Hello, I am a 48 year old woman who was diagnosed with LS four months ago, having been suffering with increasing symptoms for over a year. I started menopause early, aged 43 and as a result of a routine blood test for this also discovered that I have an underactive thyroid so take levothyroxin daily. I've been managing the LS reasonably successfully in terms of daily comfort and sex life but as you can tell from the title of this post, I am an equestrian and this is where my real problem lies at the moment. I have two horses and until several months ago rode at least 6 times a week. As my symptoms were progressing and before diagnosis I tried everything to relieve the pain - vaseline, feminine pads, gel filled saddle savers etc. If I space my rides and only go for a light hack I'm fairly ok, but any serious riding and I'm wrecked afterwards. I have just purchased some cycling shorts with what was described as a 'perineal relief' pad in the gusset area - hoping I could put these on just before riding and take them off again if they help. I have also gone so far as talking to a saddler (male, so that was fairly embarrassing) about the possibility of using a gel pad with a hole in the middle on top of my saddle. He is having a think, but there are lots of ergonomic issues with balancing on top of a horse which also have to be considered. Does anyone else here manage to ride (or even cycle) successfully using remedial padding or accessories of any description or am I facing a life without horses?
Hi, I don't ride horses or bicycle, but I can well imagine that it would cause some soreness! I think your on the right track with speaking to a saddler. It does seem like your best plan is to come up with a saddle tailored to fit your needs. If he can make the saddle in a way that means your genitalia is not touching anything at all, and that you are totally lifted up and supported in other areas, then I think that should work...I really hope so!
I used to have horses and understand how upsetting it must be to be worrying about having to stop. Have you got epederm cream? I use two types - the cream and then the thick gel. I don't ride much anymore - I stopped way before LS, but when I go running or cycling i will plaster the thick gel on. My main issue is skin splitting and sore bumps which the thick epiderm really does help.
Try and stay happy and positive. We are all here for you!!
Thank you - I have dermovate but will look at those products which I'm sure will go some way to helping. I have just posted this question on an FB forum and found something I didn't know existed - a riding saddle with a hole cut out of it. It's made by a company called Setzi for long distance trekking and endurance apparently. I'm going to see if they might be able to adapt a dressage saddle in the same way. Expect it won't be cheap but worth it if I can keep riding. Thanks again for the advice about the epederm cream and gel.
Not entirely the same - I have put a special saddle on my bicycle. Can't go for long rides, but at least some exercise is possible. You're on the right track trying to invent a special saddle, indeed with an opening in the centre. It's the way my bike saddle is made, with big raised 'cheek' on either side.
I too was a competitive rider. My daughter is a very well known horse woman and I really hope she never suffers this. I had to give up in the end. I do try and ride my bike now and again but am always fearful of LS returnng and my skin is so tissue thin in that area that even a mild abrasion can be months before it heals.. I have a 'fat' saddle for my bike which is actually an adult trike now. It would be fun if it were not for the manic rat runners on our country lanes... I am always being made to swerve off the road to get out of their way....
Thanks Christine. I am really sorry to hear you had to give up but I know how painful it is no matter how much you love riding and horses. Truly life changing. Dodging rat runners on your bike doesn't sound that different to avoiding them on horseback!
It is my daughters whole life and business she is off to Barcelona at the end of the week with her dressage horse. I just see her getting nearer and nearer to the age I had this and feel so scared for her.
Hi Hanny, just wondering what make your saddle is or where you got it from, I've given up on cycling as its so damned uncomfortable. However we've bought a motorhome and cycling is a good way of getting about to avoid taking the van everywhere.
I am already through menopause. Although I can't address your exact situation, I have discovered using estrogen cream in that area a couple of times per week has really improved the quality of the tissue in that area. My GYNO said that the bad effects of estrogen have been overstated. She thinks that it is more important to maintain the quality of the tissue. I am a former teenage rider and I feel that with this improvement I could be comfortable riding.
Hi Mary, as well as the steroid gel I have been prescribed oestrogen pessaries as well. They both work well as long as I don't ride. I suppose I'm just trying to have my cake and eat it too.
Hi Hazel, I looked at the bike saddle but it doesn't say a lot. (BonTracer) Found it in our local bike store. It's obvious that I'm not the only one looking for a different kind of bike saddle. And we too bring our bikes camping.
I love to ride bkes. Last year when this started i was going for long bike rides everyday and swimming n a chlorinated pool. Not sure which, if either, caused the problem but the last time i biked with the gel insert shorts i still became very inflamed. Since we have our own pool i want to keep swimming and hope a barrier cream like desitin will do it. But if this is lp am afraid to swim because that can be body wide. Any i n put would b appreciated Only can imagine how horse riding would affect it
I have my own pool and have had no problems. However the pool is well maintained, and only myself and my husband really use it. I think once you start letting other people use it, especially with children it can get a bit icky. I think if you are having problems maybe you should check that your pool maintenance is good, or it may be of course that you are just sensitive to chlorine, everyone is different. .
If it would be UV filtered water, instead of chlorine chemicals .... it's the chemicals that do me in, I think. Public swimming pools are out for me. So are lakes, due to possible bacteria.
I am addicted to horse back riding and I refuse to give it up, even though it is sometimes very hard. My former doc thought I was crazy doing it. I use padded bicycle pants and sometimes also a saddle gel par on top of the saddle. Further, a combination of vaseline and a tar-zinkpaste called Inotyol in a thick låter is helpful. Even so, from time to time, I have to adjust my riding and skip sitting trot which is the hardest element. It also depends a lot on the horse and the saddle. A big trot can kill you. For some period I rode iceland horses that have such smooth ways of moving and at that time I almost experienced no problem. But I like Classic riding better. Good luck! I an very interested in all advice, tills etc, since I am determined to continue wuth this hobby.
I agree. you have to be very careful...my daughter has just moved out into her own place which has a communal pool and when we visit she always tries to make me have a swim, but it just looks dreadful, I actually know that I would have some serious problems if I swam in it.