I think i'm getting carpal tunnel

[frail]

Over the course of 2 years my wrists seem to be getting worse. I'm starting to have a hard time writing for long periods of time now, same goes for typing and moving the mouse. It's not so much pain, although it plays a small role, it's mostly this akward feeling like my wrists are giving out and takes more effort to move them.

So really my question is can anyone name some sorta wrist rest. Any brand to stay away from, what to look for. There seems to be soo many out there, any help would be great.

 

[Bakwetu]

Switch hands when you use the mouse-it took a while to get used to it, and I can't play games with my left hand, but now the pain in my right hand is gone and can use it for gaming. Make shure thepressure isn't on the wrists when you type or use the mouse. Actually the most ergonomic position is for the support to be at the elbows and the arms and hands should be sloping down towards the keyboard. Some "ergonomic" mice are not good at all, as you put a lot of pressure on the wrist when using them

 

[Mday]

forget those pillow types...

get the gel kind, any gel kind.

i am using a fellows one myself.

i also have a gel keyboard wrist rest which i used and it helped.

GEL, no foam, no nothin' else... just GEL!!..

feel it. you know what gel is =)

 

[Mday]

i've also kept the gel pads in the freezer for a few minutes, and cool my wrists sometimes... it's relaxing...

 

[~zonker~]

I drive my mouse with my left hand for this reason...

another very effective thing to do is to put a mousepad with the same thickness underneath your elbow, thus keeping your wrist flat. Another way to do this to use one of thouse really thin mousing surfaces from 3M I think..

 

[reitz]

The least likely symptom of carpal tunnel is a sore wrist. If you were developing it, you'd be much more likely to lose feeling in your thumb and first two fingers, and/or experience a dull, throbbing pain in the same. Another symptom is difficutly moving and controlling those fingers. Very sharp, shooting pains that start from the fingertips and move as far up as the shoulders are also common.

 

[perry]

Exactly what reitz said. Doesn't sound like carpal tunel to me. I thought I had that developing and had my aunt send me a wrist brace to wear all the time. I mostly wore it at the computer and when sleeping, that helped alot. Then I found the time to go see the doc that she works for. He took x-rays and decided that I only have tendonitis in my hand. Prescribed some Celebrex (anti-inflamatory medicine) for me and sent me on my way. He also said that if the paint doesn't go away, that I should see an occupational therapist and figure out a more comfortable way to sit at the computer.

A big help for me, besides the wrist guard which I don't wear so much any more, was the Microsoft Natural keyboard. I was afraid it would be hard to type with, but it's not. I've been thinking of even switching over toe DVORAK keyboard layout, but since I type on so many keyboards, it isn't worth the hassle to me. I can touch type just fine, but I think that if I were to switch keyboard layouts that it would just raise hell with me.

Bottom line, see a doctor. Don't take anything anyone here says as any sort of medical advice. Only a doctor that examines you can tell you what's wrong.