Bridget E. Wilde ([info]bewilde) wrote,
@ 2008-05-10 17:52:00
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Current mood: tired
Current music:KAT-TUN

wrist update
Sorry not to post sooner, my internet was down (someone broke off my connection outside) & didn't have time at work to post. Now that Cox has come and gone, I am once again connected to the world.

Well, the appointment went about as expected. I said, "I think I might have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome." The doctor fiddled around with my hand for a while asking me questions, and said "Yes, you seem to have carpal tunnel syndrome." Color me not surprised. So now there is a referral for a specialist working its way through the system (though who knows how long it will take), and in the meantime I am wearing a wrist brace 24/7 to see if that helps any.

So far its primary effect has been to annoy me, 24/7. And to slow me down at work (though we are also adjusting certain tasks because of that). And to make even the most simple of tasks overly complicated. But since it is keeping me from doing things quickly-but-painfully, I probably shouldn't complain. I'm also going to give yoga a try again, as I've been meaning to do it to get back in shape anyhow. So we'll see where this takes me.

I am going to see how sketching with the brace on works. I have had luck writing with a very loose grip, so for all I know this may add an interesting quality to my sketching... At least I'm hoping.

In a totally unrelated note, the kids are currently watching the video of Robot Carnival that mom and dad recorded off of TV back in the Clinton years. It is vastly entertaining, because all of the commercials are still there (including one featuring President Clinton, hence the dating). O how times have changed in just a decade or so...




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[info]kittytreats
2008-05-11 02:19 am UTC (link)
Hope your wrist won't give you a lot of problems. I always hear it kinda comes and goes.

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Carpel Tunnel
[info]wildduck7
2008-05-12 07:05 am UTC (link)
I have had it for about 15 yrs. Got it from typing at MVD 8 to 10 hrs a day on a key board that was set up to high.

If your doctor recommends surgery run away as fast as you can. I have had several friends some who also worked at MVD who had the surgery. They said they would not do it if they had to do it over again. Not much relief and some were worse after. Unless they have new techniques I would avoid surgery. I chose not to have it. I don't have trouble with drawing but do have problems with writing with a pencil or pen. It is actually easier and faster to type. Also my writing go worse then it was before. Sometimes have trouble writing my name and I have had little pain in several years. How?

The wrists bands do work if you have a good one. Also noticed with it on it keeps more warmth on the wrist. So heat must also help. Wrist pads on the dest in front of key board also help as does lowering your key board. If I have to type a lot I put my keyboard on my lap which puts my wrist at a less negative angle. Take frequent brakes and exercise or stretch your fingers. Also working out with a funcky squishy hand ball called a Isoflex or other such names. Big 5 is where i found mine I think.
the main thing is when you sleep. Do your hands fall alseep and feel paralized when you first wake. That was pretty scary to me. Just wondering what I would do if I woke to a fire and couldn't use my hands. I discovered that there is a position you can learn to sleep in that gives your wrist relief. It not only stops the falling asleep but also seems to help to have much less pain. In fact since I started doing this I have had very little problem with pain since.

When you sleep cross your arms in an X postition in front of your chest,whether you sleep on your back or side. This puts your wrists just below your chin and to either side of your shoulder on your chest. This keeps them in a nuetral position that is straight and doesn't flex so there is no pressure on those nerves. After awhile it becomes do natural you don't even have to think about it. If I find I am again having falling asleep hands I go back to sleeping in the position. Immediate relief.

P.S. there are different wrist bands. A friend gave me a band that has no metal or plastic braces in it but works by elastic only. it has a loop hole where my thumb goes in then fits over the wrist and arm. I haven't been able to locate one like it and it is wearing out. Haven't tried the hard brace types. If they work let me know which kind works. I might have to replace mine with one.

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Re: Carpel Tunnel
[info]wildduck7
2008-05-12 07:10 am UTC (link)
Should also have said that my wrist band wraps around the wrist then velcro's shut. So I can adjust how tight or lose.

Also Happy Mother's Day. Hope you had a nice day. Do give grandma a call and take the kids to see her. she gets lonely and needs encouraging.

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