Totally, totally Discouraged.........

[jppe]

Today's ride left me with the feeling I might not even ride again.........

Never mind it was cool-32 degrees at the start with a steady 10 mph wind. The discouraging part is the pain under my left sit bone. There is definitely a small knot there now and after 25-30 miles the pain just shoots through my body. I cannot find a comfortable spot on the saddle-except to stand and pedal. Plus the harder I pedal when sitting the worse the pain gets.

I also have a "mass" on the other side or under my right cheekbone that I've had checked out by the best doctors around and we've opted to just leave it alone. I've been able to tolerate it for a couple years but it "squishes around" under my right sit bone as I pedal along. I guess the left side has finally gotten jealous of being pain free and is really taking it out on me.

I've tried different saddles, moved the saddle position around and even resorted to some old gel shorts but nothing I've tried seems to provide any relief. I'm out of ideas of things to try. I've ridden with lots of pain in my joints and body before on 100 mile rides but this just one takes all the pleasure out of being out on a bike. I guess this 'ol body has decided that 30,000 miles is enough. I just wish it had consulted me first!

Sorry to be so negative but this is really frustrating.......

[RalphP]

Ah, that's sad. Hiking and swimming, snorkeling, archery, birding, fishing... maybe what we need is an exhaustive list of what you can do outdoors that involves very little sitting down. :)

[BSLeVan]

jppe: I'd be discouraged too. But you seem to love cycling too much to just walk away. I can't believe that there isn't a solution to be found. Maybe this is like the 75-80 mile mark for me when riding a century. It's reached the point where I'm so tired that I want to give up. Yet. somehow I always find a way to finish it. Do you have access to a physician who is also a cyclist? Maybe even one who just specializes in sports medicine?

[stonecrd]

That does suck, its no fun cycling if your in pain. I would try a few different physicians before I chucked it in. Worse case take 6-12 months off the bike and try something else and see if it clears up, it is winter, maybe things will be better by spring. It sounds like trying to ride through it is just making it worse.

[solveg]

Maybe a recumbent?

[megaman]

Maybe a recumbent?

That's what I would try. And you don't have to be slow on a bent.

[Digital Gee]

This is awful news and it hits me real bad. I hate hearing this! I too agree that perhaps taking a few months off, or trying a recumbent, is the next step. You're such a hero to me I can't imagine you not cycling. I hope that a cure for what ails you can be found. Hang in there!!!

[Chaco]

I gave up cycling for 15 years because of some neck surgery. Last June, I got back into it again, thanks to a great recumbent. Do yourself a favor and investigate what's out there. I've done 4 centuries so far without a trace of neck, back, or butt pain.

[The Smokester]

Yeah. Time to consider a recumbent.

[Jet Travis]

jppe, you are the ironman of this group, and I really admire you. While you can ride rings around me, I think we have shared some things in common--notably a possible failure to factor in the role of rest and recovery. This has led to a number of nagging injuries on my part and the occasional feeling of burnout. I think, after all this time, I'm beginning to pace myself more, including more time off the bike, more hiking and other activities.

Taking some time off the bike--maybe a month or even more--might also be all you need. Then when you come back, start slow and build back up gradually to your previous level of fitness--or maybe a little less, if you want.

I leave you with best wishes and q quote from Joe Friel's "Cycling Past 50:" The most important pieces of the training puzzle for the serious past-50 rider are rest and recovery.

[tntom]

Don't quit till you have seen a good sports med. doctor. Please.

[CrossChain]

Echo all above....especially the admiration we all feel for your dedication, mileage, and pure, expressed pleasure in riding. Remember, as you would tell any of us, that you have options-- from rest to recumbency for a time to a sports/cycling oriented doctor. Without getting hokey...it's the old Lance thing...and glad we are that it's not exactly the Lance thing.

[Pockets]

Ditto the recumbent

[Tom Bombadil]

This is my biggest worry as I ride more and more. That some medical something or other will stop me in my tracks. As I'm a medical moron, I can give no advice, outside of encouraging you to aggressively dog your doctors, or find new ones. I've known many people over the years who had curable maladies that plagued them for years until they found the right doctor.

Sports medicine has made tremendous advances over the past 20 years and that knowledge is distributed quite unevenly throughout the medical world. Which is understandable, as I don't know how doctors could possible keep up with this rate of change.

[Ken Brown]

I have Achilles problems that stopped me from running and other sports many years ago, and I am even limited in the amount of walking I can do. Plus I am stiff everywhere except where I want to be (Rodney Dangerfield). However I am so pleased that nothing has stopped me from cycling, so I feel your pain.

As others have suggested, it looks like a recumbent is what you need.

[BluesDawg]

Best of luck, jppe. You have been a great source of inspiration for many of us. I am sorry to see you are having troubles riding. I hope that you and your doctors can find a good solution to get you active again, hopefully on your bikes. But even if you have to resort to (gasp) recumbents, I know you will find some way to keep going. Hang in there. :)

[Monoborracho]

Maybe some rest and recovery will help. But it is wise to always have lumps and bumps inside our bodies checked. Good luck to you.

[Stevie47]

My advice: Don't give up without a fight.

A few months ago I had a very similar issue, pain on my left sitbone. Mine seemed to be some sort of knot in there that caused a surface saddle sore. When I would ride, it started out sort of ok, but after a while would start hurting and nothing I could do fixed it. The answer turned out to be lowering my saddle a bit more than 1/8th inch. I dont know what changed but it got better and better after that and now is fine.

Wouldn't hurt to try (I hope you havent done that already!)

[specbill]

+100 on another doctor, particularly a sports doc that understands what we are about. Some well meaning MD's can give some really bad advice...Get aggressive with the medical side until you get answers that makes sense to you!
Also, be patient with yourself and give plenty of time to heal, both are really important. Your deal really hits home hard... I thought I would never run and cycle again after a car accident caused multiple fractured and compressed vertebrae in my early 50's. I tried to come back a year after I thought I was healed and it was a crushing disaster. I pretty much gave up on both and went on to other things. Then 3 years later almost by accident I got a chance to ride again and everything came back even the running. I don't know you but I feel for you, I know it is a crap time.. but good things happen every day...and they sure can for you. Wishing you the very best.
Bill J.

[Giro]

How do you spell R-E-L-I-E-F ?
(if you are old enough for this forum, you will remember that advertising slogan)

... R-E-C-U-M-B-E-N-T

Seriously, as others suggest, see at least one if not two good sports medicine MD's. You might ask in advance if they have a particular interest in bicycling and/or post an inquiry in Bike Forums' road or general subforums for a sports medicine doc recommendation in your metropolitan area.

As an alternative to taking it lying down (recumbent), Peter White Cycles (http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/links.htm) provides this link with the recommendation "Pedersen Bicycles are amazingly comfortable. I'm not kidding. You just won't believe how comfortable these bikes are." I've never even seen, much less pedaled one, but it just might be an upright alternative to the conventional diamond-frame LINK (http://www.pedersenbicycles.com/).

Finally, if all else fails and as others posted, consider other outdoor exercise-oriented activities. Rowing (crew) clubs are usually eager for newcomers. It avoids sudden stresses and provides a better all body workout than cycling. If you want real adventure, there's the Ocean Rowing Society LINK (http://www.oceanrowing.com/index.htm). If only you faced the direction you rowed.

[knotty]

jppe,
What are these "masses"? something growing on the sit bones itself like a cyst or something like bursitis?
With the sit bones so close to the surface, can some light surgery help?

Just wondering.
knotty

[buelito]

get a second opinon-- and when you go 'bent (if that's the road you choose), I saw one when I did Mountains of Misery a couple of years ago-- It had 4 chainrings, and the guy said it was slow uphill, but it coulde climb anything :)

train safe-

[Kerlenbach]

We think of doctors as magicians sometimes - they know magical things that we do not and they can fix whatever mysterious malady we have. Knotty's questions are correct. These masses are something more specific than just "masses" and some doctor has the knowledge and experience to deal with them. Every doctor does not. Few doctors are cyclists, and few of their patients are cyclists, especially serious cyclists. It will take some work, but some doctor knows the answer. Maybe the answer is to stop riding, maybe not. But don't stop until you have an answer.

[JanMM]

Yes, you might wanna be looking into those funny-looking bikes.

[doctor j]

+1 on a second opinion.

[Hermes]

I had a similar thing last year after the Solvang Century. It was on the left sitbone. However, in addition to a lump, all the skin peeled off. I went to a dermatologist who gave me two prescriptions and it took about 6 weeks to completely go away. The doc is a cyclist and told me I needed to get out of the saddle more. If you sit too much it cuts off blood flow to the skin and tissue and raises havoc. Let's assume yours is simple and needs rest, a doc and some cream. FYI...he told me to keep cycling just less and not to scrub the area. YMMV. This sucks but it is not the end of the world. Good luck.

[Louis]

I can't add much more to what has already been said except to wish you the best.

[Terex]

I'm with Hermes and others - do the research to find the appropriate doctor. You can also try different saddles like a Serfas RX or a Terry to allow you to ride a bit. One of those stubby little saddles (can't remember the name) may help too.

Post question on the regular Road forum, and post on other forums like roadbikereview general discussion.

Also, you're near Asheville - contact the people at the Chris Carmichael training center. This has to be a fairly common problem in the professional cycling community. They should be able to provide a referral

Post questions to the Cycling News fitness forum (http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=default#qa) or directly to some of the individuals identified there.

Again, you need to find a medical professional with specific expertise in this area. Absent that, you're unlikely to successfully resolve your problem.

[George]

I can't add much more to what has already been said except to wish you the best.

+1, I hope you get well soon. Maybe just a rest will do wonders, I hope anyhow, good luck.

[Bud Bent]

jppe,

With all the hill climbing you do, I'm sure you are not liking these recumbent recommendations, but there are quite a few riders who have temporarily used a recumbent to maintain aerobic fitness, then returned to their road bikes when they were able to.

[Red Rider]

I'm with Hermes and others - do the research to find the appropriate doctor. You can also try different saddles like a Serfas RX or a Terry to allow you to ride a bit. One of those stubby little saddles (can't remember the name) may help too.

Post question on the regular Road forum, and post on other forums like roadbikereview general discussion.

Also, you're near Asheville - contact the people at the Chris Carmichael training center. This has to be a fairly common problem in the professional cycling community. They should be able to provide a referral

Post questions to the Cycling News fitness forum (http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=default#qa) or directly to some of the individuals identified there.

Again, you need to find a medical professional with specific expertise in this area. Absent that, you're unlikely to successfully resolve your problem.

+1.

I wish you a speedy recovery and many more miles on the road.

[Beverly]

I can't add much more to what has already been said except to wish you the best.

+1
I hope you're able to work through this problem and are back on the bike soon.

[stapfam]

Wish anyone could offer a reason or a solution but it looks like you have to pay a visit to the Doctors. Sounds a better suggestion that a recumbent- but even that is tempting rather than to cease riding for a while- And No-One has mentioned a Brooks- Perhaps they have too much respect for you JPPE.

There will be a solution but Have to admit that I had a problem on the Tandem- and tried adjusting the saddle a bit- Forward a fraction and down a bit seemed to help on that. Just gave me a more upright position . luckily a couple of rides and I could put the saddle back where it belonged.

[Poky]

I can't add much more to what has already been said except to wish you the best.

+1. You've got to much into this sport to quit now. Please take all this advise and good wishes to heart.

[Carusoswi]

Have to second previous comments, and, like a couple other posts, am curious to know what the nature of those "masses" might be. It's comforting to know that you've had them looked at by doctors, but it still doesn't seem right that riding alone should cause them.

. . . and, from a layman's perspective, it seems there must be some step you can take, some adjustment, perhaps some special padding or whatever, to stop the aggravation and turn things around towards improvement.

. . . just doesn't seem right to me that you should have to give up cycling for something like this.

Try to maintain a good attitude, keep looking for a solution, and, if you will, keep us posted . . . "but by the grace . . ."

Our thoughts and support are with you.

Caruso

[freeranger]

I'm with the others on getting a 2nd, 3rd, or however many opinions it takes, until an explanation may be found as to what the "masses" are. Bound to be a doc out there who can figure out what is going on. Echoing the sentiments of others here, don't give up just yet!

[jppe]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm bad to self diagnosis (picture an engineer trying to solve a problem syndrome) and have done some research online. My guess is I have "Ischial Bursitis". Here's a brief explanation.

Ischial bursitis causes pain at the base of the hips where you sit down. The amount of time that you have bursitis depends on the cause of the bursitis. With treatment, many people feel better in about six weeks, but it may take longer for bursitis to heal.

Hermes is probably correct in that it was brought on by a sudden increase in activity........not building up for 100 mile rides . Probably also contributing factors were very minor changes in cleat position and saddle position. There appears to be several choices for treatment but all treatments include resting the darn thing. 6-8 weeks?????? That's a challenge unto itself.

A bent might be an interim exercise solution but I'd have to experiment with the position just to see if I'm still not aggravating that spot. Maybe I'll have to see if there is a Bent for Rent store around.........

While doing some searches I found a post by DnvrFx on bursitis in '05 from weightlifting!!!!!! I sure hope it's better by now.

[Bud Bent]

A bent might be an interim exercise solution but I'd have to experiment with the position just to see if I'm still not aggravating that spot. Maybe I'll have to see if there is a Bent for Rent store around.........


One of the bents with a hard shell type seat, and a more reclined riding position, is tougher to get used to, but does a better job of spreading out your weight onto your back (leaving less weight where the problem is), so might be the best to try. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Terrierman]

I have nothing to add except my sincere well wishes to you, my hopes that your butt gets better AND you find a way to keep on riding.

[BlazingPedals]

+1000 on the recumbent suggestion. If sitting in a chair doesn't hurt, then sitting in a recumbent won't hurt either, and it will keep you on the road. You deserve it, and if you take the advice, you will discover that's not a dig! Those were exactly my sentiments when I switched: I DESERVED a bike that didn't hurt to ride. Who knows - maybe after a season or so of not irritating the area, those cysts/growths will go away by themselves and you'll be able to return to your road bikes.

For now, I recommend test rides. Since bents are so varied, the standard advice is to test ride everything you can lay your hands on. Start hanging out here in the recumbent forum, and at Bentrideronline.com's forum. Find people in your area, find shops that carry them, and test ride everything from clunky beginner bents to sleek racers. As with road bikes, now can be a good time to find deals, especially on used ones.

[jppe]

This could get more complicated. Probably need a MD to help me figure out exactly what is going on but here is another possibility that is very similar. Appears NSAIDs and rest are a key to the therapy. Darn........



Ischial bursitis may occur as a complication of an injury of the hamstring insertion into the ischial tuberosity. Symptoms include pain while sitting and localized tenderness on examination. Initial treatment consists of rest, ice, NSAIDs, hamstring stretching and strengthening, and protection. Often a doughnut cushion will alleviate the patient's symptoms while he or she is sitting. Aspiration of the bursa and injection of a corticosteroid should be considered for recalcitrant cases. Rarely, surgical excision of the bursa for persistent pain and disability is indicated.

Ischial bursitis needs to be differentiated from ischial tuberosity syndrome. The ischial tuberosity is a swollen part or broadening of the bone in the frontal portion of the ischium, the lowest of the three major bones that make up each half of the pelvis. As the point of fusion of the ischium and the pubis, it is attached to various muscles and supports the weight of the body when one is sitting. Ischial tuberosity pain may be experienced by a wide range of athletes, including soccer players, cyclists, baseball players, figure skaters, cheerleaders and any type of jumpers or runners. It is often misdiagnosed as ischial bursitis, an extremely painful condition.

The ischial tuberosity is the point of origin of the adductor and hamstring muscles of the thigh, as well as the sacrotuberus ligaments. The forceful pull of these muscles, such as can happen during a variety of sports, as a result of a trauma such as a fall or other type of injury, or through the overuse of the hamstrings, as is common among runners and soccer players, results in a separation or detachment, also called an avulsion, of an open ischial apophysis.

The symptoms of ischial tuberosity pain are, plain and simple, “a pain in the butt.” Pain on the bottom of the buttock, especially when sitting and running is typical. The area may also be quite tender and sensitive to touch.

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of ischial tuberosity pain, but they do not address the root of the problem. By strengthening structural weaknesses in the body, pain associated with the ischial tuberosity may be alleviated permanently.

Other therapies including rest, anti-nflammatory medicines, physical therapy, and injection with glucocorticoid may help.

[swopie]

1. Recumbent?
2. Get a second opinion from new doctors. And, if they don't have an answer, get a third and a fourth.
3. Rest it and get massages...might as well enjoy yourself until you can ride again.

[BSLeVan]

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of ischial tuberosity pain, but they do not address the root of the problem. By strengthening structural weaknesses in the body, pain associated with the ischial tuberosity may be alleviated permanently.

Do you really think it's structural weakness in your case? I'd be surprised if that were true. I think your right on target recognizing your going to need help sorting this out.

[pel]

have you tried lowering your saddle. I know you have got it at the perfect height and angle. That is what I said to the bike shop guy when looking at a new saddle. So he just lowered it anyway - by an inch. It helps. Your legs carry more of the load.
Alternatively have you considered a recumbent. Might be just the thing for you. Again a mind set thing.
Seems to me the perfect saddle (pain free over any distance) has still to be invented.
Good luck

[LynnH]

Best of wishes from me also, you are an inspiration!

[PAlt]

jppe - Hits hard,as you ARE my inspiration for several of the challenges I'm strapping on this year. Please let me know if there's ANYTHING I can do to help out, as close as your phone. Talk to our friends @ the LBS, I'd bet Jim can perhaps shed some light on your condition, as he's wrenched for some of these pro teams. You will be missed @ the Polar Bear this Sat. if you can't ride! Recover quickly, so I can see you name on the list for AOMM, pass-codes are going out SOON.

[bobkat]

I'm not a sports med doc, but am an old tired and retired doc who loves to ride bikes, of any kind and description! I can't comment on these "masses" but as they have been checked out I suspect I know what they are - probably nothing serious just fibrous nodular thingies that are commonly seen. But get another opinion to be sure so you can relax about it.
As Blazing points out, if you don't hurt sitting in a recliner chair you will be just fine on a bent. To even think of quitting cycling without trying a bent for a year would be awful. There are enough personal testaments on this thread to hopefully calm your "Freddy Fears" and make trying a bent more palatable for you.
And don't believe for a moment that you will be slow or inadequate to bike with anyone your age and condition. In fact, just the opposite.
Actually IMHO bents would be the choice of a bike for many people if they could get over the stigma that some people propogate! Usually people who have never tried one or ridden one.
If there was some way to follow up objectively, I'd personally bet you the price of a good LWB bent (what I'd recomend for you) that in a few months time you'd be saying to yourself and probably publically on this forum "Wow! Whty didn't I do this years ago?"
Not trying to sound like a salesman, just giving sort-of-medical advice.

[edzo]

surgery,
recumbent,
then back on the bike like nothing happened.

[HiYoSilver]

You said you tried a lot of saddles, but did you try something like the Fizik Tri Arione? Over time it will conform exactly to your body.

http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=fizik-arione-tri-2-kium&jsenabled=1&osCsid=efe1ba2770e399a730d8d5d110a07b3b

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/saddle06.shtml

It sounds to me like you spent too much time with either the bike not fitted best for you or on an weak saddle.

Good luck. Worst case, go bents.

[TruF]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm bad to self diagnosis (picture an engineer trying to solve a problem syndrome) and have done some research online. My guess is I have "Ischial Bursitis".

Wow! I had that a few years ago, but in my case it was caused by too much sitting at work and in the car. (I'd never had a real desk job or commuted so much prior to that time in my life, so my hiney just wasn't used to so much sitting.) The problem resolved itself when I got one of those sit-stand desks and I graduated from school, which ended my commute. I remember it hurt like a sunnavagun. I couldn't even sit for long in meetings.

Just because you have it now doesn't mean you'll always have it. I can sit for hours now, even traveling for days at a time. And taking up cycling hasn't aggravated it, either. Good luck! I feel your pain.