Arthritis and cycling

[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.

[mimitabby]

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.

the worst injury i have suffered was while swimming. I tweaked a shoulder
and it resulted in 1.5 years of immobility, frozen shoulder which i am still
feeling the effects of.
I'm not saying that swimming is bad, but put an uncoordinated person in the middle of the ocean (me) and they can hurt themselves even while not trying to do anything terribly difficult.
I'm saying that bike riding is GREAT!! even for folks with Arthritis!
A sensible bike rider can do a lot to stave off arthritic symptoms. Immobility
makes the joints worse, easy pedalling is what our doctor recommends.

[rivergrl]

I know my Mom felt like swim therapy helped with her knees but now she has arthritis in her shoulders and it's got her down really bad. Plus it's starting to settle into her back as well.

I tried jogging a few years ago but it killed my knees and I was told by a doctor that walking was much better for women and that cycling was also better than jogging. I'm really enjoying riding and I took my new bike out on a hour long ride yesterday. My first real ride clipped in. I was a bit nervous but I made it. I felt great and I could have gone another hour but my hands got a little sore. Then when I got home I noticed a little burning in my knees. I don't plan on giving up just because of a little pain, I'll just need to get my knees adjusted to the new workout.

[dachshund]

Oh, yeah, it's rough on shoulders, you're right. My mom went through this, too. Yeah, stick with cycling!

[Bad JuJu]

Read the book Younger Next Year , or Younger Next Year for Women: the authors talk about how continued activity--that is, doing regular exercise 6 days a week, for example, oh, I don't know, cycling maybe --can stave off not only arthritis but also some of the other effects of aging.

Both authors are huge fans of cycling as a sport that can carry us into our 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s.....