Arthritis and cycling

[betagirl]

Hi

I have a type of arthritis brought on by crohn's disease, called crohn's arthritis (duh). It's not degenerative like osteo or rheumatoid, but gives me nice joint pains in my hips and knees if the disease is active. I also have "bad knees" (thanks dad). I had knee surgery on my left knee at 14, and expect my right one to go out in a few years if I'm on his schedule - I'm 30.

For the most part, cycling is fine on my knees. Running is out of the question, at least any long distances. I notice that my joints start to hurt after about 30-40 miles on the bike. I'm fine on shorter rides. I don't really know why, but I do know if I pop a celebrex before a longer ride this doesn't happen. Since I'm only taking 1 pill as needed, I don't really worry about all the warnings with celebrex, since those problems occur at higher, maintenance doses.

Hope that helps

[Duck on Wheels]

I too have Crohns arthritis. Haven't had a joint pain episode recently, so I don't know how biking will affect it. My last serious flareups what I would do was put on long woolies under a windproof layer, then walk (straight forward) for miles until I'd walked myself warm enough to be able to turn, at which point I could walk home. Warming up the muscles did the job, but walking was pretty painful at the start. Next flareup I'm thinking the bike might work better. I warm up faster, and I don't have to swivel at the hips to turn. But I am testing bikes carefully before I buy. I need the bike to fit well so my back, neck, shoulders, knees are as comfortable as can be.

[betagirl]

Hey Bikeless, just as an FYI my GI prescribed the celebrex to me for the joint pains. He said because it's a COX-2, that it doesn't have the effects on the guts as other NSAIDS do. Something about it being targeted. In case you're ever looking for something to help with the joints. What was weird for me is I had the joint pains for years before the other symptoms really hit me hard. I just thought it was related to my knee surgery, though I had a hard time explaining it when it switched to my right leg Talk about hard core denial.

[Duck on Wheels]

Thanks Beta, I'll keep that in mind. Mine showed up when the guts were at their worst. I don't think I've had hip pain this past year that lasted past a hot shower, or maybe the first mile on my way to work. But back then there were a couple of days when even a long hot walk didn't help and I wound up taking a couple of vicodin -- which, as you say, are not so great for the stomach lining. If it builds up again I'll talk to my doc and ask what the latest news is on celebrex or others in that vein.
I've also got osteoarthritis in one ankle, after a bad break. For that I take ginger, turmeric, fish oil, and glucosamine. Occasionally I get ankle pain on a long hike, but it's been ok on the bike so far. So the vicodin stash remains untouched.

[Dogmama]

Remember to NOT push big gears, especially in the beginning. Your muscles will build up much faster than your ligaments & tendons will toughen up. You need to go easy at first. Heck, when I start serious riding in the Spring, I always spend a couple of weeks just spinning.

I have arthritis everywhere (thanks Grandma!) and recently had a cervical spinal fusion. The doc was aghast at the amount of arthritis in my spine as it didn't show in the MRI.

Re Celebrex - if you're allergic to sulpha, you can't take it. Bring back Vioxx!!

[rivergrl]

I have a little knee pain after riding. It seems to be a bit less now that I'm riding a clipless road bike as opposed to my Sedona. I know I'm over weight and that is causing my knee popping when not riding. My Mother has severe arthritis in her knees and shoulders. She's had three knee replacements (one they screwed up) and had to do over...anyway, she's not gotten much relief after all that. I'm trying to keep the enevitable at bay for me as long as I can by trying to ride and build up strength all over.

[dachshund]

I had always heard that keeping joints moving keeps the "inner parts" lubricated. Low-stress exercise should be therapeutic. I think swimming is probably the best form of exercise, quickly followed by cycling.