Numbness in Left Hand

[SonofBone]

I'm training for a Triathlon next month. I've been hitting the weights and for cardio I'm swimming, biking, cycling, & doing the elliptical machine.

When I do the elliptical, I hold the upright bars, and eventually my left hand will start to tingle mainly in my thumb. Yesterday, I did a 1 hour session. I'd say the tingling started about 20 minutes into the session. I kept trying to shake my hand out, but after I was through, the tingling sort of remained throughout the day. Also, I don't experience this doing other forms of cardio...just the elliptical.

So my question is what exactly causes this? Is it because my hand is above my heart and isn't getting proper blood flow or could it be a sign of something potentially worse?

[coffee-guy]

I'm training for a Triathlon next month. I've been hitting the weights and for cardio I'm swimming, biking, cycling, & doing the elliptical machine.

When I do the elliptical, I hold the upright bars, and eventually my left hand will start to tingle mainly in my thumb. Yesterday, I did a 1 hour session. I'd say the tingling started about 20 minutes into the session. I kept trying to shake my hand out, but after I was through, the tingling sort of remained throughout the day. Also, I don't experience this doing other forms of cardio...just the elliptical.

So my question is what exactly causes this? Is it because my hand is above my heart and isn't getting proper blood flow or could it be a sign of something potentially worse?

Try riding a Harley for 3-4 hours and you'll see that it is not uncommon. It may be more serious for you though as there is not extreme vibration or having to hold on at 90mph speeds.

[NYCmitch25]

Mild or early carpal tunnel syndrome? Overuse injury caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Most of the time you see it in cashiers, computer users, or certain athletes (like you). Since its caused by *overuse* (!!) I think you can figure out what to do or not do (hint). Also I would perform hand stretching excercises everyday before, during, and after activity... no biggie youll be fine.



I wish I had a Harley to ride.

[SonofBone]

Thanks for the replies.

Carpal Tunnell, huh? That is what papa Bonebreaker just told me as well. I'm a computer programmer geek, so that makes sense.

Bonebreaker has a Harley and he said his hand goes numb due to carpal tunnell.

[coffee-guy]

Thanks for the replies.

Carpal Tunnell, huh? That is what papa Bonebreaker just told me as well. I'm a computer programmer geek, so that makes sense.

Bonebreaker has a Harley and he said his hand goes numb due to carpal tunnell.

I don't think I have carpal tunnel but I'm sure that people with it would have a hard time seeing that it is a little annoying when your hands go numb...

[bonebreaker]

I don't think I have carpal tunnel but I'm sure that people with it would have a hard time seeing that it is a little annoying when your hands go numb...

Mine get so bad, especially the right one, that sometimes I can't even feel the throttle grip. I can't wait until the next stop light so I can get some of the numbness out. On the open road, I just pull over from time to time to get the feeling back. I know it looks weird as hell, some dude sitting on the side of the road shaking his hands like he has a sticky booger on his finger. I just make sure my hands are down by my sides. If I were to shake them over my lap area, somebody would probably think I was "choking my chicken", lol. BB

[coffee-guy]

Mine get so bad, especially the right one, that sometimes I can't even feel the throttle grip. I can't wait until the next stop light so I can get some of the numbness out. On the open road, I just pull over from time to time to get the feeling back. I know it looks weird as hell, some dude sitting on the side of the road shaking his hands like he has a sticky booger on his finger. I just make sure my hands are down by my sides. If I were to shake them over my lap area, somebody would probably think I was "choking my chicken", lol. BB

I just put on one of those "cruise control" screws on the throttle cable and as long as I am on the interstate I just torque it down and ride. It seems to be worse in the warmer weather for some reason - maybe it's just because the rest of my body is o.k. instead of freezing my nads off.

What kind of bike do you ride?

[shortz]

One question, you don't get a headache or anything, do you?

I know this is far fetched, but an increase in blood pressure during exercise or even a headache can cause Left arm/hand numbness.

[bonebreaker]

I just put on one of those "cruise control" screws on the throttle cable and as long as I am on the interstate I just torque it down and ride. It seems to be worse in the warmer weather for some reason - maybe it's just because the rest of my body is o.k. instead of freezing my nads off.

What kind of bike do you ride?

2004 Harley "Fatboy". I bought it and it looked fine, until I saw some other "Fatboys" with many additional chrome add-ons and so forth. So bye, bye, another 7 grand, and there's still stuff I want to add. As you well know, "chromeitis" is a very serious disease for bike owners, especially Harleys BB

[coffee-guy]

2004 Harley "Fatboy". I bought it and it looked fine, until I saw some other "Fatboys" with many additional chrome add-ons and so forth. So bye, bye, another 7 grand, and there's still stuff I want to add. As you well know, "chromeitis" is a very serious disease for bike owners, especially Harleys BB

2002 Softail Deuce, all in all about an additional 25K on extra's, paint job, chrome, engine work etc. Yeah - "chromeitis" IS A BITCH.

We should start a thread for Harley's...

[NYCmitch25]

I hate both of you - j/k

Guys NICE BIKES (!!) Cant wait to see pics?!?!?

[SonofBone]

One question, you don't get a headache or anything, do you?

I know this is far fetched, but an increase in blood pressure during exercise or even a headache can cause Left arm/hand numbness.

No headaches and I don't feel funny.

As a side note...about 3 years ago my blood pressure was running about 180 over 120. I was weighing about 220 at 5'10" w/not a lot of muscle (can you say fat ass?). The physician ran all kinds of tests regarding EKG, ECG, urinalysis trying to detect an overactive adrenal gland, etc. He put me on 10 mg. of Enalapril (ACE Inhibitor) and the problem went away, so it was explained to me how I had a narrowing of the renal artery how ACE I & II work are converted, etc.

Even during that time, I never had any headaches although I did have chest pains. Luckily, I hit the weights & I worked my running up to 20 miles/week & dropped my weight to around 190. I quit using the Enalapril only after taking it for a couple of months and brought it down gradually as my weight dropped.

I have not had any BP issues since then with the exception of last summer when I became inactive due to ACL surgery. So I guess I know the BP could become an issue for me if I become sedentary, however, I've not experienced anything like I did before that would lead me to believe it is an issue.

[INTIMID8OR]

some good replies ...I had the same problem so I went to a neurologist and he did a test using a probe putting pressure on certain parts of my hand and elbow ..It turned out that the hand that was bothering me had early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome ....I didn't have the surgery but a friend of mine did and it was a very small incision on the inside of his wrist ....cured his problem with a fast recovery ...

[SonofBone]

some good replies ...I had the same problem so I went to a neurologist and he did a test using a probe putting pressure on certain parts of my hand and elbow ..It turned out that the hand that was bothering me had early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome ....I didn't have the surgery but a friend of mine did and it was a very small incision on the inside of his wrist ....cured his problem with a fast recovery ...

The fast recovery is good to know. Like a lot of other procedures, a highly recommended/adequate surgeon probably makes the process go smoother.

If I start experiencing the numbness in other activities, I may explore the surgery.

good info...thx.

[INTIMID8OR]

The fast recovery is good to know. Like a lot of other procedures, a highly recommended/adequate surgeon probably makes the process go smoother.

If I start experiencing the numbness in other activities, I may explore the surgery.

good info...thx.

No problem ......