Frustration!

Headhuunter

I'm so over the healing process and taking the bus to work now (after the crash a week ago). I just wish there was some way to get rid of the bruising and damage to the hip and get my body back to how it was. Can't stand taking public transport - the buses are so busy, hot and steamy, windows you can't see out of, people pushing and shoving, wet umbrellas etc. Oh to be back on the bike.

I'm more angry at the guy who knocked me off that ever. I just want to get back on the bike, taking the bus in takes over an hour door to door (including the walk to the stop, the wait and walk at the other end) vs bike - about 25 mins.

How long did you all take to get back into it after accidents?

gabriel959

The bruises will take months to heal if you had any road rash. First crash I had the scar on the knee took almost 6 months to get back to my usual self.

About the time thing, it took me two weeks to get back on the bike but the crash wasn’t as bad as yours.

Headhuunter

B*gger. I was hoping to be back in the saddle next week sometime...

Roastie

Hang in there - and just make sure you heal up right.

In the worst crash I had, it was 2 weeks before I could move around the house vaguely normally, 2 weeks and 1 day before I was back on the bike. And two weeks and 1 day until I had my second big off....

Headhuunter

Yep, I suppose I just need to let myself recover. Did either of you have physio or anything or did you just let time do its job?

cee

some people say that an ointment containing Arnica works well to speed up bruise healing....

I have tried it and thought it helped, but I could only give you anecdotes about its efficacy.

worth a try?

Gussio

Arnica oil might help with the bruising - I've used it to good effect in the past.

Re: physio, I am a great believer but it gets expensive if you can't get it through the NHS or health insurance.

Headhuunter

cee wrote:

some people say that an ointment containing Arnica works well to speed up bruise healing....

I have tried it and thought it helped, but I could only give you anecdotes about its efficacy.

worth a try?

Actually that's been recommended to me. Must head out to get some. I've got bruising on the surface of the skin and also in the joint itself, or at least it feels like it's in the joint. It's difficult to lift myself up steps, curbs, stairs etc

The Running Man

Glad you're back up and around Headhunter. Physio will help to help to prevent the build up of scar tissue around any muscle damage and help to bring the bruising out but Gussio is right that it can cost a bit - but it depends how much you value you place on your health and how quickly you want to get back at it?

Coriander

Headhuunter wrote:

cee wrote:

some people say that an ointment containing Arnica works well to speed up bruise healing....

I have tried it and thought it helped, but I could only give you anecdotes about its efficacy.

worth a try?

Actually that's been recommended to me. Must head out to get some. I've got bruising on the surface of the skin and also in the joint itself, or at least it feels like it's in the joint. It's difficult to lift myself up steps, curbs, stairs etc

I am a big believer in just being patient. Bruising just has to work its way out - all the soft tissue has taken a hell of a bashing and will be swollen and stretched, it needs time to shrink back to normal without additional strain being put on it.

But then I know I am more cautious than most people after shoulder being permanently damaged when a crap physiotherapist had me using my shoulder as one half of a pulley system 10 days after bone had been sawn off and then screwed back on.

Headhuunter

The Running Man wrote:

Glad you're back up and around Headhunter. Physio will help to help to prevent the build up of scar tissue around any muscle damage and help to bring the bruising out but Gussio is right that it can cost a bit - but it depends how much you value you place on your health and how quickly you want to get back at it?

Well I've got BUPA through work so just wondering if I should get referred onto someone to help it heal. I suppose it's been less than a week so far, perhaps I'll think about it if the natural pace of recovery slows. Just got some arnica cream from Boots and have just applied it so we'll see what happens there!

Headhuunter

Coriander wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

cee wrote:

some people say that an ointment containing Arnica works well to speed up bruise healing....

I have tried it and thought it helped, but I could only give you anecdotes about its efficacy.

worth a try?

Actually that's been recommended to me. Must head out to get some. I've got bruising on the surface of the skin and also in the joint itself, or at least it feels like it's in the joint. It's difficult to lift myself up steps, curbs, stairs etc

I am a big believer in just being patient. Bruising just has to work its way out - all the soft tissue has taken a hell of a bashing and will be swollen and stretched, it needs time to shrink back to normal without additional strain being put on it.

But then I know I am more cautious than most people after shoulder being permanently damaged when a crap physiotherapist had me using my shoulder as one half of a pulley system 10 days after bone had been sawn off and then screwed back on.

Sounds nasty!

Headhuunter

Coriander wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

cee wrote:

some people say that an ointment containing Arnica works well to speed up bruise healing....

I have tried it and thought it helped, but I could only give you anecdotes about its efficacy.

worth a try?

Actually that's been recommended to me. Must head out to get some. I've got bruising on the surface of the skin and also in the joint itself, or at least it feels like it's in the joint. It's difficult to lift myself up steps, curbs, stairs etc

I am a big believer in just being patient. Bruising just has to work its way out - all the soft tissue has taken a hell of a bashing and will be swollen and stretched, it needs time to shrink back to normal without additional strain being put on it.

But then I know I am more cautious than most people after shoulder being permanently damaged when a crap physiotherapist had me using my shoulder as one half of a pulley system 10 days after bone had been sawn off and then screwed back on.

Sounds nasty!

gabriel959

Headhuunter wrote:

Yep, I suppose I just need to let myself recover. Did either of you have physio or anything or did you just let time do its job?

I didn't have any physio but the pain was gone after a week. If it had continued I would have gone for it (I think BUPA covers it, although check your membership level).

I also think Coriander has got a point and you should let the wounds heal.

gtvlusso

Take it easy! Worst thing to do is get back on too early and cause yourself more pain/time off the bike!

get through the healing process and break in gently!

Sorry to hear about your accident, sounded nasty...

il_principe

Headhuunter wrote:

I'm so over the healing process and taking the bus to work now (after the crash a week ago). I just wish there was some way to get rid of the bruising and damage to the hip and get my body back to how it was. Can't stand taking public transport - the buses are so busy, hot and steamy, windows you can't see out of, people pushing and shoving, wet umbrellas etc. Oh to be back on the bike.

I'm more angry at the guy who knocked me off that ever. I just want to get back on the bike, taking the bus in takes over an hour door to door (including the walk to the stop, the wait and walk at the other end) vs bike - about 25 mins.

How long did you all take to get back into it after accidents?

I feel your pain, especially re Bus/Tube etc. I was clobbered on the 12th October and am not allowed back on the bike until Jan at the earliest. My commute is now taking an hour although a recent move has got me off the bus and on the train. No better really but at least the trains have a timetable, whereas I've waited between 30 seconds and nearly 1 hour for a bus! Although I did sustain more than bruising. As Cori says, be patient. I tried to do too much and got a ticking off from the consultant on Monday. Apparently I'm not invincible after all, dammit. I hope you are pursuing some form of compo as some cash money money should make things easier to swallow, even if it'll take ages to get anything.



Good luck and HTFU.

Headhuunter

Il Principe wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

I'm so over the healing process and taking the bus to work now (after the crash a week ago). I just wish there was some way to get rid of the bruising and damage to the hip and get my body back to how it was. Can't stand taking public transport - the buses are so busy, hot and steamy, windows you can't see out of, people pushing and shoving, wet umbrellas etc. Oh to be back on the bike.

I'm more angry at the guy who knocked me off that ever. I just want to get back on the bike, taking the bus in takes over an hour door to door (including the walk to the stop, the wait and walk at the other end) vs bike - about 25 mins.

How long did you all take to get back into it after accidents?

I feel your pain, especially re Bus/Tube etc. I was clobbered on the 12th October and am not allowed back on the bike until Jan at the earliest. My commute is now taking an hour although a recent move has got me off the bus and on the train. No better really but at least the trains have a timetable, whereas I've waited between 30 seconds and nearly 1 hour for a bus! Although I did sustain more than bruising. As Cori says, be patient. I tried to do too much and got a ticking off from the consultant on Monday. Apparently I'm not invincible after all, dammit. I hope you are pursuing some form of compo as some cash money money should make things easier to swallow, even if it'll take ages to get anything.



Good luck and HTFU.

I remember you mentioning a crash. Sounds like yours was much more serious. What happened (if you can bear to go through it again...)? You're off til Jan?! You must've broken some bones or something then?

I've got RJW on the case. Even though I'm not a CTC member, I managed to persuade them to take me on as a private client. As you say, it might take a while though. Just got a letter through from the police telling me that my case is being looked over and the police report is due in any day.

On the positive side I get to buy a new bike through the bike to work scheme. Also the arnica cream I've just rubbed over my bruises seems to be having a positive effect - I can feel a definite cooling and anti inflamatory sensation...

il_principe

Headhuunter wrote:

I remember you mentioning a crash. Sounds like yours was much more serious. What happened (if you can bear to go through it again...)? You're off til Jan?! You must've broken some bones or something then?

I've got RJW on the case. Even though I'm not a CTC member, I managed to persuade them to take me on as a private client. As you say, it might take a while though. Just got a letter through from the police telling me that my case is being looked over and the police report is due in any day.

On the positive side I get to buy a new bike through the bike to work scheme. Also the arnica cream I've just rubbed over my bruises seems to be having a positive effect - I can feel a definite cooling and anti inflamatory sensation...

Broken Clavicle after some dopey cow pulled right across my path despite it being my right of way. Surgery and plating followed about a week later, but the consultant is being v bullish about the cycling. Good thing is that the driver admitted liability to the cops at the scene and it seems they are progressing well (if slowly) in dealing with her. Also the solicitor reckons i'm in line for a few thousand quid (rather more than I'd expected) which will be most welcome. I was quite anti the idea of going for comp but actually the accident has caused so much hassle that I'm glad I have.

Headhuunter

Il Principe wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

I remember you mentioning a crash. Sounds like yours was much more serious. What happened (if you can bear to go through it again...)? You're off til Jan?! You must've broken some bones or something then?

I've got RJW on the case. Even though I'm not a CTC member, I managed to persuade them to take me on as a private client. As you say, it might take a while though. Just got a letter through from the police telling me that my case is being looked over and the police report is due in any day.

On the positive side I get to buy a new bike through the bike to work scheme. Also the arnica cream I've just rubbed over my bruises seems to be having a positive effect - I can feel a definite cooling and anti inflamatory sensation...

Broken Clavicle after some dopey cow pulled right across my path despite it being my right of way. Surgery and plating followed about a week later, but the consultant is being v bullish about the cycling. Good thing is that the driver admitted liability to the cops at the scene and it seems they are progressing well (if slowly) in dealing with her. Also the solicitor reckons i'm in line for a few thousand quid (rather more than I'd expected) which will be most welcome. I was quite anti the idea of going for comp but actually the accident has caused so much hassle that I'm glad I have.

Nasty. I wouldn't have gone down the compensation route if he'd just paid me for the bike, clothing, helmet etc, but he said he could only afford £200, so ambulance chasers it is then. He still hasn't admitted liability though. From his wording when we spoke, I don't think he's a stranger to crashes and road accidents. He needs removing from the roads completely.

Matt the Tester

Headhuunter wrote:

Coriander wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

cee wrote:

some people say that an ointment containing Arnica works well to speed up bruise healing....

I have tried it and thought it helped, but I could only give you anecdotes about its efficacy.

worth a try?

Actually that's been recommended to me. Must head out to get some. I've got bruising on the surface of the skin and also in the joint itself, or at least it feels like it's in the joint. It's difficult to lift myself up steps, curbs, stairs etc

I am a big believer in just being patient. Bruising just has to work its way out - all the soft tissue has taken a hell of a bashing and will be swollen and stretched, it needs time to shrink back to normal without additional strain being put on it.

But then I know I am more cautious than most people after shoulder being permanently damaged when a crap physiotherapist had me using my shoulder as one half of a pulley system 10 days after bone had been sawn off and then screwed back on.

Sounds nasty!

bloody hell! someone take away his license!

fossyant

I was back on the bike commuting within a couple of weeks.

Pop to the chemist for some 'Hirudoid' creme - it's for bruising and draws the bruise out very fast, so stops any potential clots - worked for me (used to be called Lasonil).

I got back on quickly, but started private physio - spent about £2k out of my pocket, but it kept me on the bike.

12 months on, still getting problems with shoulder, tingling in arm and pain, and my shoulder is like a bag of spanners, especially as the weather's got colder. Anyway, the process took 7 months to get MRI and nerve tests done, and back - clear....signed off by shoulder clinic - not interested in clicking shoulder...hmmmm

Went to an independant specialist yesterday (12 months after the accident) for the PI side of the investigations, - very formal check up and he quite blatently said - would you consider an operation, as that will clear up your shoulder clicking ?. MRI scans were of neck, not shoulder, so may need to go back again and lie in that horrible machine again, then maybe get some surgery....if the NHS can be arsed.

Seriously unimpressed at playing the cautious route via the NHS - i.e. not getting a private referral (being a good boy and mitigating my claim), as I'm probably going to be 12 months down the line and still needing the shoulder operated on - it needs 'decompressing' as the AC is buggered - so some bone will be removed so the tendons can move freely beneath the AC joint.

What annoys me is that the shoulder specialist didn't get the joint MRI'ed and blatently said not interested in clicking, as you've got full movement... grrrrr (so much for being fit and active - better off being overweight and unfit - you get treated better).

Off to vent at the GP next week.... RANT OVER FOLKS !!!

Soooo....it may take some time, and deffo. get a solicitor involved.

Headhuunter

Sounds like you're situation was worse than mine. I've "just" got heavy bruising on the skin and probably in the hip joint itself. No tingling or pins and needles etc. Anyway am off for physio next Thu. GP said that it would help scar tissue form in the right place etc. Had my stitches removed today, have to go back to have the wound checked next Tue. Gonna have a dirty great scar on my shin when it's all healed but I suppose it'll make me look 'ard.

RJW solicitors are involved although still waiting for them to send all the forms n stuff through to me, however I still haven't received info on the police report so obviously the process will be slow. I don't suppose I'll be back on the bike til at least end of next week or the start of the next though....