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Arms/Hand Weak + Trembling/Tremors after using various lawn equipment
I wasn't sure where to post this question as it fits a few categories I suppose. Let me start by saying that I do generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and health anxiety that I have dealt with for essentially half of my life now.
38/m, relatively healthy, though overweight some and out of shape some. No drinking, drugs, or significant health issues. BP good, etc. I am not superman, but not weak either.
For many years I have had this issue and always worried about it, though I tried not to as I attributed it to my health anxiety and that it was a fairly normal occurrence, but I am not sure. It hasn't gotten any worse over the years, but always happens and always causes somewhat high anxiety.
So, whenever I do landscaping around my house, specifically using say a weedeater or leaf blower (but not so much when I use the push mower, which I assume is because I am using both hands), from the time I stop and for at least a couple of hours, my forearm and hand are very weak and shaky or trembling. I can barely raise a glass of water to drink it and the longer I hold it there the worse the trembling gets. Again, it always goes away after some time and doesn't really tremble at rest (though I do get a general "weak" feeling with it at rest).
The same thing kinda happens to my lower legs and feet (tingling, weak feeling) after mowing with the riding mower.
I guess what prompted this is that the other day I just got a new electric leaf blower and used it for maybe 15 minutes and my arm had these same symptoms quite strongly for a couple hours afterward. So for 15 minutes use, 2 hours of problems which seems weird to me.
I have read this is "normal" for most people who don't work out regularly and has something to do with stabilizing muscles? Is this true?
My biggest concern and what causes the most anxiety, besides the general unease at being unable to use my arm for a period of time, is that my grandfather has MS and has had for many years and of course, being an anxiety/health anxiety sufferer this has always been a concern of mine.
Any thoughts?
38/m, relatively healthy, though overweight some and out of shape some. No drinking, drugs, or significant health issues. BP good, etc. I am not superman, but not weak either.
For many years I have had this issue and always worried about it, though I tried not to as I attributed it to my health anxiety and that it was a fairly normal occurrence, but I am not sure. It hasn't gotten any worse over the years, but always happens and always causes somewhat high anxiety.
So, whenever I do landscaping around my house, specifically using say a weedeater or leaf blower (but not so much when I use the push mower, which I assume is because I am using both hands), from the time I stop and for at least a couple of hours, my forearm and hand are very weak and shaky or trembling. I can barely raise a glass of water to drink it and the longer I hold it there the worse the trembling gets. Again, it always goes away after some time and doesn't really tremble at rest (though I do get a general "weak" feeling with it at rest).
The same thing kinda happens to my lower legs and feet (tingling, weak feeling) after mowing with the riding mower.
I guess what prompted this is that the other day I just got a new electric leaf blower and used it for maybe 15 minutes and my arm had these same symptoms quite strongly for a couple hours afterward. So for 15 minutes use, 2 hours of problems which seems weird to me.
I have read this is "normal" for most people who don't work out regularly and has something to do with stabilizing muscles? Is this true?
My biggest concern and what causes the most anxiety, besides the general unease at being unable to use my arm for a period of time, is that my grandfather has MS and has had for many years and of course, being an anxiety/health anxiety sufferer this has always been a concern of mine.
Any thoughts?
Same here. 38/m. Same exact health story. Also got an electric leaf blower today and same issue after 15 mins. I also suffer from health anxiety. Did you ever find out about this?
1 Comments
The only thing I really ever found out about it is that is is normal. Vibrating things require a lot of fine motor muscles to hold it steady. Since we don't use these muscles often at all, they get fatigued really quickly. We health anxiety folks don't like things being or feeling "weird", which causes the concern. Still happens to me, but honestly it doesn't bother me as much when I don't focus on it.
25/M here. Exact same symptoms, any form of unusual exercise leaves me shaking like a leaf for a good 20 minutes afterward. Even though i spend a lot of time at the gym and would be considered "in shape" otherwise. No one's been able to help me and it's actually the first time i've seen my symptoms described so accurately. If anyone knows what it is i would be forever grateful.
1 Comments
TOS and Brachial Plexus injury.
It does happen. Can last awhile ( few hours ) maybe more. Vibration + weight. Muscles not accustomed or and those particular muscles are under stress. Which in return can cause this affect. Sometimes it gradually goes away and other times stops fairly fast and instantly. Stretching, water intake and strength training can help with this issue in many cases dramatically help. Seems fairly common and varys on time durations depend9on the individual an how much stress they caused on those muscles. I'd say to anyone that it's not to worry too much over.
More so just stretch more often, stretching is a great thing if done properly, make sure you stay hydrated and work those muscles more often. I bet that helps. Dont be alarm if the shaking last a few hours or well into the day / night a full recovery should be expected within 24 to 36 hours.
Have you ever walked down some stairs an noticed your legs was a little shaky? Or after sexual intercourse ? Its vary similar. Maybe you put to much weight on ya particular muscles an you'll get that shakey feeling.
For those with aniexty they need to talk about it ( shaking ) an read that all is well.. So knowing that you can get this shaking not just from uding tools rather power or non. Is completely normal an theres many things you can do. Also take in consideration if you have back aches or tension in muscles from whatever reason these shakes can & might be worse vs someone who doesn't have said issues. Either way its still ok. So no need to trip out and take a aniexty medication. Breath stretch relax hydrate and know all will be ok.
In any event of something lasting too long calmly ask your doctor an maybe seek out some physical therapy/ chiropractic treatment to help with your already tense muscles.
I'm no doctor but I've had plenty of experience ( years ) of all the above including aniexty and got treatment all over the country an several educated professionals along with studying an well my advice will fall under what those professionals would say.
More so just stretch more often, stretching is a great thing if done properly, make sure you stay hydrated and work those muscles more often. I bet that helps. Dont be alarm if the shaking last a few hours or well into the day / night a full recovery should be expected within 24 to 36 hours.
Have you ever walked down some stairs an noticed your legs was a little shaky? Or after sexual intercourse ? Its vary similar. Maybe you put to much weight on ya particular muscles an you'll get that shakey feeling.
For those with aniexty they need to talk about it ( shaking ) an read that all is well.. So knowing that you can get this shaking not just from uding tools rather power or non. Is completely normal an theres many things you can do. Also take in consideration if you have back aches or tension in muscles from whatever reason these shakes can & might be worse vs someone who doesn't have said issues. Either way its still ok. So no need to trip out and take a aniexty medication. Breath stretch relax hydrate and know all will be ok.
In any event of something lasting too long calmly ask your doctor an maybe seek out some physical therapy/ chiropractic treatment to help with your already tense muscles.
I'm no doctor but I've had plenty of experience ( years ) of all the above including aniexty and got treatment all over the country an several educated professionals along with studying an well my advice will fall under what those professionals would say.
I have this same exact issue that just started this summer. I had rotator cuff surgery last year and have issues with C5 and C6 in my neck. I really believe in my case it’s due to the arthritis in my shoulder and issue with my neck that was also diagnosed last year. I clipped a few bushes today and it happened. I have a light battery operated weed eater and it happened after using it. So I really believe the using of tools etc that puts stress on the muscles and nerves in my shoulder and neck are causing this problem. I don’t have anxiety and this has never happened until this year. I will have someone come and do my yard work from now on, it’s not worth the issues it causes.
I have the exact same thing. And it’s going on right now. Lol.
Years ago I was told that I have “benign essential tremors”. It’s a neurological disorder. The cause is unknown but it’s harmless.
My biggest trigger is using a weed whacker. I can’t use the left side of my body properly, for at least 20 minutes, when I’m done. But it’s mainly in my left arm and it lasts for about 2 hours.
A few years ago, my neurologist put me on Propanolol (lessens shakes and helps with migraines). Which worked but it also caused low blood pressure, which led to anxiety because I didn’t know it did that.
I also found out that most of my “panic attacks” weren’t from anxiety. It was caused by low blood sugar and/or dehydration.
Dehydration being the main one. Forcing yourself to drink water was a pain (lol) but I feel 10x’s better. In the process, you also lean how to control your breathing. It’s a game changer. I think the biggest challenge is convincing yourself to start doing things normally again that you used to run from.
I also got tired of being a lab rat and trying different medications over the years. I substituted Paxil (for anxiety) and the
Propanerol with Full Spectrum CBD capsules (25 mg) and Ashwaghanda gummies (I use Goli because of the added vitamins ).
That combination has worked better than any prescription drugs I have taken over the years, for both disorders. Positive effects all around. It’s more costly but the trade-offs are unmatched.
I hope this helps.
Years ago I was told that I have “benign essential tremors”. It’s a neurological disorder. The cause is unknown but it’s harmless.
My biggest trigger is using a weed whacker. I can’t use the left side of my body properly, for at least 20 minutes, when I’m done. But it’s mainly in my left arm and it lasts for about 2 hours.
A few years ago, my neurologist put me on Propanolol (lessens shakes and helps with migraines). Which worked but it also caused low blood pressure, which led to anxiety because I didn’t know it did that.
I also found out that most of my “panic attacks” weren’t from anxiety. It was caused by low blood sugar and/or dehydration.
Dehydration being the main one. Forcing yourself to drink water was a pain (lol) but I feel 10x’s better. In the process, you also lean how to control your breathing. It’s a game changer. I think the biggest challenge is convincing yourself to start doing things normally again that you used to run from.
I also got tired of being a lab rat and trying different medications over the years. I substituted Paxil (for anxiety) and the
Propanerol with Full Spectrum CBD capsules (25 mg) and Ashwaghanda gummies (I use Goli because of the added vitamins ).
That combination has worked better than any prescription drugs I have taken over the years, for both disorders. Positive effects all around. It’s more costly but the trade-offs are unmatched.
I hope this helps.
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