I hope it’s not the case, but it rather looks like I have early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s not been properly diagnosed by a doctor but google, combined with my complete lack of medical knowledge confirms my suspicions . My wrist is sore, I get a burning sensation at night, weakness in the fingers and it is aggravated by prolonged use of the computer.
Waking up in the night to a burning sensation in the wrist I felt rather panicked. I cannot afford to have my right wrist out of action when I have four more assignments to type and a 3 hour exam in mid October.
So, to hopefully prevent further damage and let any inflammation go down, I’ve moved the mouse over to my left hand. This is a bit weird and I keep missing icons I want to click but I have started to get used to it and now feel reasonaby ambidextrous in mouse-use. However, it is seriously affecting my typing and even handwriting skills. My brain has been running the logarithm: “plan as if right hand, execute with left hand” but what this does is make me want to do the same when I’m typing. typing requires each hand to cover its own domain on the keyboard but now they hesitate as to whether they’re being a proper right hand or a pretend one. Even my using a pen is now strange as my brain keeps checking that it’s ok to be using this hand.
I’ve also installed a little programme called workrave which can be set to schedule microbreaks (I have mine set for 1 minute every 10) and rest breaks (I have 7 minutes every 45). My computer locks me out during my breaks – albeit with warnings. I can override if I’m about to put in a winning bid on ebay but generally I do as I’m told. It’s pretty nifty as it forces me to take regular breaks (which I just never do otherwise). Can’t say I’ve noticed it improving my wrist-ache or numb fingers but it certainly means I drink a lot more tea. I’ve never been so well hydrated.
Anyway, minimal typing for me. I’ve got to save my delicate wrist for typing up the next assignment (2000 words on conflict and prejudice and what social psychology has done to help with it – from what I can see of the cat-fights between soc psychology schools of thought, they’re perpetrators themselves)
I get inflamed ligaments in my wrists every now and then. I find it helps to put tiger balm on it and strap it up (well bangage it as if it was sprained). It restricts the movement and bit and allows it some rest.
Comment by pinkjellybaby — 21 July, 2009 @ 6:12 pm |