Spinal fusion L5-S1, bulged L4-L5, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis in much if my spine and all over including my hands, permanent sciatic issues, and I still need my sacro-iliac joint fused next.
First of all, I’m now 5’2” and have lost 2” of height, so I’ve always been short. Leaning forward on a bike kills my lower back. I have a ‘99 Valkyrie Interstate that is super comfy and I made more so by moving the foot pegs down and forward an inch as well as adding handlebar riser extensions. I also have an 1800C. Floor boards on my C made a huge difference as well as Rivco handlebar risers. I have everything to swap my bars with R bars for a better position. I also leave my rear shocks on a softer setting and deal with the sponginess. I will be looking into the Airhawk cushion but I have to worry about adding height being inseam challenged.
The HUGEST improvement on both bikes was a quality backrest. I discovered the Protac Backrest when I had my Intruder. I have one on my Valkyrie, and will probably be adding one to my X. The Protac sits higher than the other backrests and really gives me something to lean on and have good support. The other back rests that sit lower apply pressure to the wrong part of my spine which is always sore. When you call Protac, he will ask you questions such as your height. They are not really adjustable, but remove by simply lifting out of the brackets. The mounts attach to your shocks. And you simply insert the rest into the mounts. The Protac has been my best comfort investment on my bikes and I cannot recommend it enough.
Motrin, or old school aspirin work the best for me to make things tolerable, especially right before a weather change. I take 2 extra strength Tylenol along with 3 Motrin when things are hurting. The two separate drugs work on different pain receptors and give me a broader pain coverage. I am NOT a pharmacist, so my advice is not word, just what works for me over the counter. I was a pharmacy tech while going to school and learned a lot by asking questions. As far as prescription stuff, I won’t take it and ride. I have a huge bottle of 10mg hydrocodone left over from my surgery, and Soma 350 (muscle relaxant). I only use them before bedtime if things are bad. More so, I have found that the hydrocodone doesn’t do as much for me as the muscle relaxant does to relieve my pain. The odds are already stacked against us as it is, so I won’t use the prescription stuff if I’ll be riding. Even the muscle relaxant will leave me groggy in the morning, so I won’t ride if I had to take it. I’m in a busy city, and the cagers here in San Antonio are the worst in the mornings.
Good luck to you. Spinal issues suck. I tell all the young people I see that are busting their butts working or being stupid like I was, to take care of their backs, because it really does come back to haunt you later. I only hope they listen better than I did.
Side note funny- I met one of my Dad’s old customers several years ago. When my brother introduced me to him, the old man said, “You’re Junior? Your daddy used to say he couldn’t tell you sh-t!” It must be genetic, because my youngest son is a 13 year old know it all and I can’t tell him sh-t! I’m sure my Dad is having a laugh right now!