Cycling UK Forum

cyclop wrote: ↑20 May 2024, 10:53am Also,recumbents are a slog uphill surely?

The problem with exercising with a DVT is that the increased blood flow can dislodge the clot and it blocks somewhere else.

Drummer wrote: ↑27 May 2024, 5:34pm Hi all, thank you for the replies. I've not been on lately, as I've been in a really bad mental space again.

Anyway, yes, the heart rate thing makes sense there, that's what others have mentioned as well... the thing is, the DVT 'professionals' haven't said anything about that, and that's one of the many things that brings about a complete lack of confidence in them. They have only said that I'm at greater risk of bleeding, so I can't do anything that could cause injury... but they've also said I'm to be on Edoxaban for the rest of my life... so that logically means I can't do anything that could cause injury for the rest of my life! Now, when I think about that with a reasonable mind, that doesn't work, but that's the thing with these people; they aren't, and haven't been, communicating to me correctly! I really do consider it to be an autism thing, because it keeps on happening in my life and honestly, it's not something I can get better with. I've worked my backside off to improve myself throughout my life... if I hadn't, I think everyone would know about it, because I was an absolute nightmare! I'm about at my limit with certain things though, and I think communication is one of them.
...

So, with that said, today, I filled a couple of planters with aggregate and popped a couple of ferns in them... my heart rate skyrocketed, I got out of breath and sweated profusely... but that was very light work!!! Honestly, walking to the car and back can get me like that, I'm so horrendously unfit! Making the bed? Forget it! Mopping the floor? Yup, heart beating out of my chest, sweating like anything... so even taking into account what the DVT people have said I can do, coupling that with all advice, pretty much all I can do is a spot of washing up and a ton of lounging around.

Drummer wrote: ↑3 Jun 2024, 2:30pm BIG UPDATE!

I continued my research into this subject, and came across the site thrombosis.org, where they list the 'high heart rate = clot breaking up and killing me' thing as a 'persistent myth'. After which, I contacted the DVT team again by phone, asking to have a proper, long-winded appointment with someone who will listen fully, without interrupting me, or making assumptions, and who will then take all of the information, including any pictures or videos to help illustrate my points, and make a genuinely and fully informed decision, based upon my precise situation.

I then detailed everything about the trike, such as seating position, foot positions, lack of joint impact, the near inability to 'fall off' of it, unless I go backwards too fast and turn, which I won't, and how the exercise has benefited me in the past, which muscle groups it has activated, the fact that it greatly increases my heart rate and breathing, when I really push hard at it, and so on.

I also told her what I read on thrombosis.org, and very long story short: She's agreed that riding my trike should be fine!

Well, it's good news, but I should have had this news at the last consultation; that way, I would have been able to make the Ride London event, but oh well, I guess I'll try for next year then.

As it stands, this afternoon, I've spent time clearing out the bedroom, where so much of my late Dad's belongings are being stored (which were all but burying my poor trike), and have reached the point where I can hopefully unfold it, give it a thorough check over, get it out and RIDE THE THING!!!

So, all being well, and so long as my local trail isn't flooded, that's what I'll be doing tonight, instead of moping about like I've done for so long, lol!

I'm considering getting an Insta360, mounting it onto a telescopic pole behind the seat, and recording my rides like this. Might this be interesting for a YouTube channel? The scenery won't be very varied for a while... it'll take me a fair bit to get very far away, but if it could be interesting, I'll do it.

I have also looked into using this camera to capture Google routes, as there are quite a few red ways around my area which aren't covered. We'll see... let's get out and about on it for a bit first!

Thank you for all the support, folks, it is greatly appreciated!!!

Next trike buy: Pedals and footwear!