some core stability exercise...it's not too exciting I know!!! And do some pelvic floor exercises for support...or maybe you call them kegel exercises. wait till the new year. Run on the flat and slow your pace. Try some cross training. Please dont hurt yourself.

I really appreciate the feedback. It's been tough because I still have the pre-op mindset (run a couple of miles = easy, gentle exercise). To further complicate matters, I've had it pretty easy post-op. Easy surgery, virtually no pain afterward (800 mg ibuprofen always did the trick), my doctor picked the right HRT patch right from the start, no reactions, etc. etc. All of these things have contributed to my warped point of view.

I've been doing core strengthening exercises and they have made a tremendous difference. In terms of cross training, do you think riding a stationary bike (recumbent) or using an eliptical machine would be OK? Swimming isn't an option for me this time of year.

Are you feeling better now? Hope so. Yeah an execise bike or elliptical trainer is good and when you go back to running stay on the treadmill for a bit and keep it slow. Running outside has a totally different resistance to it doesn't it? You have to factor in the weather and the surface you're running on and so on. I went running 6 weeks after having my daughter and felt great...then I crashed and burned not long after!!! You are dead lucky. I had a TAH 5 and a half weeks ago and I just don't feel I'm getting 'out of the bit' at all. Still, when I get back to fitness I won't need to pull out of races and stuff because of the time of the month...Hooray for that!!! And another thing, how come we feel cramping and stuff like period pain when there is no uterus there any more??? Must be phantom pains!!! Anyway, take care of yourself.

I'm feeling much better thanks. Saw my doctor this morning and he wasn't concerned - he said it's just part of the healing process. I completely agree about the treadmill. As much as I hate running on those things - creating a controlled environment is essential with someone like me who completely loses track of pace and distance when outside.

I'm so sorry that you're having a difficult recovery. Are you on HRT at all? When you say TAH, do you mean abdominal incision?

I completely forgot to ask my doctor why we still have cramping afterward. I wonder if the body has to make adjustments nerve-wise. The only thing I can think of is that it has to do with internal swelling that we still have. Maybe pushing/pulling disturbs things enough to create a cramping sensation.

Take care of yourself. Keep your eye to the future - your vision of being able to enter a race and not worrying about having to pull out seconds before sounds like a great one.

I had an abdominal hysterectomy, cervix away as well, and I am bleeding still from that wound!! I went to the Doctor and he said things would settle but I am fed up with it. I still have my ovaries and my husband is saying I still get PMT! Beacause I have a fairly physical job I don't go back to work till February and I get paid. Thank God for that. I'm still sore as well. I couldn't go running here if I wanted to anyway. We had a very heavy snowfall last night. Very Christmassy. Anyway, I will try and stay positive and make a resolution to look after myself in the New Year!