Just went to the DOC for my hand problems

[yomama]

Well, I just thought I would pass this on and get some comments from you. I went to the doc due to some hand problems that I have developed. I have some pain in the pinky side of my hand and forearm and also in the thumb side of my hand and forearm. It started in the right hand (form the mouse) and then when I switched the mouse to the left hand it has started there as well. I was very nervously hoping that it was not carpal tunnel. Well, he tapped my underside of the wrist and said that I don’t have carpal tunnel but that I might have some problems with the radial(thumb side) and ulnar nerve (pinky) and that since its work related he cant treat it.

Im kinda relieved that its probably not CTS but he said that what I may have is not good either. Have any of you dealt with this??? It would be great to hear some stories especially if you know what I have from personal experience because I may have to wait awhile to see the doc from work. I have a wrist brace, is there anything else that I can be doing in the meantime? You know how those kinds of things go.

[Theophylact]

since its work related he cant treat it

What's your work? Sometimes a minor change in style can help. (I'm surprised he said that, anyway; lots of work-related problems are treatable. Maybe you need a more engaged/empathetic/knowledgable doctor.)

[yomama]

Let me clarify

He said i would have to go through workers comp. So he was not declining to treat it just that i would have to have it worked on by other doc's.

Even though, you are right. He was a bit quick on his assesment and could have given me some advice to go on while i wait to see the doctor from work.

[Knothead]

I read here on the forum, recently. someone (with a similar problem) wrote that a switch from a mouse to a trackball was very beneficial.

Good luck.

[Cruez]

hey yomama, I am having a similar problem also..

After I shattered my wrist....thread

and had the fixator removed, I had pretty much all feeling in my hand....then a couple of weeks ago the right ring finger and pinky have gone numb....the physical therapist thinks it is the ulnar nerve..

I put a lot of weight on my elbow and forearm when I'm on the PC..she told me to get it off the desk and support it....we will see what happens...as of now, it feels like I've almost lost control of those two fingers.

[yomama]

Very similar here Cruez

I could be whats called Guyon's Canal syndrome. I like to play doctor. Mine is not as bad yet. And its funny because it may have started when i put my foearm on the desk after i heard that its better for the wrist while using the mouse. You can keep your wrist straight that way if you picture it.

I need to get this worked on. DO you have pain the wrist or forearm??? What did the PT say regarding fixing the problem?
Thanks

[caddmannq]

One word: Getatrackballmouse. OK, that's maybe 5 words, but it's still the best advice I can offer.

I like the Kensington Expert Mouse (surprise!surprise!) and, no, I don't hold stock in Kensington Microware Ltd.

But I've been clicking this thing for 9 years (well, I wore one out, but they last a long time) and I have no problems. When I have to work on a PC with an ordinary mouse, I suffer nearly immediate discomfort. I don't know how I ever used one of those things.

And I don't know why there isn't a huge class-action suit over the Microsoft Mouse I mean, talk about "deep-pockets!

[Cruez]

I have lots of pain in my wrist....but because It broke .. the rest is just numb and tingly....

The main thing was to keep my elbow and forearm off the desk...or at least not to put pressure on it...(I lean over the desk when I'm on the computer..(I know...bad posture)..

[yomama]

The crazy thing is that I purposely was on my forearm to keep my wrist straight. Previously I had the mouse at the edge of the desk and heard that was not good so I pushed the mouse back and then put my wrist on the desk to straighten things out. That could be the problem.

I did try a one of those track ball mice (mouses?) and it killed my hand. I had the one with the ball in the middle and u have to move your fingers so much that its like constantly typing. Maybe the ones with the ball near the thumb would work better?

Any other experiences? Are there any DOC’s out there with advice?

[bigblue77]

I now use a track ball mouse because of nearly the same symtoms. Haven't had a problem with my wrists since.

Jer

EDIT> This is the first trackball i had and it didn't really help much. But it did help so I knew I was on the right track.

This is the one I have now and it has helped tremendously.