Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hello all,
I haven't been here in ages, but was wondering if anyone has been diagnosed with RA, and still managing to bike. I've spent a year with doctors trying to work out whats causing me pain, and their best suggestion is this. Theyve started me on medication and it seems to be helping, but i'm impatient and having not ridden in best part of a year im fed up. I managed to ride about 60miles last august and was in agony (on my SV), does anyone have suggestions, i was wondering if a new bike might be lighter on my hands, but dont really want to go get one and find out that its not helping. Any suggestions? |
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sorry to hear of your grief mate, where is the RA getting you (sounds like your wrists?)
Personally I've been managing a back issue for years now and it's generally only aggravated by me sitting around in one position for to long. This means I avoid long motorway stretches if I can and use it as an excuse for climbing all over the bike when riding on the B roads...... The type of bike can make a difference, certainly adventure style bikes put less strain on wrists but you still need to have accurate movement for the controls. Speaking of controls how have you got your brake and clutch levers set up? A lot of people complain of wrist pain only to discover they can relieve it by angling them down slightly so that you're not lifting your fingers so high to get onto them. If you do think a change of bike will help most dealers will jump at the chance of letting you out on something different for a test ride? |
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Might just be a case of installing higher bars on your curvy, even without your issues, the OEM position doesn't help. Get one of Matt Yokes top yoke conversion kits, and use higher bars.
Lower the foot pegs too? |
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Quote:
I do love my sv but a new bike might require less pressure to pull the levers. did try to go bike shopping a few years ago but places didn't want me to go for a test ride as they seemed to think I was too small for the bike. |
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
maybe get some Pazzo's or Chinese copies, as then the reach might not be as long
New clutch cable & worm drive might make that much lighter to operate. Even mine makes my wrists & hands cramp up if I do too much town riding. |
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Quote:
|
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
www.arthritis.org
have tips on dealing with RA and also changes to diet, the so called anti-inflammatory diet can really help. Certain foods can also aggravate the symptoms, check out site, worth trying. Strangely Omega 3 can help symptoms but Omega 6 can make things worse, also avoid barbecued / grilled meat products as the high temp can cause changes that are not good. |
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Quote:
|
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
I'm on a low dose of methotrexate for my psoriatic arthritis. Been on it for about 8 years. It took a while to really start working so bear with it. Over the last four years my arthritis has completely gone (along with most of the psoriasis). Made an unbelievable difference to me. Make sure you keep moving/exercising the affected parts, it definitely helps to lessen the pain.
|
Re: Biking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
You might tray a test ride on the new naked SV650. I test rode one and found it a delight and the upright position might reduce the pressure on your hands.
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 07:26 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® - Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.