So I have been diagnosed with what is probably carpal tunnel syndrome, which means I will be needing not to type anything of any significant length for what I hope will be no longer than a couple of weeks. There are some posts scheduled to go up over the next two weeks, but I most likely won’t be posting anything new until my symptoms go away.
A major step towards solving this problem is the Housing First model (as opposed to Treatment First). A Review of…
I’m sorry to hear that and I hope your symptoms clear up soon.
That sucks. Be well.
Back in the 80’s my carpal tunnel had gotten so bad I knew if I went to the dr. he’d put me in a brace for weeks, then do surgery, then 90% of the time it wouldn’t work, by observation of my co-workers. I was seeing a chiropractor who was bragging one day he could fix any joint. I said what about carpal tunnel? He held my hand as if shaking it, got my arm all relaxed and snapped my wrist like a whip. It took about 3 adjustments to fix things. I went from having to everything at work 2 handed back to functioning, and I have managed by doing the wrist exercises to keep it at bay for 25 years…. most folks I have talked to never heard of a chiro fixing carpal tunnel, so just thought to pass it on :)
:( Best of luck to you and make sure to only type ergonomically from here on…it’s so hard for writers to have this! It’s like being unable to speak.
Oh, Richard, that sucks! Best of wishes for a quick and total recovery.
I’m sorry to hear it, Richard.
A couple of words of advice, if I may. First, Wild Clover is right: a good chiropractor may be able to fix things. Second, a LOT of carpal tunnel is misdiagnosed, and the problems can be upstream, most often in the thoracic outlet, where the brachial plexus passes very near the first rib and the clavicle. Google on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. A chiropractor or good massage therapist can work wonders there.
Try every other avenue before you let anyone cut.
Grace
I’m very sorry to hear this, and hope you can heal and come back to us quickly!
After a while, your hands will start to feel better, the pain will decrease, and typing will become tolerable again. You’ll want to start writing again.
Don’t.
There is very little pain when your tendons start to swell. By the time you start to hurt, your tendons are already pretty swollen. If you start typing again, the problem will come right back, and you will quickly cause permanent damage.
I have two friends who can barely use their hands now, because they decided to work through the pain and finish up a couple of assignments. I can’t use the drop bars on my bike, because I decided to press things just a little too hard. It’s totally not worth it.
Don’t fuck around with this. Wait until you’re 100% better. Then wait another two weeks.
Thanks, all, for the good wishes and the advice. I am not quite back to 100% yet, but a combination of acupuncture, homeopathy and some anti-inflammatory drugs and herbs seems to be doing the trick. I am hoping to be back to writing/typing/blogging by next week or the week after at the latest. Again, many thanks.