Stitches

iclestu
iclestu Posts: 503
edited July 2009 in Commuting chat
The kind in your side, not the kind on your skin......

I have just started suffering from this irritating affliction. About half an hour into my commute (both ways!) I get the unmistakeable pain in my side. I can usually make it go away by just stopping and breathing slowly for a couple of mins, but it is really getting to be a bit irritating!

Does anyone else suffer from these? Is it likely to go away as I get fitter? Anything I can do now to avoid them?
FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro

Comments

  • doog442
    doog442 Posts: 370
    when and what do you eat before you jump on the beast

    If you have to eat right before you mount your steed make sure its not alot and you chew it for along time

    I dont get stitches on the bike but do when running but only after eating
  • iclestu
    iclestu Posts: 503
    doog442 wrote:
    when and what do you eat before you jump on the beast

    If you have to eat right before you mount your steed make sure its not alot and you chew it for along time

    I dont get stitches on the bike but do when running but only after eating

    Morning is pretty standard - a bannana at least 9 times out of ten. Not really thought about chewing it properly, but I probably am guilty of just gulping it down.

    Afternoon is a lot more variable, but not usually much, if anything, in the couple of hours before I leave - perhaps a snack (that means hula hoops - no healthy bird food for me!)
    FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

    Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    iclestu wrote:
    The kind in your side, not the kind on your skin......

    I have just started suffering from this irritating affliction. About half an hour into my commute (both ways!) I get the unmistakeable pain in my side. I can usually make it go away by just stopping and breathing slowly for a couple of mins, but it is really getting to be a bit irritating!

    Does anyone else suffer from these? Is it likely to go away as I get fitter? Anything I can do now to avoid them?

    I never suffer them, until that was my 100k ride on Sunday, I had one for 90% of the ride and god damm it hurt.

    That doesnt help does it ?

    Sorry
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • iclestu
    iclestu Posts: 503
    gb155 wrote:
    That doesnt help does it ?

    Sure it does!

    The prospect of someone else suffering always makes me feel better. :twisted:
    FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

    Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro
  • When i used to get them whist dong my running I would belly breathe for a while which would get rid of it. It's pain due to your diaphragm being affected I'm led to believe so belly breathing helps by reducing the stress to it
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • doog442
    doog442 Posts: 370
    i just think he wanted to tell you he did 100km on sunday :wink:
  • iclestu
    iclestu Posts: 503
    doog442 wrote:
    i just think he wanted to tell you he did 100km on sunday :wink:

    100Km Really???

    you'd have thought he'd have joined that manchester to blackpool thing if he was gonna ride that far?!
    FCN 7: Dawes Galaxy Ultra 2012 - sofa-like comfort to eat up the miles

    Reserve: 2010 Boardman CX Pro
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    iclestu wrote:
    gb155 wrote:
    That doesnt help does it ?

    Sure it does!

    The prospect of someone else suffering always makes me feel better. :twisted:

    Excellent :)
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    doog442 wrote:
    i just think he wanted to tell you he did 100km on sunday :wink:

    Someone Did a 100k ? Wow, Awesomeness
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    Try changing your rhythm, both breathing and pedalling. hold your breath for a short while so you are not breathing out (or in) at the same time as you are pumping down on the pedal.

    I believe a stitch is just an irritated section of diaphragm that is being bounced continually. A change in rhythm helps.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • doog442
    doog442 Posts: 370
    you indeed have been projected into awesomeness :D

    ps what did you have for breakfast and did you eat it slowly and chew it :?:
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    doog442 wrote:
    you indeed have been projected into awesomeness :D

    ps what did you have for breakfast and did you eat it slowly and chew it :?:

    Ermmmm I cant remember now LOL, The day is a haze LOL
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • I ride a 100k just to get to the local shop for a loaf of bread :wink:
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • lastwords
    lastwords Posts: 304
    I suffer from stitches a lot, dont know what causes them but it usually when i put a lot of effort in straight away.

    I ride both mtb and road get them on both bikes, i know if i stop and drink water it will go but to much effort will kick it off again. I usually ride through it at a lower pace though.
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,440
    My old man always used to tell me if I got stitch to breath deeply in through the nose and out through the mouth. I think it just makes you focus on your breathing but it seems to work, althought the last time I had stitch was in norwich 1997.
    Saracen Tenet 3 - 2015 - Dead - Replaced with a Hack Frame
    Voodoo Bizango - 2014 - Dead - Hit by a car
    Vitus Sentier VRS - 2017
  • lardboy
    lardboy Posts: 343
    It's mainly down to dehydration and a fullish stomach. Lots of little sips of water before you ride, and only a small snack should sort you out. I used to get them every time we did cross country running at school, and I think that's because games was straight after lunch, and back in the 80's, drinking enough water wasn't top of the list of kids' priorities.
    Bike/Train commuter: Brompton S2L - "Machete"
    12mile each way commuter: '11 Boardman CX with guards and rack
    For fun: '11 Wilier La Triestina
    SS: '07 Kona Smoke with yellow bits
  • Greg T
    Greg T Posts: 3,266
    I ride a 100k just to get to the local shop for a loaf of bread :wink:

    You have a very long driveway.
    Fixed gear for wet weather / hairy roadie for posing in the sun.

    What would Thora Hurd do?
  • MartinGT
    MartinGT Posts: 475
    Ive been told its a build up of latic acid in the stomache due to too much food too close to exercise.

    Deep breathing as suggested above breaks it down and helps.
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    MartinGT wrote:
    Ive been told its a build up of latic acid in the stomache due to too much food too close to exercise.

    Deep breathing as suggested above breaks it down and helps.

    Umm... you don't get lactic acid in your stomach.

    too full a stomach may trigger the problem but the main reason for the pain, aas Iunderstand it, is irritation of the diaphragm.

    See here.

    http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/research/stitch.htm
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails