Doctor has told me no more bikes.
Discussion
61 years old started at 16 . Fell off a ladder 6 weeks ago and broke a lot of ribs , a few of them in several places.
Met with specialist today for a review who explained my chest will not make a full recovery to original strength. Explained I had a lucky escape and my chest would not survive another significant impact in my lifetime.
Bit of a shock, thought it may be the case , my lung collapsed in the fall and I had all types of tricky bits for a week or so .
I asked about motorcycles and he said they were fine but falling off one was absolutely not . He gave me a pretty strong warning about consequences of another impact. Airbags and chest protectors discussed, he just reiterated his warning.
So I guess it's bike on eBay and I have to say a big bit of me missing, I have had bikes in my life for 45 years.
Very mixed feelings about it all. Feel I had a good and enjoyable run but not ready to give up , albeit I will, I have wife, grown up kids and grandchildren, I need to stay around a bit more .
Met with specialist today for a review who explained my chest will not make a full recovery to original strength. Explained I had a lucky escape and my chest would not survive another significant impact in my lifetime.
Bit of a shock, thought it may be the case , my lung collapsed in the fall and I had all types of tricky bits for a week or so .
I asked about motorcycles and he said they were fine but falling off one was absolutely not . He gave me a pretty strong warning about consequences of another impact. Airbags and chest protectors discussed, he just reiterated his warning.
So I guess it's bike on eBay and I have to say a big bit of me missing, I have had bikes in my life for 45 years.
Very mixed feelings about it all. Feel I had a good and enjoyable run but not ready to give up , albeit I will, I have wife, grown up kids and grandchildren, I need to stay around a bit more .
Sorry to hear this. I think most of us here are probably at least in the second half of our lives, and I'm sure the day will come for many when things have to change on the bike front.
Earlier this year I was hospitalised with Atrial Fibrillation, which amongst other things means I'm now on blood thinners. After I came out, I saw the GP, a few days before I was due to go to the Pyrenees to ride the TET. I explained about my motorcycling plans (and MTB) and asked his advice. He said, smiling, "my ideal answer to you would be to never ride one in the first place, or ever again, but if you must then wear plenty of armour, and if you fall off and hit your head, however innocuous, go to A&E immediately, explain you're on thinners and request a head scan, because if you've caused a bleed on the brain, you won't know until it's too late". He also told me to carry a first aid kit with bleed powder etc - not a bad idea regardless of your state of health but I'd never bothered before. I do now.
So. I'm off the hook for now. Had plenty of enduro armour already, and I bought additional MTB armour. Pyrenees trip was successful, and we're off to the Alps for mountain passes/TET/MTB again this week.
Earlier this year I was hospitalised with Atrial Fibrillation, which amongst other things means I'm now on blood thinners. After I came out, I saw the GP, a few days before I was due to go to the Pyrenees to ride the TET. I explained about my motorcycling plans (and MTB) and asked his advice. He said, smiling, "my ideal answer to you would be to never ride one in the first place, or ever again, but if you must then wear plenty of armour, and if you fall off and hit your head, however innocuous, go to A&E immediately, explain you're on thinners and request a head scan, because if you've caused a bleed on the brain, you won't know until it's too late". He also told me to carry a first aid kit with bleed powder etc - not a bad idea regardless of your state of health but I'd never bothered before. I do now.
So. I'm off the hook for now. Had plenty of enduro armour already, and I bought additional MTB armour. Pyrenees trip was successful, and we're off to the Alps for mountain passes/TET/MTB again this week.
OP, as a biker and medic of over 35 years, I feel I have to chip in here.
I’m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You’ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that’s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It’s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you’re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It’s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You’re an experienced biker. You’ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn’t a stroke. You haven’t lost a leg. there’s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You’re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They’ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they’ve tripped over the cat, they’ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there’s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you’ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
I’m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You’ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that’s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It’s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you’re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It’s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You’re an experienced biker. You’ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn’t a stroke. You haven’t lost a leg. there’s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You’re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They’ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they’ve tripped over the cat, they’ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there’s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you’ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
OP, as a biker and medic of over 35 years, I feel I have to chip in here.
I m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You re an experienced biker. You ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn t a stroke. You haven t lost a leg. there s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they ve tripped over the cat, they ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
Agree with all of this.I m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You re an experienced biker. You ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn t a stroke. You haven t lost a leg. there s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they ve tripped over the cat, they ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
I used to race bikes, not very well, and had a very bad crash, think loads of metal bits and a year learning to walk again.
I tried racing again, but had lost my nerve, i just wasnt quick anymore.
I carried on riding on the road for years after, and enjoyed it.
I only hung up my leathers when i realised i wasnt enjoying it anymore due to knobs on phones not looking and bad roads.
Give up by all means but for your own reasons.
If i has had a crash post accident the amount of pins etc would have made the prospect of not ever walking again or amputation very high, but you can slip and fall down the stairs too........
jules_s said:
My dad had the same circa 55
He went out and bought a 911 - more crash protection etc
Silver linings etc
Surely if you crash in a car your chest will be crushed by pressing against the seatbelt. Many people in significant accidents have severe bruising. I can't see that being any safer.He went out and bought a 911 - more crash protection etc
Silver linings etc
My doctor sad in his opinion with my health issues I shouldn’t be driving fullstop , but as he said it’s not my decision , it’s the dvla decision , they’ve a record of all your medical issues and they deem you fit to drive so continue .
Legally dvla make the decision but if I didn’t feel I wasfit to drive or ride a motorbike I’d stop , in your case I’d stop riding , you’ll miss bikes no doubt but your health comes first
Remember all the great times you’ve had riding motorbikes .
Legally dvla make the decision but if I didn’t feel I wasfit to drive or ride a motorbike I’d stop , in your case I’d stop riding , you’ll miss bikes no doubt but your health comes first
Remember all the great times you’ve had riding motorbikes .
richhead said:
Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
OP, as a biker and medic of over 35 years, I feel I have to chip in here.
I m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You re an experienced biker. You ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn t a stroke. You haven t lost a leg. there s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they ve tripped over the cat, they ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
Agree with all of this.I m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You re an experienced biker. You ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn t a stroke. You haven t lost a leg. there s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they ve tripped over the cat, they ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
I used to race bikes, not very well, and had a very bad crash, think loads of metal bits and a year learning to walk again.
I tried racing again, but had lost my nerve, i just wasnt quick anymore.
I carried on riding on the road for years after, and enjoyed it.
I only hung up my leathers when i realised i wasnt enjoying it anymore due to knobs on phones not looking and bad roads.
Give up by all means but for your own reasons.
If i has had a crash post accident the amount of pins etc would have made the prospect of not ever walking again or amputation very high, but you can slip and fall down the stairs too........
cliffords said:
61 years old started at 16 . Fell off a ladder 6 weeks ago and broke a lot of ribs , a few of them in several places.
Met with specialist today for a review who explained my chest will not make a full recovery to original strength. Explained I had a lucky escape and my chest would not survive another significant impact in my lifetime.
Bit of a shock, thought it may be the case , my lung collapsed in the fall and I had all types of tricky bits for a week or so .
I asked about motorcycles and he said they were fine but falling off one was absolutely not . He gave me a pretty strong warning about consequences of another impact. Airbags and chest protectors discussed, he just reiterated his warning.
So I guess it's bike on eBay and I have to say a big bit of me missing, I have had bikes in my life for 45 years.
Very mixed feelings about it all. Feel I had a good and enjoyable run but not ready to give up , albeit I will, I have wife, grown up kids and grandchildren, I need to stay around a bit more .
I agree that you should sell your bike.Met with specialist today for a review who explained my chest will not make a full recovery to original strength. Explained I had a lucky escape and my chest would not survive another significant impact in my lifetime.
Bit of a shock, thought it may be the case , my lung collapsed in the fall and I had all types of tricky bits for a week or so .
I asked about motorcycles and he said they were fine but falling off one was absolutely not . He gave me a pretty strong warning about consequences of another impact. Airbags and chest protectors discussed, he just reiterated his warning.
So I guess it's bike on eBay and I have to say a big bit of me missing, I have had bikes in my life for 45 years.
Very mixed feelings about it all. Feel I had a good and enjoyable run but not ready to give up , albeit I will, I have wife, grown up kids and grandchildren, I need to stay around a bit more .
Then you should go out and buy a new, better one. Take your accident as a reminder that we are here for a good time, not for a long time.
PS - the worst medical issues I've faced have been caused by doctors f
king up. I now tend to view their advice as guidance only.You didn’t fall of your bike, you fell off a ladder….. If anything the doc should be banning you from ladders! What else is he banning you from, Stairs? Bicycles? Sports? I think you’ve got to make your own call here.
Hope you fix quickly, and are back to enjoying all of life’s pleasures soon.
Hope you fix quickly, and are back to enjoying all of life’s pleasures soon.
Mark_S1000RR_2010 said:
OP, as a biker and medic of over 35 years, I feel I have to chip in here.
I m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You re an experienced biker. You ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn t a stroke. You haven t lost a leg. there s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they ve tripped over the cat, they ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
Well said that man.I m afraid your doctor is talking utter b*****cks. Doctors are just as susceptible to irrational prejudice as the rest of the population. You ve had broken ribs and had a pneumothorax, that s a serious thing and not to be taken lightly. Would you be more susceptible to a repeat in another crash? What are the chances of it happening again? It s a possibility, but not a certainly.
This idea that you re a walking porcelain doll is utter nonsense. The chances of you being seriously injured or dying in an accident is almost exactly the same for you as it is for me. It s a game of chance. If you love going out on your bike, go out on your bike.
The British have a very bad tradition of accepting everything their doctor says to them as written in tablets of stone, but that should not be the case. You speak to another orthopaedic surgeon, he will likely tell you to get out your bike and enjoy life. Ride safely and hope that the odds tip in your favour.
You re an experienced biker. You ve had a low level injury that could have had gone south. It wasn t a stroke. You haven t lost a leg. there s no mechanical effects that will affect your ability to ride. You re absolutely fine to ride. I see patients every single week who have had a pneumothorax. They ve coughed the wrong way, their radiotherapy has had complications, they ve tripped over the cat, they ve had a complication when having a pacemaker implanted. It happens, there s no knowing.
One thing IS certain, though. If you give up the thing that you love and that gives life meaning, you ve allowed the injury to win the fight.
In my experience, ladders and gardening are MUCh more risky than motorcycles.
couple of years younger than the OP and also riding since I was 16. I've come off, or been knocked off bikes a few times and once really hurt my ribs (cracked 3). Worst injury in my life so far though was ...... yep ......... falling from a ladder where my leg hit the rim of a large terracotta pot on the way down and I split my tibia lengthways down the middle from the knee. Still have the plates and pins in there.
I'm no medic put the advice sounds off to me. That aside, what I know is that unless I physically couldn't ride a bike I wouldn't give it up. It's dangerous anyway and may kill or injure you, we all know that. What I think we all also know is the massive mental health benefits it brings. The feelings of freedom, of focus, of excitement and joy. For me, the benefits massively outweigh the risks and if it were me I would keep riding and maybe also get a second opinion on the "actual" risk
I'm no medic put the advice sounds off to me. That aside, what I know is that unless I physically couldn't ride a bike I wouldn't give it up. It's dangerous anyway and may kill or injure you, we all know that. What I think we all also know is the massive mental health benefits it brings. The feelings of freedom, of focus, of excitement and joy. For me, the benefits massively outweigh the risks and if it were me I would keep riding and maybe also get a second opinion on the "actual" risk
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