On the DL list

[Bike Writer]

Saddend to be sidelined by a problem with my RA, a flare up has put me off riding for the last few weeks. The longing for riding is very strong and the improvement in riding weather has been great these last few weeks, but I just sit and stare with a deep desire to get out for a spin but can't.

Color me sad :(

I thought I'd be out to a great start with the mild winter we had I was able to get out for outdoor rides in winter and kept up on my trainer so I'd be raring to go once the season settled on us. It's hard to want to go so bad and be sidelined.

I've seen my family Dr. and Rheumatologist, had some powerful meds and some testing. I'm hoping that with some rest and staying off the bike and my knee that I'll soon be ready to use it fully.

Happy riding to all!

[owlice]

: sits next to Bike Writer on the Sidelined Sofa :

[OakLeaf]

Aw, bummer. :( (((((BikeWriter & owlice)))))

Hope you get to feeling better soon and that the meds don't cause you too much problems either.

[hebe]

oh no! Wishing you both a speedy and full recovery.

[Penny4]

Sorry to hear that Bike Writer. I sympathize with you... I was out of commission for almost 3 months this year due to medical problems. WHile everyone else was out enjoying the mild winter, I was trying to work up the energy to go to the grocery store. Hang in there and rest up...hope you are back on the bike in no time!

[Roadtrip]

Wishing you the best!!!! Hope your back out on the road/trail soon.

Shannon

[breeze]

:( Sending speedy recovery vibes to both of you.

[Bike Writer]

owlice, so sorry to hear about you too :( I truly sympathize!

Thanks for the well wishes from everyone. I haven't been on the TE site for a little while but have been bogged down with work and getting healthy again. This is a campaign year for me and I'll be busy with that most of the summer but expect to do a significant amount of campaigning via bicycle once I'm able to get back on.

In the mean time I am enjoying vicarious riding thanks to all of you!

Miles of happy smiles to you all.

[Jiffer]

:(BIG HUGS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!:(

If anyone can relate, it's me. I've been "mostly" off my bike for over a year due to health. The most I could do was 30 minutes of easy riding and even that seemed to worsen my symptoms after a few of them, so I'd back off and eventually try again and back off and try again. I finally found a doctor who is actually helping me and as of about two weeks ago I am FINALLY riding more consistently and slowly amping up my time on the bike and speed.

I cherish my new found health (though I still have a ways to go), and time on my bike. I SO know how it feels. I wrote a blog post once entitled, "When Will I Get My Party Hat Back?" I talked about riding down a street near my house to go do my little five mile loop at a slow pace. And as I approached the red light and got into the left lane, I heard the roar of cyclists coming down the road behind me. I knew it was the Saturday club ride, which I had done numerous times. They were nearing the end of their ride. They had their "party hats" on as they joyfully whipped around the corner to the right and sped away. I thought about all the times I had been with that group . . . back when I, too, had a party hat . . . and pushed myself hard on that section, hoping to get my fastest time yet. And yet that day, I sat at the signal, with no party hat, waiting to turn the opposite direction and lollygag for five miles. :(

I feel for you both and send many well wishes for a speedy recovery. I just know you'll get your party hat back soon! :D

[Bike Writer]

Thanks Jiffer, what happened if you don't mind talking about it?

[Jiffer]

I don't mind at all. I posted briefly about it in "I'm Back! (I think)".

I was first diagnosed with adrenal fatigue in March 2012, but had apparently had it for some time. I had my first adrenal "crash" in August 2011 when my period came, but thought it was anemia. I was on a 30-ish mile group ride, rode the first half pretty well, but then "bonked" after about 15 miles or so and limped home. I had a lot of fatigue and got dizzy easily when I stood and got a black out sensation (but never actually fainted). A cycling coach believed it was anemia, as did my nurse sister. I took about a month off of riding, took iron and ate iron rich foods. Then I started to feel better . . . mostly.

I did a century after that, which only worsened my adrenals, only I didn't know it. Then I rode off and on for a while, nothing too long and no hard training. In January I got serious about training again and could ride 20-30 mile rides pretty strong, but once I hit around 40, I started to have issues. I'd bonk and could hardly get home. In February I had a tough time on the Palm Springs "metric" (after mile 40) and in March opted to do the Solvang Half instead of full century. I actually road that 50 really strong (passed people all day long . . . hee hee!). And then my period came a week later and, once again, I found myself limping home from a club ride after about 10 miles in. The strong fatigue and dizziness were back and I just couldn't ride a bike worth beans.

I went to a doctor this time, who confirmed it was not anemia, but I didn't have a lot of faith that he could diagnose me. He was all over the place with all the things it could be. I learned about adrenal fatigue from a friend, and went to a nutritionist who agreed I had it. (Basically my adrenal gland was shot and was not secreting enough adrenal hormone.) I saw her for ten months, took her supplements and "tried" to stay on the diet she recommended. (It was hard to stay on when I wasn't seeing results.) I'd ride 30 minute rides at an easy pace, but eventually it seemed that even those would make my symptoms worse.

In February of this year when my symptoms worsened even more I switched to a naturopathic doctor. That's when everything changed. She confirmed adrenal fatigue, but also diagnosed me with subclinical hypothyroidism, candida (a yeast overgrowth) and . . . apparently ALL my hormones are low.

I have since learned that all four of those things are commonly related.

For the past 5 1/2 weeks I've been on a candida diet, which avoids any foods that feed the yeast. No sugar or foods that turn to sugar. Low grains (for sure no white flour or wheat), no dairy and pretty much no processed foods of any kind. I basically have to make every thing I eat and usually from scratch, because everything has something in it that I can't have. Sugar is in everything. Citric acid is in things like tomato sauce, marinara, enchilada sauce, etc. I'm not aware of any store bought salad dressings I can have. I could go on, but I'm already telling you way more detail than you probably expected (that's just my way!).

My doctor believes if I can get rid of the yeast, it will help balance all my other hormones, including thyroid and adrenals. I was skeptical at how soon I'd see improvement, but at 3 1/2 weeks into the diet (and a million supplements), I actually started to experience less fatigue. My blackout sensation is still there, but less intense and less often. I can ride my bike and not feel like it's worsening my symptoms.

:D YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I have post nasal drip, which my doctor says is fungal and should be cured with my diet and supplements. I haven't noticed any change in that yet, but since I have had the post nasal drip for at least 15 years, that means I've had candida for 15 years and the longer you've had it, the longer it takes to get rid of the little buggers. So I'll probably be on this diet for some time before I'm completely well, and even then I'll probably always have to be careful.

I've been blogging about my health journey, cycling, recipes, etc. at jennifersuchey.com if you're curious. I have a post on what candida is, symptoms, etc.

So that's my story. ;)

[Bike Writer]

Wow, that's a very interesting story and not too much detail because it leaves me wanting to know more. I'll check out your blog. It seems that I am constantly hearing more and more about diet and long term illnesses.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed last year with food allergies (lots of them) and has since changed his diet and saw tremendous benefitis in his overall health. He found we was allergic to wheat, dairy and tomatoes. They played havoc with him in so many various ways including lots of pain.

Another friend I recently met told me that she suffered from fibromyalgia for a number of years and went on a gluten free diet and has not been symptomatic for many months now. Her quality of life has had a dramatic improvement.

Thank you for posting.


I don't mind at all. I posted briefly about it in "I'm Back! (I think)".

I was first diagnosed with adrenal fatigue in March 2012, but had apparently had it for some time. I had my first adrenal "crash" in August 2011 when my period came, but thought it was anemia. I was on a 30-ish mile group ride, rode the first half pretty well, but then "bonked" after about 15 miles or so and limped home. I had a lot of fatigue and got dizzy easily when I stood and got a black out sensation (but never actually fainted). A cycling coach believed it was anemia, as did my nurse sister. I took about a month off of riding, took iron and ate iron rich foods. Then I started to feel better . . . mostly.

I did a century after that, which only worsened my adrenals, only I didn't know it. Then I rode off and on for a while, nothing too long and no hard training. In January I got serious about training again and could ride 20-30 mile rides pretty strong, but once I hit around 40, I started to have issues. I'd bonk and could hardly get home. In February I had a tough time on the Palm Springs "metric" (after mile 40) and in March opted to do the Solvang Half instead of full century. I actually road that 50 really strong (passed people all day long . . . hee hee!). And then my period came a week later and, once again, I found myself limping home from a club ride after about 10 miles in. The strong fatigue and dizziness were back and I just couldn't ride a bike worth beans.

I went to a doctor this time, who confirmed it was not anemia, but I didn't have a lot of faith that he could diagnose me. He was all over the place with all the things it could be. I learned about adrenal fatigue from a friend, and went to a nutritionist who agreed I had it. (Basically my adrenal gland was shot and was not secreting enough adrenal hormone.) I saw her for ten months, took her supplements and "tried" to stay on the diet she recommended. (It was hard to stay on when I wasn't seeing results.) I'd ride 30 minute rides at an easy pace, but eventually it seemed that even those would make my symptoms worse.

In February of this year when my symptoms worsened even more I switched to a naturopathic doctor. That's when everything changed. She confirmed adrenal fatigue, but also diagnosed me with subclinical hypothyroidism, candida (a yeast overgrowth) and . . . apparently ALL my hormones are low.

I have since learned that all four of those things are commonly related.

For the past 5 1/2 weeks I've been on a candida diet, which avoids any foods that feed the yeast. No sugar or foods that turn to sugar. Low grains (for sure no white flour or wheat), no dairy and pretty much no processed foods of any kind. I basically have to make every thing I eat and usually from scratch, because everything has something in it that I can't have. Sugar is in everything. Citric acid is in things like tomato sauce, marinara, enchilada sauce, etc. I'm not aware of any store bought salad dressings I can have. I could go on, but I'm already telling you way more detail than you probably expected (that's just my way!).

My doctor believes if I can get rid of the yeast, it will help balance all my other hormones, including thyroid and adrenals. I was skeptical at how soon I'd see improvement, but at 3 1/2 weeks into the diet (and a million supplements), I actually started to experience less fatigue. My blackout sensation is still there, but less intense and less often. I can ride my bike and not feel like it's worsening my symptoms.

:D YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I have post nasal drip, which my doctor says is fungal and should be cured with my diet and supplements. I haven't noticed any change in that yet, but since I have had the post nasal drip for at least 15 years, that means I've had candida for 15 years and the longer you've had it, the longer it takes to get rid of the little buggers. So I'll probably be on this diet for some time before I'm completely well, and even then I'll probably always have to be careful.

I've been blogging about my health journey, cycling, recipes, etc. at jennifersuchey.com if you're curious. I have a post on what candida is, symptoms, etc.

So that's my story. ;)

[Jiffer]

Wow, that's a very interesting story and not too much detail because it leaves me wanting to know more. I'll check out your blog. It seems that I am constantly hearing more and more about diet and long term illnesses.

A good friend of mine was diagnosed last year with food allergies (lots of them) and has since changed his diet and saw tremendous benefitis in his overall health. He found we was allergic to wheat, dairy and tomatoes. They played havoc with him in so many various ways including lots of pain.

Another friend I recently met told me that she suffered from fibromyalgia for a number of years and went on a gluten free diet and has not been symptomatic for many months now. Her quality of life has had a dramatic improvement.

Thank you for posting.

Yes, food plays a HUGE part in health. Even though I am only recently on the candida diet, I have been learning about the connection between food and health and making small changes for several years now. Small changes, which add up to a lot. And it is those changes, which became habits and normal every day lifestyle that made the candida diet a lot more doable than it otherwise would have been. I actually suspected candida a few years ago and attempted the candida diet, but failed miserably. It was just too hard to stick to when I didn't "really" know I had candida. However, a food intolerance test came back with a high intolerance to yeast, which is how I was diagnosed. Between then and now I got more serious about reducing sugar and bread and adding more veggies, etc. So when I found out I couldn't have ANY sugar or bread, I was already on the right track.

The first book I read that really made an impact on me in this regard is Jordan Rubin's The Great Physician's Rx to Health and Wellness. He almost died from Crohn's, severe candida and about 15 other ailments. After trying a multitude of different treatments from doctors all over the world, some natural and some conventional (his own father was a naturopathic doctor), he finally figured out how Biblical eating was the healthiest way to eat and got well.

Another book I love, which is an inspirational easy read with practical tips, is Mariel Hemingway's Healthy Living from the Inside Out, along with her cookbook, Mariel’s Kitchen: Simple Ingredients for a Delicious and Satisfying Life.

I'm also a big fan of Dr. Mercola and read his newsletter daily. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/current.aspx

You might want to go to his site and do a search for RA and see what you find.

Good luck in your recovery!

[Melalvai]

Jiffer, you could have been describing my cat! The thyroid & postnasal drip. We never did figure out what was the cause of her drippy nose. She was hyperthyroid, and we think we got that under control, but we never cleared up her congestion over several rounds of antibiotics. The vet gave us some thyroid diet, that was supposed to replace the thyroid med she was on, but she quit eating entirely toward the end so we didn't get a chance to try it. I wonder now if the postnasal drip was fungal after all, not bacterial.

[Melalvai]

One more thing, about diet & RA-- I happen to be in Montreal right now at the annual meeting of the International Cartilage Repair Society. One of the talks I heard was about diet & osteoarthritis (which is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which was not discussed at all). They mentioned omega-6, and glucosamine, that there is some evidence that these might have an effect on cartilage health. Of course there's not much evidence and it's hard to study because it can't be patented!

[Bike Writer]

Jiffer, thanks for the link and additional information, it's a topic I need to delve into further.

Melalvai, thanks for the heads up.

[Bike Writer]

I'm thinking this is more serious than a rest up and gradual comeback.

Far too many thngs going on in my right leg at the moment. Knee pain, muscle weakness, strong cramping in my calf muscle and hamstring, sciatica pain and more that is enough to keep me off the bike and I'm considering getting total knee replacement on my right side. I suffered through much of this several years ago on the left side and had the TKN replacement surgery.

The Dr. always says that only you will know when it's time to get it done.

I think it might be time.

This might be a mighty short season. :(

Sad face girl here. It's killing me to think about having this done at this time of year...the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak...

[OakLeaf]

(((((((BikeWriter))))))))

Just make sure your ortho is aware of your spinal issues. I would recommend working closely with a PT before the surgery, if you decide to do it. As someone who just watched a family member go through multiple repeat surgeries with serious complications ... it really seems to me that doing a TKA at this point has a strong possibility of aggravating your neurological issues. Surgeons do tend to focus in like a laser beam on the precise area they're repairing (I've even heard this from doctors of other specialties). Which is good while they're doing the surgery, not so much when they're considering whether surgery would be an overall benefit to the patient.

[goldfinch]

Jiffer, thanks for the link and additional information, it's a topic I need to delve into further.

Melalvai, thanks for the heads up.

Stay away from Mercola. If you are interested in him or what he says I suggest starting with the Wiki on him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mercola. From the wiki:
A 2006 BusinessWeek editorial criticized Mercola's marketing practices as "relying on slick promotion, clever use of information, and scare tactics."[3] In 2005, 2006 and 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Mercola and his company to stop making illegal claims regarding his products' ability to detect, prevent and treat disease.[4] The medical watchdog site Quackwatch has criticized Mercola for making "unsubstantiated claims and clash with those of leading medical and public health organizations [and making] many unsubstantiated recommendations for dietary supplements."[4]


He even questions whether HIV causes Aids.

I also suggest reading:

http://www.quackwatch.com/11Ind/mercola.html


The Respectful Insolence and the Science Based Medicine blogs (two well respected blogs headed up by MDs) frequently call Mercola out on his psuedo-scientific nonsense, for example:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...1_influenz.php
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...hampoo_woo.php

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=9903

[Bike Writer]

you are correct about treating the "whole" body. I also know folks who have had more complications after TKN surgery and problems afterward. PT is a very important component of bone and muscular surgery.

I am lucky to have a friend and neighbor who does PT in home health care and treats patients who have just returned from surgery before they can get out to a PT for rehab. I was lucky to have her be the person who treated me after my first surgery and I believe that part of the good outcome was because of having good PT care right out of the hospital and once I was able to get out to get to clinical rehab I did and followed orders religiously from them and from the surgeon both before and after the surgery. Having a good surgeon and knowing that he worked with the rheumatologist and primary care physician was important to me.

I was fortunate to know several other persons who have various orthopedic surgeries from this same surgeon and they had good outcomes. Divine intervention plays a role, sometimes surgeries don't come out well. It was about 6 years ago that I had my TKN on the left knee, much has changed in the world of medicine and technology and I will be anxious to hear what new improvements in surgeries and techniques are now available and if I would be a candidate for something different.

[Bike Writer]

I have plenty of reading and researching to do. I don't try to guide or steer a doctor in my care, I certainly am no expert and self medication is dangerous. But I do believe in being informed, being able to understand what the Dr. is talking about, carrying on an intelligent conversation with them and being in tune with my own body and subtle nuances that give me clues to my own health. A well informed and educated patient can be invaluable to a Dr. that is, provided the patient understands their role and does not try to take the Drs role.

[Crankin]

Thanks, Goldfinch for saying that.
I strongly believe in holistic health care; my degree was focused on holistic mental health counseling. But, I need to see empirically based research on anything, before I believe it. I did a major research project on using yoga to decrease anxiety/PTSD. We know it works, but we are just starting to see empirically based studies that show a relationship.
Sometimes we don't know why we feel like crap. Not to be flip, but I spent a year figuring out my own array of symptoms. When nothing serious showed up, I did agree with the fibromyalgia diagnosis, especially since I've had the symptoms for years. On the other hand, I didn't entirely fit the pattern for that disease and now I am not so sure. I dealt with it by using a whole bunch of complementary medicine strategies. The bottom line is, I know what sets me off and how it affects my cycling.
Bike Writer, you sound like you are taking a thoughtful approach to your issues.

[hebe]

I'm so sorry Bike Writer, I know how much you must be missing your cycling. No advice, just to say that I hope you can find a way back to full health and to your bicycle.

[salsabike]

Stay away from Mercola. If you are interested in him or what he says I suggest starting with the Wiki on him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Mercola. From the wiki:
A 2006 BusinessWeek editorial criticized Mercola's marketing practices as "relying on slick promotion, clever use of information, and scare tactics."[3] In 2005, 2006 and 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Mercola and his company to stop making illegal claims regarding his products' ability to detect, prevent and treat disease.[4] The medical watchdog site Quackwatch has criticized Mercola for making "unsubstantiated claims and clash with those of leading medical and public health organizations [and making] many unsubstantiated recommendations for dietary supplements."[4]


He even questions whether HIV causes Aids.

I also suggest reading:

http://www.quackwatch.com/11Ind/mercola.html


The Respectful Insolence and the Science Based Medicine blogs (two well respected blogs headed up by MDs) frequently call Mercola out on his psuedo-scientific nonsense, for example:

http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...1_influenz.php
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/20...hampoo_woo.php

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=9903

Thanks, Goldfinch. Good info.

[Bike Writer]

Thank you Hebe, The bike is one of the things I miss most but surprisingly even little everyday things mean a lot. There is so much I wanted to be able to get done over this long weekend but's it's just not happening. Even small little tasks require a long rest period. Yesterday driving a few errands brought me to tears, the sciatica pain was so intense.

Plus this is a campaign election year and that requires me to be mobile and active. Don't know where that's going to come from?

Well, better day's are coming.

Being homebound means I'm catching up more on bike reading and favorite blogs and finding new reads.