Medical Problems Whine/Rant

Well, my body has decided to toss me a curve. Severe arthritis in my neck has pinched nerves & my right arm/hand alternately hurts/goes numb. Tried to get an MRI this week & freaked out in the tube :eek: so trying again next week with sedation.

Been told by one doc that road biking is the WORST thing I can do. I was training for El Tour de Tucson (109 miles) but that's totally off the radar screen now. Riding really does make it worse but it is my best stress reliever...

So, oh whine whine, I guess I need to air up the tires on my dual suspension MTB. I'm such a brat.

My hope is that doctors are wrong and this is a passing thing. Oh, I know the arthritis will always be there and I have to be careful (I'm the one who relieves neck tension by painting the alphabet with her nose) but hopefully the nerves will un-pinch. I'm not done with this body yet. :p

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Originally Posted by Dogmama

Well, my body has decided to toss me a curve. Severe arthritis in my neck has pinched nerves & my right arm/hand alternately hurts/goes numb. Tried to get an MRI this week & freaked out in the tube :eek: so trying again next week with sedation.
Been told by one doc that road biking is the WORST thing I can do. I was training for El Tour de Tucson (109 miles) but that's totally off the radar screen now. Riding really does make it worse but it is my best stress reliever...
So, oh whine whine, I guess I need to air up the tires on my dual suspension MTB. I'm such a brat.
My hope is that doctors are wrong and this is a passing thing. Oh, I know the arthritis will always be there and I have to be careful (I'm the one who relieves neck tension by painting the alphabet with her nose) but hopefully the nerves will un-pinch. I'm not done with this body yet. :p

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Dogmama - I think an MRI would freak me out I dont like small enclosed spaces. Im sending calming vibes your way for your next MRI and I hope you are feeling better soon.

:)

Dogmama-

I'm sending healing and calming thoughts your way too. Don't give up! Make sure you have a doc who understands cycling. Perhaps there's a way to adjust a road bike so that you are more comfortable, if not as aerodynamic? If not, there are always 'bents. They might solve the problem and would at least let you get out on the road and keep doing what you love!

Take care and keep us posted!

Carrie Anne

Have them refer you to someplace with an open MRI. I get claustrophobic also but managed to fall asleep last week during mine. All that banging and clanging just became a lullaby.

Yes-the tube for the scan can be a bit claustrophobic-but it's only for a few minutes. However--if it makes you crazy-then yes-sedate for the examination.........Of your neck problems--well--one option would be to let this new episode subside-then physio to strengthen everything around the joint and still preserve the joint. Secondly-changing bicycles--probably to something more upright might help short term...........Here's hoping it goes away on its own! :) (And that DOES happen!)

just remember: soft fuzzy bunnies, warm gentle lambs! (my ex used to tell me that when I got mad - could be another reason he's an ex! LOL) anyway, sending calming, soothing healing thoughts your way and let us know what the results are.

I have taken one Osteo-Biflex, Triple Strength daily for years. Don't understand why it works but it does. Good luck with the MRI and sedation.

aw jeez... how frustrating! healing thoughts coming your way... seems like every good drug for arthritis has been yanked off the market! hopefully the docs can give you some better options to keep ya riding...

would a recumbant be any better???

Dogma' from one arth sufferer to ano {{{{ hugs}}}}.

Do you get any body work? I hate that I have to work around the arth. Glucosamine, yoga, stretching, keeping the area warm, keeping hydrated, foods with garlic and ginger for some reason, herbal stuff like arnica (sp?) and some weird goo an herbalist friend makes for me....I do it all...just keep moving {{hugs}}}

There are some real cool Italian 'bents out there too.

Hang in there Dogmama. Think acupuncture might help? Sending good thoughts your way....

traveller

Dogmama-you'll be back out there one way or another. Let go of what the one doctor said to you. It is too easy to hang on to the negative things people say. Instead hold on to the positive and don't give up. I've heard of many cases of people who have been told they wouldn't be able to do their sport anymore, but they are still doing them.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and at one point in my late 30s could hardly walk down my driveway some mornings, or button a shirt or hold onto a coffee mug. I am not pity-partying, just telling it like it was. I got new meds and just this year (10 years after my RA diagnosis) fell in love with my road bike and my mtn bike. Don't let anyone turn you around, girl! :) Good luck and I hope you feel lots better soon. You are not a brat; it's just really frustrating when our bodies won't do what our minds want to do.

I hate those MRI tubes myself. Had to get a valium to do one when they were trying to diagnose me. I am so claustrophobic I freak out when I can't get a turtleneck sweater over my head! :p Good, get the drugs, or see if you can get the open MRI as mentioned.

I'd also be open to acupuncture, massage, whatevah. Keep us posted.

dogmama, sorry to hear about your health problems and el tour. :( don't worry, el tour de tucson will still be here next year.

i'd definitely consider bike alternatives. one possibility would be converting your road bike to a more upright position with an adjustable riser stem and flat bars. less aero but probably better for your back and neck.

another possibility would be a recumbent. head on down to ajo bikes and test ride some. frank, the shop owner, and all his staff are really great. they specialize in trikes and recumbents. my boss rides a high wheel recumbent and they don't sacrifice much in the way of performance while giving you the different riding position. check these out. i'm pretty sure they had a similar one last time i was at ajo.

http://www.bacchettabikes.com/

also, there's a physical therapy office in tucson that is knowledgable about cycling. they do bike fittings and sports-specific physical therapy. ProActive Physical Therapy at 3100 North Campbell Avenue. i know two cyclists who have gone there and been very happy with them.

I also so think optimistic and positive thoughts. Dr's have been known to be wrong by telling patients what they can't do.

Sending good wishes your way!!!!

JoAnn

Dogmama
Sending healing hugs your way. Hope MRI take 2 goes well. They certainly are unpleasant. My favorite part is when the tech yells "don't move" and as far as you can tell you haven't moved in the past 30 minutes!

Dogmama, what a bummer, but you will discover the best ways to deal. I can never get over the team we all have on our side with this forum. Acuuncture helped me ENORMOUSLY with hand & wrist issues that no one else could diagnose, let alone solve. And as someone who has to be sedated to get in the dentist chair, I sympathize with you re:the MRI. It helps me to visualize someone wonderful & powerful holding my feet. Is there someone you can "ask" to be there? hugs - llb

:)
What an amazing support group!! THANKS TO EVERYBODY!!

I've done acupuncture and will do it again before they do anything like surgery. Had a chiro, but I think he made it worse. Of course I can made bicycle adjustments, but in my sorrow/panic, that had not occurred to me!! Will keep the sports doc number handy, thanks Simplecycle!

I do "the tube" again this Thursday with full sedation. Ugh.

Oh, and the weather is beautiful here - mid 50's in the early mornings & 80's during the day. Did I mention I have a lousy cold?? Is God trying to keep me off my bike??? Well, it won't work, cause I'm doing a short ride in about 15 minutes!