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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-03-2006, 12:56 PM (1 of 15)
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Has anyone tried the wrist support you can use when working on the computer? My right wrist is screaming in pain all the way to my elbow. Any solutions?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Dustbunny01
Date: 04-03-2006, 01:17 PM (2 of 15)
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I have one that is built into my mouse pad, made by kennsington sports, I think I bought it at Staples 3 or 4 years back, and mine is still going strong. My mouse pad is made out of plastic stuff, and not cloth. but the wrist support is out of cloth, and about 1/5" thick gel. but it did cost about $15.00 for it. I love it and would never give it up. ( I am not sure you can find one like it anymore, but I have seen them close to what I have.. I thank the Pad is cloth.. You may need to buy a wrist support( found at walmart in the Pharmacy) use the one that has a metal brace on the underside... You sure don't want to end up with CT. :( DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159 
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From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 04-03-2006, 02:06 PM (3 of 15)
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How far away from the keyboard is the mouse? Is it lower or higher than the keyboard? I find that if I have to stretch too far to reach the mouse it really aggravates it. (my wrist, not the mouse!)
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 04-03-2006, 07:51 PM (4 of 15)
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Mary, here is a link to some Office Ergonomics Info (http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/ergo_office.html). It may help you determine whether there are some changes that you can do to your computer workspace to help improve things. Also, I have had wrist problems for many years but since my job is working in informatics I have no choice but to use a mouse and computer all day. For the past two years now, I have been using a vertical mouse - AirO2Bic (or Aerobic Mouse). It has taken the stress off my wrist and I wouldn't use anything else. You use your arm not your wrist to move it and it is a gripless mouse - recommended by the Arthritis Association. It was originally called the Quill mouse but now is called the AirO2Bic Mouse or sometimes "Aerobic" Mouse depending on who you talk to. It can be purchased in Canada at ErgoCanada in Saskatechwan (AirO2Bic Mouse (http://www.ergocanada.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=Mouse_Vertical&cart_id=1518196.24066). I have just the mouse and the mat - don't need the software bundle. Hope some of this helps. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 04-03-2006, 10:14 PM (5 of 15)
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Get a wrist support with a metal splint that will move your hand backwards. (sounds bad but is actually good for the carpal tunnel symptoms you're having). Make sure you sit ABOVE your desk, so that your hands hang down while you type. Try a different mouse. (mines am Optimouse. NO trac ball). I had carpal tunnel surgery 23 yrs ago. (before it was 'discovered'). I had all the therapies, none worked. After the surgery I've never had a problem. ( I was a cake decorator at the time and I kept it up for 16 more yrs. Till the arthritis got me...). Do hand exercises....move your hand back and forth, do the 'live long and prosper' sign from Star Trek. (move all your fingers that way)count your fingers with your thumb. Take motrin, aspirin, whatever NSAID's you can take. Rest your hand as much as possible. (I still do hand exercises....twirling something between your fingers helps too.) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 04-04-2006, 04:59 PM (6 of 15)
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Mary you could also have tendonitis. I thought I was developing capal tunnel syndrome but when I went to the doctor, he did x-rays, etc., all the tests for carpal tunnel, and ended up treating me for tendonitis. I occasionally have flairups when I've spent endless hours at my keyboard here in my office doing legal briefs. I have two different hand braces that I wear, one for daytime and I can actually type with it on, and the other one with the metal piece in the palm of the hand to sleep in. I also take Naproxen for inflammation when I have flareups. Asper Creme is my best friend and has been for a long time. I rub it into my hands and wrists every night before I go to bed and it seems to keep the tendonitis flareups at a minimum. I haven't had a flareup for over a year now. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MaryW
Date: 04-04-2006, 05:59 PM (7 of 15)
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Thanks everyone. I got a gel support but pain persists. I may have to take a hiatus (sp?) I have Asper Creme too, I will try that. This sucks big time!!!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 04-04-2006, 06:07 PM (8 of 15)
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http://cmo-inc.com/WebArt/PDFs/Wrist18_19.pdf Mary, here is a page from the catolag from the company that I worked for when it was here in town. Anything in the beige neoprene are just some of the products that I used to make. I would pick the Deluxe cock-up split over the Carpal-Lock, just becuase it give better support. The phone number for ordering is in the lower right hand corner. If you or anyone want to order from them, tell them you where sent by a former employee in Ohio. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Sancin
Date: 04-04-2006, 06:46 PM (9 of 15)
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For those of you who use Aspercreme you should try any creme with Capsaisin in it. Capsaisin is derived from red peppers and not only relieves the local pain, it does something to the nerve pathways to the brain, eventually relieving the pain all together. This is an interesting product and worth googling to check it out. I warn you that it is expensive, if you can find it. Ask your pharmacist. It stings like mad if you get it on any mucus membrane like the eye, mouth or elsewhere, but there are plenty of warnings on the products. It comes in a variety of brands - A535 being one - mixed with other things. At present I am using a product bought in a health food store that is Emu oil and Capsaisin. I rub it onto my thumb joints at night by rubbing one joint onto the other thus not getting any onto the tips of my fingers. I believe most products have 0.05% Capsaicin in them. Mary, are you sure you don't need to ice your wrists for a bit each day to take the swelling down? And to take an antiinflammatory like Ibuprofen? Whatever it is it sounds like you do need to rest your wrist(s) either by not using it or by a brace. If you decide to get a brace, make sure you try it on first for comfort. I have found the best braces at medical-surgical supply houses vs drug stores as the clerks seem to know more. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: bluebirdie
Date: 04-04-2006, 08:33 PM (10 of 15)
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Hi Mary As an antique female geek, I know a few things from decades old wrist pain. Here're a few things that worked for me. Use the gel mouse pad. Rest the wrist when it hurts. Like others already said, posture when typing/sewing is important. Switch the mouse to the other hand for a few years. If preferred, switch the mouse button setting on your computer to help the migration (right-handed vs left-handed). Wear a wrist protection at all times when you use your wrist (sewing, typing, mousing, etc). Find one that's stiff around the wrist. If you can't find one, make one for yourself. I used to spend a fortune on these. Now I make better ones than store-bought. Do not let your wrist gets the cold. The list goes on. But all remedy takes time. It never goes away. It only gets better if taken care of. Good luck! - Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 04-05-2006, 10:06 AM (11 of 15)
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I have seen cock up splints used for wrist sprains/pain that worked well. It basically keeps in in an upright position.
Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 04-06-2006, 01:56 AM (12 of 15)
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I use a gel pad at work, it was hard to get used to but I quite like it. I haven't found any problems with my wrists at the computer, and I work with them at work as well. But ICE,ice and more ice on that wrist Mary!! Frozen peas or corn work great too, but don't think of cooking them once you've thawed and refrozen them!! I have had that type of flareup with the Rheumatoid Arthritis I have in my joints. It is like someone sticking a red hot knife into your joint and twisting it - it is so painful. My sympathies to you!! Plus the antiinflamatories like Ibuprofen or Advil. Asprin doesn't cut it! If it's bad enough or often enough, get a prescription for something stronger Naproxen or another NSAID.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: swartzrn
Date: 04-06-2006, 12:20 PM (13 of 15)
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I feel so sorry for anybody with rheumatoid arthritis. My dad has it I just know. He didn't meet all of the criteria for actually being diagnosed with it but it's been several years since he's been tested. I have seen his hands hurt so badly that he was almost in tears and it breaks my heart. He has taken the over the counter NSAIDS until several years ago when he had a TIA (mini stroke with no lasting effects) and then he was put on Plavix to keep his blood from clotting in hopes of preventing another TIA or stroke. He has been terrified to take any of the nsaids with the plavix. He's taking celebrex now and has had pretty good results. Before that he was on VIOXX (prior to the TIA) and had it changed after the Merck thing came out about VIOXX. He was equally worried about Celebrex after the vioxx issues came out but decided that he'd rather take the small risk with the celebrex than not even be able to sign his name to a check because his hands hurt so badly. So far so good with the celebrex though but he still has his moments with it.. And for the record--I think frozen foods make THE best ice packs!! Julie
"To see the future, look into a child's eyes." |
User: swartzrn
Member since: 02-17-2006 Total posts: 436
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From: wghmch
Date: 04-07-2006, 12:35 AM (14 of 15)
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Solve the problem once and for all as I did Mary. Buy a cordless Track ball mouse and just sit back with the mouse on your upper leg. I use the one where the track ball is operated by your thumb, and my hand doesn't have to move at all until I need to set it down to type. About once a month a request for a new battery comes up on the screen and I pop in a new AA and it's as good as new. My problem was at least as bad as you described and it's now gone completely. It took me about an hour to totally adapt to it, and I will never go back. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 04-07-2006, 07:39 AM (15 of 15)
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Bill, I had the same problem with my wrist but also have problems with my thumbs...osteoarthritis in the joint closest to my wrist. I even started "mousing" with my left hand for 7 years and the osteo is even worse in that hand. I have shortening in the tendons which is gradually pulling my thumb out of the joint and I will have to have surgery to fuse the joint. With my right hand if I use a regular mouse for more than 10 minutes causes my wrists and thumbs to start aching. That is why I now use the AirO2bic mouse. I don't have to grip the mouse and my hand sits in the hand rest. I wouldn't use anything else!
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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