Hello,
I work on a computer all day. By the end of the week I can hardly bear to
move my "clicker" finger and the nearby joints are very painful. I work in
graphic design so I use the mouse more than I type. I've tried naproxen,
acetaminophen, lotions, and a supportive brace but it's not enough. I am on
immuran but so far it is not doing anything for my joints and I don't go back
to the rheum for 2 months. It's a small problem but it is getting to be a real
problem. I'm trying to use key commands more but it slows me down a lot
and hasn't helped enough to be worthwhile. My wrist also becomes very
painful. Anyone have any suggestions?
LakerI wrap my wrists with self sticking ace bandages, the support really helps. I also have a special keyboard that is MUCH smaller than a normal keyboard, it allows my fingers to move less. I have learned to mouse with my left hand but now that one is almost as bad as the right. I just started acupuncture and massage therapy as well to try and get some of the swelling down. I still have to limit my typing/computer time though. I am interested in what others have to say as this is a huge problem for me as well.
Laker I am on the computer a lot also and I make myself stop every hour or so and stretch and exercise my hands, arms, shoulders, neck. Just to get the moving in different directions, cause they can kinda freeze up and hurt if I don't. I look pretty funny doing it, but I don't really care!
At the suggestion of the folks here I recently bought a paraffin wax bath for hands and feet. I LOVE it! It really does help a lot, and if I use it in the evening, my hands are much better the following day.
I use voice recognition software for when my hands are bad. It means you can do everything on your computer verbally if you want. Personally I use it in conjunction with a mouse but I know people who use it on it's own, using verbal commands to control the pointer as well as type. I use Dragon Naturally Speaking version 9.0 Wireless. It was easy to train and pick up the different commands.
Otherwise I agree with everyone else: splints, heat/ice application, alternating hands.
Hope it helps!
Also when you go to the rd ask for lidoderm patches you can cut them down and place them on areas that are hurting. The meds asorb into your skin. 12 hrs on 12 hours off. memeI am *SUCH* a computer addict, I have to almost in tears before I stop playing on the computer. *grins* I know, I have issues!
Definitely the paraffin baths, twice a day. Also, do finger exercises where you tough your thumb to each of your fingers. I use compression gloves that you can get at the pharmacy. These really help. Also, use the wrap around wrist braces that you can get from the office catalog. Some have to use sturdier braces than that but I found them hard to do graphics with. Make sure everything is ergonomically setup and yes, it is a requirement for them to do this with your RA. The position of your monitor, chair, mouse, keyboard are extremely important and having those gel rests.Thank you very much. I am anxious to try these suggestions. I have asked for a different keyboard and mouse but nothing has been done. I think its time to push for that. I had tried a compression glove but it did not have fingers so it was not that helpful except for my thumb - I didn't know you can get them with fingers. Ahhhh... the parafin bath... I don't even care if that helps my joints or not - I want it - it will be warm! My hands are usually purple and so cold from circulation problems. I feel better already! btw, yes, I have attempted mousing with my pinky too! It works pretty well it you have a single click mouse - that is until the pinky gets sore. I suppose the trouble I am having with my right shoulder is part of it too. I have a terrible chair it makes my nerves in my legs go numb unless I have it set very low and then I am at an odd height to work. I hadn't even thought of that. They are great where I work. I should be able to upgrade without much fuss. I see I need to pay more attention to these things. Thanks again.
Laker
Ask to be tested for Raynauds syndrome it seems you have some of the symptoms, cold hands, blue or purple discoloration from circulation etc. Not to be nosey are you a smoker?? That sometimes causes the symptoms too. meme
Something like this would keep your hands warm while typing. My hands get soo cold and painful when I type and my daughter made me a few of these wrist warmers. I still have my fingers free but they are snug enough for a little compression and cozy so my fingers and hands dont' turn blue.
My primary docter diagnosed me with Raynauds a few months ago when I went in for something else and she saw my hands. She wanted to put me on a med for it but I declined since I am on so many already and I figured it would improve when it warms up. But the air con. is quite cold where I work. My fingertips can become painful when it is cold but this doesn't happen often. I have lost my sense of hot/cold in my fingertips too-don't know why. Should I check into this medication?
Laker
Pammy,
My daughter wears fingerless gloves in the house that have a mitten end that flips back because she is always cold. She knits. I'm going to show her your pic. She could make these for both of us. Thank you.
Laker
Laker, absolutely think you should try the other medicine. Do an image search on Raynaurd's and hands. It will show you how bad it can get. That will be your inspiration. Plus, if the medicine helps at all with the pain, it keeps you working and I have a good idea what that means to you.Have you tried a track ball instead of a mouse? Rolling a ball with the thumb seems to help lots of people.
Also I would ask my doc for a script for keyboard and mouse of whatever type might help. Go buy them yourself. Give the script to your boss and ask to have install them today also ask to be reimbursed - should be tax de-ductable for the business. Tell the boss you are tired of hurting.
Thanks, I know you are right and I need to deal with the Raynauds and some of the other problems. There has just been a lot of change in the last few months in my health and it is hard to keep up with it all. I first needed to get past the fatigue to have the energy to work on the rest. I am starting to feel better the last week or so although my joints and nerves are worse. I have to admit there is some denial in me yet as well. Every time I feel better for even a half day I think I will just get better and it will all go away. Then I am so discouraged when it starts up again. My joints get continually worse with no improvement but I think they are not so bad compared to most of you. It is true that my job means a lot to me. It makes me get up in the morning no matter what and is a great distraction so I guess I need to get going on this so I can keep it. Not to mention I need the insurance!
Laker
Yes, I do understand what your job means to you. I am a creative person like you and I so miss doing computer graphics and design. I'm also a writer. I fought really hard to stay as functional and able to work as long as I could. Looking back, I can see that I needed to push harder much sooner for tools and aids that allowed me to not deteriorate.dear Laker, my hands are a constant bother for me. We rely on our fingers for these keyboards AND EVERYTHING!! Here is the keyboard I use (my husband likes it also because he had big hands and fingers and he found he could 'fit on the keys better' also, there is a place to rest your wrists, which is another 'weakness' I have. good luck, and I hope the meds help you. sarah
Laker, you're graphic designer, so when you design a piece of work you find many obsticles unable to finish the work. Sometimes, it is better to re-start from the beginning.
Likewise, if drugs/meds are not very helpful, examine closely on the foods you eat and drink. There are numerous books in the library on foods that are relevant to your problem. Foods can trigger attack if not, aggrevate flare
This is a long term adjustment. I discarded drugs/meds almost 20 years and I focus on herbs and natural foods. I reverse my chronic arthritis and nurture back my health gradually. In each flare, the appropriate herbs can ease pain, 'neutralize', 'coax' and 'change' the disease damaging agents into wastes and dispose them naturally. The disease would lost and decrease its power in each flare until it is powerless to cause any threat.
Only in this way you can command and dictate the disease, not the disease and drugs dictate you.
Good luck in your exploring, searching for a reality in answer.
I can see from your posts that I need to be more proactive in preserving my hands. I think I just hate to admit to myself that I have all these medical problems and how serious they potentially can become, especially since no one else really understands (except maybe my husband. (He keeps pushing me to get a manual car because of my left foot problems- he is sure I am going to stall while shifting and get hit). I keep thinking that if I just can keep going the same as always it will all go away or at least not get worse. Not true I know - today I am down with terrible rib pain - inflammation my dr. says. Feels like a heart attack at first and now just a bad ache. Oh well, back to the couch.
I really appreciate all your help and concern. Thank you.
Laker
One thing is for sure - heavy computer users are going to need their hands and fingers for many years to come. Right?
As a matter of urgency we need to work on maintaining as much MOBILITY as we possibly can against the day when the RA, Carpel Tunnel or whatever gets better. My step-son gave me a squeese-ball and made me use it in spite of the pain. Then a physio recommended play-dough which she insisted I use daily. The idea was to work through the pain. BTW, my rheumy was most impressed.
Today, in spite of RA and Carpel Tunnel. I have complete mobility in my "bad" hand which sadly is totally numb and, therefore, practically useless. It's due for surgical release shortly and if the op is successful then I hope to be all set to go - able to do up buttons, tie shoe laces, peel vegetables, use more than one finger on the computer, etc.
May not be possible for everyone but worth some thought.
P.S. I don't earn my living from a comp but sure would be be lost without it. So I know how you feel. Luck, Des.
I am brand new today but I think I can offer an additional suggestion...replace your mouse with a trackball that fills your hand. In addition to eliminating the need to squeeze/pinch your mouse it also can offer some support.
There are several good brands but stick with a name brand like Logitech or Kensington. I really like the Logitech Trackman but have not bought one. I am currently using my old Logitech Marble Mouse (it's a trackball just a badly named one...) but am wanting something a bit different as my hands are worse then they were 8 years ago when I bought the Marble Mouse.
Gone are the days when trackballs were lower resolution then their rodent counterparts. Today's trackballs have plenty of resolution for any task.
You might need to try several out to find which fits your hand but they are out there.
Another option for a mouse device is the Logitech Revolutions MX. It has excellent weight and fills your hand so you really do not need to grip it tightly at all.
I too use Dragon Naturally Speaking on occasion but as I am a software developer I am locked into using the keyboard for the vast majority of my actual work. But I can dictate emails and even commands. One drawback to dictation is if you are in a normally quite office environment it can disturb your fellow workers at times. Plus no talking to yourself while working... :D
I find I do get decent relief from some gawd awful stuff called Blue Relief at Walgrens/WallyWorld and a few other places. It does not last a long time but it's sure helpful at night when my hands, knees and feet/ankles are screaming at me for using them during the day, or the weather changed. ;)
Also, I use laptops exclusively. I find they allow me the freedom to move around as my RA needs. But the keyboards can be a bit of a problem so I bought a pair of wrist/hand supports that have a bead filling near my lower palm/heel of my hand. These help keep my wrists and hands in the proper position and give me lots of support. I got mine on eBay for around /pr with shipping but they can cost 2x that much...oh, the brand is Smart Glove by Imac. They have a model with added thumb support and I am planning on trying those soon.
Hope something in my rambling helps!! It is simply a constant battle to keep ourselves active while managing the pain.
Hi,
This is a topic close to me as I have been having problems recently at work too. In the UK we have a Gov't agency called Access to Work, I contacted them and through them have just had an assessment with a Physiotherapist/Ergonomist. They produce a report recommending any adaptations etc and Access to Work will part-fund them (your employer only pays 20% of the cost over £300). I am looking at getting voice activated software but it will not work with some of our work applications so they have recommended small ergonomic mice, one for each hand so that I can alternate and my right arm isn't taking all the pressure. I am also getting a fancy "butterfly" keyboard to try. Perhaps you could get some kind of assessment - maybe through an occupational health scheme?
Good Luck!
KT
Hi,
My employer ordered me a new ergonomic keyboard and mouse today and we are looking at chairs. Thanks for the encouragement to follow through with this.
Laker