Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
Nov 13th 2008, 9:55 am
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
OK, so I had the nerve conductivity test yesterday and went to see the specialist today for that and to get his diagnosis of the CT scan of the back I had last week.
No real nerve damage, which is good, but no real answers as to what is causing the pins ans needles. Cost me $400 yesterday to get told it 'could be' cycling, but 'could be' other things (conveniently unspecified
).
Specialist today says try shifting positions etc etc. He looked at the scan and confirmed I do have mild non degenarative arthritis which is a worry at 43
He did also confirm that the two lower discs are bulged, but not considerably more than a few years ago. He did confirm that the position of the bulge has shifted a bit. He reckons when it shifts, this is what causes my back to go from an ache to a spasm. He's pretty sure prolonged forward bending is not helping (ie cycling) and when we talked about the difference in the road position compared to the TT position he basically said the TT position is about the worst thing I could be doing. 
Also have been having a bad issue with my left wrist (no, I'm right handed before you start with the jokes
). Goes from outright pain to mild swelling, and 'clicks' a lot. When I was young I broke it in two places in a skateboard accident. This issue is definitely getting worse, and the specialist was very concerned about this, especially considering the angle the wrist is at when riding.
So bottom line. Back pain will be pretty permanent, and have to be managed (core work etc) for life. Wrist will almost certainly get worse with prolonged riding on rough roads (maybe I'll have to race at Eastern Creek with Vets and take up track racing
) Consensus is that cycling is not the best thing I can be doing if I want to minimise pain 
No running at all as well.
Plan is to carry riding on for now, do Alpine (200km cycle race in the Vic Alps) in Jan then after that have an x-ray of the wrist and see the specialist, then take 3mths completely off the bike and go back and see him with another X-ray and see what has changed.
I feel very down about the whole thing but I need to able to walk in 10yrs time, so have to be sensible as well
Oh well, looks like that motorbike could be coming sooner rather than later.
Forgot to add, I can swim as much as I like (whoop de friggin doo )
No real nerve damage, which is good, but no real answers as to what is causing the pins ans needles. Cost me $400 yesterday to get told it 'could be' cycling, but 'could be' other things (conveniently unspecified
).Specialist today says try shifting positions etc etc. He looked at the scan and confirmed I do have mild non degenarative arthritis which is a worry at 43
He did also confirm that the two lower discs are bulged, but not considerably more than a few years ago. He did confirm that the position of the bulge has shifted a bit. He reckons when it shifts, this is what causes my back to go from an ache to a spasm. He's pretty sure prolonged forward bending is not helping (ie cycling) and when we talked about the difference in the road position compared to the TT position he basically said the TT position is about the worst thing I could be doing. Also have been having a bad issue with my left wrist (no, I'm right handed before you start with the jokes
). Goes from outright pain to mild swelling, and 'clicks' a lot. When I was young I broke it in two places in a skateboard accident. This issue is definitely getting worse, and the specialist was very concerned about this, especially considering the angle the wrist is at when riding.So bottom line. Back pain will be pretty permanent, and have to be managed (core work etc) for life. Wrist will almost certainly get worse with prolonged riding on rough roads (maybe I'll have to race at Eastern Creek with Vets and take up track racing
) Consensus is that cycling is not the best thing I can be doing if I want to minimise pain No running at all as well.Plan is to carry riding on for now, do Alpine (200km cycle race in the Vic Alps) in Jan then after that have an x-ray of the wrist and see the specialist, then take 3mths completely off the bike and go back and see him with another X-ray and see what has changed.
I feel very down about the whole thing but I need to able to walk in 10yrs time, so have to be sensible as well
Oh well, looks like that motorbike could be coming sooner rather than later.
Forgot to add, I can swim as much as I like (whoop de friggin doo
)
Nov 13th 2008, 11:50 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 463
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
I have a similar problem with the discs in my back and I'm not allowed to cycle or run either. The rowing machine is now my torment. I close my eyes and pretend I'm rowing up the Thames on a hot summer day.
Nov 13th 2008, 11:57 am
#3
Gone Senile Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Location: Sydney
Posts: 3,014
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
And the issue with a motorbike is??? Do not get on one if you really do not want more injuries! Mostly caused by car drivers.
As one who has had a mild non degenarative arthritis since her early 20s and is now 44 I take it as an indication not a STOP sign.
I hope it all gets better for you soon Triboy
As one who has had a mild non degenarative arthritis since her early 20s and is now 44 I take it as an indication not a STOP sign.
I hope it all gets better for you soon Triboy
Nov 13th 2008, 12:02 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: NI (back from Toronto)
Posts: 3,409
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
Nov 13th 2008, 12:03 pm
#5
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,474
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
OK, so I had the nerve conductivity test yesterday and went to see the specialist today for that and to get his diagnosis of the CT scan of the back I had last week.
No real nerve damage, which is good, but no real answers as to what is causing the pins ans needles. Cost me $400 yesterday to get told it 'could be' cycling, but 'could be' other things (conveniently unspecified ).
Specialist today says try shifting positions etc etc. He looked at the scan and confirmed I do have mild non degenarative arthritis which is a worry at 43 He did also confirm that the two lower discs are bulged, but not considerably more than a few years ago. He did confirm that the position of the bulge has shifted a bit. He reckons when it shifts, this is what causes my back to go from an ache to a spasm. He's pretty sure prolonged forward bending is not helping (ie cycling) and when we talked about the difference in the road position compared to the TT position he basically said the TT position is about the worst thing I could be doing.
Also have been having a bad issue with my left wrist (no, I'm right handed before you start with the jokes ). Goes from outright pain to mild swelling, and 'clicks' a lot. When I was young I broke it in two places in a skateboard accident. This issue is definitely getting worse, and the specialist was very concerned about this, especially considering the angle the wrist is at when riding.
So bottom line. Back pain will be pretty permanent, and have to be managed (core work etc) for life. Wrist will almost certainly get worse with prolonged riding on rough roads (maybe I'll have to race at Eastern Creek with Vets and take up track racing) Consensus is that cycling is not the best thing I can be doing if I want to minimise pain No running at all as well.
Plan is to carry riding on for now, do Alpine (200km cycle race in the Vic Alps) in Jan then after that have an x-ray of the wrist and see the specialist, then take 3mths completely off the bike and go back and see him with another X-ray and see what has changed.
I feel very down about the whole thing but I need to able to walk in 10yrs time, so have to be sensible as well
Oh well, looks like that motorbike could be coming sooner rather than later.
Forgot to add, I can swim as much as I like (whoop de friggin doo )
No real nerve damage, which is good, but no real answers as to what is causing the pins ans needles. Cost me $400 yesterday to get told it 'could be' cycling, but 'could be' other things (conveniently unspecified
).Specialist today says try shifting positions etc etc. He looked at the scan and confirmed I do have mild non degenarative arthritis which is a worry at 43
He did also confirm that the two lower discs are bulged, but not considerably more than a few years ago. He did confirm that the position of the bulge has shifted a bit. He reckons when it shifts, this is what causes my back to go from an ache to a spasm. He's pretty sure prolonged forward bending is not helping (ie cycling) and when we talked about the difference in the road position compared to the TT position he basically said the TT position is about the worst thing I could be doing. Also have been having a bad issue with my left wrist (no, I'm right handed before you start with the jokes
). Goes from outright pain to mild swelling, and 'clicks' a lot. When I was young I broke it in two places in a skateboard accident. This issue is definitely getting worse, and the specialist was very concerned about this, especially considering the angle the wrist is at when riding.So bottom line. Back pain will be pretty permanent, and have to be managed (core work etc) for life. Wrist will almost certainly get worse with prolonged riding on rough roads (maybe I'll have to race at Eastern Creek with Vets and take up track racing
) Consensus is that cycling is not the best thing I can be doing if I want to minimise pain No running at all as well.Plan is to carry riding on for now, do Alpine (200km cycle race in the Vic Alps) in Jan then after that have an x-ray of the wrist and see the specialist, then take 3mths completely off the bike and go back and see him with another X-ray and see what has changed.
I feel very down about the whole thing but I need to able to walk in 10yrs time, so have to be sensible as well
Oh well, looks like that motorbike could be coming sooner rather than later.
Forgot to add, I can swim as much as I like (whoop de friggin doo
)I sypathise with you .. it sucks!
Nov 13th 2008, 8:05 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
Thanks all, very frustrating situation 
Nah it's all good. I have a 'little' experience on bikes
Owned 23 of them, mostly sportsbikes, raced extensively in the UK in the 600cc production class and have done some trackside instruction as well. Only been without one for the last 5yrs, but still very connected with the race scene. Did get hit by a car once, a woman didn't stop at a roundabout when I was already on it (in Sydney). She claimed it was my fault, but I had 5 witnesses in other cars to say it wasn't. She had one witness who said it was my fault, but funnily enough it was her boyfriend
And the issue with a motorbike is??? Do not get on one if you really do not want more injuries! Mostly caused by car drivers.
Owned 23 of them, mostly sportsbikes, raced extensively in the UK in the 600cc production class and have done some trackside instruction as well. Only been without one for the last 5yrs, but still very connected with the race scene. Did get hit by a car once, a woman didn't stop at a roundabout when I was already on it (in Sydney). She claimed it was my fault, but I had 5 witnesses in other cars to say it wasn't. She had one witness who said it was my fault, but funnily enough it was her boyfriend
Nov 13th 2008, 11:55 pm
#7
I don't give a damn
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: In the arms of my family. Heaven...
Posts: 4,980
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
Good grief. Me and you are a right pair! 
Its our age you know!! Lets not give in Triboy!
And theres nowt wrong with swimming. Its my fave exercise, and i reckon it will hel you big time. It takes the weight off your joints and enables you to move more freely in the water and build strength where you need it.
It was my biggest help when i was trying to lose weight.
I know its not the sport you love but give it a go. You never know, it might help you improve to a point where you can go back to it
Its our age you know!! Lets not give in Triboy!
And theres nowt wrong with swimming. Its my fave exercise, and i reckon it will hel you big time. It takes the weight off your joints and enables you to move more freely in the water and build strength where you need it.
It was my biggest help when i was trying to lose weight.
I know its not the sport you love but give it a go. You never know, it might help you improve to a point where you can go back to it
Nov 14th 2008, 12:17 am
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: South Island NZ
Posts: 527
Re: Craptacular: the ongoing saga of my failing body
OK, so I had the nerve conductivity test yesterday and went to see the specialist today for that and to get his diagnosis of the CT scan of the back I had last week.
No real nerve damage, which is good, but no real answers as to what is causing the pins ans needles. Cost me $400 yesterday to get told it 'could be' cycling, but 'could be' other things (conveniently unspecified ).
Specialist today says try shifting positions etc etc. He looked at the scan and confirmed I do have mild non degenarative arthritis which is a worry at 43 He did also confirm that the two lower discs are bulged, but not considerably more than a few years ago. He did confirm that the position of the bulge has shifted a bit. He reckons when it shifts, this is what causes my back to go from an ache to a spasm. He's pretty sure prolonged forward bending is not helping (ie cycling) and when we talked about the difference in the road position compared to the TT position he basically said the TT position is about the worst thing I could be doing.
Also have been having a bad issue with my left wrist (no, I'm right handed before you start with the jokes ). Goes from outright pain to mild swelling, and 'clicks' a lot. When I was young I broke it in two places in a skateboard accident. This issue is definitely getting worse, and the specialist was very concerned about this, especially considering the angle the wrist is at when riding.
So bottom line. Back pain will be pretty permanent, and have to be managed (core work etc) for life. Wrist will almost certainly get worse with prolonged riding on rough roads (maybe I'll have to race at Eastern Creek with Vets and take up track racing) Consensus is that cycling is not the best thing I can be doing if I want to minimise pain No running at all as well.
Plan is to carry riding on for now, do Alpine (200km cycle race in the Vic Alps) in Jan then after that have an x-ray of the wrist and see the specialist, then take 3mths completely off the bike and go back and see him with another X-ray and see what has changed.
I feel very down about the whole thing but I need to able to walk in 10yrs time, so have to be sensible as well
Oh well, looks like that motorbike could be coming sooner rather than later.
Forgot to add, I can swim as much as I like (whoop de friggin doo )
No real nerve damage, which is good, but no real answers as to what is causing the pins ans needles. Cost me $400 yesterday to get told it 'could be' cycling, but 'could be' other things (conveniently unspecified
).Specialist today says try shifting positions etc etc. He looked at the scan and confirmed I do have mild non degenarative arthritis which is a worry at 43
He did also confirm that the two lower discs are bulged, but not considerably more than a few years ago. He did confirm that the position of the bulge has shifted a bit. He reckons when it shifts, this is what causes my back to go from an ache to a spasm. He's pretty sure prolonged forward bending is not helping (ie cycling) and when we talked about the difference in the road position compared to the TT position he basically said the TT position is about the worst thing I could be doing. Also have been having a bad issue with my left wrist (no, I'm right handed before you start with the jokes
). Goes from outright pain to mild swelling, and 'clicks' a lot. When I was young I broke it in two places in a skateboard accident. This issue is definitely getting worse, and the specialist was very concerned about this, especially considering the angle the wrist is at when riding.So bottom line. Back pain will be pretty permanent, and have to be managed (core work etc) for life. Wrist will almost certainly get worse with prolonged riding on rough roads (maybe I'll have to race at Eastern Creek with Vets and take up track racing
) Consensus is that cycling is not the best thing I can be doing if I want to minimise pain No running at all as well.Plan is to carry riding on for now, do Alpine (200km cycle race in the Vic Alps) in Jan then after that have an x-ray of the wrist and see the specialist, then take 3mths completely off the bike and go back and see him with another X-ray and see what has changed.
I feel very down about the whole thing but I need to able to walk in 10yrs time, so have to be sensible as well
Oh well, looks like that motorbike could be coming sooner rather than later.
Forgot to add, I can swim as much as I like (whoop de friggin doo
)Our old neighbour said to me one day tell him to try some Aloe Juice you take a few mls of it each day anyhow as my ex was a staunch rugby playing farmer lol he kind of laughed and said ok i'll try it anything to get rid of the pain. (weird thing was at this time was selling a skin care range containing aloe and we also had the aloe juice available to buy) After 6 months he suddenly realised he no longer had any pain and to prove of course that it wasn't the Aloe juice he stopped using it week later the pain was back so humbly he asked for some more lol and the pain again went away............He was then a converted beliver lol........
Anyhow just thought i'd mention it as the doc had told him this was the beginnings of arthritis......He stayed on the Aloe juice after that. If you decide to give it a go make sure its not flavored aloe Juice as this usually means that its been machine fillited and has yucky stuff (like the pith of an orange in it which is very bitter)
it's not the most pleasant tasting stuff anyhow but hey if it helps.................
Cheers
Cally
