Back, neck and headache problem

[The Ghost]

I've been off the bike for a few months, but before that I was riding regularly and getting some good TITS and distance. The problem is that after every ride I would suffer from hectic headaches that would have me man down for the rest of the day.

I know that its coming from my neck as I get them once a week or so even when I dont ride, and have seen many different types of doctors and specialists.

 

Today I got back on the bike, and I could feel that I was getting tight in the neck and shoulders, and a headache was developing.

 

I also have issues with my lumbar spine area, and I was having pain there as well, which I wasnt getting in the past.

 

Im really keen to start doing more TITS again, but I really want to avoid these headache issues. Can you have any *useful* advice on this?

 

I did have a BGFit done, more spacers added below my stem, and a shorter stem added; My issues seem to go beyond the theory of BGFit.

Im wondering if I go for a more upright stem, perhaps I will be more upright and it might alleviate the problem, but I am not sure.

A concern I have with that is that I might not get enough weight forward on steep inclines as I already have that problem from time to time.

 

Any help?

[duffydog]

Had similar problems for a while and experimented with bar height and found relief in lowering the bars quite significantly.

It took a couple of rides to get used too but the relief was there.

I initially had the stem inverted to raise the bar, now lowered with one spacer down. might be worth a try. good luck!

[The Ghost]

Thanks.

Do you know why lowering them would have helped?

[slowpoke]

Go to cycle fit and get them to set you up. Well worth every cent. I thought my fit was close to perfect but they made it better.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Would it not be beneficial to go see a neurosurgeon or maybe an orthopedic surgeon to see why the issue is in your neck,..... or do you know what the problem is already?

 

I dont know, I am not a doctor, but to me if there is a known cause, surely it makes better sense to treat the cause than skirt around the symptoms.? Wont that maybe make it worse.?

 

I remember my old accounts lady also used to get terrible headaches, tried all the general stuff like Physio etc didn't work, eventually she went to a neuro surgeon and he found the cause, it required an operation, but from there she was as strong as an ox again.

 

There are some very good medical doctors here I understand, who may also have some advice though.

[Cippo]

Maybe you should get an Ergofit. I had a similiar issue with shoulder and back problem after 2hrs in the saddle. Post Ergofit with Dr. Swart bars where bars were raised, hoods brought back a bit and setback on saddle sorted I don't experience that anymore. Have a look in Tech QnA for the topic on Ergo vs BG if you want more info and a list of fitters. Good luck

[The Ghost]

Thanks guys.

 

Grumps, I know it's all kinda related to injuries going back to childhood and beyond, and it flares up with bad posture, be it too long at a desk, on a couch, or even riding.

It's taken many years and visits to experts to find the problem, but we have no solution other than muscle relaxing drugs which I now take all too often just to get by.

 

I'd love a proper long term solution, but at the moment the time and costs already incurred have been substantial and while I won't give up on finding such, I would be very happy with a work around for now.

[Goblin]

Used to get headaches after long rides, found it was my helmet.

Bought a specialised prevail and voila, problem gone. Cost me a pretty price though, but in context of no more headaches, was money well spent.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Thanks guys.

 

Grumps, I know it's all kinda related to injuries going back to childhood and beyond, and it flares up with bad posture, be it too long at a desk, on a couch, or even riding.

It's taken many years and visits to experts to find the problem, but we have no solution other than muscle relaxing drugs which I now take all too often just to get by.

 

I'd love a proper long term solution, but at the moment the time and costs already incurred have been substantial and while I won't give up on finding such, I would be very happy with a work around for now.

 

Sure, no problem, I understand, I was just thinking that maybe it was something mechanical which could have gotten worse if it was just sort of ignored, but as you have sought medical assistance and obviously they haven't told you to not ride or something, I can well understand your dilemma, I wish you well and I trust you can find a long term solution.

[Cheese]

Thanks.

Do you know why lowering them would have helped?

A friend of Mine also had this problem. Was also advised to lower . It worked for him as well.

I also had a bit of backpain but not that much and lowering also assisted me.

 

They say it has to do with fact that you stretch out a bit more.

[Drdaz]

Go see a chiropractor, they will be able to see if there are any mal-alignment issues! if you would like let me know where you stay and I can refer you on to a sports chiropractor

[The Ghost]

Thanks, I was seeing a guy here which helped, but I had to keep going back and when I stopped the issues worsened. The problem is I dont have R1500 a month or whatever it is to keep going back indefinitely

[Drdaz]

then they werent looking at the cause, rather just looking at the problem..

 

For every pain there is a cause! if we do not correct the cause the pain will carry on returning.

[The Ghost]

Spot on, but nobody has found the cause yet.

[V12man]

I suspect that you might have 2 separate causes of your pains:

 

1 - the lumbar back pain - which seems to resolve with interventions

2 - the headache - which seems to be caused by longer rides - the question is whether this is a metabolic issue, or related to problem 1.

 

You need to provide a LOT more information about the tests that have been done, what images taken, the specialists seen, medication taken etc before anyone could provide you with a proposed direction to follow - although it might very well be an expensive and long winded hunt, there will be an answer.

[The Ghost]

Hey folks.

I did a short 12km ride on the weekend, and afterwards I was left with a headache that heaps (and I mean heaps) of meds just couldnt ease at all.

Does anybody know of a specialist that they feel may be able to help me with this? I am at the point where I need to get it sorted or quit cycling, as the pain is just not worth it.

 

So far I have seen a chiropractor, a neuro, a physio and headache experts at the headache clinic.