Re: Any athletes out there?

[Guest guest]

i was a division I collegiate runner before this

happened. i had been running (sprints/middle

distance/cross country) for 8 years and before that i

was a gymnast for 4 years and a competitive dancer for

11 years. And to make things worse, i work in

collegiate athletics so i am ALWAYS around intense

competitive sports. it was extremely hard for me to

adjust and the best way that i have been able to is to

keep reminding myself that i'd rather take a break

from sports and activity until i get better than to

keep dealing with this pain.

--- krs0204 wrote:

> I am new to VVD (diagnosed in Nov), and would love

> to commiserate with

> people who, like me, were highly physically active

> before this

> situation. You name it - hiking, biking, skiing,

> rollerblading - I was

> there. I have had so much trouble adjusting to the

> limitations of VVD.

> I am starting back at the gym next week, but just to

> walk on the

> treadmill a few times a week. Is anyone experiencing

> the same

> frustration? Or has anyone been able to resume an

> active lifestyle at

> some point down the road?

>

>

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[Guest guest]

I found that yoga was a good transition. I'm still a little weary of

biking, but I run, swim, still do yoga. I noticed all is well as long

as I don't wear underwear (or basically avoid a lot of friction in

between my legs). I wear tights, but pull them down a little so that

they don't ride up, and they keep air circulation. Pilates is also

really good (in terms of strengthening pelvic floor, core muscles).

ANd exercise does wonders to my mood and gives me a reason to feel good

about my body (all the more important when one suffers from crippling

chronic pain).

m.

--- krs0204 wrote:

> I am new to VVD (diagnosed in Nov), and would love to commiserate

> with

> people who, like me, were highly physically active before this

> situation. You name it - hiking, biking, skiing, rollerblading - I

> was

> there. I have had so much trouble adjusting to the limitations of

> VVD.

> I am starting back at the gym next week, but just to walk on the

> treadmill a few times a week. Is anyone experiencing the same

> frustration? Or has anyone been able to resume an active lifestyle at

>

> some point down the road?

>

>

Mara Fortes

(USA)

011-52-55-55-54-22-95 (Mexico City)

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[Guest guest]

hi there, I've had VVS for many, many years and have managed to exercise on and off throughout a lot of it, although there have been times where I've had to take weeks or months off (like currently). I can completely relate to how upsetting it is not to be able to exercise and do the things you like. I used to be a runner - not very intensive, but maybe 4x week plus some strength training. When I went for PT about 2 years ago, that's when I had to majorly cut down - per the therapist - because my muscles were way too tight. In order for PT to work on me, I had to stop a lot of the usual exercises I was doing, including running, weights, etc. I had to change my workout mindset, although I still do love trail-running. Instead, I quit the gym (way too expensive anyway), and purchased an elliptical machine for my home which I found to be easier on the muscles but still gives a good workout. It's actually really nice to be able to workout in your pjs and sing along to the radio in peace.Lately I haven't been able to exercise at all b/c I've had a series of infections, plus I'm staying with my aunt b/c I'm going through a breakup. Between the infections and physical pain, not being at home where my elliptical is, and the cold weather, I've barely been working out which is not good for my mindset. It's been almost 2 months now and I feel like a sack of potatoes, but I plan to start getting back on board when I move into my new place in March. Hopefully by then, my VVS will be ok enough to work out.One thing I found to be helpful was to apply a little bit of lidocaine on the vulvar area right before working out, or right after if that is when you get burning. Also, when I would take a shower after a workout, I would do a little bit of internal PT to relax the pelvic muscles. That seemed to help a bit. If you know how to do some self-pt it's very useful.My advise would be not to push it if your symptoms are bad or get worse as you work out. There have been times where things would get worse as I worked out and I regretted it later.good luck, it is frustrating. But there's nothing that says you won't be able to resume the activities you like once you are feeling better. I take breaks when I'm not feeling good, and then resume when I'm better.nicoleTo: VulvarDisorders From: krsackowitz@...Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 23:45:07 +0000Subject: Any athletes out there?

I am new to VVD (diagnosed in Nov), and would love to commiserate with

people who, like me, were highly physically active before this

situation. You name it - hiking, biking, skiing, rollerblading - I was

there. I have had so much trouble adjusting to the limitations of VVD.

I am starting back at the gym next week, but just to walk on the

treadmill a few times a week. Is anyone experiencing the same

frustration? Or has anyone been able to resume an active lifestyle at

some point down the road?

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[Guest guest]

>

> I have been experiencing major symptoms( lol.. for me,,) for over a

year. They, and some foot issues were the major reason I didn't

compete in my first marathong. I was very disapointed, upset,

angry. That was my big resolution for New Year's, and I was really

psyched about it.

I also really miss spin class. If I am feeling good, and my schedule

works out, I still do it, but I never sit down. ( Which actually

makes the class much harder...*g*) I agree about the elliptical, and

I also walk a lot. What seems to help me, is 1) never( of course)

wearing anything but cotton. 2) wearing very light, cotton bikinis

under my shorts; 3) applying either calendula or emu oil JUST prior

to exercising. The bikinis seem to help a huge amount with the

rubbing and irritation and burning from the sweat factor, and the

oils help with the friction around the inner labia. Finally, 4) I

take a lot of soaking baths after workouts, if I am really flaring.

They seem to help a lot. I don't stay in forever.. but at least 20

minutes. I also do cold washcloths. Then, a re application of the

oil/ creme, and I usually can maintain things to a tolerable level.

Not exercising isn't an option for me, really, as long as I am not in

severe pain. I just have to modify it. ( I am one of those

incredibly hyper people, and I tend to get major migraines if I

don't. So... do I suffer more vaginal pain, or get incapacitating

migraines. Shrugs. It's a balance)

So, I walk. Intensely. I also will walk slower, but for longer

distances and times. I ride the recumbent exercise bike at home(

because I can do that naked, and 'scootched' down, if need be..). I

also do the elliptical and do the upper body stuff at the gym. I

have pretty much stopped the weights for the lower body at this

point. I do lots of yoga, and mild stretching daily.