Writing hurts

tengraceapples · Aug 19, 2009

Hey!

So I wrote my novel in two and half months. Which was great but I ended up typing every single day for hours. While the "voices" were having fun, my hands and forearms were dying. By the end of the novel, I could hardly type. DO you guys have any suggestions for carpal tunnel?

THANKS IN ADVANCE: )

Blind Writer · Aug 19, 2009

Sadly, no. But I need some, too. *sigh* I have the c'tunnel drama.

tengraceapples · Aug 19, 2009

Blind Writer said:
Sadly, no. But I need some, too. *sigh* I have the c'tunnel drama.

Hey!

I just found this, see if it helps. I'm thinking someone here may have a home remedy. see link below

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/023.html

Danthia · Aug 20, 2009

Take frequent breaks

Wrist braces. More ergonomically comfortable chairs.

Adam · Aug 20, 2009

I take breaks and exercise my wrists. Oh, and I padded the edge of my desk so it doesn't cut into my wrist when I use my mouse.

Fuchsia Flower · Aug 20, 2009

More breaks. It's a bitch but I have to stop writing when the pain kicks in. I find it's my back that normally suffers the most, must buy good desk chair. And my eyes, must book that opticians appointment!

Lisa Cox · Aug 20, 2009

I have a terrible back, so that's usually what I suffer with. It's a kind of burning pain that starts low and works its way up until I can't sit upright anymore. Ugh. Must buy a new chair.

tengraceapples · Aug 20, 2009

Will try the things you guys said: )

Thanks!

Kitty Pryde · Aug 20, 2009

Make sure that when you type or write your wrists aren't bent at an angle, however you need to set your computer up for that. And make sure when you sleep you aren't scrunching up your wrists, or sleeping on them. Wrist braces are good, but if you are constantly straining against the braces to bend your wrists, that can make things worse.

I used to have bad tendonitis in my wrists in high school, and carpal-tunnel-ish stuff in college. Nowadays when it starts to bug me i am careful to watch out for them and I do okay. Good luck!

Marzipan · Aug 20, 2009

I soak my hands in water as hot as I can stand with epsom salt once a day. It really helps me out. It was my mom's idea. She is a 3rd grade teacher.

tengraceapples · Aug 20, 2009

Your mom sounds so cool: )
I will try that. Thanks guys

cursedsillycause · Sep 13, 2009

Ouch. Two months?

Ravenlocks · Sep 13, 2009

Make sure your workstation is ergonomically correct. Wear wrist braces while typing and sleeping and doing any activity that makes you bend your wrists a lot (when my carpal tunnel was bad I used to wear my braces while driving).

Don't rest your wrists or elbows on anything while typing, because that can exacerbate the problem. Take frequent breaks. Find some hand and wrist exercises; there are some good ones that help.

But do make sure it's carpal tunnel before treating it as such. True carpal tunnel doesn't cause your wrists to hurt. It causes numbness in the middle and ring fingers and can cause shooting pains up your arm, tightness in your forearm muscles, and weakness in your hand (when mine flares up I tend to drop things).

Writing hurts

tengraceapples

Blind Writer

YA/MG Author

tengraceapples

Danthia

Adam

Not dead.

Fuchsia Flower

Lisa Cox

tengraceapples

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

Marzipan

tengraceapples

cursedsillycause

working on it...

Ravenlocks

How novel.