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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - 29inch Wheeled Bikes
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Whelp, its official... I've gotta sell her. (12 posts)
|  Whelp, its official... I've gotta sell her. | xxlt
Jan 6, 2004 1:33 PM | | Well folks, its been 2 months now. The official diagnosis is a herniated disk in my lower back. I've consulted with 2 different doctors (both orthopaedic surgeons), been xray'd and MRI'd. I've taken heavy oral steroids and anti-inflammatorys. It all has helped.
The good news is that surgery is probably not in my future. I might even avoid an epidural. Given time, some strength training, a heightened awareness, and some common sense, I should make a full recovery. It should take about a year if I stay dedicated to my exercises.
I am under strict orders to avoid all compression type exercises. I directly asked my doctors about riding. I described my bike, showed them my riding position and explained my riding habits. They feel that, without a doubt, this type of riding on this type of bike will do nothing but make my back even more susceptible to this problem. The good news is though they think a custom recumbent for on road use would probably be OK, after I no longer have any of the current symptoms.
With that, I have come to the very difficult decision to pass along my bike and start to work on the custom recumbent project. If anyone is interested in it, send me an email. I'd love to have it go to one of the "family" here. Of course, I'll donate to MTBR if a sale comes of this post.
Ask any and all questions. I have plenty of pics and all the specs. Basically, it's an XXL Buzz Bomb. I've got over $2200 invested, and she's got less than 600 miles on her.
Thanks guys for listening. Thanks also for good thoughts, suggestions and ideas over the past months. While I am disappointed to be restricted to road riding (probably for the rest of my days) I am overjoyed to be able to ride at all. After going thru something like this, I'm pretty much thrilled to be able to walk at all.
xxlt@sbcglobal.net |
| Let me be the first of 142 views to express my condolences... | f'nætik (aka næstep)
Jan 6, 2004 5:51 PM | | Jase, that just plain sucks. I'm really sorry to hear it, because this has been one hell of an experience for you. I only hope that whoever gets their hands on that fantastic bike knows all the time and effort you've put in to making it "just right", and can appreciate it for what it is. It wouldn't hurt if you got a fair price for it too, but I'm not holding my breath.
I was on the Buzz Bomb up on the backside of Tam this weekend, freezing my toes off on that "technical fire road" we talked about last time we rode together. It's a shame you'll never get up there with me, but your health and longevity come first, and I'm happy to know you've got those priorities straight.
Best of luck to you and your herniated disk -- I hope you can kick its arse and get going on that recumbent project. Keep us all up to date when you get that new rig rolling. Who knows, "XXLT, inventor of the 29 inch recumbent" might very well be your claim to bicycle fame! |
| re: Whelp, its official... I've gotta sell her. | Appendage
Jan 6, 2004 6:27 PM | | XX, I truly feel your pain. I've got degenerative disk disease that forced me to give up my beloved running. I fear that your fate someday awaits me, and I don't know how I'll deal with it. I hope you find something that brings you joy and satisfaction and fun. If you do, be sure to let us all know what it is, because no doubt, some of us will need suggestions. |
| Bummer. | 2melow
Jan 6, 2004 6:59 PM | | I've suffered 3 weeks of back pain and I know it isn't a joke. Damn scary actually. You are making the right decision by choosing your recovery as your priority.
Hope you get a kickass recumbent - I can actually put you in touch with one of the founders of Bachetta recumbents if you want to go the ti route with 650 wheels. Those things are stupid fast and can hold 30mph on the flats all day long.
Stick with the exercises and hope you feel better. |
| re: Whelp, its official... I've gotta sell her. | aosty
Jan 7, 2004 12:52 AM | | Yikes - very sorry about the horrible news. I also have some scary issues with joints as well as some serious injuries. You and I had spoke about custom frames a while back. Good luck with recovery and your new 29" full-suspension recumbent! |
| re: Whelp, its official... I've gotta sell her. | RobW
Jan 7, 2004 7:12 AM | | Bummer. Make sure you keep us updated on the recumbent build-up, I'm sure it will be a top notch bike and I for one would like to see it... |
| Get well & good luck... | DancingBear
Jan 7, 2004 1:51 PM | | Damn, that's a shame, but you are definitely on the right track, and it is good that bikes are still in your future. I'm a big, tall man from a family of big tall men, and I've seen & felt the frustration of debilitating back pain. Be strong, stick with the exercises, and keep your chin up. I wish you all the best. See you on the road. |
| re: Whelp, its official... I've gotta sell her. | Kolo
Jan 8, 2004 2:54 AM | | My sympathies, but also my congratulations on taking a level headed view and getting your priorities straight. Would love to be in a position to purchase your bike at a reasonable price - but unfortunately any offer I could make at the moment would be emabarassing for both you and me. So just passing on my best wishes for a speedy recovery, and encouragement on getting that big wheeled recumbent rolling!
Sam |
| Here are the adds | xxlt
Jan 8, 2004 7:16 PM | | Thanks for all the positive support guys. It really does help.
Here they are:
eBay and MTBR
I know, I know... BuyItNow is set pretty high. I just can't bring myself to go any lower =(. |
| Harsh but experienced reply | fatire
Jan 9, 2004 6:20 PM | | Listen man,
i've been there and you don't want to hear this but take my advice and take a hard look at GOING UNDER THE KNIFE!
Many herniated discs can be easily repaired these days with micro-surgery techniques.
Sure you can lie low and the condition may abate itself but it's still there waiting to hit you when you least expect it (be especially careful doing any twisting while you have even small amount of weight in you hands and your arms are out-stretched by even the smallest amount, that leverage multiplies the pressure and when you twist the disc material pushes into your nerves and WOWIE.)
As I said I was there (bed-ridden) over 20 years ago with bad siatica caused by L5-S1 herniation.
Bit the bullet and had a neuro-surgeon in boston (my second opinion) operate. He did a partial laminectomy (disc removal) with no fusion.
I walked the night of surgery, was out of the H in 3 days, back to work in 1 week.
Six weeks later I was hiking up Mt. Washington's Tucerman's Ravine with 60lbs of pack and ski gear to go extreme skiing and I've never looked back.
I was SO glad I made that decision.\
Did it involve risk, why sure but what doesn't and the risks are WAY smaller today.
Surgey is looked at by so many people like the f__king boogie man, to be avoided at all costs.
I think that's BS.
If you get hooked up with top docs they may very well FIX what's wrong and you can return sooner then you think to the things you really love. I'd be happy to share my experience with you in detail if you want, just write me at fatireATmtanembaDOTcom.
I could have been all sypathetic (i am sorry you've got troubles) but my advice is look hard at getting some top peoples opinions.
Go see a neuro-surgeon, after all it's all about nerves and your spinal cord, let the ortho-peeds stick to ankles, knees and shoulders!
He ducks as he senses flames coming from any 29er orto-peds but before he leaves throws on more volley.
Why do I say that.....oh it was an orthopedic guy I went to first, his plan was to use conventional techniques, do a total disc removal and fuse L5 and S1 together.
Then I went to the neuro-surgeon who told me about the micro surgery techniques, the special operatng table he used to reduce bleeding (kind of had me positioned doggie style with suport only on sides and upper chest), then he pulled a book off the shelf that was six months out of print and showed me some pictures explaining that he didn't do it this way anymore, there were already further technique advances!
At the end of my visit I said "how quickly can we do it?" and I went in with a super positive attitude which I think was half my success.
I shudder to think where I'd be if I'd let that ortho-hack operate on me! (Don't mean to slam ALL orthos but he clearly was not up to speed!)
THATS why I say go find yourself a good neuro-surgeon and at least hear what he has to say.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely
Steve |
| Harsh but experienced reply | xxlt
Jan 10, 2004 12:40 PM | | Steve, I'm very glad things have worked out so well for you. There is no arguing the route you took was perfect for you, given the success you've had.
While I appreciate your candor and honesty, I need to disagree that surgery is right for me. There are many, many more factors involved than I have divulged here. I, my family and my doctors whom I trust very much have spent a lot of time and effort discussing and evaluating all the options open to me. We came to this decision together and I am 100% comfortable with it.
I think we can agree that there is no right solution for everyone. Your decision is clearly perfect for you! I only hope my decision ends up being as right for me.
Jason |
| All the best | fatire
Jan 12, 2004 5:39 AM | | Sorry, I probably came off like a jerk but I just wanted to make sure you HAD considered the surgery option.
Many people do ANYTHING to avoid it and sometimes it's the best thing they could do.
You obviously have considered your options carefully.
Best of luck.
Steve |
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