my wrists are still on fire

I'm in a quandry. In my third and fourth pregnancies i developed carpal tunnel syndrome. It disappeared shortly after the appearance of the bald, cute ones. But lately, the past 18 months to be exact, i have been typing a lot. A-hem - look around here. This stuff? It requires typing. And commenting hither and thither. More typing.

So, the burning wrists are back, numb fingers (three of them) on each hand, but on top of that my middle finger on my right hand is killing me. It's painful and swollen in the knuckle. Break it to me. This is the beginning of arthritis isn't it? I can take it.

I was in competitive diving for ten years. Five of those years i did platform diving. Everybody said "your going to get arthritis in your shoulders and hands from this." "At an early age!" But, it will be totally worth it because you're, like, number 13 on the canadian team! Not good enough for anything exciting like olympics, or commonwealth games, but 13!! And besides you'll be old then anyway, like 35.

And so, here i am. What can i do about this? I think i know all the answers that are coming - just live with it, or just live without it (typing).

Posted by Jess at 10:49 PM Permalink

Comments (10)

supa

The answer lies in technology. Get something that you can dictate your blog entries and commments into. Something that'll translate sound into text. ha -- Voice-Recognition Blogging.

Ooh, I am so patenting that.

Posted by supa | March 23, 2006 04:21 AM

Paula

Probably arthritis.
Get verbal type software (types whatever you say) prescribed by a doctor - ah ha! Then maybe you could get one of those super cool handicap license plates and park really close to all the stores! Dare to dream...I'm 35 too.

Posted by Paula | March 23, 2006 08:09 AM

jennifer

um, how about that glucosamine chondroitin stuff? my mom takes it (for knee and ankle woes) and loves it.

or you could just whine, and say you can't do -whatever- because of your carpal tunnel. then all you'd have to do is blog... :)

Posted by jennifer | March 23, 2006 08:37 AM

marian

These kinds of things come and go, in my experience. And sometimes they go away for good. Just be kind to yourself, take advil, try to avoid typing too much (I know -- impossible!). Change of seasons and a sense of overwhelm always makes this stuff worse. Really, I think it'll subside.

Posted by marian | March 23, 2006 08:40 AM

marian

Damn if my stupid form filler-inner doesn't always put my bloody last name up there! crap!

Posted by marian | March 23, 2006 08:42 AM

marian

thanks, babe

Posted by marian | March 23, 2006 08:44 AM

Sara

De-lurking to suggest that if you haven't already, consider making sure your computer set up is ergonomic, with the keyboard at the right height. I have also found the wrist pads available for both keyboard and mouse invaluable in keeping my wrists happy (my mouse pad: http://reseller.kensington.com/html/4527.html). My mother visited a doctor for her carpal tunnel and ended up finding a high dose of vitamin B and wearing wrist braces at night to be effective.

Posted by Sara | March 23, 2006 09:39 AM

The ergo points are importatnt! Two other things to consider- One is accupuncture, it's really good with tendon/joint stuff and helsp with swollen/inflammed tissues.

The other is ice-when my wrists or my neck injury get sore I ice to bring down swelling and it helps sooo much.

Posted by LB | March 23, 2006 01:27 PM

christle

Jess, I know you're not real big on all the herbal stuff but Karen really is an expert on arthritis, JUST ASK HER! or you could just drink copious amounts of red wine, either way, all natural!

Posted by christle | March 23, 2006 04:10 PM

ade

Hey Jess,

Not sure if you remember I grew up with arthritis--my hands used to ache and the fingers would curl up something awful. After years of physiotherapy I highly recomment transfer baths. This works well if you have two sinks in your bathroom or kitchen...you can also use two tubs filled up with water. Fill one with freezing water and one with water as hot as you can stand. Start with the hot water and immerse your hands for several seconds. Then do the cold water. Keep switching. This gave me great relief from both stiffness and inflammation--and Arthritis Centre approved! ;)

Posted by ade | March 27, 2006 03:48 PM