Got some not very good news today

[solorider]

Went to the hospital today for a follow up to a MRI scan I had done a few weeks a go,the doctor told me my back was very worn with bulging discs and even a slightly slipped disc,basically my back has worn prematurely ,so I'm hoping I can still ride a bike for a few years yet as there is nothing the doctors can do.i am only 47 so not yet for the knackers yard yet but parts of me seem to be going that way lol.

[purplebear7]

Hi There Solo,
 
Sorry to read about your back problems buddy .. but at the same time I'm pleased that you are taking the best 'course of action' to deal with it .. good man .. be strong.
 
You really can find a way 'around' most Physical problems and still be a Biker (of sorts) if you really try. I remember the one armed guys who rode solo Fireblades around the IOM .. faster than I can eat a Full English.
 
It's not about riding like Bob McIntyre or even Cal Crutchlow .. you just can't play at doing that kind of stuff anymore.   It is about the pride of ownership, the freedom of the road, wind in your hair (I had hair once  ) and above all about being part of a this fantastic international clan ... and you can do all of that. I do.
 
As you say .. at only 47 you are still just a nipper (I've got kids older than you) so you need to stay focused and realistic about your ability, the kind of bike you ride and the sort of biking you do.  There is no need to give it all up just yet !
 
A duff back is (of course) a real pain in the butt in more ways than one (welcome to the club mate) even more so if you have previously been the action man type .. but you can overcome much of the aggro by adjusting what you do on the bike. 
 
Only when the problems start to involve your Brain Box and therefore the general safety of other peeps .. is it time to call it a day .. all just my opinion of course  .
 
Like I always say .. Stay Safe         Polar Bear (Spain)
 
 
 
 

[red98]

sorry to hear about that solo.....your not the only one....iam sufferer as well....wont keep me off the bikes though,i find 10 mins simple warm-up and stretching helps...mines worse first thing in the in the morning....keep on biking 

[caretaker]

i have the same problem. its much better since i changed my job from a very manual lifting/carrying one to what i'm doing now. it may affect your handling a bit, but keeping the rear shock on a softer setting is good. not so much jarring.

[JZS 600]

Tried seeing what a physio says? Usually Doctors and hospitals are fairly useless unless it's something life threathing, they're not very good at the preventative stuff.
 
I had severe sciatica a year and a half ago and the quacks just gave me pain killers, which were F-ing useless for nerve trouble. Went to a chiropractor after a very painfull 6 months and it was sorted out in about 2 months, the NHS willing to do F all about it.
 
Recently had physio after a spill on the bike and it was great for the recovery. Might be worth a go to see what they say, don't wait for the NHS to write you off...

[MadDogMcQ]

The warm-up exercises sound like a good idea. I do hope that you can manage to stay riding for a good while longer (albeit at a calmer pace).
 

[MadDogMcQ]

That's a good point!  A few years ago I was virtually crippled with back pain and suffered for 2yrs! Every day I had to "plan" how I was going to get out of bed! My doctor kept telling me it was a slipped disc and eventually, my company paid for me to go Private and see a back specialist consultant. He examined me thoroughly, had x-rays done and then told me that one of my discs had eroded away and needed replacing with a steel disc. I told him I'd think about it (cos I was pretty terrified of operations).
 
By complete coincidence, that weekend, we bought a new bed and the next day I was cured. Completely and utterly! Never suffered a single twinge since.
 
So my point isn't that you need a new bed  , but that Doctors and Consultants are famous for getting it all wrong when it comes to back problems.
 
Tom.
 

[The Rocketeer]

Sounds like it's VIRAGO TIME

[nakedadder]

Sounds like it's VIRAGO TIME

Or even worse, HARLEY time 

[Slaninar]

Excercise. Every day. Find a good physio, and JOGA. It's boooooring, but helpes A LOT. I've had back problems all my life (from early childhood) and managed to ride bicycle, bike, be quite good at track running, jumping and football as well. Make the best of it, don't give up. Let thet make you excercise regularly so you are fitter than 99% of those other 50 year olds. And NEVER give up!

[solorider]

thanks everyone,due to the ways my works physio work i can only have one item treated at a time,as i am having treatment for my carpel tunnel (after op) i will have to wait till my wrist is better,i will have to look for a job that involves more sitting down and i cannot do a job that involves bending down

[spoonlamp]

Sorry to hear that fella, good to see such positive advice as well  Having said that;

thanks everyone,due to the ways my works physio work i can only have one item treated at a time,as i am having treatment for my carpel tunnel (after op) i will have to wait till my wrist is better,i will have to look for a job that involves more sitting down and i cannot do a job that involves bending down

I'd think twice about that. Sitting down jobs are horrendously bad for your back unless your company will splash on those ergonomic chairs. Even then you need to make sure you take breaks. LOTS of breaks.