Surprise!

[jumpinjiminy]

While out leaf blowing over the weekend, I found a new problem I was totally unaware of. Has this ever happened to you before?

Last year, I spent three days in a row leaf blowing for about 4 hours straight. I had no problems with this until the third day when my forearms started to cramp and hands started to freeze into the position I was holding the leaf blower.

This spring, I could use it for about 20 minutes before my forearms started to spasm.

This fall, I can get an hour in without any spasms. However, after I've done that hour part of my left arm and forearm no longer works, plus it shakes like mad when I try to do anything with it. I couldn't flex my arm and bring my hand up to my head. I had to raise my arm with the elbow out to the side. Also, my wrist was floppier than the other side. It lasted most of the day and then finally got back to normal.

Can you develop a weakness like this without knowing until you do something out of the ordinary? Yikes!

[jumpinjiminy]

Interesting. Years ago (like 20ish) when I was gardening for a friend, my hands would freeze everytime I used the hoe. I asked the doctor about it and she ran tests for lupus and RA, but came up empty handed. This is the one that also referred me to a neurologist for tingling and fatigue after showering. The neuro refused to test me and then the clinic dropped my HMO. I have a feeling that if I had been able to stay with that doc over the years, there might have been a dx earlier on.

The only other time I've experienced this is after an intense workout, which of course was obviously muscle fatigue. I just thought I was wimpy and out of shape. Things don't freeze in position, but my legs get shaky and twitchy for a while.

[jensequitur]

Hey, I've found as I progress that it seems to manifest as more weakness.  I mowed the yard last weekend and found when I was done that I could barely stand up.  You won't really know until you've fatigued the muscle how you're doing... but I will say that I'm doing better.  Ordinarily mowing the yard would have knocked me out for four hours.

[Sidesteps]

JJ -

I am having similar issues but with clearning or weeding primarily it's in my right hand. I think it's weakness/spasticity related as I do find relief if I take a break before it gets bad.  

I also feel like I get some shaking with it as well. It can be pretty significant if I go to far. Last Sunday, my entire left arm tremors were so bad my daughter said something. It is definitely getting worse. :(

I also agree with Bob that I might have some focal dystonia as it does sort of distort my hand. I have had some periodic issues with a foot as well. My foot cramps up so badly the toes curl sideways and in..so I can see that.

Oddness!

[COBOB]

Another possibility is that the vibration and abnormal arm posture might trigger a focal dystonia, like "writer's cramp."  My understanding is that this is not of a muscle fatigue issue and more of a neurologic response from the motor cortex.

Dystonia would be rooted in the CNS and might be related to MS.  

Bob

[Jifr]

Hiya:

I agree with Lulu.  This happens to me everytime I go out to mow the lawn or blow leaves.  It happens everytime I do something for an extended period of time that I don't usually do.

I asked my neuro about it and she said it wasn't anything to be overly concerned about.  

My NP would say that I should not work so hard for so long and to take it easy.  That's hard to hear when you're a hard worker but...it's good advice for us MSers.

Jen

[jumpinjiminy]

It makes sense, but why such a big decline since last year? I do recall having some spasms down the backs of my arms in April, but never any weakness or muscle fatigue issues. I've been taking my vitamins. :-P

[Guitar_grrrl]

I made the mistake of weed whacking in September.  I worked on it for about 20 minutes, got the same as you describe.  Usually after activity like that, or even the fun stuff, it takes me 3-4 days to recover.

[rendean]

I agree with Lu. My husband get s muscle fatigue after leaf-blowing out 1+ acre lot and gets tremors and muscle fatigue such that he cannot lift anything of  substance until the next day.
Ren

[Lulu54]

The best explanation I can give is muscle fatigue - you are doing so much work with your arms and taking them past the point of just being tired.  It would be better to do your work in short spurts and allow your muscles to recover inbetween.

I hope that makes sense - if not, let me know and I'll try to give a better explanation.

Lulu