Cycling UK Forum

Does anyone have experience dealing with this as a regular cyclist? Can I expect to carry on cycling or do I have to stop, hoping the rest will aid healing? It's complicated in that I already suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica for which I am on a reducing Steroid medication.
It's a miserable condition compounded by the PMR. I ride a flat bar, sprung fork E-Bike. The problem is in my right shoulder and looking over it to spot vehicles is painful.

arnsider wrote: ↑14 Jul 2023, 11:54am Does anyone have experience dealing with this as a regular cyclist? Can I expect to carry on cycling or do I have to stop, hoping the rest will aid healing? It's complicated in that I already suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica for which I am on a reducing Steroid medication.
It's a miserable condition compounded by the PMR. I ride a flat bar, sprung fork E-Bike. The problem is in my right shoulder and looking over it to spot vehicles is painful.

I also have a shoulder issue making looking behind more difficult. Obviously looking over your shoulder is the safest thing to do. However, I absolutely love the Garmin varia radar light as an addition. It detects traffic approaching you and flashes up on a garmin, wahoo or even phone head unit on the bars and is very accurate. It even tells you how many vehicles are behind you and helps distinguish between road noise, wind and engines on downhills. It doesn't replace looking and listening but it is a useful aid.

arnsider wrote: ↑14 Jul 2023, 11:54am Does anyone have experience dealing with this as a regular cyclist? Can I expect to carry on cycling or do I have to stop, hoping the rest will aid healing? It's complicated in that I already suffer from Polymyalgia Rheumatica for which I am on a reducing Steroid medication.
It's a miserable condition compounded by the PMR. I ride a flat bar, sprung fork E-Bike. The problem is in my right shoulder and looking over it to spot vehicles is painful.

1 It's going to be tricky with two conditions and while you're changing treatment. Is there a healthcare professional with whom you are discussing both?

2 Are you already familiar with all of the available adjustments on the bike?

3 Have you explored rear view mirrors, or detection devices as above?

Jonathan

I've had an increasingly stiff neck over the years, some days better than others. I've also been a big fan of mirrors and have tried a few. I've always gone back to the Mirrycle in its various forms as it stays put, is a reasonable size, and doesn't suffer too much from vibration.
Certainly worth using in the interim while you're getting your treatment sorted.

If you like gadgets, even radar devices might be useful though it adds complication to your ride. The main thing is being able to be aware of what's behind and around you so you feel confident while riding. Even a helmet mirror or one that clips to glasses can help with that, too, and can cover a wider range with minimal head movement. It's not a case of either/or, it's a case of finding what works for you.

Maybe other things such as raising the bars might make things easier, too, but that's more a case of trial and error.

In answer to jdsk, I do consult my GP, and have seen an Osteopath for other problems. I have the impression that currently, GPs are under so much pressure that they are reluctant to diagnose difficult problems. To be frank, I don't even know if I actually have Bursitis. It's just a stab at self-diagnosis and I may well have something entirely different. I have arranged an NHS physio consultation, but again, how much time and resources will go into an exact diagnosis?
My Osteopath is reluctant to treat my shoulder whilst I still suffer PMR.
I do intend to explore a bike-fit solution, but finding someone local with a good track record dealing with aging issues is difficult, meanwhile, Headset height adjustment is limited these days with modern construction.
I have sprung forks that can be switched on or off. Would anyone comment on whether I should have them fixed or free?
My riding is entirely on the road.
I'm reluctant to crowd my bars with any navigation aids, but might explore a mirror.
I think I share with a lot of older riders, the vital nature of our cycling to our overall health both, mental and physical and I am quite concerned to get on top of this problem before it confines my activities.

Thanks.

It's good to hear that you're going to see a physiotherapist. I suggest:

1 Writing down your questions in advance so that you don't forget anything.

2 Asking if you can stay in touch by email/ video/ whatever after the consultation.

Jonathan

While not directly linked to the OP's particular issue/s, I'd like to add that a recent shoulder issue that limited my arm movement and prevented me from sleeping well, was successfully treated by my local health centre's physio, after a phone conversation and receiving links to videos of folks doing exercises. At the start, I was very skeptical that this approach was going to work, but I'm delghted to say that after assiduously carrying out the exercises as demonstrated, the pain went away & has not returned. I was warned that I might need to exercise for between 6 and 12 weeks before I noticed an improvement, which turned out to be the case.

Things have progressed and I've seen the Physio at my surgery.
I was given a series of exercises which I have been doing at the advised frequency.
I was hoping for some manipulation, but in common with the experiences of a great many people, I did not receive any hands-on manipulation.
I opted to see a private physio who reckoned I had a trapped nerve and ruled out the Bursitis I had suspected was the cause of my pain.
I am crossing my fingers I don't have the complications mentioned by Jon in Sweden, further down this forum.
It's early days, but I still get the pins and needles and worse, the hot, searing pain mentioned by Jon.
X-ray and MRI investigations cost very large sums if paid for privately and if you are unfortunate to have a "complication" the likelihood of the NHS discovering such is sadly unlikely.
Presently, I am in a familiar catch twenty-two where I am supposed to lay off and rest, while my cycling and swimming are my lifelines to optimal fitness.