Message-ID: <36C4F644.6879@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 22:49:24 -0500
From: m w grossmann <dere_it@hotmail.com>
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Subject: Re: HELP! Medical question!
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James M. Knox wrote:

> In article <36C26B7F.D25D0393@ix.netcom.com>, Craig Cameron <cwcam@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

> >I just started flying and noticed after about 1 1/2 hours in the plane,
> >my forearm and wrist feel as if they are asleep.  I trim often, so I am
> >sure it is not muscle fatigue.  Has anyone else experienced this weird
> >thing?  My doctor says he has no clue of what may be causing it, and has
> >approved my health as fine.  Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
> 
> Sounds exactly like some form of tunnel syndrome.  Probably not carpal, since
> your forearm is affected (carpal tunnel syndrome affects primarily the hand
> and fingers, radiating inward).  Most likely it's that one in the wrist (don't
> have my books handy and can't remember the name at the moment).

Err... that would be the *carpal* tunnel. And carpal tunnel will also
affect the forearm and upper arm. I had severe CTS in both hands/wrists
and both needed the operation. Symptomology is usually a loss of feeling
or control of the muscles in the arms (carrying something heavy and
dropping it without noticing until you go quickly upright and *hear* it
hit the floor is a sign).

Another sign of CTS is serious pain in the upper arms whcih will often
wake you up at night and will not go away until you hold your arms still
in a particular position for about 10 minutes. I spent two months with
very little sleep as a result until I got the operation. 

 
> If so, and it sure sounds like it, the most immediate solution is a change in
> your arm position - especially the angle between your upper and lower arm.
> Several things to try (and you probably will have to "experiement" until you
> find the best solution).

Agreed. Try twisting or untwisting your arm a bit to a more relaxed
position. Don't white-knuckle the yoke -- bad for your arms/wrists/hands
and you also end up having *less* control over your aircraft.

<snip>

> 4.  If you are resting your elbow on the arm rest, try adding a folded towel
> on the armrest to give a little lift and a little more padding.  [Or try NOT
> resting it on there for a while.]

Another excellent suggestions. If your arm is hitting the armrest
(C152/172), you could simply be compressing the nerve which runs over
your elbow (the "funny-bone" one). Mild compression will lead to a
slower onset of symptoms, which include numbness from the elbow down and
slow pins-and-needles pain in the entire arm, especially below the
elbow.

Cheers-

m w grossmann
PP-blah blah blah 
 
>                                                         jmk
