MWS

Hello everyone, my name is Mike. I'm 55 years old. A year and a half ago I became very ill, constantly running a temp, breaking out in rashes, extreme fatigue and swelling. After several months I finally tested positive for Lupus. Back in Feb I had to retire on disability. The last year has been one doctor appointment after another. There is no cure for Lupus and there is very little they can do to ease the symptoms. I started visiting a Lupus forum. Everyone was stressing the importance of exercise for autoimmune diseases. Everytime I tried exercising my hands and feet would swell. I cant swim because I have tubes in my ears. A person on the Lupus forum recommended I try cycling. Back in April I talked to the local Trek dealer and explained my situation. I told him I lived close to a geenway trail (half pavement, half dirt) and I planned to do the majority of my riding there. He recommended the 4300 Mtn Bike and told me to ride it a couple of days and if my hands and feet swelled bring it back. I rode the bike 23 mi the first 2 days with absolutely no ill effects other than a sore butt LOL. Since the 3rd week in April I've ridden over 500 mi. I feel 300% better and my Lupus flareups have decreased by over 50%. Four years ago I had a heart attack. I knew if I couldnt get on some exercise program between the Lupus and the heart disease I wasnt going to be here much longer. Two weeks ago the city finished paving the trail I ride. Now I needed something a little more roadworthy than my mtn bike so Sat I bought a new Trek 7.5 FX. I've ridden my new FX 79 miles in the last 4 days. It feels like a rocket compared to my 4300 but I'm keeping the 4300 because there are some trails I wanna ride. Last Mon. I had a physical. My doctor was so excited about my bloodwork she called me at home. She said my bloodwork was perfect, the best it has been in over 10 years. She wanted to know if I had changed my diet. I told her the only change in my life was my bicycle. She said dont stop pedaling!

10 Wheels

Great Intro, Thanks for sharing.