Adventure Bike Rider

redbikejohn wrote:


Yeh, yeh, redbikejohn...you forgot to mention the copious amount of Jack Daniels that MAY have contributed to your condition at the time

Don't go... simples.

It's a long haul and after being affected by dizzy spells on the Colle in 2010 I know it will possibly cause you problems riding and/or just make you feel like crap the whole time you are in the area.

Went through the same symptoms there and had similar tests and was given the same drugs when I got back , but a scan revealed no clear cause - a blood test then revealed I had a dangerously low B12 count so not exactly the same issue but I know the dizziness and altitude above the Rifugio will potentially not be a good combination.

Also I was told not to ride or drive while a diagnosis was being determined, now you have been to the Docs you could find your insurance is now void if you crash. I was told by the specialist that dizzy spells also need to be notified to the DSA... and your licence maybe requested to be handed over!

I was lucky in 2010 as I was travelling solo and had a bad turn on the way back but managed to get into a quiet aire near Dijon and get my head down before I collapsed... if it hadn't have been for the tornado... yes tornado... I would have likely spent all night crashed out on the grass verge next to my bike. I got into a hotel room that night and slept for nearly 12hours and woke up feeling crap... two days later got home but it was a shite ride feeling that way , and along some of my fave roads as well.

So think about it .. is it worth it ?

Well, thankfully, being a glass half full kind of guy,,,, I am going to Italy! Just not on the bike! Fiona and myself are heading to Europe on Sunday utilising my Landrover Freelander 2!
Sooooo, when you see a silver Freelander coming up the Colle try not to swear too much, or you'll be under it! My doctor said I didn't have to advise DVLA or stop driving so if I'm feeling fine I'll do my share.
B12? Lack of meat! No problem there with me mate!

africajim wrote:


That is the prob Jim, my doctor didn't tell me either , but the specialist at the hospital told me, after I had been seeing her for a month, that I should not have been operating any vehicles ... so check and make sure.

And the B12 is an inherited auto-immune condition which caused Pernicious Anaemia due to my body no longer absorbing any B12 from food ... could eat a tonne of liver and would still not absorb a jot like wise drink gallons of Guinness... doesn't stop me trying though with the later

Enjoy Italy - were supposed to be heading to Lake Como after the Stella , but as I still don't have full use of my left hand we will keep that for next year.

sorry you're unwell AfricaJim, I guess if the drugs do you good, then the diagnosis is correct... but just to add to the mix
- my daughter suffered from severe but infrequent dizzy spells for a year then an osteopath diagnosed a trapped nerve in her neck!

Have fun in Europe!

OH Has had two bouts of this - not nice I feel your pain! Totally debilitating he couldn't move without throwing up - finally found a position where he could sit without everything spinning (elbows on knees head in hands over bucket) he even slept in this position, it was at least 2 weeks before he felt well enough to venture out but his balance was off for at least a month. He had about a 2 yr gap between bouts and the last time about 9mths ago.
He doesn't know whether there is a trigger but certain perfumes can give him similar symptoms. Hope your feeling better soon
Hugs Dizzxx

All the best Jim...take it easy and using the rover is a wise move

Jim, good decision. Hope you both have a great time in your 'Landy'.