Thanks, Ladies. I really hope that riding again will help. Last time I saw the doc he said I can do whatever doesn't hurt. Nice. I do also have exercise induced asthma, so I use the inhaler before doing anything strenuous. I found that out the hard way when I was about 20 miles in on day 1 of the AIDS/LifeCycle. I'd done a couple of 50 mile rides before going, but we didn't have the same hills they have in San Francisco! Kicked my butt.

I have ridden a few days in a row. I shouldn't say "ride," I only went around the apartment complex 3-4 times a day trying to get used to being on a saddle again, and getting my balance on this road bike. I have an old wrist injury that left me with some missing cartilage in the wrist and a plate in my arm, and it's already sore! I am hoping a lot of that has to do with the weather changing and not my tiny amount of time on the bike. I know I'll be putting more pressure on the hands than my comfort bike, but I insist on being able to ride this bike!

I'm still getting used to the whole UCTD diagnosis, and I've been a bit in denial. I tried to tell myself at the beginning that I'm just making this up, but it's hard to make up inflammation and bloodwork! My joints have been hurting a good bit lately and I keep forgetting words (I just stop mid-sentence and can describe the word I want to use, but can't say it). It seems that can be related to the disorder, too

I lost my job during the summer and started a new one recently, so I have insurance again, but I don't want to go to the doc til the new year so everything I spend goes toward my new deductible. . . and it's not a waste. I'll find a doc in January and see what they say. I recently got off of about 6 months of prednisone and my rheumatologist wanted me to start some immunosuppressant for folks who've had transplants, but I was hesitant to start and then lost my job, so I didn't.

Anyway, sorry for rambling. Cross your fingers that riding makes me feel better!