Help. What could this be? Sensitive question.

[KSH]

I had the same thing, which I think is a hematoma. Your saddle may be too wide in the nose.

See, I was wondering that. Because I only get irritation on the sides of my legs where the fold is.

I'm not sure how much skinner I can get on the saddle/nose though. I'm already on a men's saddle that is pretty narrow.

I'll do some research on what a hematoma is.

[Grog]

A hematoma, plainly, is a bruise...

A few tiny (or bigger) blood vessels break, and a little (or a lot) of blood pools, creating a red/blue/purple/turning to ugly browns and yellow with time bruise. Anyone who's taken a fall, or had a brother, knows what it's like...

I'm not sure but in my experience (extensive with bruises, less so with cysts thankfully) they look quite different. But because you said it was bruised and slightly black I wouldn't rule it out...

[redrhodie]

I just re-read your post, and maybe you're ready for new shorts? I read somewhere that they wear out in 6 months !

I thought mine was a cyst, but it was more like a bloodblister. It hurt to the touch, and got better with time off the bike, then would come back with each and every ride. Ouch. The little bump was always there since I never took that much time off. It had color, same as yours. It's gone now. I got a new saddle, and that's really helped.

[jesvetmed]

KSH: I can't comment on the sore your have, but I will say that I trust my gyno / ob more than anyone. I go to her for absolutely everything, and she always has a great recommendation for a referral if she can't help. It's amazing what jerks most general docs and specialists can be, so it helps to have a personal referral from someone you trust that, in turn, trusts the other doc.

Good luck with everything.

[sundial]

I think there are 2 things that are most important to a woman--a good hairdresser and a gynecologist.

[rij73]

I think there are 2 things that are most important to a woman--a good hairdresser and a gynecologist.

Exactly... Good luck with the OBGYN, KSH.

[emily_in_nc]

KSH, please read my thread:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ht=saddle+sore

Your sore sounds very similar to what I had, in the exact same place. It kept on all last summer and fall, and after giving it several months to heal over the winter, I finally took myself to the dermatologist. The cortisone shot provided INSTANT relief! It still has some purple discoloration but is flat and has no pain whatsoever.

Like you, I was riding the same (good) saddle and wearing (at least once I got the sore) very good shorts. Sometimes these things just get started, and take on a life of their own, even if you do everything "right".

I haven't ridden since the shot since I'm concentrating on running right now (plan to start riding again once daylight savings time is here), but I am hopeful my problem is behind me.

Please let us know what happens!

Emily

[Zen]

I think there are 2 things that are most important to a woman--a good hairdresser and a gynecologist.

Ummm...I've been known to cut my own hair

[Grog]

Ummm...I've been known to cut my own hair

Now if you can self-examine your cervix, you're all set, you need neither!

[DirtDiva]

A hematoma, plainly, is a bruise... Anyone who's taken a fall, or had a brother, knows what it's like...

ROTFLMAO - I hear ya! I'm sure I have fewer functioning nerve-endings in my right upper arm after all those years at the family dinner table...

[KSH]

Emily, read your thread. Thanks for that! I might see if I can get a shot like that. Although, I wonder if a Gyno can even give shots like that.

I wish I knew what was causing the issue... but I just suspect it is what it is. Ya know? Like someone in the thread said... you can have the right saddle, shorts, lube... and you still get it. I've done everything "right", nothing has changed and I still got it.

It's nice to know that it's not life threatening... although painful and annoying, I can ride through it.

After I hit up the Dr. tomorrow I'll let you know what she says.

[ttaylor508]

The bump that I had came on with out any reason either. I ride almost everyday, whether it be on my road bike, inside on my lifecycle or spinning at the club. All three have different type saddles, and I wear different shorts. So I still don't know what caused it. Since I had the last one, I haven't changed anything and it hasn't been back. I think sometimes these pesky little things just pop up and go away on their own. I suspect it was a spot that was slightly irritated (probably from cycling) and just took on a life of its own. Hopefully your doc should be able to identify and maybe give you some ideas to speed up healing or at least provide some comfort while it is healing. Let us know what you find out. Good luck!

[evangundy]

I would get irritation spots a lot from riding, when I let my "hair" grow normally. Stopped having those spots when I started shaving completely. But I hated the stubble (very course hair) so I started having it waxed off. Have never had another irritated hair end or sore spot since. I found a very good aesthetician who is very good at what she does, uses the best wax, etc. Other aestheticians come to her :-)

Just my $.02
Edna

[KSH]

Well, my Gyno thinks it's a cyst. But she's not really sure. And she said the only thing that could be done for it would be to lance it... aka: no riding for 2 weeks.

I probably need to get to a dermatologist now. Although, the situation is sounding kind of hopeless. Unless I'm willing to stop riding for 2 weeks (assuming it's not more).

I would hate to NOT be able to ride (and possibly swim- I bet I couldn't swim either)... as I'm 2 months into 8 months of my Ironman training. I also hate the idea of having this pain every time I get on the bike.

It's so odd... because on Sunday it was raised, swollen and painful. Today it's flat, not swollen or painful. It just seems to get irritated when I ride. Blah.