Carpal Tunnel, anyone had to deal this.

[BC69]

It is probably not very proactive to be typing this question out, but I am in a bad pickle. I am part of the new generation of young kids who have been on computers since we were like 5, and the result. I now have carpal tunnel.

I got it while working this summer at my internship, and ended up leaving work a bit earlier then planned to get a break before school. It went away but has come back in full force and I am supposed to start my school year internship this week. I dont think I will be able to manage the hours I have planned. I also have school, and a website to run that all involve heavy computer loads. I need to be on the computer a certain amount of time each day, and I need to be able to work because frankly I need the money.

My Doctor just said rest, and was basically not helpful or nice about anything. Have any of you dealt with this in the past? I dont want the surgery, but if I had to, how long would I be out of the game?

I am seriously scared about this now because so much of my life involves computer use, for school, work, and communication. I wear a brace on my right hand because that is the worst one, but my left is close behind. Yes BOTH HANDS! And I take alot of ibuprofen throughout the day. I need a longterm fix! I am ergonomic and have cut my time on the computer to bare bones! But even everyday things are killing me.

Any advice??????


Tim

[Beegs]

I think a keyboard of this type: http://www.ergopro.com/index.cfm?obj...etails&pID=190 would help very much. Worth a try for sure. Good luck!

[64BeachBum]

I was/am in the same boat as you. I never really was a computer user until Winter 2001. I went from 0 computer skills/use to working 20 hrs a week at a helpdesk along with hours of late night programming while in college. Carpal Tunnel hit me hard and fast in both wrists along with Ulnar Tunnel syndrome in both elbows. i didnt have the surgery, but I did go to physical therapy. The therapy sorta helped but not really. What found to help the pain initially was wearing the braces while i slept. Its takes some getting used to, and if bad enough you make wake up with numbess, but it allows the area to be immobilized and reduce inflamation. I now work full time on the computer and I too do not want surgery. I have found that being ergonomic helps a lot. In my case I keep the keyboard flat and streched out in front as far as possible. i also use a lazer mouse with no mousepad, which reduces the need to "jimmy" the mouse back and forth to get the mouse lined up. And the biggest thing for me is over all excersise of my arms, i have found that when i get flare ups, some basic weight lifting/arm strenghtning relieves the pain within a couple days.
I hope this helps you or least lets you know you're not alone. I'm only 27 and sometimes the aches and pains I feel in my wrists/arms makes me feel like i'm 87. Good Luck!

[syborg tt]

okay i'll try to type it here. I had (yes had) carpal tunnel in both hands. Let me give you some background on me. My degree's are in personal training and sports rehab post therapy. I no longer work in the field but i still do some consulting.

Here is what a very good PT Occupational Therapist taught me and yes it actually worked

1. You need to small buckets (1 gallon size)

2. Fill Bucket #1 half way up with ice cold water, then put in at least 3 inches of ice

3. Fill Bucket #2 with Warm (not hot) water

4. Stick bad hand in Bucket 1 for at least 1-2 minutes (longer is better if you can stand the cold. I worked up to 5 minutes)

5. Remove hand from Bucket 1 and stick it in bucket #2 for 5 minutes (water should actually feel hot since the last bucket was so darn cold)

6. Repeat this process 3 times.

7. You need to do this in the morning, when you return home from work and prior to going to bed.

It took about 4 weeks before i started feeling almost nomal again. The other thing you need to do is talk with a therapist about wrist flexion / extension and abduction / adduction. You would be amazed at all the little things you do in your life that compound the problem.

shoot me a pm and i'll send you my number and i'll try to expain the theory as to why this therapy works

[rockdogz]

On this topic, I've been having some pain in the wrist and just got this mouse: http://www.evoluent.com/vmouse2.html.

I really like it so far... it just made sense for me because whenever my wrist hurt while I was mousing I would straighten it out like you were shaking hands. This mouse keeps your hand in that position all the time.

[BC69]

Thanks for thie tips guys. I went to a doctor on campus today and got a referral to an occupational therapist in the city. He also mentioned that part of the problem could be caused from pinching the nerves on my upperback/shoulders from hunching over a laptop or computer alot. Then he said I had tendonitis signs as well, so he wants to go to the occupational therapist and if it doesnt improve go to the specialist.

Thanks for the tips, I will def be trying them out and upgrading even more ergonomically. If only my office would too!!

Thanks

Tim

[rockdogz]

Hey Tim, I think your office has to accommodate you with some ergo equipment if you don't already have it there - does anyone know if that's true? People where I work complained and they got keyboard trays, keyboards, mice, etc. From what I learned helping them to be installed is that you need to have your wrists higher than your fingers when you type. I went to a split keyboard a couple of years ago and that helped as well.