So I bought a trike today…
Not the exact one I test rode a couple of weeks ago, it will be completely Atomic Orange and I opted to add an electric motor. Basically, it will be built for me and final assembly will be at The Bike Rack in St Charles.
So imagine this trike in bright Atomic Orange, but with an electric motor instead of the single front chain-ring. It’ll make getting up hills a little easier for me.
My left leg is the weak, flollopy one (TM Barbara Good), but on the test ride I was able to get it to do some pedaling, as there was a strap/heel cup contraption. The trike I ordered will come with Wellgo SPD pedals and cleats; my current bike shoes and cleats use the Shimano system, which is compatible, but not absolutely the same. The trike guy at the Bike Rack, Duane, will do the final fit for the length of the boom (holds the crank and the chain is suspended from it), and install the new cleats in my shoes. My hope is that the repetitive motion will help to reinforce my continuing, slow recovery.
Detail of the suspension:
Link: All-Road
Speaking of recovery, I’ve struggled with consistently doing the exercises that are supposed to make the burning/tingling/stinging sensations in my fingers (both sides), left arm and left shoulder go away. I had the stroke May 12, 2025, so the anniversary is coming up fast.
I’ve tried supplements and salves and creams, I’ve bought gloves, fingertip protectors, wrist splints, you name it. I can at least type now without feeling like my fingertips were going to burn off and drive me nuts. After six months off work, I was still not able to type as fast and accurately, so I went to long-term disability status, and was released from my company. So, I accepted the fact that I was officially retired.
I haven’t accepted the received wisdom that all progress stops cold after 1 year, as I’m still slowly losing the worst discomfort, and there are plenty of comments out there from people still seeing progress years later.
The stuff I’ve been dealing with since that first night in the ER, or that developed gradually while I was in the rehab hospital and afterwards:
- tingly, numb nerves over top of head, over and under left eye and left side of face; feels like novocaine wearing off very very slowly. I never had “droop face” and could always move everything, though.
- Pain in left leg when raising knee – kind of a gripe sensation that seems to follow along a nerve from the inner thigh down.
- hand pain started in hospital after I began using a walker; eventually it changed to stingy tingles in both hands
- Tight muscles on both sides of neck that only recently discovered could be released by rocking head straight back while slowly moving shoulders down. Thanks, Dr YouTube.
- Shoulder pain making it hard to pull up clothing on left side, much worse at night. Finally easing up; think I pulled the muscle at the gym or pool.
- Burning sensation in left arm; triggered by some textures, also by bedclothes, and also by riding in the passenger seat. I assume it’s vibrations transmitted via the center console. If I wear the wrist splint while driving, it keeps the burning at bay.
- Balance issues; can’t stand on left foot without cane or support. Can stand on right foot for about a minute. Left foot/ankle is weak and only have limited up/down/rotate clockwise or counter clockwise movement. It’s improved a LOT from the early days, but riding my bike is probably not safe when starting/stopping, hence the trike.
- Gait issues: the left foot can sometime catch on the floor or on the stairs. I have to consciously think about flexing my left toes upward and my left leg seems to swing outward rather than lifting like the right leg.
The magic gadgets that actually help me, or give me relief are:
- Cane with ergonomic handle, also rollator and walker
- Electric massage wand to “buzz” or neutralize the stinging (also helps to loosen tight muscles in neck, shoulder, arm, side)
- Tight cycling sunsleeves to protect left arm from burning
- New contour pillow to cradle head and neck better
- TENS device (only used mine once, my therapist uses it on me)
- Neoprene ankle brace works better to stabilize the “drop foot” I had at the beginning than the original hardshell half-a-pirate boot (and the Amazon “light” springy brace), and I’m able wear any shoe.
- Various “bathroom aids” and chairs. Some are keepers, most I’ve outgrown. Will donate them.
The creams, salves, and balms I’ve tried:
- Magnesium/lavender foot lotion; have fewer “electric shock” sensations in foot at bedtime causing left leg to spasm. Just received a refill as it’s a very pleasant scent
- Coconut oil/frankincense & myrrh balm; nice scent, use it as a lube for massaging and scraping down the “fascia” in my left hand & wrist with a blunt pewter spoon, similar to a Graston tool that my therapist uses
- Dragon Balm super strength; meh, it has a strong menthol/camphor scent, it contains no CBD. Won’t buy again.
- Mama Bear Oasis Nerve relief Lotion. Nice-smelling snake oil. It was a gift, doesn’t do much, will use as a massage lube later
- A menthol roll-on similar to Bio-Freeze; it’s free thru my online pharmacy, meh. It seems to make tight muscles feel better.
Stuff I bought that didn’t work, that I tried mostly to make it easier to type without discomfort, back when I was still trying to get back to work:
- Light finger cots: bought a big bag. May be able to use for something else
- Heaver finger stalls: if I ever get into hot-gluing crafts…
- Fabric gloves: can’t type in them, but I use them when I’ve applied smelly balms before bed.
- Plush fleece handle covers for walker: since I suspect it was the walker usage that caused the carpal, stopped using it.
- Plush fleece arm sling: thought it would help support arm while riding in car or typing, but nope.
- Adjustable arm sling: ditto, and ditto nope.
We’re headed to the village park district health club soon, as we’ve been slacking off lately, had lots of appointments and family commitments. Looking forward to getting back to a routine; David’s retired now, too, so prepare to be AMAZE AMAZE AMAZE.
Music: Project Hail Mary | Watch Rocky Sleep (Ft. Original Motion Picture Score) on YouTube
