Scroll Saw hold-down hand "palsy"

[Blaughn]

After working non-stop for several hours I find that the fingers on my "hold-down hand" (generally my left hand) refuse to work normally for several moments.  I have found that if I keep the fingers of the hold-down hand flexed and use my fingertips to hold the work down - I avoid this rather disturbing feeling.  Just curious:  Am I alone in this "disorder"?!!!!!

 

Bruce

[stu]

Get it all the time hands and fingers cramp up when to long on the saw get the same thing at work which is a saw mill just take a break

[amazingkevin]

After working non-stop for several hours I find that the fingers on my "hold-down hand" (generally my left hand) refuse to work normally for several moments.  I have found that if I keep the fingers of the hold-down hand flexed and use my fingertips to hold the work down - I avoid this rather disturbing feeling.  Just curious:  Am I alone in this "disorder"?!!!!!

 

Bruce

Phantom ailments,i was going thru a different symptom weekly and all of the sudden things stopped

[lawson56]

No Your not alone.  I have found that after an hour or so I take a break.and do something else in my shop.Then go back to cutting.

[Scrolling Steve]

I have to take a break every 30 minutes or so...I clean up around the saw and use the hands doing something different.

[Fish]

Sometimes I find I'm pressing to hard to keep it from jumping. I lighten up and there's no problem.

[ike]

I use a carpel-tunnel brace it helps me.\

IKE

[CharleyL]

Bruce,

 

Are you taking any cholesterol controlling drugs like Lipitor, Crestor, etc?  I have had problems with all of these drugs to varying extents. In fact, back 14 years ago when I had been on Lipitor for just over a year I began getting very stiff, beginning with the finger problems, but then going though most of the joints in my body. I reached the point where I needed 2 canes to be able to get around. The doctors had no clue what was wrong with me. Then my wife saw where someone on TV had been having similar problems, and they had discovered that Lipitor was causing it.

 

I stopped taking Lipitor and 2 days later I was significantly improved. It took months for me to get back the flexibility in my joints. Since then, the doctors have tried me on almost every available cholesterol lowering drug with similar results (locking fingers, etc.). I'm now taking 1/2 of a Crestor pill every night along with a 400 milligram CO Q 10 (over-the-counter pill) and my cholesterol numbers are about where they want them, with no stiffness in my joints. I'm not a doctor, but I have learned a lot about cholesterol lowering drugs the hard way and what side effects they have. Stiff fingers that seem to lock up sometimes have always been at  the beginning of my problems each time they have put me on a new drug for this, but it comes on very slowly over months, so it's difficult to realize what's causing it.  For me, just stopping taking the pills for a few days has always been my test to see if this was the cause, and each time it has been. If you are taking any of these "statin" drugs, just try stopping it for a few days to see if .your fingers begin to work well again. If they do, you need to talk to your doctor about it. 

 

Charley

[Bill WIlson]

I get a similar problem when I'm hand sanding.  As for scrolling, my neck and back would bark at me long before my hands start to give me problems.  Like most others, I only saw for about 30 minute intervals before needing to get up to work out the kinks.

[Blaughn]

Bruce,

 

Are you taking any cholesterol controlling drugs like Lipitor, Crestor, etc?  I have had problems with all of these drugs to varying extents. In fact, back 14 years ago when I had been on Lipitor for just over a year I began getting very stiff, beginning with the finger problems, but then going though most of the joints in my body. I reached the point where I needed 2 canes to be able to get around. The doctors had no clue what was wrong with me. Then my wife saw where someone on TV had been having similar problems, and they had discovered that Lipitor was causing it.

 

I stopped taking Lipitor and 2 days later I was significantly improved. It took months for me to get back the flexibility in my joints. Since then, the doctors have tried me on almost every available cholesterol lowering drug with similar results (locking fingers, etc.). I'm now taking 1/2 of a Crestor pill every night along with a 400 milligram CO Q 10 (over-the-counter pill) and my cholesterol numbers are about where they want them, with no stiffness in my joints. I'm not a doctor, but I have learned a lot about cholesterol lowering drugs the hard way and what side effects they have. Stiff fingers that seem to lock up sometimes have always been at  the beginning of my problems each time they have put me on a new drug for this, but it comes on very slowly over months, so it's difficult to realize what's causing it.  For me, just stopping taking the pills for a few days has always been my test to see if this was the cause, and each time it has been. If you are taking any of these "statin" drugs, just try stopping it for a few days to see if .your fingers begin to work well again. If they do, you need to talk to your doctor about it. 

 

Charley

That is interesting.  My issue doesn't seem to extend beyond the fingers of the hold-down hand and if I curve my fingers and use my finger tips to hole the work piece down it seems to solve it for me.  I have no doubt that I am using too much pressure to hole the work piece down and over time, I will lighten my touch.  Good luck with your battle.  That is well beyond my minor discomfort.

 

Bruce

[stoney]

Especially for us more mature individuals taking frequent breaks is just necessary. lol   If it's not my hands cramping, a stiff neck, or a crook in my back I just need a bathroom break. Ha!   But hey, what the heck I'm just doing this for fun anyway right?   I really enjoy cutting on my scroll saw but only as a hobby if I had to do it as a full time job I would quit and find another way to make a living.   Seriously though all drugs have side affects some worse than others and can contribute to issues like Charley mentioned but so can father time.   

Edited January 24, 2017 by stoney

[hawkeye10]

Bruce,

 

Are you taking any cholesterol controlling drugs like Lipitor, Crestor, etc?  I have had problems with all of these drugs to varying extents. In fact, back 14 years ago when I had been on Lipitor for just over a year I began getting very stiff, beginning with the finger problems, but then going though most of the joints in my body. I reached the point where I needed 2 canes to be able to get around. The doctors had no clue what was wrong with me. Then my wife saw where someone on TV had been having similar problems, and they had discovered that Lipitor was causing it.

 

I stopped taking Lipitor and 2 days later I was significantly improved. It took months for me to get back the flexibility in my joints. Since then, the doctors have tried me on almost every available cholesterol lowering drug with similar results (locking fingers, etc.). I'm now taking 1/2 of a Crestor pill every night along with a 400 milligram CO Q 10 (over-the-counter pill) and my cholesterol numbers are about where they want them, with no stiffness in my joints. I'm not a doctor, but I have learned a lot about cholesterol lowering drugs the hard way and what side effects they have. Stiff fingers that seem to lock up sometimes have always been at  the beginning of my problems each time they have put me on a new drug for this, but it comes on very slowly over months, so it's difficult to realize what's causing it.  For me, just stopping taking the pills for a few days has always been my test to see if this was the cause, and each time it has been. If you are taking any of these "statin" drugs, just try stopping it for a few days to see if .your fingers begin to work well again. If they do, you need to talk to your doctor about it. 

 

Charley

Charley that is some good information. I had no idea taking statin drugs could have that effect. Great post.  

[oldhudson]

The muscles in my hands cramp up plenty in the shop or working around the house.  

[Sam777]

I have been on statins for around 20 years. I don't have problems with my fingers but I am sure these drugs are causing enough damage somewhere else LOL.

[CharleyL]

Statin drugs don't do this to everyone, but both my sister and I seem to be very sensitive to them. I can only suggest that if you are taking a statin drug and your fingers or other joints seem to be getting stiff or locking up, that you try stopping the drug for a few days to see if your stiffness is relieved any. If it is, stay off of the drug a little longer, like a month, and see if it continues to improve. Then go back on the drug and see if your symptoms gradually get worse again. For me, this has been my absolute best way to be certain that the drug was causing the problem. I went through this each time they tried me on a different drug and  each of the statin drugs had the same effect on me with Lipitor being the worst, and Crestor the least hard on me. Like I said before, I am now taking 1/2 of a Crestor pill each evening. If I take a whole pill, I begin to have problems in about 2 months. Cutting back to 1/2 pill is so far keeping my cholesterol levels where they want them and not giving me the side effects. This is also working for my sister.

 

Bruce,  The word "Paisy" is a new one on me. I've never heard this word used to describe this symptom before. 

 

Charley 

Edited January 25, 2017 by CharleyL