Fifty Plus (50+) - Tour mileage now in medical records

I had a doctor appointment today as a follow-up to my bout with cellulitis on the right shin area a couple weeks ago. My doctor was asking the usual questions about how it felt, what had I been doing in the past couple weeks, had I been riding and was it giving me any additional problems.

I mentioned I had just finished a 300+ mile tour and he started asking a lot of questions about bike touring. I also saw him write the tour mileage and number of days in my medical chart:) If I ever lose my records maybe I can browse my records to recover some of the information:rolleyes:

Final diagnosis.....everything checked out fine and the occasional swelling should go completely away in a few weeks.

I have read of an axiom regarding MD's views of their patients' statements about exercise, which is "Believe about 1/2 of what you are told by the patient."

I know my doc looks at me funny when I tell him I ride 150+ Miles per week and lift weights regularly. Oh well, I guess I have no need to convince him.

However, the neurologist can't believe how much I can push back when he gives me a neurological test of my arm strength.

I know my doc looks at me funny when I tell him I ride 150+ Miles per week and lift weights regularly. Oh well, I guess I have no need to convince him.
However, the neurologist can't believe how much I can push back when he gives me a neurological test of my arm strength.
Because, to most people, that is simply unheard of. Unless a doc is a sports enthusiast him/herself, they would give the same funny look as other folks who don't exercise.

BTW Beverly, I'm glad your leg is healing well. Cellulitis isn't something to mess with.

I have read of an axiom regarding MD's views of their patients' statements about exercise, which is "Believe about 1/2 of what you are told by the patient."

I know my doc looks at me funny when I tell him I ride 150+ Miles per week and lift weights regularly. Oh well, I guess I have no need to convince him.

However, the neurologist can't believe how much I can push back when he gives me a neurological test of my arm strength.


My doctor has always told me if all his patients were as healthy as me he would be out of business:)

Good mileage, we should all get to do things like that. As to the doctors, I got tired of the lack of interest or ignorance of most doctors about cycling and exercise. When I became covered by a new medical plan I moved to a new doctor who is an expert in Sports Medicine. I told him I wanted a doctor who would not tell me to stop cycling every time some trivial little ailment came along.

My doctor is the team doc for the local college football team. When I first started telling him how much I rode he would just say ok. Then I started taking my HRM printouts in showing him the data, he was impressed. Then I started doing doubles and triples and taking in the printouts. Now I’m his poster child for health, he’s even started riding.

Since I live in a small town, I see my doc out of the office occasionally, even at dinner parties. He always asks about my riding. But I don't think he's written anything in my record. He says that I am in the top 1% of fitness for my age.

Most doctors spend thier time trying to convince patients to walk around a little bit, and they call that exercise. I suppose for most people, walking for half an hour is a step in the right tdirection. The idea that old folks like us actually ride for hours at a time, and for hundred of miles in a month, bogles the medical mind.

Glad to hear you're healing well. It's always nice to get a report like that.

When I went to see my doc last Monday, two days after our tandem crash, he listened to our story, looked me over briefly, shook his head and chuckled, "I just don't know what to do with you." He cycles, easily qualifies for the 50+ forum -- in other words, he gets it. I really appreciate not having to explain myself to him.

Good news is always...uh...good news. Have a cold one...on me.:beer:

I have read of an axiom regarding MD's views of their patients' statements about exercise, which is "Believe about 1/2 of what you are told by the patient."

I know my doc looks at me funny when I tell him I ride 150+ Miles per week and lift weights regularly. Oh well, I guess I have no need to convince him.

However, the neurologist can't believe how much I can push back when he gives me a neurological test of my arm strength.

My doc gave me the same treatment when I told him I was doing about 500 miles a month. Even though he is a weight lifter and stays fit he found it impossible that someone could go that far on a bike.

My last visit to the doctor surprised her with my BP which was the lowest she had seen since I became her patient. I told her I ride a bike, watch my diet and take the usual meds she prescribed to me. She then told me make an appointment at the front desk to see her in 6 months instead of the usual 3 months. I'm not sure if she made a note of that on my chart but she's happy with the outcome.