Being told you'll never ride again....

31-01-2012, 05:11 PM

I've got a burst disc in my back. It's severely debilitating.

Caused from years of working on cars. Been given the advice that I should give up on my hobby or working on cars (and more recently, bikes) if I want the pain to stop. It's like being told I'll never walk again :-(

Had to take a 3 month break from riding last year, and even when I did eventually get back on the bike I was causing all sorts of handling issues as i was just sat upright and rigid

It just occurred to me there in a moment of misery and self pity that I may one day be told (or simply find out for myself) that I can't ride any more.

How would being told something like that affect your life?

31-01-2012, 05:24 PM

One door shuts another door opens. Everything changes. Have you considered meditation ?

31-01-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thirdway

Have you considered meditation ?

How would that fix a broken back?

31-01-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatty

How would that fix a broken back?

It can't, but it can help with accepting change.

Sirc · 31-01-2012, 09:07 PM

Some of the replies above bear testament to the possibility that you will be able to ride again Phatty, it sounds similar to my own experience around 20 years ago. I did finally have a back operation about 10 years ago but it didn't really help in the long run and even caused further complications. Not only am I riding today but I actually can get some improvement from the constant suspension movement. All back injuries can be different though and I count myself lucky. If you want to p.m. me I might be able to help as inevitably I have become pretty much at home with the whole subject now. Just for a kick-off, mine was a severely prolapsed disc (L5/S1) which caused my chronic pain but I spoke to many people who had ruptured and completely burst a disc achieving a quicker recovery as a result.

Nickj · 31-01-2012, 09:31 PM

I never said this but my mother seems to think she has slightly healing hands, only when she hasn't burnt it all up ... slightly worrying but there's an option

There a lot of options to repair discs, mend, replace, fuse and some combinations. Shop around for an opinion.
You'll find people like Don (does adventures on his GS and tours on one of those huge BMs) and Casper who is scarely smart.. Don't know why he's working here really, thought he'd have gone somewhere higher profile. http://www.cheltenhamspineclinic.co.uk
Touch of bias as I met Don on the first day I started at Cheltenham, ace bloke and loves his bikes
There are lots of people like this inside and outside of the NHS

31-01-2012, 05:26 PM

I also have a bad back compressed vertibre and twisted spine. Every so often my lower back gose into spasum took pethadin and diazapan to get me home last time. The docs have said that i will probably end up in a wheel chair in later life. I try not to think of it and have as much fun as poss with wife and kids (and bikes LOL)

31-01-2012, 06:50 PM

Jeez, I can't imagine never riding a bike again - riding this bike may kill me but if I don't ride it then I'm already dead!
Steve McQueen once said "Racing is life - everything else is just waiting!"

Rally · 31-01-2012, 07:00 PM

I had my right leg torn off 27 years ago and spent 14 months and 11 operations rebuilding it, my back fused up when they told me the same as you 8 years ago, then 3 years ago I broke my neck in two places and was paralysed for a short while until I reached the operating theatre. 3 hours later, I had a prothetic joint in my neck and yes you guessed it, i'm still riding!

Life can be a challenge sometimes that's for sure, but remember, don't give up, don't worry, just take each challenge at it comes and work it through.

Pedro · 31-01-2012, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rally

I had my right leg torn off 27 years ago and spent 14 months and 11 operations rebuilding it, my back fused up when they told me the same as you 8 years ago, then 3 years ago I broke my neck in two places and was paralysed for a short while until I reached the operating theatre. 3 hours later, I had a prothetic joint in my neck and yes you guessed it, i'm still riding!

You need to sit down and have a little word with yourself and be more careful!!

31-01-2012, 07:50 PM

I was involved in an almighty car v bike interface. My right femur was shattered, my left tibia was poking out into the fresh air, and I completely snapped off my right head of humerous. Throw in various internal injuries, and it becomes clear that I was in a bit of a state. The docs said I should forget about riding a bike again. This was over 20 years ago, and I have had dozens of bikes since. You will find a way, trust me.

31-01-2012, 08:00 PM

I know he's a professional rider but Ian hutchinson is pretty inspiring when it comes back to wanting to ride his bike.

I hope it doesn't come to anything where youre not able to have fun. Stay mighty

Rally · 31-01-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

You need to sit down and have a little word with yourself and be more careful!!

I've had many words over the years, as has my Mum! I didn't put all my injuries down as it takes too long! In total it is now up to well over 20 broken bones since the 1st at the age of 5, some Rugby, some fighting/boxing, some off road biking and one with a excited woman!
As well as an appetite for extreme sports, I do have a bone/spinal problem that means they break easily. See, it's not ALL my fault.

J.P · 01-02-2012, 08:51 AM

Sorry to hear that you're in so much pain and it's stopping you doing what you love most.
But from the sound of it it's such a big part of your life you'll find a way to keep at least the bits you can get involved with, even if that means not actually riding again.
There are plenty of inspirational people out there that overcome their problems, it's just a matter of finding the right way to do it.

And to slightly hi-jack the thread ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rally

In total well over 20 broken bones, one with a excited woman!

that's a story we've love to hear

Rally · 01-02-2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.P

And to slightly hi-jack the thread ....

that's a story we've love to hear

Let's just say this J P.
I had broken the same three ribs twice before and one was helpfully broken again when a certain young lady was on top! This happened after staying in a room called 'London'.
Did you not notice me struggling?

I discovered one was broken again after a confirmation X-ray in October.

31-01-2012, 05:11 PM	#1
Phatty Guest Posts: n/a	Being told you'll never ride again.... I've got a burst disc in my back. It's severely debilitating. Caused from years of working on cars. Been given the advice that I should give up on my hobby or working on cars (and more recently, bikes) if I want the pain to stop. It's like being told I'll never walk again :-( Had to take a 3 month break from riding last year, and even when I did eventually get back on the bike I was causing all sorts of handling issues as i was just sat upright and rigid It just occurred to me there in a moment of misery and self pity that I may one day be told (or simply find out for myself) that I can't ride any more. How would being told something like that affect your life? Last edited by Phatty; 31-01-2012 at 08:05 PM..

31-01-2012, 09:31 PM	#6
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,195	I never said this but my mother seems to think she has slightly healing hands, only when she hasn't burnt it all up ... slightly worrying but there's an option There a lot of options to repair discs, mend, replace, fuse and some combinations. Shop around for an opinion. You'll find people like Don (does adventures on his GS and tours on one of those huge BMs) and Casper who is scarely smart.. Don't know why he's working here really, thought he'd have gone somewhere higher profile. http://www.cheltenhamspineclinic.co.uk Touch of bias as I met Don on the first day I started at Cheltenham, ace bloke and loves his bikes There are lots of people like this inside and outside of the NHS __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

31-01-2012, 08:00 PM	#12
Mand Guest Posts: n/a	love him or hate him but hutchy... I know he's a professional rider but Ian hutchinson is pretty inspiring when it comes back to wanting to ride his bike. I hope it doesn't come to anything where youre not able to have fun. Stay mighty

31-01-2012, 05:24 PM	#2
Thirdway Guest Posts: n/a	One door shuts another door opens. Everything changes. Have you considered meditation ?

31-01-2012, 09:07 PM	#5
Sirc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: guildford Bike: M1200R Posts: 370	Some of the replies above bear testament to the possibility that you will be able to ride again Phatty, it sounds similar to my own experience around 20 years ago. I did finally have a back operation about 10 years ago but it didn't really help in the long run and even caused further complications. Not only am I riding today but I actually can get some improvement from the constant suspension movement. All back injuries can be different though and I count myself lucky. If you want to p.m. me I might be able to help as inevitably I have become pretty much at home with the whole subject now. Just for a kick-off, mine was a severely prolapsed disc (L5/S1) which caused my chronic pain but I spoke to many people who had ruptured and completely burst a disc achieving a quicker recovery as a result.

31-01-2012, 05:26 PM	#7
revver Guest Posts: n/a	I also have a bad back compressed vertibre and twisted spine. Every so often my lower back gose into spasum took pethadin and diazapan to get me home last time. The docs have said that i will probably end up in a wheel chair in later life. I try not to think of it and have as much fun as poss with wife and kids (and bikes LOL)

31-01-2012, 06:50 PM	#8
Mark Taylor Guest Posts: n/a	Jeez, I can't imagine never riding a bike again - riding this bike may kill me but if I don't ride it then I'm already dead! Steve McQueen once said "Racing is life - everything else is just waiting!"

31-01-2012, 07:00 PM	#9
Rally Taking life easy........ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wiltshire Bike: Other Not a Ducati Posts: 1,969	I had my right leg torn off 27 years ago and spent 14 months and 11 operations rebuilding it, my back fused up when they told me the same as you 8 years ago, then 3 years ago I broke my neck in two places and was paralysed for a short while until I reached the operating theatre. 3 hours later, I had a prothetic joint in my neck and yes you guessed it, i'm still riding! Life can be a challenge sometimes that's for sure, but remember, don't give up, don't worry, just take each challenge at it comes and work it through.

31-01-2012, 07:50 PM	#11
mickyvee Guest Posts: n/a	I was involved in an almighty car v bike interface. My right femur was shattered, my left tibia was poking out into the fresh air, and I completely snapped off my right head of humerous. Throw in various internal injuries, and it becomes clear that I was in a bit of a state. The docs said I should forget about riding a bike again. This was over 20 years ago, and I have had dozens of bikes since. You will find a way, trust me.