| (Long Distance) Ramblings |
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I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out). "The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget." "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
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Thursday, August 17, 2006
Cortisone - Friend or Foe?I have been suffering from "hot spots" on my feet since I started riding double centuries. I remember one Death Valley Double where I took off my shoes at the Ashford Mills rest stop because both of my feet were on fire. I have moved my cleats all of the way back, I have tried different shoes, different socks, and different insoles but nothing has worked. Currently, and long distance ride will cause my left foot to burn. Now I have two long rides coming up, the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial and the Furnace Creek 508. In order to insure success at these rides, I decided to visit my doctor and see what he suggests. After a discussion, it was decided to inject cortisone into my left foot. I had the shot this morning. Immediately, I felt an allergic reaction, I began to itch. It started slowly, and I did mention it to my doctor before I left his office and he suggested Benadryl. By the time I left the parking lot, I had decided that I needed some Benadryl, and badly. I drove to the nearest Fred Meyer and parked. Walking toward the store I felt light headed, I saw spot in my vision and my chest felt tight effecting my breathing. I began to get scared. I made it inside the store, but instead of looking for some Benadryl, I headed toward a bench as I needed to lay down. It was either lay down or fall down. As I was on the bench, I was fighting the urge to itch myself. I rested for several minutes and the vision problems went away and my breathing became easier. So, I got up and headed toward the pharmacy aisle. This was a mistake. The vision problems returned and I almost fainted in the aisle. I managed to return to the bench where I used my cell phone to call my wife. "I need you." is what I said when she answered the phone. After a few minutes, she arrived and drove me home. During this time, the itching increased to the point where I could not resist and I started to take off my cloths in the car. I did manage to restrict myself to my only removing my right shoe and sock, but when we arrived home, everything came off. Joanne researched my predicament and suggested that I get into our hot tub; hot water should relieve the itching. It did. I then fell asleep (from the Benadryl) and slept till 1:00 pm. I cooked a light lunch and returned to bed. By evening, the reaction was gone. It would appear that I am allergic to cortisone.
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