Bike Ride

[yellowflure18]

I have Lymphoedema in my fingers hand and arm. Would it be safe to ride my bike or would I be storing up damage.

[Nfleslie]

I would make sure you are wearing a proper fitting compression sleeve and glove. If you dont have one look for a local garment fitter in your area.

[yellowflure18 in reply to Nfleslie]

Yes I do have proper garments from my lymph clinic.

[Isa62]

I have arm and hand lymphoedema and when I tried riding my bike I found that my arm swelled more. I think it has to do with the slightly leaning forward position with arms placed quite low on the handlebars. You could do cycling on a gym bike where you could rest your arm on a high backed chair. Hope this helps

[Lynora]

Are you used to bike riding or is it going to be a new activity? Do you use a road bike, touring bike or mountain bike?

If you are used to it, then go for it - wearing your compression when you do, and cycle in small increments - 10-15 minutes, then take a rest stop. Do some stretches during rest stops.

If you are new to it, use a stationary bike for a while, and introduce outdoor riding gradually.

I have clients who cycle. It’s a great form of exercise.

[yellowflure18 in reply to Lynora]

Thanks for your replies. I have a road bike. We used to go around parks etc for 5/6 miles at a time. Haven’t rode it for 3 years, since I lost my mum then got lymphoedema. We now go for walks but it’s not the same.

[Lynora]

In which case - get back in the saddle, girl!!!! That distance is perfect. Make sure you do some stretches before and after, and, if possible, spend a bit of extra time doing self-massage before bed that night.

[yellowflure18 in reply to Lynora]

Thanks Lynora

[naominorthenellis]

It would be a great shame if you stopped cycling because of your lymphoedema.

I would raise the handle bars as high as you can; relax your grip on the handle bars, focus on your posture. Don't hunch over the handle bars with a rounded back and shoulders up around your ears. Relax your shoulders and 'pull them back' and pull your lats down towards your waist so you have a nice straight back with your chest up pushing through, - this will reduce the pressure and 'weight' of pushing too hard through the handle bars and you will feel lighter (it is the legs that are doing the work). When you have a nice 'straight flat' to enjoy then raise one of your arms and wriggle your fingers from time to time, but above all have some fun and enjoy the bike ride! It is too easy to stop doing everything we enjoy because of lymphoedema. NNE

[yellowflure18 in reply to naominorthenellis]

Thanks for that info

[Chocolate-e-clare]

Simple answer here - go for it. Wear your compression and see how you feel/respond to cycling. All advice here is good - hope you can just get back on and slowly build up your tolerance/fitness. If you have. Issues, speak to your lymph clinic as they know you and how you are managing your condition. I love cycling - I hope you can and will again too!