Cycling seats post radiation treatment

[lakeswim]

Hello. Anyone who went through radiation have any success with cycling seats?

Between my irradiated pelvis and my osteoporosis from treatment, I haven't been able to get on a bike comfortably. I could get past the osteoporosis and just find a smooth surface to cycle on (no more mt biking, I guess), but the seat is my issue. Whenever I cycled last fall, my bottom feels strange and blown up. The more often I went, the worse it got. I assume this indicates stenosis of those tissues, but I'm looking for ideas...
1 - *has anyone found any bike seat that works for them?* I am not sure what to look for. My husband is a cyclist so it's not the sport - it's the challenge of the body changes and what would work.
2 - anyone with a provider with any input (my rad onc says radiation causes no LT side effects and my onc doesn't have cycling advice)

I am a former triathlete and I am having problems staying remotely active, given the side effects of my treatment. And staying active is so important.

Thanks for any ideas regarding the seat (or otherwise).

lakeswim

[CRguy]

Here is a short search result with a few good considerations from some epic bikers here
about seats and padded biking shorts or some combo thereof !!!

search.php?keywords=cycling+seats&fid%5B0%5D=1

Cheers
CRguy

[lakeswim]

Thanks for these links. (My search wasn't as productive as yours.) I was an avid cyclist so padded shorts are standard for me and they didn't help at all last fall. I look forward to seat suggestions in these threads! Thanks again, CRGuy!

lakeswim

[CRguy]

Most welcome my friend !

the second topic HERE
with posts by Jon Olis and Rotorhead also has some info, so you may wish to search their other posts ????
I particularly like RH's Takes about 4-6 weeks of regular riding to get your "bike a$$".

As I recall he and Eric basically "rode" the book on cycling exploits, back in the day here.

Harmony sista'
CRguy

[Gravelyguy]

Hi Lakeswim,

I got back into triathlons last summer after a multi-decade absence. If you haven't ridden since last fall, you might want to try again with some touring shorts (extra padding) and a gel seat cover. I don't know how long it has been since radiation/surgery for you, but I could not ride my bike without a lot of discomfort the first summer after surgery. For me, I think it was the surgery more than the radiation. Last summer I started riding with the extra padding and slowly got back to no extra padding on the seat. I did stick with more padding in the shorts. I also struggled with sitting on any non cushioned seats until this winter so for me at least it has been a fairly long process to get back to normal.

Hope this helps,

Dave

[lakeswim]

Thanks CRGuy for the other links and Dave (both!) for the pep talk.

What I found last fall when I rode is that my bottom area (rectal area) felt "blown up" and the more often I rode, the more blown up it felt. As someone who has spent time on bikes, I know the sit bones take time to get used to things - but this was different. I want to find someone who can tell me what is happening phyiologically-speaking so I know what it happening and that it is ok. The only other time I felt this feeling was when I had the flu a few months after treatment ended and my bottom felt like I had just given birth (any ladies know what I mean?) for a few days when the flu started. (But I had also just started erging/rowing rigorously the week before so it could have been too much for my tail bone area - which is definitely sensitive - even just to sitting after a while.) I assumed this was inflammation and inflammation isn't good - and as someone on a W&W protocol - I want to avoid inflammation. (I may be wrong about this!)

Do you guys have any tailbone issues from radiation? Maybe just a ladies thing?

I will research touring shorts and extra padding and give it another try. I have mortons neuroma in my feet (I believe my neuropathy triggered it - not matter what my podiatrist says) so I can't run anymore, which really really really really stinks. So I am having a hard time getting my heart rate up. Oddly enough, I was a competitive swimmer but have ZERO motivation to get back in the pool. So, I'd love to get back to biking and I thank you both for the advice.

lakeswim

Hi Lakeswim,

I got back into triathlons last summer after a multi-decade absence. If you haven't ridden since last fall, you might want to try again with some touring shorts (extra padding) and a gel seat cover. I don't know how long it has been since radiation/surgery for you, but I could not ride my bike without a lot of discomfort the first summer after surgery. For me, I think it was the surgery more than the radiation. Last summer I started riding with the extra padding and slowly got back to no extra padding on the seat. I did stick with more padding in the shorts. I also struggled with sitting on any non cushioned seats until this winter so for me at least it has been a fairly long process to get back to normal.

Hope this helps,

Dave

[CRguy]

Only real tailbone issue I had was with a pelvic abscess post-op.
Do not recall any ongoing issues after that resolved.

biking :
if the full upright sit is the issue ??? any considerations for a reclined bike

or an inside pedal machine with reclined seat/back ?
I know NOT outside fresh air stuff .... BUTT still working out

Cheers
CRguy

[Gravelyguy]

I had issues when I sat. It was uncomfortable and when I sat on hard surfaces seemed to trigger me having to go to the bathroom. I had short course radiation and surgery so we are probably a little different.

I was a competitive swimmer in the late 70’s early 80’s. I thought all the 2 a day practices and mega yardage had permanently scarred me to swim train but I found after a couple of weeks of swimming, I started to enjoy it again. The big thing was getting strength back and swimming certainly helps with shoulder and arm strength.

I sure hope you can find something that works for you!

Dave

[rachelfromnyc]

Hi Lakeswim,

I've never had radiation but wanted to weigh in anyway. When I got a new roadbike a couple years back, the first thing I upgraded was the seat. The one it came with was meant for racing so it sacrified comfort for performance. I went with a saddle from Selle Italia (Diva). It's designed for a woman's anatomy and has nice padding towards the back where your sitting bones will hit. The company has a few other options for women but I'm happy with my choice. I've ridden a few centuries with it and it's very comfortable. Good luck finding just the right saddle!

Rachel

[claudine]

That's very interesting info Rachel! There seem to be several Diva models - which one are you using? My husband and I have been riding regularly (that's the one form of exercise he really enjoys and that his body can tolerate). I have very little "butt padding" so no matter how good a chamois I'm wearing, I always end up suffering if we do a longish ride - upgrading the seat seems like a good idea!

[NHMike]

I had Plantars Fasciitis back in the 1990s and orthotics back then were $200 per food and not covered by insurance so I bought an insert $10, some leather glue, and got some leather scraps from a factory for nothing. I cut leather pieces and glued them together and onto the insoles to make an arch support. I would go for a short run and then add or remove leather depending on how it felt. So you might be able to start with a base and make modifications where you don't feel enough support.

In the tennis world, racquets come with leather grips that are just wrapped around plastic pallets and they are octagonal in shape. The Pros get custom-molded foam handles. These can be of standard design or customized for their hand.

So maybe some creativity in modification if things don't fit perfectly.

[rachelfromnyc]

That's very interesting info Rachel! There seem to be several Diva models - which one are you using? My husband and I have been riding regularly (that's the one form of exercise he really enjoys and that his body can tolerate). I have very little "butt padding" so no matter how good a chamois I'm wearing, I always end up suffering if we do a longish ride - upgrading the seat seems like a good idea!

Hi Claudine- Sorry, I don't have the model info. I did however take the roadbike out last weekend for the first time this season (I have hybrid I had been using for super short rides thus far) to do a couple of loops around Central Park and even rode along Park Ave. to look at the tulips. And the seat was as comfy as ever Hope you and your husband are getting some good riding in now that the weather is getting warmer.

[claudine]

No worries
It’s fantastic that you’ve been able to ride your road bike outside, it must feel so good! DH and I have been riding regularly, 10-20 mile loops; weather still finicky (Spring in Montana!). Unfortunately he’s got a new problem, his right leg is almost paralyzed and he’s in excruciating pain because of disk issues (lumbar stenosis, caused by his damaged vertebrae). He can still ride, but his right leg has zero strength so we’re sticking to flatter loops. Neurosurgeon visit on Wednesday. Damn cancer, it’s always something...