Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) => Topic started by: Matt2matt2002 on July 19, 2024, 08:16:08 PM
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Very strange but painful...
Fortunately I can still cycle and walk but I don't think cycling caused it.
Had the pain for 6+ weeks. Before my Orkney tour/trip. Comes and goes. Sometimes comes on when sitting doing nothing!
Not testicle related. Perhaps a slight swelling in the groin but Mrs. Matt couldn't notice anything!
Not always tender to push/touch.
Planning a doctor visit early next week.
Pain is a burning / stabbing kind of thing. Ibuprofen takes the pain away but that's not the answer.
I went out for a short 11 mile ride this afternoon - no pain on the bike but short walks caused the pain to return. Today has been the worse. Almost makes me stop whatever I'm doing; not lifting and as I said - it can come on out of ther blue while sitting.
Any thoughts folks?
The location is lower groin area to left of willie. Nothing untoward anywhere else.
I've gone through Mr. Googles opinions.
I thought I'd ask here since I guess these things could be cycling related.
Cheers
Matt
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Given I'm a doctor of letters rather than medicine, I'll give this my best shot as a layperson...
Unless you have contracted epididymitis, a lot of testicular pain (generally referred to as orchialgia) is of unknown origin or may be referred pain from a groin injury or hernia. Some folks I know found their groin pain was refractory sciatic nerve pain.
You're past the prime age for testicular cancer.
Glad you have scheduled an appointment with your primary care physician or a urologist at your earliest convenience so they can lend their professional opinion to the evidence. 'Most any problem is resolved more quickly and easily if caught in the early stages, i.e. when first noticed, so wise to not let a lot of time go by before addressing it.
Wishing you well soonest and with empathy and sympathy!
Best, Dan.
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Perhaps that saddle of yours has not helped, Matt? Maybe one with a cut-out is a consideration?
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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Perhaps that saddle of yours has not helped, Matt? Maybe one with a cut-out is a consideration?
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Gosh - that's a good point. I had forgotten the 3 days I had riding on the rails when my saddle nose broke. Maybe It was that....
Humm... food for thought. Anyway - damage is done.
And thanks Dan. Pretty sure balls are all good. Certainly no pain there. Water-works fine as well.
It's just to the side of inner groin area.
Back from a short 10 mile ride now. No pain at all while on the Raven.
But off..... ouch, it's back. comes and goes now. Even sitting down - I have the sharp pain.
Thanks again folks.
Matt
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No change folks.
Just posted this on another site::
Any advice/experience/solution please.
Male, 71, regular cyclist, 40 miles no problems ( until recently!), Thorn Raven, Rohloff hub. Up-right tourer; enjoy the views rather than speed.
Inner thigh pain. Not nuts or willy. All in good order. Coughing doesn't bring on the pain.
Pain comes and goes. Like a red hot needle when it's there. No swelling although when the pain is there, if I press slightly it helps.
I can swing my leg forward and backwards, no probs. But side to side - that's often when the pain starts
Started mid June when I was on Orkney for a week. The tension pin/bolt snapped on my Brooks. Local shop bodged it together but I was riding on the rails for a few days. I think that caused it. Self inflicted.
3 weeks ago doctor gave me ibuprofen and omeprazole. Said it should clear up - but it hasn't; and some days it's as worse as its ever been.
Drugs take the pain away - to a degree - but it's no solution.
Due to see doctor tomorrow since it's stopping me cycling and walking any distance.
I've put on 4lbs....
Thoughts much appreciated.
Matt
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Keeping in mind I'm not a doctor or medical professional, I'd guess it might be a stubborn pull or strain or tear of the adductor muscles that pull your thighs together. If so it might have been precipitated by your saddle's declining shape over time before the tension bolt parted ways -- but that is only a guess.
I have heard of similar due to extended riding of detensioned leather saddles, particularly those that have gotten wet or otherwise assumed a more exaggerated hammock shape and/or flare.
Get thee to a doc as planned!
Sympathies are surely with you!
Best, Dan.
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Sorry you’re not at peak performance atm Matt. Just a thought: Have you tried swimming? Might help as it’s non-load bearing exercise. No Léon Marchand stuff though.
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Many thanks folks.
Back from doctor just now.
A repeat prescription of ibuprofen and a referral to the physiotherapist.
Told it could be another month or so before improving.
Recent 2 days have been really bad so decided on much more rest and feet up time.
I'll certainly never ride on a broken Brooks again.
Dan; perhaps the saddle had started to sag but the snapped bolt sure changed the set up.
Looks like my trip to Thailand is now on hold. I guess it will still be there next year.......
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Due to see doctor tomorrow since it's stopping me cycling and walking any distance.
I've put on 4lbs....
You need to train brain and stomach to change eating mode if you aren't burning off the calories. for example, more carrots and fewer carbohydrates.
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Looks like my trip to Thailand is now on hold. I guess it will still be there next year.......
It will! So sorry to hear this, Matt. I think we have all been disappointed by having to defer or reschedule trips from time to time and it can surely be a bitter disappointment. The downtime can be used for planning and honing your return to fitness and health to make the later tour even better! I'm a big believer in timing and I've lost count of the occasions when a delay meant I avoided some unforeseen but very real inconvenience or danger, mostly of the weather/natural disaster kind that would have likely ended a tour under less favorable circumstances. Just imagine if this injury had hit midway in your Thai tour....
Strength, courage, and speedy recovery, Dan.
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I have spasticity and use cannabis to manage the pain. Even though it's not exactly the same issue, I have heard that cannabis can help with pains like yours. I think it might be worth considering this treatment, as it offers some control over the discomfort. I have used the spasticity treatment (https://releaf.co.uk/conditions/neurological/spasticity-natural-plant-based-treatment) from Releaf, where I did online consultations, and they delivered directly to my home. Of course, I didn't feel immediate relief, but over time I started to feel much more comfortable. But before deciding to use this treatment, you should consult with a doctor because it’s not for everyone.
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Looks like my trip to Thailand is now on hold. I guess it will still be there next year.......
It will! So sorry to hear this, Matt. I think we have all been disappointed by having to defer or reschedule trips from time to time and it can surely be a bitter disappointment. The downtime can be used for planning and honing your return to fitness and health to make the later tour even better! I'm a big believer in timing and I've lost count of the occasions when a delay meant I avoided some unforeseen but very real inconvenience or danger, mostly of the weather/natural disaster kind that would have likely ended a tour under less favorable circumstances. Just imagine if this injury had hit midway in your Thai tour....
Strength, courage, and speedy recovery, Dan.
Many thanks Dan, and others.
Pain has just about gone. 98%.
So the Thailand trip is now on and flights booked for early Feb.
Same area as before. I thought it safer to take things easy given groin pain issue.
Plan is to take the train South from Bangkok and return the same way after 4 weeks cycling around the Andaman sea area.
Last trip I had cycled South and then took the train back.
Many thanks for all comments and support on this health issue. It's the first time something has impacted so bad, for so long.
Made me value my fitness/health.
Best
Matt
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That's great news Matt. I was only vicariously there via your CGOB posts a few days ago. I bet your're raring to go, particularly with this current weather. :)
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That's great news Matt. I was only vicariously there via your CGOB posts a few days ago. I bet your're raring to go, particularly with this current weather. :)
Well, yes and no.
I know I am incredibly lucky to be able to go, especially with the groin pain clearing up.
But I've had increasing memory issues.
At 71 I guess we all decline a little. But what's a little or a lot?
I need a bench mark and that should happen in the New Year.
I have attended a local dementia clinic and found great support there.
Day to day I am fine and family haven't commented on a decline.
But I increasingly rely on lists of 'to do' things, to get me through the day.
So; tour still on but fingers and toes crossed I don't get lost or into trouble.
I'll be covering a lot of the ground I did on my last visit so that should help
Best
Matt
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But I've had increasing memory issues.
At 71 I guess we all decline a little. But what's a little or a lot?
Day to day I am fine and family haven't commented on a decline.
But I increasingly rely on lists of 'to do' things, to get me through the day.
I'm a couple of years older than you and I now need to write down reminders much more than a few years ago. At the moment I'm treating it as normal age-related deterioration rather than anything more worrying.
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Matt,
I think you're incredibly brave, foresighted and proactive to consider these symptoms of memory decline and then take action on them. In my late father's last years (he lived in good health till a month short of his 98th birthday) he developed dementia characterized by memory loss (he remained his sweet-natured self throughout). His compensatory and coping mechanisms were so good, we realize only in hindsight how well and for how long he had covered for his deficits. Some shortcomings simply came across as quirky and he had a quirky and delightful sense of humor anyway, so they weren't noticeable till near the end, even to those of us close to him. I feel sure he would have been the first to ask me to share this with you.
Coping strategies certainly are helpful and do work. Lists aren't a bad thing if they help you keep track. Labels too and of course, being open and recruiting friends and family and riding partners to lend a hand when you need it. Deficits and shortcomings develop over the years for all of us.
You may wish to talk with your doctor to see if medications are having an effect. Here, a number of people have reported memory and sequencing issues after infection with some Covid variants. Our neighbor developed Long Covid and in her words, "It turned my brain to mush, memory all gone" -- until she participated in a special program setup at the state medical university and if she still have deficits, they are unnoticeable after a year in the program. She feels better and has regained balance and no longer uses her walker or cane. You might also wish to have your hearing checked as that is often mistaken for early signs of dementia in ways that are not obvious, as in trying so hard to hear that other things get lost from memory or never get logged. What I'm saying is there can be contributors other than age that can be addressed if they are identified. I think attending the local dementia clinic will open up a world of resources to you.
Knock on wood, I have not yet developed memory problems but I became near-obsessive about putting things away on my European double-crossing tour. I didn't carry that much so everything I had was essential and would have been terribly missed if lost. I got in the habit of not just laying an object or tool down but actually putting it away each time it left my hand. I think my diligence paid off as I never lost a single item.
As someone with a history of repeated traumatic brain injury due to accidental and assaultive trauma, I am always aware the next blow to my head could scramble my ability to ask for help, so I keep my name and contact info on me (and on a watchband tag, left hand as that's where pulse and BP are checked most often here) and a sketch of my overall and planned day's itinerary, the idea being such info might be able to speak for me if I can't speak for myself. I do check in with family at home periodically so they know my progress and intent and it brings us all peace of mind.
So..."be prepared" and keep things in mind and perspective as you travel and you should be fine. Wishing you a wonderful re-tour of Thailand and only good times.
All the best, Dan.
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But I've had increasing memory issues.
At 71 I guess we all decline a little. But what's a little or a lot?
Day to day I am fine and family haven't commented on a decline.
But I increasingly rely on lists of 'to do' things, to get me through the day.
I'm a couple of years older than you and I now need to write down reminders much more than a few years ago. At the moment I'm treating it as normal age-related deterioration rather than anything more worrying.
Thanks for sharing.
A positive attitude is essential unless you want to drive family and friends nuts!
My mother-in-law unfortunately did not cope with her own decline very well. A lovely lady but hard to love in her later years.
Having a glass half full outlook should smooth out things.
One of my pals had a phrase she used that helps me and makes me smile;
Ride the wave.
Best
Matt
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Ride the wave.
I practice "Wave the Ride" myself, greeting everyone I see and pass with a pleasant wave and greeting. Has worked well so far and is generally appreciated. ;D
Best, Dan.
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Matt - I am glad to hear that you are continuing with your trip to Thailand.
There are some wise words written in the messages above and all I can add is that IMHO you are not being foolish in doing the trip, and you are making a good decision to keep to familiar areas.
We all age and physical issues appear that start to limit us so the boundaries of what we can do will contract a little - a 40 mile ride today might feel as hard as a 60 mile ride a few years ago - but we need to push up to those boundaries to stop them closing in quicker.
Enjoy your trip.
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As an additional thought and if appropriate: Try not to create a self-fulfilling prophesy. It’s quite easy to kind of ‘catastrophise’ things that are usually quite solvable with a cool, calm head in gear. I wouldn’t dare share the ‘muppets moments’ I’ve had through stressing the bones out of something!
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Ride the wave.
I practice "Wave the Ride" myself, greeting everyone I see and pass with a pleasant wave and greeting. Has worked well so far and is generally appreciated. ;D
Best, Dan.
Many thanks Dan
She was not a cyclist and I think the term to her was just to ride out any adverse situation.
( but perhaps you were aware of that ?)
But I also share your habit of greeting folks with a smile and a wave as we cross paths.
It brightens my day and perhaps theirs as well.
Best
Matt
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Hi Matt,
Happy New Year to you and yours, and best wishes for your tour in Thailand. Glad to hear that your groin pain is largely gone -- hope it stays that way.
And, thanks for being so open about Ageing and All That -- we all have to contend with stuff that happens after three-score-and ten. Seeking comfort from friends and family, as well as professional advice, will help, for sure.
On the matter of memory: First, a self-mocking anecdote from twenty years ago, when I was about 58. We were living in South Africa, and I had been out on some errands. I took along a banana as a snack, and returning to the house, tossed the banana peel onto the kitchen counter & my car keys into the composting bin. :)
In a more serious vein, a year or so ago I heard part of an interview with a woman named Lisa Genova, then based in New York. The subject was her recent book, Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting. One brief comment she made on indicators has stayed with me: If you have trouble remembering proper nouns -- place names, somebody's name, and so on -- don't worry about it, they'll pop up sooner of later. But, if you have trouble remembering the names of day-to-day items, that's an important signal, and you should seek professional help.
And again from my own long experience, happily confirmed a few weeks back by my physiotherapist: He said that making lists, and especially, writing down items by hand, can be a big help in managing your days/weeks/etc. Here, I readily admit to confirmation bias: I still have my Daytimer agenda wallet issued by my employer in May 1982, and I renew the daily/weekly schedule every year. I don't bother with the calendars in my phone or laptop, and wave away suggestions about being an OWF (Old White Fart).
Cheers, mate.
John