RSI - anyone been diagnosed with it? What have you done about it?

[Tinker]

I am getting repeated pain in my left wrist at the moment and I often get it in my right wrist and shoulder. When I was off work in the summer I had pain in my left arm for about 2 weeks which, I am sure, was down to my arm adjusting to not using the computer at work.

But what can I do about it really? I have to work and there is not much chance of changing to a job not involving pc's. My desk and seating postion was assessed recently at work (as were all staff's) but I think it is my desk that is wrong, not my chair.

RSI must be pretty common amongst mumsnetters . What, realistically, can I do about? It hurts

Thanks

Also tried acupuncture - it did help, but needed to have about three sessions, and it eased the pain, didn't fix the problem. Gel rests get my vote too. Didn't think of osteopathy but have used that to great success with my back, so suggest its worth a try.

Iota - now I understand why the physio they referred me to was asking me to do strange things with my neck that involved looking down my nose at everyone...

I had RSI while working at a Call Centre. It lasted all in all about 2 years & I had to take a LOT of sick leave. By the time I finally gave up & resigned I was on zero pay, I'd had that much sick. Having said that, left there in 1998 & not looked back. No more problems at all.

I had private appointments with a rheumatologist (same consultant NHS, waiting time minimum 17 weeks, but we won't go into that.. ) and saw a private physiotherapist recommended by the consultant. Continued seeing her every 6 months for about 18 months after all was well, just to check it wouldn't recur & there was no longterm damage.

All you can do while is raging is rest, and get proper exercises to make it better (they hurt).

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Yesterday I propped up my keyboard so it sloped away from me which seemed to help. A bit. The trouble with raising the seat height is that I seem to be really high in order get it at the right height. Can't seem to find the ideal position.

Fortunately my jobs means I can be out of teh office a lot. But some weeks it's unavoidable that I have to be there, that's when it hurts.

Thanks again though.

Tinker, have you seen the doctor yet?! please don't let it get worse before you get some medical attention

Tinker, any progress? Agree with all of the others - don't let it get any worse! Ask your company to get you one of the proper keyboards... remember, you need long term solutions that mean you can carry on working without pain.. not a short term solution while its raging, then forget it until the next time. Hope its better today...

Thank you for asking waterbaby. I've not been to the doctors yet, I'm one of those people who feels that they need a 'proper' reason to go? Also wonder what the doctor could realistically do. I know (I think) that it is caused by pc use because it goes if I'm not in work for a while. Meanwhile, have purloined a fancy new chair at work which is marginaly better. So many chairs have armrests which mean that when it is at the right height, you can't get it near enough to the desk!

But it is hurting today Strangely, it's not my mouse hand though.

I had it in both wrists, can't remember if it was the mouse hand first, then the other due to overcompensating when doing things like opening bottles/stairgates etc. Poor you . Have you tried the heat lotion / warm water, or are you still sitting there in your gloves?

Tinker, you don't know what the doctor can or can't do - THAT's why you are supposed to go and find out!!! Sorry to be shouty, but it really is important to sort it out early whether it is RSI or something else.

Hope you get better soon.

Tinker, stop pencil balancing and go.

Dd has just been 4 and unfortunately heard me saying 'oh you dimwit' to another driver (could have been far, far worse but I've been practising) and now keeps asking 'is that person being a dimwit mummy ?' and I will have to say 'no dear but Tinker is'

Sorry, shouldn't be so harsh - but after nearly 4 years of prevaricating, I've just seen my doctor about my 'grown-up acne' and wish I'd done it ages ago. Like you I didn't see the point of going and 'bothering' my gp with something so trivial.

In the end it gave him a chance to catch up some time as I was so easy, and dd was delighted to see a real stethascope (sp ?) and has been 'checking' everyone since, hopefully cured of her phobia about doctors and dentists !

Oh no, I have to make a decison now. Promise I'll make an appointmnet. Actually have a list of 'little things' to talk about to doctor so won't feel too bad.

Sis and Twink - thanks for being so bossy

So when are you going Tinker? LOL @ dimwit Twink - its one of those cliches that has just got to happen to us all, isn't it!

Well, I did as I was told and saw my GP this morning. She seems to think it might be carpal tunnel syndrome - not wholly convinced myself, think it is my arm rather than my hands. Anyway, she has referred me to an orthopaedic specialist so watch this space.

Well done you, just hope you don't have to wait too long to see the specialist