Medical driving ban...
 

[Closed] Medical driving ban - does it apply to bikes?

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As above and does it make a difference on roads or singletrack of various sorts?


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:11 am
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They take your drivers license off you, so if you don’t need a drivers license to do something...

Wether it would be advisable to do it is another matter


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:14 am
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We need to know a bit more. Is this someone who has had their license removed for medical reasons? If so they are certainly still able to ride a bike because you do not need a license to do so.

I guess if their medical issue caused an accident when they were on a bike they could be held liable


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:15 am
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Don't think it affects push bikes, unless you have an ebike that can go faster than the regulated limit (15.5mph).


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:21 am
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We need to know a bit more. Is this someone who has had their license removed for medical reasons?

No just a 24 hour ban... obviously I won't break that as I've had it before for trivial stuff like broken wrists and was responsible enough to swap the hoses so I had a rear brake but I was told I cannot drive but advised not to cycle for 24hrs post op.

I'm bu****ed if I'm getting a virus laden taxi back from hospital given the consequences to me if I test positive and its a 10 mile or so walk.
Plus I'd rather get out on the bike the next day than wait at home for the biopsy results...


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:27 am
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but I was told I cannot drive but advised not to cycle for 24hrs post op.

the highlighted words are crucial

However again it depends on the reasons why. I recently had a procedure under sedation. I was told I had to have someone collect me from the hospital which I did. However I felt fine and IMO at the time could easily have ridden back home. Afterwards looking back I was clearly still out of it on the sedation so riding home would have been stupid


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:42 am
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I recently came out of hospital a day after a serious spinal op under general anesthetic. While I was walking about happily I was sufficiently aware that my judgement was way off and I banned myself from driving and riding for a few days until my head was straight.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 12:15 pm
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Yep not dissimilar but my son's mother is threatening to "call the police" if I don't allow her to pick me up. Quite honestly I don't want to have that for multiple reasons, especially if I'm still woozy.

I might be able to get a mate to pick me up post op but if not I'd rather not have her asking me a shit load of questions stuck in the car. She probably expects some immediate diagnosis and prognosis and will blame me for not knowing.

I can more or less get home without roads at all... and TBH what's the worst that can happen? I fall off and crash all the time anyway and the bridleways will be deserted Monday afternoon so I'm not going to hurt anyone else.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 12:24 pm
 poah
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I would not risk it. If you do have an accident the fact you were advised not to and you shouldn't be driving could put the liability onto you.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 12:39 pm
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I would not risk it. If you do have an accident the fact you were advised not to and you shouldn’t be driving could put the liability onto you.

Oh, no question of driving... I wouldn't be insured for starters!
[whenever I break bones I always drop the car off anyway as amongst other things down here we pay for hospital/walk in clinic parking] luckily the consultant at the fracture clinic lifts the driving ban if its your right arm - we are getting to know each other quite well 😉 .

I'm hoping a mate will pick me up but if not it's only 10 miles or so of what will be very empty bridleways given the weather and time.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 12:57 pm
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A taxi with the windows open?


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 1:00 pm
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A taxi with the windows open?

Not preferred... it's taken nearly a month to get a biopsy including testing Friday for Covid after 2 rounds of screening for Covid just to get the test for Covid. Anyone of these would cancel my biopsy as I understand.

I hope the results will be positive (i.e. not cancer) but until I know I'm a bit paranoid about catching covid and being denied whatever treatments.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 1:22 pm
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Stevexc, in your circumstances I'd see if I could get a friend to pick me up, if that didn't work I'd ride. If after your biopsy you don't feel able to ride, call a taxi and insist on masks and windows open.

This must be incredibly stressful for you, I hope it goes well.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 1:27 pm
 Drac
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Get a friend to pick you up just make sure you’re both masked up. I’d not exert yourself after anaesthetics.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 1:33 pm
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Murrey,
Cheers... that's pretty much the plan so far.

I got very good advice on here about not doing research until I know what I'm actually dealing with.
Many thanks to everyone who posted supportive stuff... and the reason I let it go quiet is just the same as below:

This really helped the stress... I'm quite literally just doing it a hill at a time. Do what the medical professionals say...

Get the consultation, get the biopsy date, get the covid test etc.

A lot of this is really small stuff... but worrying about that is way better than worrying what the big stuff MIGHT be.

Other than issues in my bowels/colon whatever I'm actually physically very well and doing a LOT of riding and big (for me) miles.

I've also ridden loads of mental blocks (where I can with lockdown) in the last month.
Stuff I've previously crashed and injured myself on and stuff that just plain scared me I've just thought "might be the last time so send it"....

Ideally I'll get told it's nothing serious and my riding and fitness will have improved no end!


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 1:47 pm
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Get a friend to pick you up just make sure you’re both masked up. I’d not exert yourself after anaesthetics.

Not arguing but what do you mean by "exert". The procedure should be pretty simple (camera and biopsy tool up my bum) so I'm not expecting that to be a big thing not to ride.... hospital home is very low effort.. no real uphill and just a very very moderate down... in fact I use this route as a cheat for "average speed rides"... (where I set myself a target average speed and if I'm a bit slow I'll come this way home because I know I can stay at a constant 30k with little effort - I'm only cheating myself 😉 )

I'm really hoping the next day(s) I can just get out on a bike instead of sitting in waiting for a phone call. Quite honestly the thought of that is a bit stressful....

edit: Obviously I'd not be trying to do the route quickly....


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 1:57 pm
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@stevextc if you're having the camera up the bum find out if they are inflating you with gas. I had that and it would have been way to uncomfortable to ride afterwards. Even the car journey home was painful, my inflated inards felt every little bump. A good tip to get rid of it is get on your hands and knees and have someone rub your stomach while you try and relax as much as possible. The amazingly long loud fart as it comes out is worth it for the comedy value.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 2:09 pm
 DrP
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So when I broke my wrist I was advised not to cycle..because if I fell it could break again.
I chose to keep cycling as I needed to get to work. I wasn't a risk to others. Or myself really.

If you're sedated post op, then it would be daft to cycle.

DrP

A real genuine doctor.....!


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 2:48 pm
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I recently came out of hospital a day after a serious spinal op under general anesthetic. While I was walking about happily I was sufficiently aware that my judgement was way off and I banned myself from driving and riding for a few days until my head was straight.

You'd they would have sorted that as part of the operation!


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 2:51 pm
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Yeah this sounds kind of hilarious, but also more accurately like a completely terrible plan. Colonoscopies are no joke - if the sedation doesn’t render you too unsteady to ride, the discomfort would. Get a lift or a taxi, that’s by far the safer option.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 2:57 pm
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DrP

If you’re sedated post op, then it would be daft to cycle.

Will it really be that bad?
Apparently I'm only out for 30 mins then a 2hr recovery so I'd thought I might not be 100% but a bit woozy and maybe fall off a couple of times but nothing new about me falling off and I'd be going a lot slower or is it my judgement will be impaired so I don't realise and end up going normal/silly speeds?

jordan

if you’re having the camera up the bum find out if they are inflating you with gas. I had that and it would have been way to uncomfortable to ride afterwards. Even the car journey home was painful, my inflated inards felt every little bump.

uggh .. im actually avoiding asking too many questions ... just because it then feels I'd go down the worry/anxiety path....


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 3:06 pm
 loum
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Hi Steve
Had biopsy back in march before my diagnosis.
I was told I had to have someone pick me up from hospital, even though I live 5 minutes walk.
I don't think they'd have released me without being picked up. Anasthetics can have weird after effects and blackouts. And biopsy was weird too - caught a nerve and had my left leg going like a dreaming dog. Hurt too. Cycling wouldn't have been right , wouldn't have been confident of staying on and not causing an accident. Walking was ok. Going on my experience, I'd say - in order of preference-
get a mate,
get a taxi,
take the lift and tell her you're groggy,
walk,
tell hospital you've got no lift and see if they take you home.
Don't drive
Don't cycle

And one other thing , biopsy sample went off to lab for analysis and it was definitely longer than next day for results and next steps, more than a week if I remember correctly.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 3:10 pm
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My wife had this done a couple of years ago, biopsy and also polyps removed. She doesn't cycle, but would have been in no state to do so


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 3:14 pm
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loum.... cheers mate.

Guess I'm convinced 😉 no cycing home.
I'd thought I could "escape" the pick-up thing since visitors aren't allowed inside...

And one other thing , biopsy sample went off to lab for analysis and it was definitely longer than next day for results and next steps, more than a week if I remember correctly.

Cheers again, I guess I'd have found this out Monday. (as I said not asking too many Q at the moment) just sorta one hill at a time.

I'm hoping to spend as much of the waiting time on my bikes as possible. Seems the best thing for my MH at the moment. (then making inane posts on here)


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 3:28 pm
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You want the biopsy result to be slow. If you’re contacted quickly it’s not normally good news.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 6:23 pm
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The procedure should be pretty simple (camera and biopsy tool up my bum)

Thats what I had. I only had sedation. there is no way that i would have been safe riding home although at the time I thought I was fine. In hindsight i was all over the place

Midazolam and Fentyl


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 6:32 pm
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there is no way that i would have been safe riding home although at the time I thought I was fine

Ok cheers TJ... point taken. I don't really know what they are giving me... (basically remain clueless until I get results rather than speculate)

Will next day be OK for riding do you think if its sedation? (It's 10:30 in the morning)

I'd also hoped I'd be eating some solid food ASAP after... just stocked up on orange coloured lucozade sport for tomorrows liquid food/laxative fest...


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 6:41 pm
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Next day i was fine.


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 6:45 pm
 tomj
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Anaesthetist here - it’s a really really bad idea. You’ll basically be riding a bike whilst under the influence. So impaired judgement and so on with the double whammy of not realising it. If you’re not fit to drive then I don’t think you’re fit to ride and definitely not by yourself or in traffic
You’ll probably need someone to stay with you for at least the first few hours or night (depending when it is). It’s usually a criteria of discharge that a responsible adult is collecting you and staying with you. Now I know loads of people probably don’t don’t follow this - but I couldn’t proceed if I knew someone was going home alone. The sedation can have rare effects of breathing and the airway - which is why you shouldn’t be alone in case help is needed


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:12 pm
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If you are having the same sedation I had for a gastroscopy then I wouldn't ride home after. I thought I was with it until I woke up the next morning and had massive gaps in my memory of the previous day, including how I got home (BiL dropped me off and picked me up)


 
Posted : 14/11/2020 11:22 pm
 Drac
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As TomJ says you’re going to be off tits on after some pretty strong drugs, the exert yourself whilst riding bike through town. It’s probably not going to end well.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 12:40 am
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So impaired judgement and so on with the double whammy of not realising it.

Fair do's....

and definitely not by yourself or in traffic

I wasn't planning traffic .. but the bridleways do cross some roads and I guess my judgement won't necessarily be good enough to get off and push across.

It’s usually a criteria of discharge that a responsible adult is collecting you and staying with you.

This is the scary bit for me... when the self appointed "responsible" adult is someone I'd rather not be alone and helpless with.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 9:35 am
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I used to work with a guy who had his licence removed for having repeated seizures.

After that he cycled 20 miles each way to work on the inside white line of a dual carriageway, every day, with one wee blinking red light on the rear.

Just take a lift from the ex and stop being a fud about it.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 10:34 am
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Just take a lift from the ex and stop being a fud about it.

She happens to be a very controlling person and given to violence if things don't go her way and is already upset about me being selfish enough to have this inconvenience to her now.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 10:45 am
 poah
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you could always not bother with the sedation


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 11:10 am
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Ask on here to bum a lift ?
pun intended obvs


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 12:20 pm
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Ask on here to bum a lift ?

ha ha 😉
Currently on fluids and laxative...and wishing I'd stockpiled bog roll!

you could always not bother with the sedation

I'd considered that until some of the posts on here. ^
I made a mistake a long while ago doing that for an endoscopy but I guess it's actually a valid point.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 12:34 pm
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I had my colonoscopy done using Entonox; made it perfectly tolerable and I went to the pub that evening.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 12:35 pm
 poah
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’d considered that until some of the posts on here

had mine without anything - just had to wait for the gas to evacuate and then I co0uld leave.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 12:51 pm
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If you’re anywhere near Hereford I’ll give you a lift, no questions asked, windows open and mask on.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 2:08 pm
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Cheers Tiboy... miles and miles away ... but good news my mate has just called to tell me he managed to shift his teleconf and can take me home. Had to transfer the call as he called same time as the hospital who say I passed the Covid test so all on.

He also gets tested regularly as part of a study so minimal risk compared to taxi's I reckon.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 2:48 pm
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Is sedation not optional with a colonoscopy?


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 3:42 pm
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Is sedation not optional with a colonoscopy?

I think so, they said something about being able to decide tomorrow.
My mates picking me up now so I guess I've got the choice.


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 3:46 pm
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Sounds good in the end, hope it all goes smoothly!


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 6:44 pm
 tomj
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Like anything it’s your choice. A sigmoidoscopy only goes up the first part of the bowel and is perfectly doable without sedation - it’s the norm. But a colonoscopy which examines the whole bowel is much more uncomfortable. Most people don’t tolerate it without some sedation or analgesia. Last thing you want is to have to come back again because of an incomplete test.
I had one a few years ago. Whilst it want the greatest day of my life it wasn’t half as bad as I feared. With the sedation is was far less uncomfortable than the examination in clinic. Worst thing was the day of prep beforehand!


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 7:10 pm
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And one other thing , biopsy sample went off to lab for analysis and it was definitely longer than next day for results and next steps, more than a week if I remember correctly.

100%, I work in a lab these type of samples get sent to, the Dr doing the biopsy will mark the sample routine or urgent if they see anything suspicious, urgent will get a result in 1-2 days, just because of the lab processes involved. A routine sample obviously doesn't get as prioritised. the people taking the biopsy are very good and can spot stuff and take appropriate biopsies as necessary and mark stuff as urgent if needed. so the longer the result the better it is really (as in treatment doesn't need to start straight away) but the report from the Histopathologist should be available to your consultant within 5 days


 
Posted : 15/11/2020 7:15 pm
 loum
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Best wishes for today, Steve.
You've got a great attitude, and riding bikes is fun, so keeping that up and trying new jumps and drops rocks.
I know how you feel in that way, been through something similar over last year and "maybe I'll do it next time" kind of goes out the window.
Any worries or stresses or queries, you can message. I'm not an expert in any way, but have some recent similar experience, so I can tell you how things worked with my treatment.
Good luck today


 
Posted : 16/11/2020 10:19 am
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Well 1st ... initial exam looks good, swelling and some other stuff and apparently I have colites (whatever that is apparently not serious) 4 biopsies taken but "don't look cancerous".

tomj

Worst thing was the day of prep beforehand!

Just home .... FOOD.... give me FOOD (something to block me up), interesting experience walking to the hospital this morning (lots of woods and packet of tissues in case). Left myself 1hr30 for what google said was 1hr50 and did 1hr20 but probably not the brightest idea...worse too many clothes and sweating wasn't a good idea when you're dehydrated already and can't drink.

But a colonoscopy which examines the whole bowel is much more uncomfortable. Most people don’t tolerate it without some sedation or analgesia. Last thing you want is to have to come back again because of an incomplete test.

Did dome sedation and analgesic plus something that dilates the bowel for "the way out for better photos".

Anyway ... feel fine? 1/2 hr later I was happy to walk and easily balanced on one leg whilst putting on my trousers... so balance at least is good.
Judgement ... dunno I waited for someone to remove the cannula ... I'd have been happy enough taking it out myself but figured it would upset someone and no sharps bin.


 
Posted : 16/11/2020 3:20 pm
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@loum
Many thanks mate ... I'm hoping this turns out to be near the end for me.
I'll look into colites and then chase down the why's on the swelling....

You’ve got a great attitude, and riding bikes is fun, so keeping that up and trying new jumps and drops rocks.
I know how you feel in that way, been through something similar over last year and “maybe I’ll do it next time” kind of goes out the window.

Yeah it works for me....
Annoyingly my OH informed my best mate (who's stuck in France and just lost his wife/my friend)
He's a worrier anyway... so he's been worrying and asking questions... this might not work for everyone but I just applied my worry about the next hill and stress yourself over the small stuff for the next hill...

This isn't the usual me.... I tend to be a long term plan/research sorta person but it worked well for this. I looked at all the small hurdles and then distracted myself worrying about them.

Riding wise ... I just need to keep that attitude up.
I've been doing stuff on the HT I put off doing on the big bike ... non of it was even half as bad as I thought. [Like getting to fairly big drops too slow and thinking sod it .. not like I expected to crash but the landing was way better than I'd expected so looking back can't believe I'd even have hesitated on the FS]

I've been putting off the whaletail at Rogate since I broke my wrist on it in March ... just thought sod it and had my kid tow me in... then Triple R and was all set to do the bottom of the DMR S&M line I wouldn't even have considered on the FS 2 months ago. [I did the top getting towed down the day my bowel problems really started and looked at the bottom and thought "no way ever"] I'd fully expected to have done it had it not closed after my kid* offered to tow me down.

*He's got a very good judgement what I can and can't do and said I could.


 
Posted : 16/11/2020 3:41 pm
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I’ve also ridden loads of mental blocks (where I can with lockdown) in the last month.
Stuff I’ve previously crashed and injured myself on and stuff that just plain scared me I’ve just thought “might be the last time so send it”

I think i still have a couple of KOMs when i was waiting for the nut sack lump tests!

With regards to the sedation you've definitely come to the right decision, I went looking for my bike after I was sedated, much to the worry of all the staff. I'd not even ridden it there.


 
Posted : 16/11/2020 4:41 pm
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With regards to the sedation you’ve definitely come to the right decision, I went looking for my bike after I was sedated, much to the worry of all the staff. I’d not even ridden it there.

Dunno, I feel fine. Need to go eat something and rehydrate but otherwise no balance or other problems????


 
Posted : 16/11/2020 4:46 pm
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So I felt 100% so waited until 24 hours and went to the dirt jumps.
My balance definitely didn't seem 100% but I was at least with it enough to realise that.


 
Posted : 17/11/2020 6:29 pm
 Yak
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Good to hear this went ok. Good luck with the results.
Triple R, S&M!... nice one - looks scary to me!


 
Posted : 17/11/2020 6:41 pm
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Yak

Triple R, S&M!…

Still to do bottom of S&M ... it was wet last time and my tow/coach/kid said not to try it in the wet.
He's got a spooky (often annoying) habit of being right...

Good luck with the results.

Can't help wondering if my new found bravery will persist ....


 
Posted : 20/11/2020 12:55 pm