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.

[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!!

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