Bicycles and Fistulas

[pagandialysis]

Good idea?

Bad idea?

Is it really anymore dangerous than being in a car or walking on the street?

I'm thinking about getting a road bicycle so I can haul groceries and such more easily since the store is two miles away and the bus system makes going once a half day trip. At this point I do see the danger but I also don't feel like letting my life be stunted because of it either.

What are your thoughts? Also, has anyone seen any protective fistula gear before? I know there use to be a website that made coverings for fistulas to keep them out of the sun but I doubt that would be thick enough to protect against a fall.

Though I had this idea of having someone make a covering out of thick/heavy material and it would have these cords on either end so you could use those plastic drawstring tighteners you see on backpacks to adjust how tight it is on either end.

[goofball]

If you're afraid of falling, try a recumbent tricycle!  You can carry a lot of cargo with some models.

Recumbent Tricycles with Cargo

[pagandialysis]

Not to be a snob but they just look dumb. Okay fine, I'm a snob.

[cassandra]

Maybe shin protectors for soccer players? They are in different sizes. Holding it in place with a tube bandage? Or tape?

Good luck, Cas

[kristina]

I have not had a fistula yet, but I am very much used to bicycles
and I remember a time when I went shopping on a bicycle
and balancing the bicycle became very difficult, because of my heavy shopping...
I think, recumbent tricycles with cargo are extremely practical and I have seen a few people in London
using them to transport their children... or their shopping...
they do not only look very safe but they are extremely practical...
Good luck, Kristina.

[jeannea]

Have you gone to the bike shop yet? They would have good advice on which bike and how you haul things. If you only buy a few things and put them in a backpack you won't tip. Anything more and you need advice. Any motorcycle gear would protect your fistula but might be too hot. Do you know any seamstresses? One might be able to make you a custom padded arm wrap.

[kitkatz]

I love my recumbent tricycle.  It is much more comfortable than a regular bicycle would be.

[Charlie B53]

They make front and rear 'saddle bags' for bicycles.  Each side large enough for a full size paper grocery bag.

First thing I would want to consider is location, type of roads, traffic, and decide whether a three wheeler or straight two wheels.  Any hills, straight single speed or do you need 'gears' to allow for varying speed, load, etc.

Another major consideration, are you in well enough shape to pedal a bike there AND back?

There are some engine assist kits that can get you along and make it far easier for some of us that are not in so good enough shape to pedal it very far.

[iolaire]

At this point I do see the danger but I also don't feel like letting my life be stunted because of it either.

What are your thoughts? Also, has anyone seen any protective fistula gear before? I know there use to be a website that made coverings for fistulas to keep them out of the sun but I doubt that would be thick enough to protect against a fall.

I bike causally a few times per month, under 30 miles and never considered protective gear for my fistula.  You still have a nice section of skin and meat over the vein, enough I hope to protect against road burn type damage. 

I'm sure you could get a in situation were you had a gash but that would be a fairly severe accident.  If you were worried about that then you should do the same when in automobiles and bus since I'd expect puncture wounds are more common during auto accidents where you have all that metal to compress around you.

[PrimeTimer]

Protective gear would be smart. I also agree with iolaire. I had a friend who has hemophiliia. When we were kids he wasn't allowed to participate in sports or some of the activities the rest of us kids enjoyed in PE class. He was skinny, frail-n-pale and always looked a bit sad. But then one year he begged his father and was allowed to participate in track -he did the hurdles! He also got himself a motorcycle! The boy went from being the skinny pasty sickly kid to a healthy strapping muscle-bound young man! He was happier and...healthier. He told me we only live once and that gosh darn it, he wanted to live! And so he did. Carefully I might add but nonetheless, he lived life. If a little protective gear for a fistula would put someone on a bicycle so that they can do what they need and want to do and they feel up to doing that, I imagine they will only get stronger and healthier by doing so. Whether that be mentally or physically (or both) would be a win-win situation. Good luck, pagandialysis! 

[DeadAlive]

You are worrying far too much .... if you want to ride a bike then do it.

Ive had my fistula for over 13 years now. I used to ride to dialysis on my sports motorcycle, i had to ride 23 miles each way 3 times a week for treatment.

I even went into competative motorcycle racing for 4 years ..... i probablly fell off on track around 20 times during those 4 years. bear in mind i used to race 1 of the fastest cornering bikes in the world, with a top speed of 180 mph ... we have some big crashes!

My fistula survived everything with no damage ..... shame about everything else. in the same time i broke my collarbone, cracked a few ribs, 3 fractured wrists, multiple sprained ancles, serious amounts of bruising internal and external.  But yeah the firstula was fine.

I even did a 55 hour tattoo over my fistula so i didn't hate my arm anymore.

Out of all the dangerous things i do, the most damage i do to my fistula is allways done at home .... around the house, doing things i wouldnt even think would harm my fistula .... like opening a cupboard door into it, catching it on my corner wall as i leave my flat to shut my front door, rolling about onto it in my sleep, picking up heavy items in my house to move around .... forgetting about my fistula for a moment.

Live a little, go get yourself a new bike and enjoy. you might even feel a bit healthier as cycling improves your breathing!

Some things are not worth worrying about .... this is 1 of them.

[PrimeTimer]

HA! I was just going to ask DeadAlive to come over to this section to speak to the pagan about um, "bikes and fistulas".

[Charlie B53]

Even lightweight leathers would be a bit too much on a bicycle and cause over heating.

A lightweigiht leather 'sleeve' could be made to cover just that portion of your arm, maybe laced along one side so you can adjust the snugness of the fit.  This could provide a bit of protection from ?? in case of accident, yet leave the rest of your body able to 'breathe', and sweat, depending on your level of exertion.

[pagandialysis]

Well I don't have a standard fistula, I have a basilic vein transposition which means I have that huge return vein that's usually on the bottom of your arm up top attached to the skin. I worry about it.

[PrimeTimer]

Have you decided on anything yet? Bike or no biking? I saw these stuffed tubular-shaped pillows on sale at a grocery store of all places and made me think of you. Wondered if you could take something like that and cut holes at both ends and slide it on over your arm. Or maybe take foam padding like the kind you use on top of a mattress, cut it size, roll it and cover it with fabric and use it to protect your fistula. Or maybe an arm float that you see people use in swimming pools. I know it would look funny, kind of like a fishing net buoy but a burst fistula would look way worst. Hope you can come up with something so that you can be mobile when you want to be. Dang bus schedules!

[JW77]

I've seen a thread somewhere on facebook about a sort of 'gauntlet' type protection for fistulas.

I remember when I was under peadiatrics and wanted to play cricket at school they sent me to get a plastercast of my stomach, which was then made into a mould and some sort of high polymer protective shield in case a ball came my way! Sure someone could do something similar for a fistula if needs be!

[pagandialysis]

Have you decided on anything yet? Bike or no biking? I saw these stuffed tubular-shaped pillows on sale at a grocery store of all places and made me think of you. Wondered if you could take something like that and cut holes at both ends and slide it on over your arm. Or maybe take foam padding like the kind you use on top of a mattress, cut it size, roll it and cover it with fabric and use it to protect your fistula. Or maybe an arm float that you see people use in swimming pools. I know it would look funny, kind of like a fishing net buoy but a burst fistula would look way worst. Hope you can come up with something so that you can be mobile when you want to be. Dang bus schedules!

I've just been riding my bike. I figure that I'm in similar danger when walking on the sidewalk next to cars or even riding in a car. I might as well just live my life and try not to dwell on the horrible things that could happen.

[PrimeTimer]

Good for you, pagandialysis! Hope you enjoy your freedom from bus schedules (and fistula worries)! I use to have to ride a bus and it was no fun having to deal with their schedules. It was downright frustrating. Another thought I had was maybe your local bus company offers a pick up/drop off service for those who qualify that is separate from their standard bus service. Or maybe your center or social worker could find out about any programs that offer this but that don't necessarily go inside and hover over you while you shop, just simply pick you up and drop you off when/where you need to be. Or...maybe you've already thought of all this and I should just shut up! lol Meanwhile, enjoy the bike and fresh air! Just don't try do any wheelies..

[DeadAlive]

Have you decided on anything yet? Bike or no biking? I saw these stuffed tubular-shaped pillows on sale at a grocery store of all places and made me think of you. Wondered if you could take something like that and cut holes at both ends and slide it on over your arm. Or maybe take foam padding like the kind you use on top of a mattress, cut it size, roll it and cover it with fabric and use it to protect your fistula. Or maybe an arm float that you see people use in swimming pools. I know it would look funny, kind of like a fishing net buoy but a burst fistula would look way worst. Hope you can come up with something so that you can be mobile when you want to be. Dang bus schedules!

I've just been riding my bike. I figure that I'm in similar danger when walking on the sidewalk next to cars or even riding in a car. I might as well just live my life and try not to dwell on the horrible things that could happen.

Nice one bud, good attitude.