How can you tell if you have Carpal Tunnel's syndrome?

[Syringer]

So far this summer I've spent about 8 hours a day at work typing on my keyboard and using a mouse without any sort of pad..plus time at home on my computer as well.

I've spent pretty much my whole life as a geek in front of the computer without one, so the thought of using one has never really crossed my mind.

However lately I've noticed that my right hand gets a somewhat numb feeling at times, and that it's just not as "responsive", to put it simply as I would like to be. It's not too extreme or even bothersome really, but it's just a really weird feeling that I'm afraid may be the start of something that could turn into trouble one day.

Are there any precautions or things I should look for to make sure nothing bad happens? Being that this is a geek board and most of you probably use your computer a fair amount I'm thinking I might get some good responses here..so take those "go see a doctor" replies and shove it

 

[FleshLight]

Take a 15 minute break every hour on the comp.

 

[Pepsi90919]

it's carpal tunnel syndrome. there isn't some guy named Carpal Tunnel.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: Syringer
So far this summer I've spent about 8 hours a day at work typing on my keyboard and using a mouse without any sort of pad..plus time at home on my computer as well.

I've spent pretty much my whole life as a geek in front of the computer without one, so the thought of using one has never really crossed my mind.

However lately I've noticed that my right hand gets a somewhat numb feeling at times, and that it's just not as "responsive", to put it simply as I would like to be. It's not too extreme or even bothersome really, but it's just a really weird feeling that I'm afraid may be the start of something that could turn into trouble one day.

Are there any precautions or things I should look for to make sure nothing bad happens? Being that this is a geek board and most of you probably use your computer a fair amount I'm thinking I might get some good responses here..so take those "go see a doctor" replies and shove it

Same thing happened to me two summers ago, when I had lost my old gel wrist pad and I was playing CS and Natural Selection furiously. I think maybe Dungeon Siege if it was out at the time as well. It was my right hand that I used the mouse with. One day I just started to notice that the side of it, from the right side of my pinky finger, running across the side of my hand almost to my wrist, felt a bit numb. It got to a point where I could smack my desk with both hands and the right one hurt less, and it started spreading. It made its way to my ring finger, and at that point I got very scared and bought myself a new gel pad. After a short while the problem gradually went away. I don't think any damage done was permanent, at least I hope.

 

[dethman]

go see a doctor.

there are a few physical exam findings called funny names. tinel's sign being one. too damn late to remember the other ones.