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Belly pain after hard riding?

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Belly pain after hard riding?

Old 03-11-21, 10:07 AM
  #1  
a_d_a_m
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Belly pain after hard riding?

Beer-bellied SuperClyde here. Historically, I've ridden pretty much flat terrain, but as said in another thread, I need to work on my hills. With the nice weather the past few days, I decided to try.

3/8 - 8.02mi, half of which was 3-4% grade

3/9 - 24.35mi, half of which was 1-5% grade and one short but rather severe hill
3/10 - 17.44mi, with sustained headwind of 10mph and gusts around 20mph

Last night I felt some very minor stomach discomfort along the lower right side of my belly. Woke up this morning and it felt the same. By the time I got to work, it was a lot worse and eventually to the point that sitting/standing became a challenge. I have no nausea whatsoever, no fever, no gassiness, and had a normal 'movement' this morning. I took an 800mg ibuprofen (prescribed me for a previous issue) and the pain has subsided considerably, to where it is barely noticeable.

Of course, I've WebMD'd it and determined that I either have cancer or appendicitis... I did a telemedicine doctor's appointment and the doc says it COULD be the riding, it COULD be appendicitis, etc etc etc I received no answer beyond 'go to the doctor and get a cat scan/blood work'. So, yeah, that may be on the list.

But, in the meantime until I do that... I've seen a few threads here that mention similar symptoms, so now I'm wondering if maybe it was just the extra strain combined with my thighs bouncing into my belly and jostling my innards around? Too much hard riding too soon?

Anyone ever dealt with this? Am I on the right track?
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Old 03-11-21, 10:09 AM
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You don't have a hernia by chance?
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Old 03-11-21, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Bigbus
You don't have a hernia by chance?
Checking symptoms of hiatal hernia, I don't see anything that really matches what it felt like.

The ibuprofen has done a great job at knocking the pain down. It's basically just an annoyance at this very moment, a few hours after taking the ibuprofen.
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Old 03-11-21, 11:52 AM
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do you need to poop? dehydration can cause GI issues.
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Old 03-11-21, 12:00 PM
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I had a normal, uneventful BM this morning and don't feel the need to go at this very moment.
I'm not gassy, either.
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Old 03-11-21, 12:13 PM
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My belly is far from flat right now since I am back around #210 after being 185# a few years back. I’ve noticed that when riding outside (or doing spinning or a gym class where I engage my core) my belly literally gets warm to the touch and the skin turns this flushed pink color during the activity and for about a half hour after the activity. No real pain, just an awareness that the area isn’t exactly strong.

It may well be that you are getting some strain in your Rectus Abdominus muscle group. If the soreness dies down the following day, I would think you can continue the same training regimen of adding as many hills into your regimen as you can tolerate.

Are you doing standing and seated or seated only climbing?

Last edited by masi61; 03-11-21 at 04:35 PM.
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Old 03-11-21, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by masi61
Are you doing standing and seated or seated only climbing?
Seated.
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Old 03-11-21, 06:39 PM
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Definitely worth crossing the larger issues off the list, but I would say it's most likely your core muscles getting used to the workload and crying out in pain. I get similar pains if I'm out of the saddle for any reasonable length of time.
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Old 03-12-21, 06:32 AM
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Appreciate the insight, y'all.

I am feeling much, MUCH better this morning. Sure, there's still some mild discomfort, but I'm not running for the pain meds today.

Luckily, with the weather forecast, no serious riding will occur anytime soon, so I've got plenty of time to recover.
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Old 03-12-21, 07:43 AM
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Hiatal hernia relates to the esophagus, not the lower abdominal area.

The concern is for a right inguinal hernia, or if you prefer, a groin hernia. A weak spot develops in the abdominal wall and the contents are trying to push out.

If this recurs, you might want to be checked out. Not all hernias require surgery. In the meantime, anything you can do to reduce stress on the abdominal wall (i.e., rest) is a good thing.
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Old 03-12-21, 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by bargainguy
Hiatal hernia relates to the esophagus, not the lower abdominal area.

The concern is for a right inguinal hernia, or if you prefer, a groin hernia. A weak spot develops in the abdominal wall and the contents are trying to push out.
Ahhhh, looking that up...that definitely seems to make more sense. Will continue to monitor and seek help if it recurs. Thank you for clarifying.
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Old 03-12-21, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by a_d_a_m
Ahhhh, looking that up...that definitely seems to make more sense. Will continue to monitor and seek help if it recurs. Thank you for clarifying.
I guess I should have been more specific. When the tear is still small it feels like a stomach ache and some times higher up in the chest. As the tear grows it becomes more obvious, the discomfort too. Good luck and hopefully it's just minor muscle strain.
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Old 04-03-21, 07:17 AM
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Hiatal hernia is something completely different than an abdominal/inguinal hernia. I would get to the doctor as soon as possible just on the chance that it is appendicitis. You really don’t want that to rupture.
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Old 04-03-21, 09:00 AM
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Are you familiar with where your diaphragm is, in relation to this pain?

My guess, and based on my own past experience is that adding the hills caused you to go over your ability to deliver oxygen/breathing hard and over worked your diaphragm. I had this issue early on riding with a club I joined some years back. In my own case it sort of felt like my liver and kidneys were messed up. It went away over time.

I am not attempting to discount serious possibilities here, but WebMD will almost always tell you that death is imminent, etc. and the folks here are smart to err towards caution just in case you are...
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Old 04-03-21, 01:32 PM
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I'm familiar with the diaphragm area, but I don't think that was it. Idunno. I think I just overdid it.

I'm at least satisfied that it's not appendicitis, and my riding was strong the rest of the month once I healed up.
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Old 06-07-21, 05:59 PM
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I hope you are still alive.
Asking for online help for belly pain is not wise.
Should I assume it wasn't appendicitis or diverticulitis, a kidney stone, or a bowel infarction or perforation that you did not survive?
Just asking.
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Old 06-11-21, 05:42 AM
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I am alive and have had no further effects.
Doc figured I just overstrained something.
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Old 06-11-21, 07:18 AM
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What kind of bike are you riding? Road bike with drop bars, or more upright position? I have a belly too, and often riding hunched over on my drop bar road bike squishes my belly to where it's a bit uncomfortable, but luckily never had any pain resulting from it.
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Old 06-11-21, 08:07 AM
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I was riding a 26" 1x mountain bike with cruiser bars and a stem riser for a rather upright position when this occurred. I have since upgraded and put 350 miles on a new touring bike with drop bars and have not had an issue since.
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Old 06-11-21, 10:53 AM
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Kidney/ureter stone?
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Old 06-15-21, 09:19 AM
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Good to hear you did well.
Belly pain is a medical challenge. Most often not a big deal ,but can conceal a catastrophe.
The inguinal ring , and other spots where hernias can occur, is complex an highly variable .
Symptoms can be inconsistent over time, making diagnosis and treatment hard.
If it hurts don't do it .
Listen to your body
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Old 07-23-21, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by a_d_a_m
Of course, I've WebMD'd it and determined that I either have cancer or appendicitis...
It's ALS. For sure.
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Old 07-25-21, 03:58 PM
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It could be your body saying "after this ride feed me pizza". Mine does it all the time.
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