Going to the Doc for my Saddle Sore tomorrow

[emily_in_nc]

So...I finally decided I would make an appointment at the dermatologist to check out the saddle sore I got last summer that became chronic. My PCP checked it in late August at my yearly physical (or was it Sept?), and at that time she wanted me to have a dermatologist check it if it didn't go away after some time off the bike. She mentioned that it might have to be excised, so I decided to wait until the off season and give it a chance to heal. She didn't seem that concerned, but she did say that it didn't look likely to go away on its own (she's a cyclist too).

Once I got it, I only rode in very good shorts (Sugoi, Shebeest or PI), and on saddles that have always worked for me (Terry Butterfly on my road bike and Selle San Marco Atola on my mtb), but once it was there, it just wouldn't go away. It would shrink some, but every time I rode, it would start bothering me part-way into the ride and thereafter for a day or two.

The last time I rode outside was November 1 (mountain), and I've only ridden the trainer once, the first week in January, because of the danged thing. It has a purplish hue (sorry, TMI!) and is still a bit tender to the touch, and I know the minute I get back to riding this spring, it will flare right back up. I don't want to have to deal with this all of next cycling season, as a saddle sore takes a lot of fun out of it, as many of you can attest to!

So, we'll see what she says...I'm not excited about the possibility of excision, but it's worth it if it works -- I can't ride another season with it.

Emily

[Zen]

Have it taken care of. You've been suffering WAY too long.
The procedure is never as bad as we imagine.

[Velobambina]

Good luck, Emily. Sending good vibes your way for a quick healing.

[fatbottomedgurl]

ooohhh pooor babyyy. hugs to you, get better so when the weather turns you can try out that new fork!

[OakLeaf]

Owie, owie, owie.

Make sure they give you good pain meds after the surgery.

[RoadRaven]

Def go Emily (although I guess by this post I suppose you might be there!)

All that time off the bike should have seen that thing disappear.
Glad you are going and getting it sorted...

[Blueberry]

Hey Emily-

What did the Doc say??

CA

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks for the kind words, ladies!

No surgery/excision yet. She felt that it was not infected but just inflammation that wasn't healing, so she gave me a cortisone shot right in the sore. Owie! But, it only hurt while the shot was going in, and afterwards, nothing at all. She said it should be much better in a few days, so I hope she's right!

If, after the inflammation goes down, there is a "cyst wall" left (she didn't think so, but it's a possibility; it was too hard to tell with the inflammation), then it might have to be excised, but this is the first step, and hopefully the only one.

I'll keep y'all posted!

Emily

P.S. FBG, my new fork hasn't arrived yet, and I'm getting a wee bit nervous -- the seller has great feedback and well over 200 positives, but it was supposed to come priority mail, so should have been here by Monday or Tuesday. I sent him an email last night and haven't heard back, so I sure hope he's just away and "the fork's in the mail". I sure would hate if this transaction went sour as it was a lot more $$ than the small-ticket items I usually buy on ebay!

[RoadRaven]

Emily, glad you don't need the op. Interesting about the cositsone injection... will remember that.
My partner had something similar that wouldn't go away - he doesn't want the op - but maybe I'll talk to him about this option.
I'll be interested to hear how its feeling in a few days...

[sundial]

She felt that it was not infected but just inflammation that wasn't healing, so she gave me a cortisone shot right in the sore. Owie!

Oowwwww, you made me cross my legs!

I hope your cortisone shot does the trick!

[emily_in_nc]

So far so good...NO pain at all in the area where I got the shot. It's still ugly looking, but no pain. I'll keep everyone posted, but right now, I give a big thumbs up to the cortisone shot. A few seconds of ouch is worth it if it takes care of a many-months problem!

Emily

[Blueberry]

Cool! Crossing fingers it keeps working!

[emily_in_nc]

Just a follow-up. Since the cortisone injection, the sore has completely gone. It's still discolored, and that will likely take awhile to get back to normal, but there's no swelling, no tenderness, no cyst, nothing. I haven't ridden yet (even on the trainer) since I've been working late every night ($&#*%@ job), but I feel sure that riding would have been no problem even the day after the injection. I am so glad I had this done and won't hesitate to get an dermatologist appointment for another if I ever get a recalcitrant sore even during the riding season. It was one of the smartest and least difficult things I've ever done to cure a small but misery-inducing problem!

Emily

[Triskeliongirl]

Glad to hear you are doing better. If you think this is a one time thing don't worry, but if it recurs, perhaps its because your pelvic bones are uneven after your fracture. That happened to me (more bone was lost from fracture sites). I noticed that the sit bone marks are different sizes on each side on my brooks saddle, which is why I think that saddle works so well for me post-accident. I know you think you need a cut-out, so you could try an anatomica which is leather with a cut-out, although I too thought I needed a cut-out until I got my brooks finesse, and got it adjusted properly (level on nose, which means rear is a tad higher, proper height).

[RoadRaven]

Just a follow-up. Since the cortisone injection, the sore has completely gone. It's still discolored, and that will likely take awhile to get back to normal, but there's no swelling, no tenderness, no cyst, nothing.

Most excellent.
And thank you for sharing with us, because this could be just the thing if the same thing reoccurs in our house.

Looking forward to hearing about a positive and comfortable ride