cut off my wrists?

krizno_02 · 07-11-2003, 08:09 AM

I'm a 22 year old computer techie, i've been using computers since I was 5 years old, not only do I love computers but I rely on my computer work at home for my income. this last year my wrists have been hurting really bad. Just this last week the pain is getting to me, and I am actually stopping to think about it. here are my symptoms:

a continuous numb type pain around the inner wrists towards the thumb and down towards the index finger, as though the wrists and part of the hands were just hit very hard with a baseball bat a few times.

sharp pains in each fist two fingers (index and middle), both sides of wrists, and tendions as far as half way up my forarms. It is random and not as noticable I guess often because everything is more numb.

The two tendions in each wrist hurt to touch even softly. they hurt about half way up the forarm. One in each arm is much thicker then the other (the one closest the thumb) and they both feel tight and swollen.

No matter how I position my hands when typing or clicking my mouse I feel pain, with each sentence I type, and each click of my mouse.

Now, here's the problem. I don't have medical insurance or the money to see a doctor, I have just applied to medical insurance and should get it in about 1-2 months from now.

What I need to know is if this is carpotunnel or tendinitis, and also, can I live with it? I can deal with the pain if I have to, but if the numbin is going to get to the point where I can't hold things, or the tendions break or something, then I need to know lol. So any information anyone can give is greatly appreciated. if I can't use my computer anymore, my lifelong hobbie, and career is over. let me know,

Chris

trishalynn · 07-11-2003, 12:36 PM

HI CHRIS,IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU DO HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL AND TENDONITIS.I'M SORRY ABOUT YOUR PAIN I GO THROUGH THE SAME THING EVERY DAY AND I HAD THE SURGERIES.TRY ICING BOTH HANDS FOR ABOUT 15 MIN.DON'T ICE TOO LONG OR YOU WILL HURT THE NERVES AND TISSUES.TRY GOING TO A DR.S OFFICE THAT HAS A SLIDING FEE ON YOUR INCOME,OR FIND A ORTHO.DR.THAT HAS THE SAME,YOU REALLY NEED TO GET THIS LOOKED AT BECAUSE THE LONGER IT GOES MORE NERVE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR.IT'S FUSTERATING I KNOW,TRY TO HANG IN THERE,I'VE WANTED TO CUT MY WRISTS OFF EVERY DAY TO BUT CHRIS WE DO NEED THEM.I'M HERE FOR YOU IF YOU EVER WANT TO TALK AND VENT.
HANG IN THERE-TRISH

krizno_02 · 07-14-2003, 11:41 AM

Hi trish,

I took about two days break from my computer so im not in as much pain atm

i've been thinking of ways I could continue to use my computer without typing or clicking the mouse. One thing I could do if I absolutly had to is hold two little pencils and use the eraser ends to push the keys. now I have to figure out the mouse.. I think their is some kind of pen mouse..hmm. well I am going to go see a doctor soon, and until then try and stay off my computer as much as possible. one thing I don't understand though is.. if you guys all have carpotunnel and what not so bad how are you typing on your computers still without it getting worse? I'll let you know how things work out, thanks trish for your help,

Regards,

Chris

laif · 07-17-2003, 12:52 AM

Chris - my theory about these issues is that most computer peripherals such as the mouse and the keyboard are only a couple decades old... and are still being developed...

You speak of wrist strain - there's a physics problem with how a mouse interacts with the hand... The forces throughout the hand compound on one point right at the inside of the wrist.Think of how the hand is formed in a radial fashion. All the fingers are arches - and all the arches meet at the wrist... Everyone knows how powerful
archways are - Arches are the most touted architectural innovation of the Roman Empire - but arches, indeed,
illustrate forces coming to bear upon them...

I have found that an important habit with a mouse in hand, is that the forearm ought to be laying on a table or desktop if one is going to use the mouse all day.

If you are concientious to create a workspace where this is your daily routine - you will immediately find your wrist will see a betterment...

Although, certainly one ought to indeed give one's wrists a break for awhile... as you have suggested.
You might do well to find yourself an external touchpad to plug into your computer.

[This message has been edited by laif (edited 07-19-2003).]

laif · 07-19-2003, 01:03 PM

Chris...
Another suggestion

Keyboards also differ, in many ways... and you might try out several different ones.
Whereas, I, personally, have long romanticized about the art of keyboard which gives a spongy or rubbery feel to the keys as my fingers tap away...; however, I honestly, in practice have found that the hundreds or thousands of keystrokes each day I do, require too much finger muscle force, compounded over the minutes and hours at the screen. Sore finger muscles are the observed result with these elegant springy keyboards.

I would suggest you start looking through garage sales, this summer for a good old clickety clack keyboard.
Such boards require far less fingerpower on the keys.