Comments on: Help Me.

By: Alan

Alan — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 23:57:58 +0000

Just read this entry. For me the problem was the Camelbak — it was constricting just enough to cause this on long rides.

Now I just ride with water bottles (making sure that convenience stores are always along the route).

By: Unknown

Unknown — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 05:26:39 +0000

I have not yet read other people’s comments, but I’m gong to hazard a guess that it’s from some kind of nerve impingement, the same that causes me to have problems with my right shoulder and elbow (ulnar nerve entrapment), and I’m told those are because I sit and have sat at a computer far too long, reaching forward with that right arm. It apparently puts a lot of stress on the joints, nerves, etc., in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, scapula, etc., etc. And you’re doing that as well as the same thing with both arms on the bicycle.

I think maybe I’d be asking a neurologist before there is permanent damage. Or maybe one of those sports docs?

EDIT: I hadn’t yet posted this and started reading and found that there are more people who know big words and physiology and stuff like that! What a world!

Hugs,

MuMo

By: FatSnowboarder

FatSnowboarder — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 22:03:28 +0000

Fatty,
Hey thanks for the jump start on my own blog. You have inspired.

Now for your answer:
The numbness comes from pinching a large vein that runs through the palm of your hand. As you know, if you skin open your palm you can bleed to death faster than if you slit your throat. The constant pressure your put on your palms during a ride causes restricted blood flow and thus reduces the oxygen to your arm and hand. The reason why it is your right is because your probably lean right or put more pressure there.

Thanks for the jump start,
Stephen

By: Unknown

Unknown — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:39:19 +0000

I had the same problem once and after a very expensive examination I was told to get a better bike fitting. Here’s the thing: if your bike adjustment is even slightly off it can put a lot of pressure on some of the nerves that run through your butt and the back of your thighs. Try an adjustment, but if that doesn’t work go see a doctor right away. Believe it or not you can actually being doing permanent nerve damage! Plus, to find out if you are doing nerve damage you have to go to a nuerologist who hooks you up to a mideval-looking do-dad-thingy and shocks you all over your body — weird stuff. Here’s a few other tips: stop crossing your legs when you’re sitting down and make sure your body isn’t crossed when you’re sleeping. You don’t want to be putting pressure on your nerves because that only makes things worse. And get a nice saddle that made for men and has a cut-out or a nice pad for your prostate. All this stuff will really help. Promise.

By: Tom Stormcrowe

Tom Stormcrowe — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 19:19:18 +0000

Fatty, just for grins and giggles, ride a ::GASP:: recumbent and see if it happens. If it doesn’t happen, then you are probably carrying too much of your weight on the hands and wrists, and considering you had surgery on that right hand, there is probably some scar tissue compression of the nerve in that hand, hence the numbness.Possible fixes: 1)raise your stem a tad, get a more upright stance on the bike2) Go to a recumbent3) Gelwrap the handlebars, softer surface = less point compressionI know the ‘bent is already out, no recumbent mountainbikes, but actually, you could set a trend!::GRIN::

By: Christa and Glen

Christa and Glen — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 16:30:29 +0000

How about running your rear brake on the left for a while-see if the numbness changes sides. There is, of course a potential for doom if you forget about the change in the heat of action, but hey, it’s research.

By: Maritza Rossi Lahodik

Maritza Rossi Lahodik — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 15:53:32 +0000

It definately sounds like what I have:
Ulnar Neuropathy, I was diagnosed with this. The bad thing is that they have to do a nerve study to diagnose this.
I hated my nerve study, there are some excersizes you can do and you can wear protective pads on your elbows.

By: turnonthejets

turnonthejets — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:12:27 +0000

I agree with the Ulnar nerve diagnosis above. Head on over to Specailized’s Body Geometry site (http://www.specialized.com/bc/microsite/bodygeometry/main.html?x=y) and click glove and grips. Buy a set of BG gloves. Ta Da!* Worked for my hand numbness.*results may vary

By: souiee_n_marc

souiee_n_marc — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 21:13:32 +0000

perhaps you’ve compressed a nerve on your right side, and this becomes exacerbated whilst in the saddle, hunched over, riding, with vibrations on a sunny and/or cloudy day. maybe altering your cock-pit a bit to stretch you out somewhat might prove helpful. does this phenomenon occur on the couch, with a beer? i’m no (medical) doctor, but it’s probably not the ganglion cyst or your degree of handedness or even the presence of the scar; maybe you could try stretching a little (you do, afterall, sit and type a lot).

regarding the ganglion cyst, my wife has one on her hand as well; it’s hot, you should be happy yours grew back.

by the way (too old for that btw crap), i’ve enjoyed reading your blog; as a self proclaimed middle-aged-fat-many-things-none-of-which-i’m-all-that-great-at-but-certainly-exceed-some-standards-of-mediocrity, you’ve made feel not-so-alone in my pathetic descent into crotchity-old-guy-dom. please keep it up.

marc

By: Unknown

Unknown — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 03:14:18 +0000

Keep the eyes up the road. What gear inches are you riding? When do you leave the "Say WA" state for the "Where is my next wife, I need a Drink" state?Thanks much.