When I was a kid I got them every now and again. And I knew other kids did too. I was sometimes a topic of conversation. I can’t remember the last time I heard about one. Do kids still get them?
I, too, got them with some frequency as a kid. The only time I can remember having them as an adult is when I took up running for a few years, and had it happen a few times.
I used to get them in high school gym class, when I tried to run around the track the requisite number of times. I had to slow to a walk, which got me in trouble with the coach, but I couldn’t help it.
I haven’t had one since those days in the early 1970s. I wonder why I got them when I was young, and theoretically in better shape, and not now when I’m old and decrepit.
My recollection is as yours: Got them as a kid, don’t remember the last time I got one.
I’ve had one within the last year. Weeks, if you’re not limited to the side location; I get them on my upper ribcage.
Many years ago I had pleurisy, and it felt just like a stitch, but in an area roughly seven inches around, and it lasted for several weeks. Man, that was miserable.
I don’t think I got one after I reached puberty. I’ve been a runner for almost 50 years and haven’t had a single one.
This is also my answer.
I get one once or twice a year, for no apparent reason. Hurts like hell but resolves itself in about 30 seconds.
Same for me. They occurred when we had to run in gym class in middle school. I just put it down to having gym right after lunch, but in any case, running around the track meant side stitches. I slowed down too, and got yelled at for it, but I didn’t care. Getting yelled at by the coach was painless. Those side stitches were painful.
Haven’t had them since I don’t know when, but then, I don’t do much if any running nowadays.
Same! That was where they first manifested themselves.
Wow…I’d completely forgotten about this. I vaguely remember the sharp pain , after running in gym class.
So what caused it? And why does it only happen to young people?
Commonly purported prevention strategies include avoiding large volumes of food and beverages for at least 2 hours prior to exercise, especially hypertonic compounds; improving posture, especially in the thoracic region; and supporting the abdominal organs by improving core strength or wearing a supportive broad belt.
ETAP is most common in the young but is unrelated to sex or body type. Well trained athletes are not immune from the condition, although they may experience it less frequently.
I used to get side stitches all the time, then I started going to the gym regularly a few years ago and they’re (mostly) gone.
To answer the question: In the past week.
Okay, so, I pigged out, and also had some (turned out nasty) ice cream and three Thai Red Bulls, then I went running (not immediately, but afterwards), and, sure enough, it kicked in, even though I had plenty of energy.
Supposedly it’s about the guts jiggling around and irritating the peritoneal wall. Kids intestines are relatively large in the abdominal cavity relative to adults. Plus they tend to do things like eat 5 cupcakes and sprint around the playground at top speed without warming up.
I think I recall getting stitched in maybe 10th grade PE class, doing laps after a big lunch. A couple of years after that I was in Army boot camp and never saw the first stitch despite doing brutal amounts of running in a mostly untrained condition. I think it’s because my body had grown a little bigger, and we never ran on full stomachs.