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Thread ID: 38164	2003-09-29 09:06:00	Hand/Wrists Problem,.related 2 computer use	csinclair83 (200)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
178937	2003-09-29 09:06:00	Hey...i've been using computers since I was 12-13 years old, not only do I love computers, its my way of communication (emails etc)...in the last month or so my wrists have started 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 wrist and up towards the index ("pinky") finger, as though the wrists and feels like part of the hands were just hit very hard with a baseball bat a few times. And when i sit to watch tv, i try rub my hands abit and i can feel some clicking in the wrists... 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, but it goes away after abit of rest but still comes back... What I need to know is if this is carpotunnel or tendinitis or even RSI, 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, and also some recommendations on what i could do? or should do? I am asking you guys b4 i do anything, as i'm a student..well going 2 be...and i wanna get this sorted b4 my 3 year computer course starts next year...and also am asking b4 i do nefing coz i dont wanna go to a doctor and find that theres nothing wrong and rest is all thats needed and then pay him $25 to tell me that...	csinclair83 (200)
178938	2003-09-29 10:08:00	Hi C, I've managed to develop RSI (oos etc very similar), and it doesn't go away once you've got it. You are better to manage it now before it gets any worse. Going to the doctor won't help either way, whether you have it or not, since he/she can't do anything about it. Some tips to help: *Alter your mousing hand - swap between hands (it does get easier) *It's worth the investment to buy a natural keyboard (just a cheap one will be fine) *Have a look at your posture, nice str8 back? etc Have a look at www.acc.org.nz for more info.	nicnz (2273)
178939	2003-09-29 10:21:00	Hello there . . . thanks for ur detailed reply . . . just one other thing . . . 2 members of my family, and mums sister have had carpal tunnel thingy . . . . is it something "genetic" like could it be possible i have it? as my symptoms are actually rsi . . . carpal symptoms . . . and u also said not to go to the doctor as cant do nefing about it . . . but on the acc website it says; What should I do? If you think you have an OOS condition: 1 . Visit your general practitioner (GP) Ask for a precise diagnosis . You should be told if you have a localised inflammation, a compression syndrome or a pain syndrome . Chris	csinclair83 (200)
178940	2003-09-29 10:26:00	If you continue to pretend you haven't got it - you will have it for life and it WILL get worse! I met one person who ignored it with panadol for 2 years, was on ACC for 6 months and will now work part-time for life. She is in her 30s. I had it a few years ago in my right wrist, frightened myself horribly, read all I could about it, dealt with it and it's gone. Techniques I used were: - Adjusting computer setup according to documented information (right heights, postures etc) - Mouse pad with wrist support - Wrist support for keyboard - Bought and used a wrist brace for a few weeks - Rested my wrist as much as possible (carried things in other arm, watched TV or read in evening rather than computers) - Homeopathic medicine (can't remember which one - asked for help at the chemist) - Learnt and used more keyboard commands rather than relying on the mouse If the pain hadn't gone in a few weeks the next step would have been doctors and physios. It did go and I learnt to watch for symptoms and deal with them immediately. Haven't had any recurrences for 4 or 5 years now. Don't leave the problem to get worse, long term it's not worth it!	Heather P (163)
178941	2003-09-29 10:31:00	Hello Heather... i cant pretend i dont have it...i dont even know whats wrong.... whats the very first thing i should do? chris	csinclair83 (200)
178942	2003-09-29 10:42:00	to avoid mouse related problems ie repeative micro movements, I use a lot of keyboard shortcuts and a vertical mouse (looks like a joy stick made by 3M) . Hand wrist should form a straight line from elbow to finger tips when hands are placed on the keyboard, monitor should be at eye level ie head not tilted up or down, feet should sit naturally on the ground, also micro pauses and exercises should help ie every 30 minutes take a break and wiggle those fingers or more often if needed . If you use a computer as part of your job and you have pain approach your employer and make them aware of this they should be keen to help you ie It would mean less down time if you had to go on sickness leave because of a work related injury . I would agree and also disagree with nicnz "Going to the doctor won't help either way, whether you have it or not, since he/she can't do anything about it . " sure the doctor may not be able to prescribe anything but I would hope that he/she could suggest techniques that would help you manage the problem . lastly OSH have a lot of information on this maybe pay them a visit	beama (111)
178943	2003-09-29 10:46:00	Hi Chris, >i dont wanna go to a doctor and find that theres nothing wrong and rest is all thats needed and then pay him $25 to tell me that... My suggestion would be to go to the Doctor. 5 years ago I got dumped badly by a wave body boarding and hurt my back. Could barely move for 2 days and the pain gradually lessend over the next week. Right, I think, don't need the doctor on this one - time will cure it. After a month you start to think - well, it's getting better so I won't go. After 6 months you start to feel stupid about going. 2 years later ACC won't cover it. (Incidentally, it finally seems to have come right this year). In July this year I fell off a motorbike and gashed my elbow badly. We were overseas so it was a case of deal with it with first aid and carry on. 6 weeks ago I thought OK, it's not going to be a repeat of the back - Doctor next week without fail! Monday came, my daughter was in a serious car accident and the elbow had to disappear into the background. Last Friday I finally made it to the Doctor (did I mention it still hurts?) and she sent me for xrays. No I hadn't broken anything but her comment was really relevant. If it carries on causing pain then at least it is documented now so that ACC will cover it in the future. My earlier suggestions still stand - just don't leave it too late to get a doctor's opinion.	Heather P (163)
178944	2003-09-29 11:02:00	i tried to use the 3m mouse thing, and it was hard to open programs. how would you play counter-strike?	fus1_n (3818)
178945	2003-09-29 11:15:00	First thing I suggest is straight away make a change to your posture - elbow should be at same level as the mouse, and eyes level with top of the monitor. And definitly go see a doc in case it does become an issue later on.	Greg S (201)
178946	2003-09-29 11:20:00	I'm starting to think along the same lines actually... I don't have a very good setup here in terms of good posture etc, and I'm thinking i need a new desk and chair :-\ I was getting a sore wrist myself up until a few weeks ago, then I discovered a new mouse pad from noel leemings/computer city. It has some big gel support thing for supporting your wrist and is really good. I think the brand is 'Belkin'. So it might pay to check it out - only cost me $20 but could save your arm in the future :) Although now I'm kinda getting a sore arm, (the desk is above me a bit, and my mouse hand is basically at shoulder height). Not good! Any ideas?	PoWa (203)
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