Hey UK

I've had crohn's a little over 4 years now. I have times of the year that I usually flare up so those times I never ride. I also live in Chicago, so I don't get much riding done between say October and March. Though this year I'm going to attempt to ride some in the winter. Last year I totally lost my fitness in August. I completely tanked rather quickly, and I'm pretty sure the crohn's had something to do with it. I grew frustrated and basically stopped riding. Then it was winter, so I was off the bike from August til March. So this year has been a little slower to get back up to speed. There are days I know I couldn't get on the bike because of the fatigue, but thankfully my disease is pretty well under control now. I even got my meds cut back and 1 removed completely at my last GI appt (woohoo). Speaking of meds, I'm sure some of the side effects don't help us to be motivated to ride either. When I was on Imuran, it made very tired and somewhat nauseated. Great riding condition! I also have fistulizing disease, and have had 3 fistulas in the past 4 years. My doc wanted me to stay off the bike for a while, and I told him flat out I'd rather be dead than have to sit in the house to have manageable crohn's disease. I think that drove my point home because he backed off. Grant it he will put me on mandatory rest when I overextend myself, but that has more to do with work or school than biking.

On the flip side, riding is my solstice from this stupid disease. For me, as long as I can get on the bike and ride I'm not "sick." It's also mental therapy. I think I ride more post diagnosis than before.

Happy riding