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Hand and arm weakness

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Info

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Mar 22, 2010, 10:37:49 PM3/22/10
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My left hand has been getting weaker and weaker shortly after I push myself
off the toilet and to and from my wheelchair.. It's happening more and more
often. It just hit about two hours ago after an incompetent occupational
therapist left. The meat of the hand is sore and weak. The forearm from
the wrist to about three inches toward, not from, the elbow, feels weak but
not sore. The weakness is such that I can tell that the hand needs rest.

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to lessen the weakness and guard
against this? Thanks


Anon

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Mar 22, 2010, 10:42:39 PM3/22/10
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"Info" <infoatnwfirstdottcom> wrote in message
news:BrKdnSW8R4nitDXW...@posted.isomediainc...

Because of my bad back, I spend most of my waking hours sitting in my
computer chair.

To keep my arms in shape I use small dumbbells to workout. I also use a
squeeze ball to workout my hands. I do walking around my patio when my back
pain allows.

Josepi

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Mar 22, 2010, 10:47:17 PM3/22/10
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Look for a good Chiropractor and try a few adjustments. This could be a
pinched nerve in your neck feeding the area. Set alimit of a hundred
doallars or so and if you don't get good results, try another or another
therapy.

"Info" <infoatnwfirstdottcom> wrote in message
news:BrKdnSW8R4nitDXW...@posted.isomediainc...

Info

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Mar 22, 2010, 10:52:26 PM3/22/10
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"Josepi" <J.R.M.@invaliid.con> wrote in message
news:XYVpn.13110$iu2....@newsfe15.iad...

> Look for a good Chiropractor and try a few adjustments. This could be a
> pinched nerve in your neck feeding the area. Set alimit of a hundred
> doallars or so and if you don't get good results, try another or another
> therapy.
>

I should have included the reason I have this problem. Exercise and
chiropractors won't help. The condition has n treatmrent
http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/about_cmt/symptoms.php

Josepi

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Mar 23, 2010, 12:28:31 AM3/23/10
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This is a tough one. Ever consider electro-accupuncture to stimulate nerve
growth and health, ease pain and help coping with this?

You may not be able to cure it but there must be things to prolong what you
have instead of giving up. You haven't totally 'caused you asked.


"Info" <infoatnwfirstdottcom> wrote in message

news:M7ydneJa98V2sTXW...@posted.isomediainc...

BobP

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Mar 23, 2010, 1:33:52 AM3/23/10
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On Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:37:49 -0700, "Info" <infoatnwfirstdottcom>
wrote:

Are you using a Toilet Seat Riser with Toilet Frame Support?
Electric lift of some type?

BobP

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Mar 23, 2010, 1:38:11 AM3/23/10
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On Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:37:49 -0700, "Info" <infoatnwfirstdottcom>
wrote:

>My left hand has been getting weaker and weaker shortly after I push myself

Thought of something else.
Tunnel carpal wrist brace for the left hand?

Nick Cramer

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Mar 23, 2010, 1:59:01 AM3/23/10
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Have you looked into

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation ?

BTW This could also be a manifestation of a mini-stroke.

--
Nick, KI6VAV. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their
families: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Thank a Veteran!
Support Our Troops: http://anymarine.com/ You are not forgotten.
Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~ USMC 1365061

Info

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Mar 23, 2010, 12:35:21 PM3/23/10
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"BobP" <colds...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:mskgq5p70fice3f3e...@4ax.com...

I have a doctor's appt tomorrow. thanks

drdoc on-line

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Mar 23, 2010, 5:53:18 PM3/23/10
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one of the considerations is carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you keep traumatising your wrist getting on and off the chair, with
all the pressure on the wrist in extension, then the resulting
swelling might compress the median nerve resulting in pain numbness
and weakness of the thumb and index middle and the inner half of the
ring finger.
The test to demonstrate it and confirm it, is a nerve conduction test.
If its causing the weakness as you describe you might need to have the
carpal tunnel surgically released...a minor surgical procedure.
Regards
drdoc
http://www.arthritis.co.za

ensoul

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Mar 28, 2010, 8:34:53 PM3/28/10
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if you can't use dumbells (sometimes even lowest is too heavy) use
canned food, just the same brand & size of coarse

Lynn

bj

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Mar 28, 2010, 9:58:06 PM3/28/10
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"ensoul" <enso...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e2a91bc5-8407-46ac...@8g2000yqz.googlegroups.com...

>
> if you can't use dumbells (sometimes even lowest is too heavy) use
> canned food, just the same brand & size of coarse
>

You can also use Therabands (& similar) -- they come in an assortment of
"strengths". You hold down one end with your foot or attach to a doorknob or
something. There are plenty of workout examples on Youtube. And they're
cheap, lightweight & portable.
bj

Julie Bove

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Mar 28, 2010, 11:32:18 PM3/28/10
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"bj" <bjon...@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message
news:PvidnUzV1IP5lC3W...@giganews.com...

My MIL is very much disabled and that's what she uses.


JIMMIE

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Mar 29, 2010, 12:09:14 AM3/29/10
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Yes, my neuropathy and muscle weakness turned out to be pinched nerves
cause by my osteoarthritis. Two weeks of therapy every other day with
my Chiro fixed me up. He also put me on some exercises that make the
adjustments hold.
YMMV but it worked for me.

Jimmie

W. Baker

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Mar 29, 2010, 11:13:58 AM3/29/10
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In alt.support.diabetes Julie Bove <juli...@verizon.net> wrote:

: "bj" <bjon...@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message

I still use them to occaasioally work my should that was so injured when I
broke my arm 6 years ago. Very helpful.

Wendy

Info

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Mar 29, 2010, 3:52:52 PM3/29/10
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"ensoul" <enso...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:e2a91bc5-8407-46ac...@8g2000yqz.googlegroups.com...

Lynn
-----------

I hate to say "I can't" so often, but I can't.
http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/about_cmt/symptoms.php The atrophy has
reached the point that it hurts. Exercise can restore strength by building
on basic muscle tone, but it cannot create the basic muscle tone. It is the
latter that I am lacking. Carp, groan, hiss, whimper.

Anon

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Mar 29, 2010, 4:27:54 PM3/29/10
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"bj" <bjon...@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message
news:PvidnUzV1IP5lC3W...@giganews.com...

Thanks for the tip, after reading it I Goggled Thera-bands and I think they
would be better than dumbbells. They have a lot of them on Amazon, I'm
trying to decide which would be better for me.

bj

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Mar 29, 2010, 5:21:48 PM3/29/10
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"Anon" <anonn...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:B8CdnWk2rOHRkCzW...@giganews.com...

>
>> You can also use Therabands (& similar) -- they come in an assortment of
>> "strengths". You hold down one end with your foot or attach to a doorknob
>> or something. There are plenty of workout examples on Youtube. And
>> they're cheap, lightweight & portable.
>> bj
>>
>
> Thanks for the tip, after reading it I Goggled Thera-bands and I think
> they would be better than dumbbells. They have a lot of them on Amazon,
> I'm trying to decide which would be better for me.

If you can get a consult with a physical therapist, you could get some help
with determining not just which "strength" band to get (& they can probably
sell you one too; mine does & not at a big markup either) but also some
ideas of what to do with them, how to change & progress your routine, etc.

You can probably get a set of lighter-strenght bands & try them out.
Better to start off "too easy" than overdo it. Think in terms of long-term
building, & besides, it's very satisfying to "go up a notch" when something
gets "too easy!"
bj

Anon

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Mar 29, 2010, 7:48:25 PM3/29/10
to

"bj" <bjon...@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message

news:1omdncS2pMpmhCzW...@giganews.com...

I know it would be better to get help from a therapist but that would be
very difficult for me, especially on a continuing basis. I sometimes have to
put off my endo appointments because of my back condition.

I found The There-Band Academy web site and registered. They have a ton of
information about bands and tubes, as well as exercises and videos. I
ordered red bands and handles from Amazon. I intend to start slowly, doing
about the same exercises I was doing with the dumbbells. Then I can add more
exercises as seen on the web site.

Thanks again for turning me on to Thera-Bands.

Anon

bj

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Mar 29, 2010, 11:10:12 PM3/29/10
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"Anon" <anonn...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:vfmdnek8LI7XoSzW...@giganews.com...

>
>>>> You can also use Therabands (& similar) -- they come in an assortment
>>>> of "strengths". You hold down one end with your foot or attach to a
>>>> doorknob or something.
>>>> There are plenty of workout examples on Youtube.
>>>> And they're cheap, lightweight & portable.
>>>> bj
>>>>
>>> Thanks for the tip, after reading it I Goggled Thera-bands and I think
>>> they would be better than dumbbells. They have a lot of them on Amazon,
>>> I'm trying to decide which would be better for me.
>>
>> If you can get a consult with a physical therapist, you could get some
>> help with determining not just which "strength" band to get (& they can
>> probably sell you one too; mine does & not at a big markup either) but
>> also some ideas of what to do with them, how to change & progress your
>> routine, etc.
>>
>> You can probably get a set of lighter-strenght bands & try them out.
>> Better to start off "too easy" than overdo it. Think in terms of
>> long-term building, & besides, it's very satisfying to "go up a notch"
>> when something gets "too easy!"
>> bj
>
> I know it would be better to get help from a therapist but that would be
> very difficult for me, especially on a continuing basis. I sometimes have
> to put off my endo appointments because of my back condition.
>

Too bad. But even a couple of "educational sessions" would probably be very
helpful. I did that once after <some problem or another, I forget> just to
learn what muscles needed work (it's not always obvious) & how to do it.
It wouldn't have to be something that's on a continuing basis.

> I found The There-Band Academy web site and registered. They have a ton of
> information about bands and tubes, as well as exercises and videos. I
> ordered red bands and handles from Amazon. I intend to start slowly, doing
> about the same exercises I was doing with the dumbbells. Then I can add
> more exercises as seen on the web site.
>
> Thanks again for turning me on to Thera-Bands.
>

Don't forget YouTube for ideas & videos. Just search for theraband
exercises -- with or without adding whichever body part or type of exercise
you're interested in.
Good luck.
bj

Trinkwasser

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Apr 3, 2010, 2:29:07 PM4/3/10
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On Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:21:48 -0400, "bj" <bjon...@bellatlantic.net>
wrote:

Potato sacks. Start with one in each hand and when you can lift them
over your head easily you can start adding potatoes to the empty sacks
<G>

seriously it depends on the condition but probably better to start low
and work up rather than overdo it from the get-go.

I have problems with gardening which hits some muscles I never use for
anything else. I think this is probably because I do everything else,
especially lifting, straight-backed while gardening requires bending,
stooping, squatting and kneeling.

I always start by doing less than I'm able, then the next day I can do
double. Start with too much and the next day I can't do any until the
muscle ache subsides.

Chris Malcolm

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Apr 3, 2010, 4:35:51 PM4/3/10
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In alt.support.diabetes Trinkwasser <sp...@devnull.com.invalid> wrote:

> I have problems with gardening which hits some muscles I never use for
> anything else. I think this is probably because I do everything else,
> especially lifting, straight-backed while gardening requires bending,
> stooping, squatting and kneeling.

Because I once had very bad back problems I learned to do everything
straight backed and to pick up off the floor by hunkering down rather
than bending over. Once I became strong enough to do things like
gardening and shifting furniture I realised that all this straight
backed stuff had left me very vulnerable to strain and injury in
off-straight positions.

That's why I now deliberately include some twisting bending asymmetrical
exercises in my routine. Probably the most twisted and asymmetrical is
the Turkish Get Up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vhJza-2xiI

I try and do it slowly and gracefully, like a Tai Chi exercise.

--
Chris Malcolm

Trinkwasser

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Apr 4, 2010, 10:04:10 AM4/4/10
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On 3 Apr 2010 20:35:51 GMT, Chris Malcolm <c...@holyrood.ed.ac.uk>
wrote:

Ah that looks useful!

I'm glad you noticed the same effect, I wonder if Health And Safety
are actually responsible for causing an increase in lower back
problems due to their straight back lifting instructions.

I came up with a useful exercise using a watering can as a variable
weight kettlebell. Each time I fill it at the tap I hold it at a
different angle. Your proprioceptors aren't used to the idea of
somethign changing weight while you hold it and I'll guarantee that if
you try this, you'll find a weight and angle which will suddenly cause
your arm to start twitching uncontrollably.

Chris Malcolm

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Apr 4, 2010, 11:01:27 AM4/4/10
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In alt.support.diabetes Trinkwasser <sp...@devnull.com.invalid> wrote:
> On 3 Apr 2010 20:35:51 GMT, Chris Malcolm <c...@holyrood.ed.ac.uk>
> wrote:
>>In alt.support.diabetes Trinkwasser <sp...@devnull.com.invalid> wrote:

>>> I have problems with gardening which hits some muscles I never use for
>>> anything else. I think this is probably because I do everything else,
>>> especially lifting, straight-backed while gardening requires bending,
>>> stooping, squatting and kneeling.
>>
>>Because I once had very bad back problems I learned to do everything
>>straight backed and to pick up off the floor by hunkering down rather
>>than bending over. Once I became strong enough to do things like
>>gardening and shifting furniture I realised that all this straight
>>backed stuff had left me very vulnerable to strain and injury in
>>off-straight positions.
>>
>>That's why I now deliberately include some twisting bending asymmetrical
>>exercises in my routine. Probably the most twisted and asymmetrical is
>>the Turkish Get Up.
>>
>>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vhJza-2xiI
>>
>>I try and do it slowly and gracefully, like a Tai Chi exercise.

> Ah that looks useful!

> I'm glad you noticed the same effect, I wonder if Health And Safety
> are actually responsible for causing an increase in lower back
> problems due to their straight back lifting instructions.

I doubt if Health & Safety have done nearly as much to help people
avoid useful simple daily back strengthening exercises as the simple
TV remote control. I regard the car seat, the sofa, and the TV remote
control as three major health destroyers. Like the bed and the
appetite they're very good in moderation, but killers when
overindulged.

> I came up with a useful exercise using a watering can as a variable
> weight kettlebell. Each time I fill it at the tap I hold it at a
> different angle. Your proprioceptors aren't used to the idea of
> somethign changing weight while you hold it and I'll guarantee that if
> you try this, you'll find a weight and angle which will suddenly cause
> your arm to start twitching uncontrollably.

That's because you're stepping outside the range of stable negative
feedback control loop your body has learned. That kind of trick is
well known to roboticists as a way of inducing wild instability in the
limbs of robots :-)

--
Chris Malcolm

Navy

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Apr 5, 2010, 4:39:42 PM4/5/10
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What are you aiming for when you find that spot?

Trinkwasser

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Apr 6, 2010, 2:07:36 PM4/6/10
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On 4 Apr 2010 15:01:27 GMT, Chris Malcolm <c...@holyrood.ed.ac.uk>
wrote:

>


>I doubt if Health & Safety have done nearly as much to help people
>avoid useful simple daily back strengthening exercises as the simple
>TV remote control. I regard the car seat, the sofa, and the TV remote
>control as three major health destroyers. Like the bed and the
>appetite they're very good in moderation, but killers when
>overindulged.

Heh heh! Well you can try losing the remote down the back of the sofa
and kill two birds with one stone . . .

>> I came up with a useful exercise using a watering can as a variable
>> weight kettlebell. Each time I fill it at the tap I hold it at a
>> different angle. Your proprioceptors aren't used to the idea of
>> somethign changing weight while you hold it and I'll guarantee that if
>> you try this, you'll find a weight and angle which will suddenly cause
>> your arm to start twitching uncontrollably.
>
>That's because you're stepping outside the range of stable negative
>feedback control loop your body has learned. That kind of trick is
>well known to roboticists as a way of inducing wild instability in the
>limbs of robots :-)

Interesting, and logical. Yes a lot of what I'm learning has to do
with taking manual control of what used to be automatic systems but
have been broken.

Today I should have been pruning and shredding in the garden but in
this wind it was a no-go, the shreddings would have ended up three
doors away. So I went for a prolonged walk around town mostly carrying
shopping. I ended up with three bags so was changing their
distribution between arms, over my shoulder, etc. so my proprioceptors
didn't get bored or complacent.

Trinkwasser

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Apr 6, 2010, 2:09:19 PM4/6/10
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On Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:39:42 -0400, Navy <medical...@sc.rr.com>
wrote:

Basically something my body isn't used to dealing with.

Then teaching it to cope.

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