I've got problems

[PacMan]

OK. I hesitated to bring this up at all, but you are all my riding family, so here it goes:

When I went to the doctor on Monday for my check-up post-accident, I purposefully avoided talking about riding and possible time off the bike. I figured I'd just ride again when I felt better.

Well, my doctor called me today out of the blue. He said he was thinking about my visit and realized we never discussed biking (he knows I'm an avid MTBer).

He said he wants me to take at least 1 month off of riding. He said if I crash and hit my head on the ground--helmet or not, hard impact or not, it could really mess me up. He said it could be a crash I would normally just get up from and think nothing of it. But if I hit my head just the right way, it could turn really bad. There's that operative word again--COULD.

I know others have had injuries keep them off the bike for longer, so I'm not looking for sympathy, but the thought of being off the bike for me, right now, sounds like a death sentence. However, there's the remote possibility of an actual death sentence if I crash hard and hit my head again. Then again nothing may happen. I mean, I've gone months with no crashes before, so I could ride and be fine. Or, I could ride and have a fluke crash and have God only knows what happen to me.

I went back to work today and it may have been too soon. I have a raging headache right now and my whole body is majorly sore all over again. This phone call sure didn't make me feel any better. I'm wondering if I'm hurt a lot worse than I think and am just in denial. I've never had a major crash or injury before, so I don't have anything to compare it to. So, I really don't know what I'm going to do.

I know I have to make the ultimate decision. I'm just having a really hard time right now. I still can't get over the fact that I got this hurt doing something that isn't even a passion in my life--far from it.

I feel a bit more comfortable bringing this to you guys. My family doesn't ride, so they don't know what I'm going through with the though of having to take the time off the bike. So, I'm bringing it to you guys--my riding family.

I'm partly asking for advice/opinions and I'm partly just venting.

Thanks for listening.

-Doug

[station]

wait it out dude. Its better to take a month off then to not ride again.

[foofighter]

Doug, your health is so much more important than a month of riding. I'm sure your wife and family would really appreciate that, but if you must, get a second opinion and make your decision from there. It's tough foregoing a month, but in the grand scheme of things what's a month when you have a lifetime of riding.

Take it easy...hell it's December...spend this month with family here and your real family before you know it, a month will pass and you'll be on the saddle merrily riding again.

[sdyeti]

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Originally Posted by foofighter

Doug, your health is so much more important than a month of riding. I'm sure your wife and family would really appreciate that, but if you must, get a second opinion and make your decision from there. It's tough foregoing a month, but in the grand scheme of things what's a month when you have a lifetime of riding.

Take it easy...hell it's December...spend this month with family here and your real family before you know it, a month will pass and you'll be on the saddle merrily riding again.

[Innes]

I'd advise you to wait. After my back surgery I got back on the bike, the doc even said it was okay. I ended agitating something and I was off the bike for about another 3 months. Just relax and enjoy the family over the next month.

Just my $0.02

[J_Sims]

Doooood take some time off just drive the shuttel truck and bring the Beer

All kidding aside Doug, if your Doc thought about it and actually took the time to call you to ensure that you understood the situation you might heed the suggestion, and give your body some time to recover from the ordeal that you just put it through. Things like your family at home wife and kids/ let alone many friends here that want the best for you. Take some time off the bike, but don't take time off your friends here... See you aout there one way or the other....

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by foofighter

It's tough foregoing a month, but in the grand scheme of things what's a month when you have a lifetime of riding.

Exactly. There are risks worth taking and there are some that aren't. Permanent damage is not worth it man.

So you injured yourself on something that isn't your passion. When I sprained my neck, it was in a car accident. I'm pretty sure driving on the freeway has never been a passion of mine.

$#!T happens. That's the way it goes. At least you're still alive and able to enjoy this time with your family. At least your able to see Mr. Sladnas get his new ride. That's what counts. We're all glad you're ok, and we all would hate for it to get worse.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by PacMan

OK. I hesitated to bring this up at all, but you are all my riding family, so here it goes:

When I went to the doctor on Monday for my check-up post-accident, I purposefully avoided talking about riding and possible time off the bike. I figured I'd just ride again when I felt better.

Well, my doctor called me today out of the blue. He said he was thinking about my visit and realized we never discussed biking (he knows I'm an avid MTBer).

He said he wants me to take at least 1 month off of riding. He said if I crash and hit my head on the ground--helmet or not, hard impact or not, it could really mess me up. He said it could be a crash I would normally just get up from and think nothing of it. But if I hit my head just the right way, it could turn really bad. There's that operative word again--COULD.

I know others have had injuries keep them off the bike for longer, so I'm not looking for sympathy, but the thought of being off the bike for me, right now, sounds like a death sentence. However, there's the remote possibility of an actual death sentence if I crash hard and hit my head again. Then again nothing may happen. I mean, I've gone months with no crashes before, so I could ride and be fine. Or, I could ride and have a fluke crash and have God only knows what happen to me.

I went back to work today and it may have been too soon. I have a raging headache right now and my whole body is majorly sore all over again. This phone call sure didn't make me feel any better. I'm wondering if I'm hurt a lot worse than I think and am just in denial. I've never had a major crash or injury before, so I don't have anything to compare it to. So, I really don't know what I'm going to do.

I know I have to make the ultimate decision. I'm just having a really hard time right now. I still can't get over the fact that I got this hurt doing something that isn't even a passion in my life--far from it.

I feel a bit more comfortable bringing this to you guys. My family doesn't ride, so they don't know what I'm going through with the though of having to take the time off the bike. So, I'm bringing it to you guys--my riding family.

I'm partly asking for advice/opinions and I'm partly just venting.

Thanks for listening.

-Doug

[FONT=Arial]are going through [FONT='Times New Roman'][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]endorphin withdraw[/FONT]. [FONT=Arial]Ride a stationary bike. Not the same but it helps[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]

[mntbiker12]

Doug, sorry to hear about your accident and subsequent doctor's advice. But you got to do as others have said and wait it out. Perfect time for you to cross train - go the gym, spin, do anything else that'll keep you in shape. That way, when you're ready to come back, you'll still have a pretty good base with a hell of a lot of energy and passion for MTB - a great combo! Heal up quick!

[surlygal]

Funny you would post this - I don't know you at all (only from your posts) and was actually thinking about you this morning. Thinking about maybe giving yourself more than a week off. I read posts from you daily and thought it would sure be a drag if you didn't let yourself heal a bit longer.

I'm married to an avid cyclist and when he went down a few years ago, all I could think of in the ER was how unhappy he'll be while off his bike. It was hard for him, it was hard for us!

Just as it is obviously hard for you! This weekend will be hard but this weekend just happens to be at the wrong time for you to be riding - that's all.

Daun's advice was spot on!

Heal up - spend the Holidays with your family, and get back to riding your bike when your body tells you it's okay!

You'll be missed on the trails, but only for a short time.

Plus look on the bright side - You'll get to hang out with Me and Maddie while everyone else is out riding their bikes on Sun

[capnsavem]

Dude... don't die.

[CalEpic]

Having your kids wipe the drool off your chin would not be fun. Why chance it. If you're getting headaches without exerting yourself I can only imaging what would happen when your heart rate climbs.

Easy decision even if it sucks.

C

[J_Sims]

Don't make us pop your tires and steal all your tubes...

[foofighter]

and jeff is entirely capable of doing that too