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Equilibrium Problems Can Sure Mess Up Riding Time!!

racer7

New member
Last weekend was my first time back on a bike in 6 weeks. Had some equilibrium problems that kept me off that were a side effect of delaying starting dialysis for over a year than putting up with the resulting (mostly minor) side effects that come from correcting wacky body biochemistry with modern machinery. The result was screwed up equilbrium that basically feels a lot like walking around with a permanent blood alcohol well into the red zone- having to hang onto walls in one's own home to keep from falling and when able to walk a bit better, shopping carts in stores to keep from falling. No way was I getting on any of my bikes.

Good news is the body adapts and equilbrium returns, hence my first ride in a while last weekend. Not fully back and rusty, I found the best approach was to "let the bike be a bike" and not try to use my body too much while staying away from more extreme angles and speeds. Just rolling on the throttle at the right spot in corners does wonders.

I have found myself wondering how all those Harley folks who go from bar to bar manage to do it :laugh :drink. Going slow helps, but still.......
 
Know What You Mean

Racer7, congrats on being back on your bike. Having worked with dialysis equipment as a Technical Specialist/Engineer for over 30 years in 47 of the 50 states (and a few other places) I can fully appreciate the difficulties that you are working through. Many folks I've seen on dialysis do very well once they get acclimated to it and learn to comply with the necessary regimen. So hang in there, ride safe, and continue to enjoy life.
Best Regards,
deltajim47
 
deltajim47,
Thanks for the good wishes.
I've got a biochem Ph.D. so know the science of all of this. And the side effects I've had (mostly gone) were of my own creation for stalling start for over a year. (I've got slow progressing PCKD and have known this point was coming for 13 years). I'm fully capable of discussing all the dialysis prescription parameters with the docs and am borderline enough that the current plan calls for moving to only twice per week for at least a while after getting past all the startup stuff. (More riding trips this summer without making too may "travel arrangments" at other clinics). Using all the newest pharm aids for the bone issues, waiting on several transplant lists because siblings are all ruled out as donors.

As you know, current dialysis equipment is pretty good gear. My small local clinic is new and using the very latest Fresenius stuff- as a lab guy and techy I appreciate a lot of its features. I'll bet you got to learn a lot about these newer gnerations of equipment during your career. As a fomer exec for one of the world's largest sterile drug manufacturing plants, I also appreciate the high tech water systems in all the new facilties thzt go a long way to eliminating the problems caused by bad water. FWIW, I chose a Fresenius facility rather than DaVita because Fresnius uses disposable dialiyzers. Based on my experience managing large groups of people in tech environments, I chose to avoid DaVitas dialyzer reuse practice- too much chance of human error IMO.
 
Racer7,

Not due to dialysis , but I know exactly what you mean. Mine came from an inner ear infection, caused by [get this]....a common cold.
The equilibrium problem lasted most of a year, at times hard to function. Glad you're getting over it...hope it stays gone.

Ron
 
Ron,
My local club has a very active and experienced rider who has Meniere's disease - fluid can accumulate in the inner ear and disturb balance- but he is able to control his by diet- low sodium, no alcohol etc...
Virus infections can trigger Meniere's also. I've seen the ear caused vertigo and its good to hear yours resolved. The dialysis issue is a bit different- it comes from the luid and electrolyte balance changes in the brain and is a sometimes side effect of startup no matter how carefully the docs approach it. I considered it a fair tradeoff for stalling dialysis for a year so I hadfull riding freedom- but few are as lucky as I was with that choice.

Hope you went to a good ENT doc. For some infections they can drain fluid, etc (not fun, I had it done for an infection years ago and still remember it as the most painful thing I've ever had but at least it worked) and of course, drugs are pretty decent today though there are still situations which won't resolve quickly.

Hope you're using your time to pack on some miles and enjoy the riding.
 
Ron,
My local club has a very active and experienced rider who has Meniere's disease - fluid can accumulate in the inner ear and disturb balance- but he is able to control his by diet- low sodium, no alcohol etc...
Virus infections can trigger Meniere's also. I've seen the ear caused vertigo and its good to hear yours resolved. The dialysis issue is a bit different- it comes from the luid and electrolyte balance changes in the brain and is a sometimes side effect of startup no matter how carefully the docs approach it. I considered it a fair tradeoff for stalling dialysis for a year so I hadfull riding freedom- but few are as lucky as I was with that choice.

Hope you went to a good ENT doc. For some infections they can drain fluid, etc (not fun, I had it done for an infection years ago and still remember it as the most painful thing I've ever had but at least it worked) and of course, drugs are pretty decent today though there are still situations which won't resolve quickly.

Hope you're using your time to pack on some miles and enjoy the riding.


Racer7,

I still get minor bouts of it on occasion, but they are [knock on wood] not bad, and last less than a day. And yes since the infection I have retired and logged a bunch of miles. Did get a bout on a trip once, so I just hung around the motel an extra day...Ron
 
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