Carpal tunnel - suggestions / advice please?

[warp9]

Hi. I've got pains in my right wrist and elbow, which I have self diagnosed as carpal tunnel. Yes I know I should go to the doctors for some proper advice (and stop masturbating so vigoursly...), but what I'm after is some advice on either how better to use my PC mouse (as that's what I think has been causing it) or is there an alternative to the mouse e.g. light pen that might help?

Thanks.

[Antonia]

Use your left hand.

[grumbledoak]

Posture is key. Make sure your chair is at the right height so your arm is under no strain. You should be able to relax and flop your hand onto the desk.

Also, "Wrist rests" are misnamed, you should not be resting your carpal tunnel on anything.

As to curing it if you've already got it, no idea I'm afraid.

[The_Doc]

warp9 said:

Hi. I've got pains in my right wrist and elbow, which I have self diagnosed as carpal tunnel. Yes I know I should go to the doctors for some proper advice (and stop masturbating so vigoursly...), but what I'm after is some advice on either how better to use my PC mouse (as that's what I think has been causing it) or is there an alternative to the mouse e.g. light pen that might help?

Thanks.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome gives you altered sensation in the index, middle and half of ring finger of the hand. NOT the symptoms you describe... Be very careful of self diagnosis.

[Speedracer329]

From what you say I don't think you have Carpal Tunnel.

I have this, & it manifests itself as tingling in the fingers, or numbness, or pain, or all three. It can send shooting pains up to your elbow, & usually is worse if your arm is bent, which can trap or put pressure on the median nerve.

Self diagnosis is dangerous, you should see your doctor.



Edited for spooling.

[Brigand]

I got a dose of CTS last December, and it was horrible. I believe it was down to the way I was holding the mouse on my PC at the time, I was lodging for a few months and had no desk to work at, so I'd lie on bed, monitor by my feet, keyboard on lap and mouse beside me.
After a while, my wrist would ache, and eventually, one day when standing up from sitting on the floor, I pushed myself up with my hands as you normally do, and my right arm went totally dead.

The skin went white, I lost all feeling in the whole arm, and all the flailing I could do wouldn't get the blood flowing again. I was about to go upstairs and get my landlord to take me to A&E when finally the blood got going again.

For a good few weeks afterwards I had tingling & numbness in my fingertips, and whenever I got cold, my fingertips would go numb until warm again.

It was only after talking about it with a mate at work who had a similar thing happen that I knew what it was, I thought I had just pinched a nerve in my shoulder or something.

If it is CTS you have, then do what you can to improve posture and the way you rest your arms / wrists at the desk, since I got proper pads to rest on, I've had no further issues thankfully.

Edited by Brigand on Friday 26th August 07:21

Edited by Brigand on Friday 26th August 07:21

[tonyvid]

Antonia said:

Use your left hand.

I taught myself to do this, I can use a mouse in either hand and it really helps!

Not tried left-handed wking yet though....

[Brigand]

tonyvid said:

I taught myself to do this, I can use a mouse in either hand and it really helps!

Not tried left-handed wking yet though....

That was the only reason I learned to use the mouse left-handed!