I hate this! (warning - rant)

[Have2BeFree]

:rant: I was injured 4 weeks ago yesterday (http://www.600riders.com/forum/what-i-learned-today/18323-twice-week-ouch.html) and I still can't ride! How do people do this? My wrist was x-rayed again a couple of weeks ago and they confirmed that there is no break. Then I had a nerve test on the arm last week and the doctor said that the nerve was slightly slow and that it had been "stunned". I followed up with the orhtopedic doctor today who acknowledged that and the fact that my hand strength is still weak. The doctor said that it is soft tissue (muscles and tendon) bruising and that it will just take time to recover. I am to use it as much as I can (letting pain be the guide) and "be patient". :banghead: (I think he was trying very hard NOT to say "at your age...." :spank. He then discharged me from his care with assurance that it will heal in its own time.

I did try to ride last night - took the FZ about 30 miles round trip but it is scary when you aren't physically 100% and don't feel in complete control The problem isn't just in pulling the clutch in as letting it out smoothly as well.

I will acknowledge and give thanks to John (JJPXX) for the many rides he has given me on the ZX14 the last few weeks.

So- How do you do it? How do you be patient and not ride while an injury heals?????????? AGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Sorry but I had to get it out - Rant Over.

PS..I am very grateful that the injury wasn't any worse.

 

[lonesoldier84]

so you've been riding behind a guy on his bike?

tee hee!!!

(jk)



patience is tough when youre missing riding hours. you are a saint to put up with it.

 

[Have2BeFree]

Thanks for making me smile Lone - I needed that.

 

[reiobard]

just take your time and let it heal. The more you push it the more it will be irritated.


How bad was riding last night other than your hand felt slower and weaker? Pain?

 

[Have2BeFree]

It hurt a good amount last night - you know how your wrist/arm feels when you get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour, or when you've ridden all day? It's like that but X3. Enough to not want to try it again for a few days. Actually it sitll aches almost all the time but not as much as before. At this point it looks like the New England ride is out for me - which is why I'm so upset. But at least I can feel my thumb again and the tingling is only bad after I use it too much.

 

[FZ1inNH]

Cheryl, I'm sorry that the news isn't better! There isn't a lot we can say to help other than try to find things you enjoy doing that doesn't hurt you more and hopefully that will stop you from thinking about riding the bike. What other past times do you enjoy?

What about another opinion? Therapy? Bracing/wrapping it? Have they suggested something like a stress ball to squeeze?

I wish there was a way to help you! I know I'd feel the same way as you right now.

 

[Have2BeFree]

What other past times do I enjoy? You mean there are other past times? Actually I like rollerblading but since we all know how well I've been able to stay upright lately that probably isn't a good idea either. Tomorrow I'm going on a picnic to a local lake - but would rather ride the bike than take the car. Sunday John is taking me for a ride YAY :thumbup: to the Hawks Nest in southern NY. Tonight I'm cooking dinner for friends - but I'd rather be out riding.......................

Anyway, the doctor doesn't think I need therapy - just time. I do have a stess ball and use that as much as I can tolerate. The worse is when I try to squeeze it palm down - that hurts really bad. So now you know why I can't use the clutch.

Thanks for the sympathy and well wishes everyone - I guess I am blessed that I am otherwise healthy. Sigh

 

[JJP XX]

Cheryl patient? Hah!

She gives the whiny, pouty look and says...

"What do you mean I can't have it yesterday?"

I must admit that she is a good passenger and really anticipates your actions. :thumbup:

I had to put a C14 seat on my ZX14 to accomodate her tushy. She said the ZX seat gave her asteroids, or something like that...

BTW, if anyone is in the Port Jervis, NY area on Sunday, come on out! We will have a late lunch at the Cedar Rapids Inn, Rte 97, Barryville, NY around 1500.

 

[mercm3]

Is it a soreness sort of pain? When I first learned how to board I fell a whole lotta times got bruises everywhere, so I'd take a couple of 600 mg ibuprofen before boarding, it helped me out with the soreness problem. But I'm no Dr so take that with a grain of salt

 

[FZ1inNH]

Anyway, the doctor doesn't think I need therapy - just time. I do have a stess ball and use that as much as I can tolerate. The worse is when I try to squeeze it palm down - that hurts really bad. So now you know why I can't use the clutch.

Thanks for the sympathy and well wishes everyone - I guess I am blessed that I am otherwise healthy. Sigh

What about rotating the clutch lever clamp and trying different positions? Maybe there is a way to work that clutch that doesn't give you so much pain. Hell, get a shorty lever, turn it 180 degrees and use your thumb if that doesn't hurt. But, maybe there's just one spot that it might work OK in?

 

[Mattberkshire]

I know how you feel, but on a smaller scale. I recently had an infected middle finger on my clutch hand and had to drive to work for a few days as I use my index and middle fingers to operate the clutch. I would look wistfully at the bike in the garage and curse my poorly finger.

Anyway - get well soon :thumbup:

 

[n1one]

Hey Cheryl,

Sorry that you are still unable to ride..that sucks, but I am sure that you will get back at there soon:Flash:

Good luck.:thumbup:

 

[ELIZABETH]

Hey, Cheryl, why don't you trade in the FZ for a no-need-to-shift SCOOTER!! :rof::rof::rof::ban:
I'm glad John is helping you with your withdrawal symptoms, and hope that soon you will be back on your own bike.

 

[lytehouse]

Nothing I say will make you feel any better! Just know it'll take time (my ankle still tingles from time to time), just don't push it too hard and make anything worse!
But now you have tons of time to do all that "other" stuff that we all put off cause it's riding season!

 

[Erci]

I definitely know how you feel. I broke my right wrist about 3 years ago and was in a cast for 12 weeks. I was "OK" for 6 weeks, but after that completely lost my mind!
I'm a righty, so simplest tasks became very difficult (shaving.. brushing teeth..).. rough times.
I can tell you this though.. you WILL be back on the bike eventually and it'll feel sweeter than it ever has before!
Don't know if you're into reading, but that became a saving grace for me. Definitely find something else for now you can truly enjoy.

 

[skyjake]

so you've been riding behind a guy on his bike?

tee hee!!!

(jk)



patience is tough when youre missing riding hours. you are a saint to put up with it.

OK, that was pretty funny.

Pain and riding? I know it well. Accept, I don't have to be on a bike to feel it. I have a bulging disc both in my lower back and neck. Some days are better than other and some rides are better than others. Longs rides almost always get to me.

What about Physical Therapy? I didn't read this whole thread. Maybe someone else mentioned it.

Hope you can get to riding very soon with manageable to NO pain.

 

[wrightme43]

Heal up soon. That has to scuk. LOL You guys have a short riding season up there anyway dont you?

 

[DaveOTZ]

he said it was just bruising, but you should keep it active?
He didn't write you a scrip for any PT or OT??
not to sell my profession or anything, but pain is a guide that is not entirely accurate. You will want to monitor range of motion and improvements in grip strength. If Nerve conduction test show issues you'll want manual dexterity tests.

Yeah itll heal on its own. But with the knowledge that we have today why take the chance that you may not heal as good without therapy? 4 Weeks of pain is 4 weeks of pain.

 

[mstewar1]

Ice and ibuprofen. Gentle stretching (which means you shouldn't feel pain at the end of the stretching gesture; stop before it hurts.). I'd avoid the grippy ball thing for now. Oh, and ice and ibruprofen. And massage.

I get dings like this all the dang time -- we've do lots of joint-locking techniques in the martial art I study. I'm no doctor, nor do I play one on t.v.

 

[Have2BeFree]

:rof:

Hey, Cheryl, why don't you trade in the FZ for a no-need-to-shift SCOOTER!! :rof::rof::rof::ban:

I think I'd rather ride a BICYCLE! :rof:

he said it was just bruising, but you should keep it active?
He didn't write you a scrip for any PT or OT??
not to sell my profession or anything, but pain is a guide that is not entirely accurate. You will want to monitor range of motion and improvements in grip strength. If Nerve conduction test show issues you'll want manual dexterity tests.

Yeah itll heal on its own. But with the knowledge that we have today why take the chance that you may not heal as good without therapy? 4 Weeks of pain is 4 weeks of pain.

I had called another doctor regarding a second opinion and they took my name and never called back. Thanks for commenting because I really needed another opinion of someone in the medical field. I even asked about therapy and showed the doc where the pain is - he didn't even bother examining my arm other than to test the strength in my hand.

As far as others suggesting ibuprofen, I have stomach problems so that is not a good solution - besides I don't believe in taking pills too much (ie....I take ibuprofen for migraines!). I'm beginning to feel like a whimp Believe me that if the pain wasn't so intense and I wasn't concerned about doing more damage, I would be riding.