I have a serious hands problem, need advice.

[surrealchereal]

It started about a week ago, at work the keyboard is on the desk and it is at home too. I have always felt better with it lower, but I haven't been able to modify my desk. Then at work my hands started to swell, across both sets of knuckles, and got red. Now if I touch the keyboard or mouse, they swell dramatically in less type time than what I have typed here. If I go on a little longer it goes up my arm. What am I gonna do? I''m on the keyboard all day! It's part of my job, if its not to input data, I'm doing research on the net. now the board is in my lap, but its not helping. I've tried standing, sitting different levels and positions. I have to pay attention to this I think, any one else ever have a problem? Or surely some opinions. ouch,

[Cygnus-X1]

wow that sucks, have you seen a Doctor yet?
I usually get a pain in the neck... and that is from playing games http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum17/HTML/002560.html

[Warthog]

You should definatly see a doctor.

Warthog

[TechJumper]

My mother is a dentist- a job that requires her hand to be in on position all day long. About 7 years ago she began suffering from a sever pain and swelling in her hand. The pain seemed to 'shock' her when she would touch a sensative spot. The pain soon began shooting up her arm to her back.

Recently, a doctor has informed my mom she may be suffering from Arthritis, a special type of arthritis that occurs in primarily women. This type begins when women reach the age of 40 or so and can be mistaken for many different things.


I felt compelled to write this as your self-diagnosis is remarkably similar to my mothers, perhaps there is some connection?
To tell you the truth, discovering it was arthritis was somewhat of a relief. We are now aware of several treatment options that do not involve expensive and risky surgery.


I would recommend visiting a hand therapist. These people SPECIALIZE in hands and how they work. A hand therapist is the person that finally 'cracked' the code of pain in my mothers hand- perhaps they will do the same for you...

Good luck,


Michael Morelli

[surrealchereal]

Not yet but you're right sucks big time. OK, this is what I needed some comments other than ice and no keyboard, ever...
Oh and as to the neck pain... Dude, shrugs!
heavy ones. Pulls out the kinks and works em! best fix you can do.. worked for me I been there. I don't have a life either, taking suggestions as to that pain too. Especially if I end up having to save the keyboard time for work..

[RobRich]

Perhaps you have similar problem as myself. If so, then welcome to the wonderful world of carpal tunnel syndrome. Even at my supposedly relatively young age of 20, I already suffer from the first stages of this degenerative condition. Spasms, serious pain, swelling, stiffness, and a variety of other problems associted with the hands can be results attributable to cts. I am currently taking steps to reduce the propogation of cts. I have moved to larger keyboards with lower placement points, thus reducing the strain upon my arms, wrists, and hands. This has been the best solution so far for me, sound familiar?

As my condition increases in severity over the next few years, I will be looking forward to possibly surgery to "clean" the nerve canals of my wrists to improve motor coordination and response. At my current rate, it appears I may have to resort to wrist supports while typing at the computer within the upcoming months.

Possible solutions can include moving your keyboard's placement, migrating to an egronomic-style board, changing office desk/chair, and/or obtaining wrist supports to properly align your hands while typing.

Any rate, get to the doctor now! Whatever condition you are suffering from will likely have serious impact on your long-term future as a computer worker. Think positive, as minor cases of arthritis or even cts can generally be treated with engronomics in conjuntion a standard anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuproffen or other n-saids.

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[This message has been edited by RobRich (edited 03-25-2001).]

[Gutter Ball]

Yowch...hopefully it's not carpel tunnel syndrome :/ Let us know the diagnosis..

[surrealchereal]

Robert, this is what my concern is, as to the key board may I ask what you are using? Mine started with the mouse, tonight I can't even bear to touch it,, I'm sure the fact that I become so engrossed, I loose all time doesn't help. The fact that it is my social life, as well as needed for monetary reward, well to quote the board.. "sucks". I live in a Huge City (LA dude) and don't know anyone. It's kept me reasonably sane. The other reason I am up for any "get a life" ideas.

PS.. they may not be old people get a life ideas, that's the problem! I am not going to hang with people my age that act their age! What fun is that??

[RobRich]

I generally used slightly larger boards with somewhat oversized keys. Lately, I've been using a cheap WinBest model for my primary computer. It features a minimal incline with good key placement. As for size, it is slightly smaller than the old XT boards popular during the 80's. I picked this board up through a local shop after going in a actually trying a several different brands/models.

I recommend trying a similar scenario. Even Staples usually has several boards readily accessable on the display rack. You may even find a true engronomic keyboard to be your best bet. I can not efficiently utilize the split-key design, but many seem to prefer these boards while typing for hours on end.

As for the mouse, I haven't noted any concerns in this area. Could be that I'm a avid keyboard user, thus my mouse sets stationary the majority of the time. Again, I believe an egronomic model would potentially best suit your needs, such as the lastest offerings from MicroSoft or LogiTech.

For more information, just type the words "computer egronomics" into any search engine. This topic has gained so much attention over the past few years that it now has its own infrastructure within both the computer design and medical industries.

Robert Richmond

[surrealchereal]

mmmmm, wow Robert, you don't how many years I have looked for a keyboard like the old ones. sigh, Used one about 1980 to 83 till it got sick and died. I think it was a DEC. My brother in law worked for HP and has a beaut. He hides it when I'm in town. I think I better hit the computer fair. It's tomorrow. As for those funny business boards.. Hey I'm a purist! "Or my tatoo's ain't got no color but black, en my keyboard ain't gonna have no waves! It just ain't natural.

[This message has been edited by surrealchereal (edited 03-25-2001).]

[BFlurie]

Surreal, probably need to see a specialist. In the meantime, you can buy wrist-braces that limit the wrist movement, or raising the keyboard level (or sitting lower). Are you doing anything else that aggravates it? My wrists have been so bad in the past that I'd wake up in agony, my wrist-pain radiating all the way to my elbows & then shoulders. But I could almost always attribute it to hard, physical outside work.
The swelling is fluid retention that aggravates carpal-tunnel very much 'cause the fluid-pressure pushes against the nerve-tunnels. Might try diuretics (fluid pills), but again, I'm no doctor.

[This message has been edited by BFlurie (edited 03-25-2001).]

[justy]

Sounds like R.S.I. ( repetitive strain injury ).

I first heard about this syndrome years ago, its supposed to be very common amongst people using keyboards for long periods at a time. I've never known someone with it, but I've heard a lot of reports from others that claim they have.

Here, I believe it is actually classed as an industrial injury.

Hope this helps a little.

All the best, Justy.

[surrealchereal]

Again, thanks for the great tips and stuff.
BF, I'm used to the pain with the physical labor, heh heh my hands start complaining if I look at a paint brush or a shovel. Justy you gave me a thought, because when I type, I type like I drive, fast and aggressively. I bet one of those wave key boards like Robert and I discussed might help, I'd slow me down and change the way I come into contact with it... Gotta lighten up too.
Thanks neighbors

[thekingofpain]

Many different design keyboards are available here: http://www.infogrip.com/category_vie...ption=keyboard you may find one more suitable to your workplace, I like the BAT personal k/b myself...thought of voice recognition???
What do ya mean you "dont know anyone"? hmph...

[surrealchereal]

What do ya mean you "dont know anyone"? hmph...

Oh Yeah! Right! The only problem is your so attractive, smart, AND funny! If I started hangin' with you toooo much I might have to forget you have a girlfriend ..then make you forget. ... heh heh heh I'd declare "open season" on TKOP!