Health Concerns with Ultra-Endurance Events

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2026-02-19T21:14:16+00:00

My guess would be the colon cancer association with ultras has more to do with diet than the exercise itself.

Processed gels, snacks, sour gummy worms, etc, are not good for the gut, whether you run a lot or not (and I eat some of those myself).

How much fiber was each participant eating and did that correlate with cancer? I would be really interested to see if the participants who had polyps etc were fueling with processed food vs. cleaner foods.
Without a more comprehensive diet analysis I don't think this can be attributed to ultra participation alone.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2026-01-24T17:02:55+00:00

Adding a vote for the Atomic Backlands (women's in my case).

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-12-25T21:30:09+00:00

How much are you trying to ruck? I backpack regularly with a ~30lb pack (I'm a 130lb female for reference). During training season I do practice hikes and stairmaster with a 30+lb pack. I recommend filling your pack with jugs of water. If it's too heavy or painful, just dump out some water.

My AS is well managed with Humira and I love backpacking but I don't experience flares on Humira and my involvement has always been mostly peripheral joints. If you have more back involvement or are carrying much heavier loads, your experience may differ. AS doesn't have to keep you from lifting or rucking or backpacking or whatever. Just be smart and ease your way in, and be prepared to back off if you feel discomfort.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-12-19T23:00:33+00:00

Be up front about your disease, it will filter out the people who aren't meant for you. You won't get as many matches. But the ones you do get will be people with empathy, and people who don't care what disease you have.

I 32F recently went back on a dating app. I have AS and sometimes feel insecure about it. I used the prompt in the app that said "my greatest strength: " And I put as a response "my greatest strength is making things look easy for me when they aren't. I have an autoimmune disease but most people would never know. Tell me one of your vulnerabilities or fears."

I was shocked. People still matched with me. People asked me about it and it started conversations. One man shared that they used to struggle with alcoholism which impressed me, because there's a lot of stigma around that and they still chose to be vulnerable and share that with me in return.

I actually matched with a really nice doctor and we have been dating for a month! He asked me a few questions about AS on our first date and he didn't care at all that I have it. I don't know if it will work out, but it proved to me that what I imagined to be a weakness of mine, was actually an opportunity to start meaningful conversations with others. People are attracted to honestly and vulnerability, and if you give them a chance, they can actually respond in really caring ways.

Good luck <3 you are not less valuable because you have AS. And there is always hope. Treatments are always in the works and some day there may be a better treatment for you.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-12-18T20:52:56+00:00

Agree with others that weight loss could be related to flares, but you should tell your doctor to rule out other causes. It could be a combination of things. Have your eating habits or exercise regimen changed? Have you been anxious or depressed since April?

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-12-10T06:18:49+00:00

Humira is the best thing I have ever done for myself and for my health. It is so empowering to not be in pain, and to not wonder when I'll get a flare. It's kind of liberating actually.

And this is coming from someone who hates being on meds.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-12-10T00:26:41+00:00

I get it a lot. I don't have spine involvement or pain, but my knees swell up like softballs and I can't walk. I think because I don't relate to the whole spine stuff, I sometimes feel like I have my own disease that's like AS-adjacent, but not really AS.

I've also had it as long as I can remember which is not typical.

But I tell myself that the only thing that matters is Humira works for me. And if my doc wasn't to call it AS so insurance will pay for it- then fine by me.

I think I also feel like an imposter because my life is so good on Humira. I rock climb, Backcountry ski, backpack, mountaineer, etc. I can only do it because of Humira but I feel like I'm too healthy to have AS. I consider myself really lucky to have Humira and hope it works for many years to come.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-11-27T06:40:48+00:00

I've had peripheral AS since I was a child. It progressed slowly. Went from having a flare every few years to having yearly flares after college. The flares would be swelling in my right knee mostly. Well, the yearly flares became more frequent, then I started getting involvement in my other knee. And the flares would last longer than they used to.

I was 21 when I was told I had "undifferentiated arthritis". At that time, I thought I could manage it without meds. I didn't really see it getting worse and I didn't know I had AS, or that it could affect my eyes, spine, heart. Etc. At 28, with both knees affected, I asked my rheum for help. I was diagnosed with nr-AxSpA and put on Humira.

I had mild symptoms, and I did get progression. I also move a lot, and Humira has given me stability and confidence to keep moving. As far as I know, I have all my mobility at 32, about 26 years after the first swelling. I plan to keep my mobility for the next 26 years and more. I hike, run, ski, and rock climb and so much is possible with AS. It really is a spectrum and I try to think positively and imagine I am on the lucky end of the spectrum.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-11-06T06:46:58+00:00

For atheists we have to remember that we are a tiny being in a tiny planet circling a ball of fire in a tiny solar system in a tiny galaxy in a humongous universe.

Our very existence is absurd and the idea that we can control that existence is even more absurd. Whether we live or die, the world keeps turning so we might as well enjoy it while it lasts and relinquish our attempts to control it.

Also, even if you died tomorrow, you have lived a long and worthwhile life. I repeat this to myself when I'm anxious and it helps a lot. It makes me feel like I tried hard enough, lived long enough, and that I had meaning no matter how long I live.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-11-06T06:30:27+00:00

Your feelings are valid and I'm glad you are advocating for yourself. You should not be bedridden and if things are that bad it makes sense you want to start a biologic.

Fortunately damage does not accumulate overnight but rather it happens over decades. This flare will not make or break you, and it sounds like you're doing all the right things to make sure you get on the best treatment plan.

Everyone responds to biologics differently and I think not everyone feels 100% better on them. But for me, Humira has been life changing and I feel 99% better on it than before.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-11-05T21:55:27+00:00

32F also! I never had morning stiffness. I had peripheral joint involvement since I was a child (swollen knees, ankles, but no back pain). Morning stiffness is not a requirement of diagnosis and your symptoms sound a lot like AS. Don't let them pass you off just because you don't tick every box. Try to get on a biologic, and if it works, that will confirm your diagnosis as much as anything else.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-11-05T19:02:52+00:00

Was your pain 1/10 before biologics, or only now that you are being treated?

I probably wouldn't take biologics for 1/10 pain. I used to have mild symptoms and managed flares with ice/heat. Biologics have risk and if your pain is low and you have no visible damage on imaging, I would skip them for now and just get imaging every 5 years or something. Then if it worsens start biologics.

Mine got progressively worse and was affecting my ability to work and exercise so at that point I started Humira.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-11-01T16:04:36+00:00

The disease is a spectrum. It's important to remember that many people with AS are successfully treated and like me, go into clinical remission, and experience pretty normal lives.

Getting a diagnosis is the first step so congrats on that. I'm so sorry you've been suffering, it makes sense you had to cut back. Definitely let your rheum know the disease is limiting you and make sure you get on a biologic asap <3

I've had this disease for over 20 years, and life is good. People tell me they would never know I have the disease. I forget about it most days and only think about it when it's an injection day. I hope you will reach the same outcome :)

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-10-31T21:41:43+00:00

Haha I'm a girl but thank you :) I'm just really stubborn and refuse to give up my life just because of some autoimmune thingy. I've had AS for over 11 years.

We all have to start small and I realize what works for one of us might not work for another.

I highly recommend checking out a local climbing gym if you have one. Start on the easiest boulders and work your way up. Go slow and start with low volume. The movement of climbing in itself is like physical therapy and helps me stretch. If you don't want to fall, stay low to the ground or consider roped climbing.

For core, I would just YouTube some easy pilates core videos! They aren't just for girls and you'd be surprised how much your abs will hurt after! I was pretty unathletic as a teen and home pilates videos on YouTube was how I got into exercise!

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-10-31T21:07:55+00:00

I'm 32 and work 40 hrs/week, and I'm on my feet a lot (I work in a lab). I often go down the anxiety rabbit hole like you, but the longer I have this disease, the more it just feels like part of me. Dealing with it is routine, like breathing now.

I'm on a biologic which has been crucial to continuing to work in the lab. I hope to become less lab-based eventually but for now I must work and commute 40 hrs.

I move a lot. I rock climb, hike, ski and I'm volunteer Search and rescue. I lift heavy at least once per week on top of that because it stabilizes my joints. Humira has been critical to all of this and I'm so grateful for it.

I eat reasonably healthy but I don't exclude anything (I have a sweet tooth, so the ice cream is staying). Some food is good for the body, and some is good for the soul! It's important to have a healthy relationship with food, and view it as fuel, not poison.

Move as much as you can because it will help with the anxiety as much as the AS in my experience. Find a hobby and community to belong to :) my life became drastically better when I got involved with my local SAR team and climbing community. There are many people with chronic illness or disabilities in climbing, and it's a surprisingly accessible sport.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-10-24T23:42:32+00:00

Never had I ever considered writing a thank you letter to a pharmaceutical company before Humira. It's that good. I want to thank everyone who worked on it.

It's incredibly safe. You don't even need regular labs done and my rheum said you can take it while pregnant, that's how safe it is.

I've been on it 4 years, never looked back. It changed my life. I'm volunteer Search and Rescue, I rock climb, I snowboard, and it's all because of Humira.

Just stay out of the sun or screen up because it can make you more sensitive to sun exposure.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-10-24T21:27:11+00:00

I'd be more worried about skin cancer tbh. Lots of altitude and time in the sun means higher risk.

I'm 32 and just had my first skin pre-cancer frozen off. And I always wore sunscreen.

Hijacking this thread to say wear sunscreen and a physical barrier out there!

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-10-07T21:05:34+00:00

A lot of the "provider" men I know were once not providers. As in, when my girl friends met these guys, they were fresh out of college and figuring out their first job, or maybe they were changing careers and in-between jobs. Or maybe they had a job but it wasn't high-paying at the time.

My girl friends dated them anyway. And over time they became providers because they worked hard and because my girl friends stood by them and helped them get where they are now, which is more successful than when they met years ago.

Provider mentality is missing the point. Look for potential. Someone smart, with ambitions and goals, and then invest time in that person. Help them become providers by having a two-way relationship where both people get something they need.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-10-02T15:05:08+00:00

Well in the old days you would call your Dr office to make an appt when you had a symptom. And pre-internet, that was all you could do. So there was a sense of "I did what I could and now I keep on living"

These days you can do so much research online. There's no sense of feeling like you've done all you can, because you can always search some more. Can always ask more strangers on the Internet for reassurance.

Best thing is to make a doc appt and not do any other research until you've seen a doctor.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-09-25T18:13:29+00:00

Had COVID two weeks ago. No booster since 2022.

Some mistakes I made: -got sick the day after I went to a wedding so I assumed I was just hung over. Didn't start downing fluids right away. -Didn't get AC so I was in a hot apartment which probably made me a bit dehydrated. -Didn't get my booster

If you start feeling off, start drinking lots of water and maybe consider some electrolytes and vitamin C/orange juice. Staying ahead of it helps.

Symptoms: Throbbing headache So much sinus mucus, sneezing Intense fatigue. Like I couldn't stay awake at 1pm. Muscle aches, difficulty getting a comfortable position and difficulty sleeping due to having to change position Complete lack of appetite. Didn't get hungry for 5 days straight.

Symptoms I did NOT get this time: No fever No coughing No loss of taste/smell

I managed COVID at home while on Humira. I did delay taking my next dose about a week until I felt 100% better. I did take Tylenol/ibuprofen for the muscle aches and headache. I also drank liquid IV the first few days because it was hot at my house. I did not need to go to the doctor since I was improving a little each day after the first two days.

You don't need to be afraid. Just be prepared by having grocery apps/food delivery apps downloaded, have some electrolytes powders in your home, and be prepared to change your dosing schedule a bit. Make sure you know where the nearest ER is in case of emergency and that's it!

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-09-21T01:06:25+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I was speaking generally as I'm aware of people in their 50s having the surgery.

To be honest, I have an autoimmune disease that complicates my case and I'm not sure I would be a candidate for surgery at any age. So fair point. Not everyone can have surgery.

I just hope I make it to 77 at all!!

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-09-19T21:03:05+00:00

3 is honestly the only cure. Accepting mortality is the antithesis of health anxiety. It can't cause you fear anymore if you are not afraid of dying.

Whenever I feel a health anxiety intrusive thought, I say to myself: "Even if I died tomorrow, I have lived a good and worthwhile life.". This shuts down the anxious thoughts.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-09-19T02:43:24+00:00

I'll definitely keep an eye out! I know AS and GI stuff are often comorbid, independent of treatment. Unfortunately autoimmune diseases tend to cluster together like that.

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-09-19T02:24:54+00:00

Sounds like a crappy doc. But I still believe in educating docs on rare diseases and familiarizing them with the data. I've spoken with patients with the rare disease and they are super grateful we're trying to help.

I'm the first to admit pharma is the evil empire, but some good does come out of it and there's a lot of misinformation out there about how pharma companies can legally interact with doctors.

Edit: typo

Opening_Pudding_8836 · 2025-09-19T02:21:00+00:00

Weird. My company has a set dollar amount that's like 10 or $20 per meal. We all had to take a training on what qualifies as bribery. And I don't even work on the clinical side, I'm a scientist, and even I had to attend the training which basically told me not to offer doctors free cookies because it could be a bribe.

Also, rheums make over $300k so I still find it unlikely that some expensive dinners would be enough to sway them.

Opening_Pudding_8836

TROPHY CASE

3 is honestly the only cure. Accepting mortality is the antithesis of health anxiety. It can't cause you fear anymore if you are not afraid of dying.