Broken Collar Bone and Depressed

[gobles]

One week ago today I broke my collar bone riding my mountain bike, the docs say I can not ride for 6 weeks. Today, seven days after the accident, I found myself depressed and realized it was because I am not riding. I know I love my bike, the first thing I asked when I finaly was able to get up after the fall was if my bike was ok, but to be depressed, is this normal? I am going to ride a bike at the gym until I can get back out there, but I am worried about my mental health until then. Anyone ever gone through this?

[rocknrollgirl]

I had major abdominal surgery three years ago and could not do anything for three months. First time I have ever been depressed in my life. I was ready to jump out the window. I was finally able to start taking short walks, which got me out of the house. It saved me, and I really think it helped me bounce back faster.

I am so sorry to hear about your injury....I am sending you PME...postive mental energy...

Keep posting.....let everyone here support you....

Ruth

[velogirl]

Once you're feeling a bit more comfortable, try hiking on the trails where you normally ride. Not quite the same, but it should help lift your spirits.

[emily_in_nc]

I can't find it now, but I remember reading an article online about just this: athletes who cannot exercise (or do their preferred form of exercise) do tend to get depressed. You are normal!

Somehow I escaped the beast of depression when recovering from my pelvic fracture in 2005, but that may have been because I was being visited so often by friends and family since my injuries were significant and I was housebound. Also, it was nice not to have to go to the office for a couple of months, I got lots of reading done and had some enjoyable time during my stay at home. Cycling was not much on my mind at that point (tho I did get on the trainer when I could - 8 weeks out from my injury), just walking again was my main goal. My husband broke his collarbone (cycling accident) years ago too, but I don't remember too much about his recovery (except that I had to mow lawn for the first time in my life!!)

Good luck - the time will go faster than you realize now, looking back.

Emily

[Bikingmomof3]

Do not worry, you are normal. I am so sorry you are going through this. I liked the sugestion of hiking thew bike route. Definitely not the same as riding it, yet it should help. Healing thoughts are being sent your way.

[gobles]

Thank you for the kind words and well wishes.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I somehow managed to skip depression when I was recovering from my crash (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/denise2004crash) back in 2004. I couldn't ride for many reasons, but I started back on the road to recovery by walking. My initial attempts were short, but they grew to consistently getting out to walk two to three times a day. I was really itching to get back on my bike, but I waited until I was cleared by the orthopedic surgeon (from a fractured pelvic bone). I had more crash-related health issues than a broken bone to overcome though, so my return to cycling was slow. Slow and steady, that worked. Writing about my crash and recovery helped too.

Listen to your docs about when you can get back on your bike. In the meantime, realize that while the depression is normal you can work through it. Walking or some other form of non-impact exercise may help too.

Sending healing wishes your way...

--- Denise

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi gobles...

Sorry to hear about what has been going on - both the crash and feeling down. I feel from everything you said, that it is probably a common reaction. I mean we ride and sometimes take it for granted that we can do so at almost anytime. Then it is taken away and you realize how important it is to your feeling positive and upbeat.

You'll be back on the bike soon and I suspect it will be more fun than ever after going through this experience.

Best wishes!

[Geonz]

See if you can find some way to get some exercise to balance the body chemistry.

[bouncybouncy]

You do not even need to have an injury to suffer from lack of riding! You are normal!

Like these ladies have said...you are not alone! Get yourself outside and smell the air...autumn is coming!!!

...and well wishes, heal fast!!!

[Brina]

Major injuries that disrupt your life are depressing. It is normal to feel bad about not being able to do things you love. It is normal to not be happy about being in pain. When you body is in pain you produce more stress hormones. Things will look up as you heal and get closer to being back to your normal activities.

[Bicyclette]

I think it's perfectly normal to feel depressed because you can't do something you love... think how good it will be when you're healed! What a ride!! :D

And at least going to the gym should get those endorphins(sp?) going for you ...

Stay strong -

Pat

[Jo-n-NY]

I can chime in here also. I am so sorry to hear about your fall and now injury. Yesterday was my one hear anniversary of fracturing my shoulder from a cycling fall. For me I was more upset that 4 weeks from then my husband and I were signed up for our first organized ride that we were able to ride together. Because of different days off during the week we do not get to ride together much at all.

Anyway, I was more down in the dumps because of that and thought there was a glimmer of hope that I would be able to do the ride. I think anyone that gets an injury that keeps them off the bike or their favorite exercise will feel down or depressed for different reasons.

For me it helped to do everything I could to keep myself in shape and my legs moving. Since I had to leave my shoulder in one position, my husband brought in an exercise bike for me and then I eventually was able to progress to my mtn bike on the trainer then eventually my road bike on the trainer. Of course I took walks.

I did like being home and did not miss the commute to work so that did make me happy. I was out of work for 10 weeks.

Sorry....to answer your question, yes, you are very normal.

~ JoAnn

[Fredwina]

I agree with the others that doing something is better than nothing. I cracked the Head of my left Humerus about 3 1/2 weeks ago in a paceline. I've been in a sling until yesterday. I borrowed a staionary trainer, but it didn't work out. I've been doing hiking(non -technical terrain, of course), of about the same time as my biking. It's frustating, but think of things to do after your rehab. Since you fell, I would urge to go do some Helmet, glove, and whatever other clothing that got it during your fall shopping. It will give you hope that you'll back out on the bike. Also, it's helping me to focus on my bike related plans after my rehab

[maillotpois]

So sorry about your accident!!

I am two months into a six month period where I can't ride for medical reasons.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7836

I am now a little bit over the whole "glad I didn't die" part (still glad, of course) and am teetering on the verge of self pity, with occasional lapses into out and out self pity and occasional crying. I would have ridden 6000 miles this year. I would have done at least three more big events, including a 500 mile race with a friend.

I have been running and hiking, and signed up to do a marathon next month.

But it's not the same as riding. You're not alone. It STINKS!!!

[Susie]

I can completely relate. I was in an accident in May and ended up with some major knee issues. I spent most of the summer on the couch with my knee on ice while my friends were out riding and racing sail boats (my other sport). I started getting depressed the last half of June. Things did pick up during the Tour de France, because at least I had something to watch every day. When the Tour ended, I got very depressed. I think part of it is that I was unable to do any exercise at all and I had gained a bunch of weight, part of it is that I was sitting around all of time doing nothing, and part of it was that my summer was passing me by and I wasn't doing the things that I'm used to doing. My boat was so neglected that hornets nested in it!

I discussed it with my doctor and he was fantastic. He said that depression is normalwith an injury and that he should have brought that up with me earlier. He sent me to a great physical therapist and the two of them figured out some exercises that I could do and I started feeling better. He also suggested that I volunteer for some local races and events (a little bittersweet, but at least I had something to focus some energy on instead of sitting around all of the time) and things really started looking up.

I encourage you to talk to your doctor about the depression. S/he might very well be able to find some sort of exercise that you can do and give you some suggestions for getting through this.

Take care -- I'll be thinking about you.

Susie

[TrekJeni]

I can't relate but can totally see where the depression would come from. I cheered all through high school and college and had serious ankle injuries. My doctor told me to take my senior year off of cheering. No way! Taped before every game and spent the rest of the weekend on ice. SOmetimes crutches Monday at school.... I would have been near suicidal had you taken my sport away from me!

Jeni

Hope things get better. I burned each stage of the TdF on DVD. WOuld you like me to send them to you to keep you occupied?

[gobles]

thank you for all of the well wishes. injury is worse than originaly thought and i have been down and out for two days, typing now with one fingure. thank you for your thoughts and i am glad to see i am not losing my mind, i am normal, even when i talk to my bike:)

[margo49]

Strengthening thoughts your way
The main thing is to *move*
Even lying in bed and moving your fingers or toes *with intention* is ok if that is what you can manage.
I would also suggest nature-sounds tapes . I had one of wolves howling plus music and it was the best. And I would do myself imaginations eg of being a wolf (an injured one or an ok one as the fancy took me). Is this normal? I don't care - it worked!
I took a lot of walks. (Tho' initially I had to take company because of trauma and also meeting people who would ask questions. We have 3 kids, so there was always someone to escort Brave Mummy.Later I would take the dog; altho' sometimes I was very slow he didn't mind)
Hang in there!

[Selkie]

I was sidelined by a broken shoulder the summer while I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon. Got depressed, too. It's normal.

Focus on recovery. Also, you can still be active---walk! Focus on the long-term and remember that this is temporary. You'll be back on your bike, and stronger than ever, before too long.

Something to keep in mind is regaining strength and range of motion in your shoulder. When I finally was able to take off that blasted sling for good, I could barely raise my arm over my head. It's amazing how quickly muscles can atrophy. Even if it hurts like XXXX, move your arm after you get out of the sling. I forced myself to do that after I broke my shoulder and later, after I broke my elbow. It was horrible but I'm glad that I did it.

[bcipam]

I went through the depression not once but twice (when I originally broke my collarbone and 2 years later when I had surgery to repair it). The first time I didn't stay away from exercising all that long. Within two weeks ( as soon as I could manage wearing a bra somehow) I was in a gym and using a spin bike to keep my legs moving. After the surgery, the doctor forbaded any activity except walking or hiking so I stuck to that for 4 months. There are ways to keep moving, you don't have to ride a bike.

I will be having my colon surgery this coming month and am told no exercise at all for 4 weeks. That sucks! But I do have a million hobbies to occupy my time. Right now really into beading. Find something to d0.

[Duck on Wheels]

In my life depression seems to have had two sources: loss of control (like when I was in hospital with my first baby and the neighbors took over furnishing my apartment for us to come home to :eek: ), and physical trauma (like when I had abdominal surgery, or when I broke my ankle :mad: ). With a broken collarbone keeping you from doing what you want to do and are accustomed to doing, that would probably entail both trauma and loss of control in one "swell foop". So in my lay opinion, it would be normal to be depressed. One way out, for me, would be to take back control over my life by working actively on the trauma, for instance by choosing some other activity as a work-up towards getting back on the bike.

[hellosunshine]

broke m,ine and shoulder,i found that the ensuing insomnia fed the depression.ALL BAD TIMES DO PASS.i also found aftter 3 weeks i could suddely measure the improvements,i seemed to be on the mend,i wickedly rode my turbo 2 hrs a day from day one of the accident(and did a pb within 6 weeks,10 miles,322mins,39 secs)founs getting into swimming hard but i also broke my shoulder.WALK.get into the open air,ry and find someone that willl drive you new places and then walk,see the countryside!i was on the road within a month,climbing was hard,BUT YOUR BODY IS FANTASTIC!IT SELF HEALS,START PHYSIO ASAP, U WILL BE SURPRISED HOW YOU STIFFEN UP.IT WILL GET BETTER,I UNDERSTAND THE DEPRESSION,AND FOR GODS SAKE EAT,I STARTED RO DIET WHICH WAS A STUPID STUPID IDEA.

[Fredwina]

I'll echo everyone else here - the main thing is to work thourgh it. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since my accident. I've got full range of motion, although I still can't put much wieght on it. I know it's hard (and sounds like your injury was worse than mine), but you've got to see the light at the end of tunnel

[gobles]

Re-injured collarbone, shirt was caught on the bone sticking up and pulled the two bones apart. Doc says this will only add one week to my recovery time, but I am already seeing alot of improvment. Thank you for all the support.

[Xrayted]

The easy way would be to clam up, feel bad (then worse) and self implode over this setback. So... first of all, I commend you for coming on here and talking this over instead of just crawling inside yourself. I also believe the women on this forum, which astound me on a daily basis with their compassion and caring for each other, are definitely the ones you can count on to lift your spirits at a time like this. Many have been through similarly tough situations and can be the guiding light you need. Most of all, what you are feeling is normal and totally understandable.
Certainly, one of the reasons you're feeling bad can definitely be related to not getting your energy out on the bike. Like most of us, I'm sure part of your joy of riding comes from taking a lot of the things that build up on you throughout the day and leaving it out there on the road. The endorphins (your own internal "happy drug") from the physical activity are certainly being missed, too. Also, you're probably a very independent type, like I suspect many of us on TE are, and now you're most likely having to depend on others to help with things that we all take for granted as "simple, daily" tasks.
It's hard having so many things change all at once, but try to find something to embrace during this down time. Find an alternative workout that is "friendly" to your current physical situation. What other hobbies did you give up to bike that you could pick up now in the interim? Spend more time with those people that maybe you've put on the back burner.
Yeah, this is a life altering event, but only in the short term. You are going to get better, you are going to ride once more and you are going to be happy again. So be proud of how strong you have been, how strong you are and how much stronger you will be after this. And above all... SMILE! :) :) It's hard to be down with a smile on your face. :p I know you have it in you. We all have it. ;)

**********************************************
And just to set the record straight on how "full of it" I really am on this subject... Ok, here it goes... 15 years ago while riding my Harley, I got blasted by an uninsured motorist (18 y.o. kid) who blew through an intersection (playing chicken with his buddies) and took me out like rag doll. I spent 2 1/2 years (yeah, YEARS! :eek: ) in casts on my left leg (knee down), lost 3" of bone that I had to grow back (still 3/4" short), 9 surgeries (including bone grafts, skin grafts, lots of hardware), 100's of stitches and staples, and untold # of xrays. I lost my job, all my savings, and yes for a while, I lost myself. For the first year and a half, they still didn't know if they were going to cut my leg off. Just couldn't get it to start to knit. I had 10 hrs. a day of shock stim for a year before we saw some progress.
For a long time, I just saw no end in site and I definitely had my melt downs. Somewhere along the line, it occured to me that I was lucky. I didn't have spinal injuries, brain damage (well, not that they've been able to prove) or a host of other things that so many others have experienced from cycle accidents.
Eventually, the last hard cast came off. :D It took me a year to walk semi-normally (no crutches and in a regular shoe) and do things like curl my toes and get my ankle to move. 15 years later, my foot, toes and ankle still swell like a football everyday. My friends affectionately call it the Frankenleg because it looks like they took a couple of chunks of unmatched legs and sewed them together. hehehe But, it's still there and it (mostly) works. Oh, it just loves those hills! :D
But... I got through stronger, happier and more determined. Before, I was a shy, introvert. Now, you can't shut me up. (I do have a way of making a long story longer, don't I? :o)

********************************************
The moral of the story? This isn't a contest on who has/had it worst. We all have things that make us question our resolve and push us to our limits. These are opportunities to realize how strong we truly are inside. There is good and bad in every situation. It's up to each of us to find the good and just concentrate on that. The rest will take care of itself.

All my best to you (and all of the others out there who are going through various things right now) and take care!:) :) :)

Cindy

[Raindrop]

I agree with the other posters and add the caveat that since exercise increases our serotonin, lack of exercise results in a decrease which means no more natural happy drugs.

Although you can increase your walking and alternative exercises which will result in the same increases in serotonins, it could also mean an opportunity to get into some meditation that balances out our (cyclists) need for high energy movement. Studies have shown that the same exercise induced results can also occur from slower, meditative programs.

Or, you may get the same result from great weekly massages.

Just throwing out ideas to you. Get well soon.

[margo49]

What xrayted said
Orthopedics is one area of medicine that you can get results, altho' it does take *time*.
A forgotten thread in the fabric of the space time continuum. (Think denim - it is 3 threads: warp and weft and a third one diagonally that you can only sort of see and don't really take into account but that is what makes such perfect jeans)
Actually time is the space a lot of things happen in (and won't happen without)
'nuff philosophy
It's big but it's do-able