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Back in 1997-98, I created and operated an online drag racing organization (Simulated Hot Rod Association) which, in a matter of 4 months, had grown to over 3000 members and hundreds of races every month (hmmm, this sounds very familiar). Needless to say, I did not have Todd's programming power back then so everything from HTML to stats and email lists were done manually, by hand... my hand! I spent 16 hours a day in front of the PC. It was my full-time self-employment "job" and I treated it as such. After a few months of this work, my right arm (from elbow to fingers) started going numb. At first I didn't think anything of it, but after a few more days of abuse it went completely numb. I could no longer use the mouse or even type. I received 400 emails a day and the entire organization to run so I couldnt let a numb arm slow me down. I began using my left arm for everything. My being right handed wasnt going to slow me down :-) It didnt take long for my left arm to follow my right arm in a campaign against my long hours. Next thing I knew, both of my arms were numb and useless. I could use them to some extent but accuracy was almost completely gone, and if I stayed at "PC posture" for more then a few minutes they would completely go numb and dead. After many changes to my desk, seating, time scheduling, etc I got my arms back... 3 weeks later! Yesterday, my right leg (knee down) started feeling a bit odd. I couldn't figure out why I was walking funny. I sat down at my desk to get a few laps in the Panoz GTR-1 at Silverstone, and this is when I realized what was happening; My right leg, from knee down is going numb! My ankle was un-responsive which made throttle control impossible to say the least. So, my assumption is that my desk chair has been cutting into my leg, cutting off circulation, for so long that it has finally caught up to me. Six months ago I would spend a few hours a day in this chair. Now I spend 16-18 hours a day in it and the chair is showing it's age (so am I, I guess). Time for a better chair of course... Leg is feeling 90% normal today (I took the night out of the chair) and I expect it to return to normality within a week. Still, if anyone knows a hot nurse to come massage my legs... thanks for the offer Johan, but I will pass :-) |
Hi Tim, Had simlar experience with my right arm, never had problem with leg tough, but there might be midle of the road solution to keep you racing, go NASCAR.
Joking aside, i wish you quick recovery Take care
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Its called Entrapment Neuropathies.
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Wierd... I'm having a similar issue with the 3rd finger on my left hand... goes completely numb after a couple of hours at the wheel... if you find a fix, let me know, but I think it's probably just poor circulation. Btw, 16-18 hours?!? Dear God man, that's not healthy... join a running club or something or you'll be dead this time next year :O Good luck with it! Scott | ||
Scott Ive heard of peeps talking aboutnot being able to pull their fiinger out their ass come race day? maybe you got the same affliction?
ps, this is really meant as a joke and in no way am I picking you out from the rest, its just that you walked you way right into that one..... :) pss. Go get the leg checked out TM... dont mess around by trying to be a cowboy... especially if it doesnt go away :) | ||
On my work-pc they installed a tool called Workpace. It makes the pc stop responding at certain times. First a minibreak, then a longer one. And after too much time behind it it just locks completely and show exercises to prevent permanent damage. At first I found it very irritating. Being in the middle of an email and not able to continue. But I had some simular problems with my right arm some time ago but they haven't returned after following Workpace's instructions. | ||
Just do a few exercises or stretch the leg muscles out a bit....basically, KEEP THEM ACTIVE. I don't know if it has to do with circulation or anything but not using your legs, plus having a chair dig into them will naturally make them numb I would think. Plus, since your becoming an old fart, it will probably only get worse. I've had this too with my current chair that my mom stole from work. It is a piece of shit and digs into my thighs like crazy but ever since I started working out my legs a lot more, it has gone away and I never feel numbness after a long enduro anymore. Occasionally, I do get numbness and when that happens, I just move my leg around as much as possible and stretch it out to get some feeling back. | ||
Best guess here is the chair probably gave you a nasty cramp which you probably ignored until it became too painful. Used to happen to me until I bought Jeff's chair rig and put an APC on it. The old chair used to cut into the back of my right thigh and with all that testing you did yesterday, probably deadened your peroneal nerve (runs down back of and along inner thigh). Might want to go for a nice, slow walk/jog to get her "awake". Do real gentle stretch before re groins and hammies 1) if you see a doctor like Craig suggests, see a real one - not www.dr.com or anything like that please. No chiro, no naprapath, or other person not smart enough to get into medical school. No dis to any non MD drs intended.
Feel better. | ||
Since you're spending so many time behind the PC I'd recommned loking into getting yourself in completely ergonomic position, google it, also ergonomic mouse pad, one that has wirst support. What George said about necessary minibreaks, 15 mins of jumping around or walking (no sitting :) ). You better start doing it or it will get to a point where you wont be able to do anything whether you like it or not. Good luck! | ||
I friggin love all the kids around here limber as can be giving exercise advice:) But to add to joes and enis advice...you probably don't have enough sex in your diet :P So, leave the PC once in a while. | ||
I recommend seeing Dr. Feelgood. He's the one that makes you feel all right. |