Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Anyone Have Arthritis?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 07:38 AM
  #11  
biil9's Avatar
biil9
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: n providence ri
Default

lower back and shoulder blade. all on the right side. pinpoint injections help a lot and the most important thing u can do is to exercise regularly. make it a part of your daily routine and you will find the relief you need. try it. what do have to lose? my friend who is 32 had issues with his shoulders bothering him so he put apes on with a corbin seat that dropped him down and back and he can ride all day with no problem. hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 07:40 AM
  #12  
BADBREW's Avatar
BADBREW
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: Oak Ridge Tn, about 20 mi from US129
Default

I got Arthritis in my lower back at a young age (21) from a football injury. I have had to deal with it for about 40 yrs. Spread to my hips as it is a building of bones type so it cuts off nerves occasionally. I use a backrest and handlebars that allow me a comfortable seat position. Also went with larger Diameter Grips to ease the grip for my hands which keeps my sholders loose. You will have to do what is best for your type of pain to ease the ride. Kept it at bay by constant exercise and stretching. Only use pain meds when it is severe. After about 20 yrs you get used to the constant pain, like and old friend.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 07:49 AM
  #13  
zwildman's Avatar
zwildman
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 7
From: NC
Default

Ankles, feet, knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, fingers and sometimes my lower back. Doctor has avoided my complaints for years and the arthritis wasn't properly diagnosed (called bursitis or tendonitis when I was younger) until I went down and busted my AC joint several years ago. The orthopedic surgeon told me he had "cleaned up the arthritis" in my right shoulder when he removed The AC joint. Up until a few years after the wreck I didn't have pain in my shoulders but now my left is worse than the right thanks to the surgery but my right shoulder still hurts now after surgery.

I have just learned to deal with it. When I lived in California there was a great option for pain relief but here in North Carolina that doesn't exist legally. I would prefer not to even push the issue with the doctors because of the options they have available. If I have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis (which I suspect psoriatic) Enbril or Humira is an option but I have had pnemonia twice and have suffered with bronchitis most of my life, I don't want to die just to feel better. Opiods help of course but unless a doctor wants to give me a lifetime Rx I'm not going down that path. Hopefully the laws in the state and country will change to be more open to alternative medications but until then I will just suffer through it or break the law once in a while.

Wish I could tell you there are easy options with great results but if you have a severe form of arthritis living with it is sometimes the only option. As others have pointed out exercise is key, I try to walk and work as often as I can but I've found repeated workouts like weights or excercise machines make it worse rather than better. Moderate excercise mainly to keep the joints from freezing up seems to be best option for me. Good luck and hope you don't have to deal with others and myself are dealing with.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 08:28 AM
  #14  
batman4706's Avatar
batman4706
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Whitney,Tx
Default

I have it in the neck & lower back. Two inches of pull back in handlebars and visits to my pain doc about every 8 months for injections. Works good for me.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 08:29 AM
  #15  
Crazylegs's Avatar
Crazylegs
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 225
Likes: 6
Default

A backrest took all the strain off of my upper back right away.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 04:28 PM
  #16  
Guzz's Avatar
Guzz
Tourer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 416
Likes: 24
From: Dubuque, IA USA
Default

Originally Posted by Bearfan
Meds! Enbrel specifically. It's a miracle worker. That and lots of exercise. If I sit too long my hips hurt but meds make a big difference.
Others meds in the same family include Remicade and Humira. Not sure about other types of arthritis, but my Rheumatoid arthritis use to roam from shoulders, hips, knees and was crippling until I started on Humira. Have been pain-free for 5 years. Without it, I would not be riding.

Note that this is only for those with a good insurance plan. It is EXPENSIVE.
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 04:38 PM
  #17  
Notgrownup's Avatar
Notgrownup
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,728
Likes: 9,227
From: Snow Hill, NC
Default

I have non dedectable severe a symetrical RA... basically hands, elbows, feet and knees... now getting in the hips... I take Enbrel (injection once a week) and i take Methotrexate 8 pills every Monday then i also take Mobic (Meloxicam) similar to celebrex... if i start getting real bad i take a prednisone pack for a week..specially if i go on a bike ride for days...I am 48 and have been treated for it for almost 8 years now...Sucks...
My Enbrel costs me $10.00 per month... they have a great co-pay assistance program...

Get a good seat like a Sundowner and a rider backrest... touring bars will make a difference even the HD pullbacks... i have had mine for 2 years and it made a difference , now i am putting on 12" apes ...can't wait to try them out..just waiting to get my inner fairing from the painter...
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 04:45 PM
  #18  
TUCCI's Avatar
TUCCI
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Default

Sure do, in my left big toe and a couple of facet joints of my spine.....can hardly stand cold climates even though I fricken love not sweating my B__s off....it's great getting old.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 07:03 PM
  #19  
Boomer1143's Avatar
Boomer1143
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
Default

Originally Posted by Bearfan
Meds! Enbrel specifically. It's a miracle worker. That and lots of exercise. If I sit too long my hips hurt but meds make a big difference.
+1 I have ankylosing spondylitis in my back and have had numerous surgeries to my shoulders as well. I ride a E-Glide for long distance with great success. The Enbrel is a huge help.

Al
 
Reply
Old Apr 4, 2013 | 07:19 PM
  #20  
Punjabi Rider's Avatar
Punjabi Rider
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Default

That is very common after mid 50 especially, mine is not that bad yet both thumbs, right wrist, left elbow and minor right shoulder but I take wonder drug occasionally as needed works great.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:28 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE