How to deal with Carpal tunnel / Tennis Elbow / RSI?

[theratman]

Morning chaps,

I've been struggling with the above for a few months now and it's only getting worse.
It started as a slight pain on the outside of my hand, moved to the wrist and now my forearm muscle and the one below the forearm are in continuous pain from mouse use and typing. I've been to doctors, physios, massages, done streches, micro breaks, posture changes etc and none of it has helped for more than a week or so. I'm considering getting an injection directly into the muscle just for some temporary relief. My job requires a lot of mouse work and I also do alot of private work after hours. I've cut down on the after hours work but it hasn't changed the pain.

Does anyone who had something similar have any recommendations or advice? Don't want to keep popping pain pills twice a day as they make me sleepy and unproductive. Thanks guys. (/waits for stop fapping joke)

 

[rrh]

I had something similar, but nowhere near as bad.

My chiropractor recommended a course of injections (homeopathic ) plus some simple exercises that cured the problem within a couple of weeks.

You might also consider investigating / investing in a mouse designed for carpal tunnel sufferers.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Stop fapping

My mom had it. Only way she ended up getting relief was surgery.

 

[Messugga]

If it's properly carpal tunnel, you can have a carpal tunnel release done. They make a small incision in the muscles, allowing them to stretch.
Very good results but with a bit of a long recovery time.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Change the tools you use.

Chair + chair height, keyboard, mouse. Table height. These all impact it.
You're feeling the results now.

Think ergonomically. Stop treating the symptoms*, fix the cause.

*Well, do treat them, but focus more on preventing them from occurring..

 

[chromedome]

I learned to use my left hand for the mouse so can alternate between left and right, at home I use a trackball and mouse.

 

[theratman]

Change the tools you use.

Chair + chair height, keyboard, mouse. Table height. These all impact it.
You're feeling the results now.

Think ergonomically. Stop treating the symptoms*, fix the cause.

*Well, do treat them, but focus more on preventing them from occurring..

I've tried new mouse, supportive mouse pad, chairs etc A trackball would possibly be an option though. The issue as far as I can tell is me keeping my arm straight and moving my wrist left and right all day, it's that muscle group that's painful. It's not extreme pain, perhaps 4/10 going to 6/10 at the end of the day.

Doctors don't seem to understand carpal tunnel or rsi and my next step would be a specialist I guess.

I learned to use my left hand for the mouse so can alternate between left and right, at home I use a trackball and mouse.

I've been trying that but my productivity does to absolute carp with my lefty

 

[itareanlnotani]

You've probably done this already, but read the basic tips here - http://www.rsiprevention.com/rsi_prevention.php

Again, seating / posture is most important. Take breaks.

 

[itareanlnotani]

This is also good - https://henrikwarne.com/2012/02/18/how-i-beat-rsi/

Again, emphasis is cause not symptoms - "In the hindsight, it feels pretty obvious that you should treat the cause and not the symptom (just like when fixing bugs)."

 

[chromedome]

I'm a lefty, so it wasn't to difficult, the trackball really made a big difference though as it cut down on the wrist movement.

 

[halfmoonforever]

weed, lots and lots of weed

 

[bigboy529]

Table and chair hight plus posture is almost more important than any type of special mouse / keyboard / mouse pad. Get yourself a wrist brace which will force you to keep your wrist straight, it will teach you to start using your elbow for the movement rather than your wrist.

 

[theratman]

Thanks, I tried a crappy wrist brace but it made it worse. Likely because it was crap. Is there a special type of doctor I could see? Orthopedic surgeon perhaps?

 

[Grimspoon]

Try some cannabis oil for pain relief.

 

[theratman]

Try some cannabis oil for pain relief.

I wish.

 

[airborne]

I learned to use my left hand for the mouse so can alternate between left and right, at home I use a trackball and mouse.

This works, if I couldn't use both hands for the mouse my dominant right hand would be broken by now , felt weird for the first few days/weeks but your left hand gets used to it and then masters it. Im totally ambidextrous mouse wise now, very very helpful skill.

 

[theratman]

Thanks,think I'm going to go this route for now . I'm ambidextrous already but will work the entire day tomorrow left handed. Will report back.

 

[HavocXphere]

I had it briefly. Learned to use mouse with left hand. Reduced computer usage. Elevated elbow arm - specifically so that wrist is off table...i.e. exact opposite of where the gel pads tend to be...support was @middle of wrist and elbow.

Don't want to keep popping pain pills twice a day as they make me sleepy and unproductive. Thanks guys. (/waits for stop fapping joke)

Transact plasters overnight. Cut the plaster in half, pop it on before bed, cut the toes off an old sock and use that as a sleeve to keep it in place overnight. (Stupid plasters don't stick well). Quite powerful painkillers, but obviously local. Pretty pricey (hence cut in half).

Could also try a vertical mouse. Never use one myself

 

[Swa]

Q10. Haven't used it personally but some people report having relieve from arthritic like symptoms. It's like an anti-oxidant/lubricant and there's some evidence a deficiency can cause inflammation. You're not on Statin medication by any chance?

Stop fapping

My mom had it. Only way she ended up getting relief was surgery.

You have any idea how these two statement together sound?

 

[dunkyd]

Try Piroxicam, cheap as chips.