Every winter, I makea to-do list. Get the cars fixed. Get some stuff done around the house. Deal with medical and dental issues. I figured I could pick off one of these a week. I got new tires for my car. I got body work done on my son’s car. I took my wife’s car in for its inspection. I had a plumber install shut off valves for the outdoor faucets.
In early February, I had a an electrician come to do some work on some light switches. In the process I helped him test whether certain circuits were live. I went to pull the tester out of a socket and my back went out. So it began.
I figured my back would correct itself after two weeks. Not this time. I’ve tried everything I know. I’d already been doing daily physical therapy for my back for 20 years. Rest didn’t help. Light exercise didn’t help. I even tried icing my back for hours each day by putting an ice pack in under by belt all day at work for three or four days. No luck.
I was hoping that switching to my recumbent would help. It did but then a chain link got bent and I had to switch back to a conventional bike.
I also went to the dermatologist to remove a cyst from my finger. The dermatologist ended up freezing a couple dozen lesions off my face, arms and legs. She gave me a cream to essentially strip the bad skin off my face. That was fun. After a second round of freeze offs, I was refered to a hand surgeon. It took a month to get the surgery done, and now my middle finger is on the mend but still oddly both sore and numb.
Last Monday, I took some Advil for my back and rode to work. At around 9 in the morning I started having cramps in my intestines. Six days later I am still having them. The upside is that I do not have diarrhea or vomiting. The bad news is I am bloated and constipated.
I am currently scheduled to go back to the hand surgeon in four weeks and the dermatologist in June or July. I hate going to doctors almost as much as I hate shopping for clothes. On Monday, I am calling my doctor and requesting referals to a gastroenteroligist and a physiatrist (pain specialist for my back). I’m sick of this crap.
Funny thing is, the one thing I can do without pain, is ride my bike. Go figure.
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
Pick, this aging and ailment stuff ain’t for sissies. I can relate. I’d tell you all about it, but I hear that’s what old folks do, is to trade aches and pains stories. I’m not going there; after all, I’m still only 58 years old (for a few more weeks). Perhaps when I’m in my sixties, I’ll banter with you about the bursitis in my left shoulder, my depressing weight-gain and troublesome high blood pressure. But until then, mum’s the word! Feel better – I hope you get some relief.
Be really careful with the Advil. It may be OTC but it can cause real problems. Basically there is a finite lifetime amount you can take.
I know a REALLY good sports acupuncturist, might help …
Here’s to biking without pain!