New to driving, but does this happen to anyone else?

[OllieMartin]

After driving for about 20 minutes; one, or sometimes two of my fingers go numb. It's only my right hand and i'm pretty sure it's from gripping the steering wheel as my left hand isn't on it for as long. Although even if I use a loose grip I still get dead finger!
It seems my ring finger is first to go numb and my middle second, and they become noticably whiter. I think the vibrations from driving are what makes it worse.

Anyone else get this, or am I a medical freak?

[Jardiniere]

vibration white finger!!!!!!! its a work related upper limb disorder...................however thats all i know....people who work those pneumatic drill things get it ....

[Jeanied]

Or carpal tunnel - check the wrist position Ollie and get a wrist brace if needed.

[SarzWix]

Yup, that's what I thought jeanie, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. it's quite common really, and mendable if it gets too much of a pain.

[piskieinboots]

get it checked out Ollie, if it's CTS it's very fixable as Sarz says - no need to suffer

[OllieMartin]

According to wikipedia:
The diagnosis of CTS is often misapplied to patients who have activity-related arm pain, such as RSI.

Which could explain why it's sometimes agrivated by mouse use. hmmmm, will mention in to my doctor next time i see him, see what he thinks.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

[Bigmallly]

Are you driving with the window open Ollie?. I was just wondering if you were restricting circulation to your hand by resting your arm on an open window. Or maybe gripping the wheel too tight, try loosening your grip if poss.

[zazen999]

I had to change my driving position after I smashed my elbow up; so now have my hands at the bottom of the wheel and not at the 10-to-2 position of the past. I also recommend not gripping too tight.

[snuffer]

Could be a slight driving position problem. To check your seating position sit with back into back of seat put head against head restraint making sure tops of ears is level with middle of head restraint. Reach forward without sitting forward (just by moving your arms). Idealy you should be able to rest your wrists on top of steering wheel. If you cannot adjust seat accordingly.

You may have to adjust steering wheel position aswell.

Last time I changed cars the new car was very uncomfortable. My back was in a lot of pain after every journey. A slight alteration (only a couple of centimetres at most) in the steering wheel position cured it imediately.

Might not be what's causing your problem OllieMartin but worth a try.

[Two_Sheds]

When I learned to drive, I used to have to have the window open, I'd sweat so much.
And a line of Opal Fruits on the dash!

Can't drive now, left arm is boogered

[Glutton4...]

Used to happen to me in my mid 20's. I had a classic MGB Roadster, and the middle fingers on both hands would go white and cold. Sold the car, problem never came back!

Now both hands go numb if I sleep on my left side, only one does if I sleep on my right side. If I sleep on my back, like my Chiropractor tells me, then I snore lol!

Irrelevant I know, but proves you're not the only freak on here (just in case there was any doubt )

[SarzWix]

It's a fairly simple nerve-transmission test to check for CTS. I have it, but only doing certain things sets it off - having the wrist slightly or fully bent for a long time is the main thing. So, see if you can move your steering wheel a bit, that might help

[Two_Sheds]

So, see if you can move your steering wheel a bit, that might help

That would prolly help. I've had to move my bike handlebars too far towards my legs, just so that my dodgy left arm can reach. It's OK until I have to corner sharply

[geoff]

Instead of holding the wheel at 10 and 2, like you were probably taught, try holding it at 4 and 8. Also adjust the dashboard heating/ventilation outlets so they don't blow cold air onto your fingers
It is winter now, and even if the heating is on your hands can stay cold. Try a pair of thin gloves; sticky palms or even driving gloves, and ignore all the snide comments about boy racers

[OllieMartin]

Thanks for the advice. I think it was my driving position.
I had been putting all the weight on my wrist so the back of my hand was almost at right-angles to my wrist. The route is so slow and straight it didn't need much more than 'hanging' my arm on my steering wheel.
Been consciously keeping my wrist and hand in a straight line and it seems to have helped.

Ta x