Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

[namakb]

Anyone here suffer from RSI? I have problems with my arms, wrists, hands, and shoulders. I was told many years ago that I have fibro. It seems to hurt most when I am using my arms to type, write, lift, etc. So I think I actually have tendonitis caused by repetitive stress.
The treatment for RSI is rest the affected area and massage. OHHH massage sounds so good! Of course I work and have to type on a typewriter and have to post invoices by hand whitch kills my arms. I have used a typewriter for over 40 years of working. I have ordered a book on massage therapy for RSI and will get it on July 5. I am considering taking Wednesdays off of work so I can have some kind of break in the middle of the week. Has anyone else done any therapy for RSI and what has been your experience with it?
I have also started taking fish oil and I actually think it helps with the dryness.

[Bella]

Hi, I suffer from RSI due to the fluoroquinolone toxicity I experienced last year.  That's pretty much how it affects the tendons, so it really limits what I can do.  I don't have any words of wisdom for you . . . for fq victims, there is no known cure, treatment, antidote other than time, and hope you're one of the ones that improves or recovers.  My arms, wrists, elbows, fingers, ankles, knees, etc have improved at "glacial speed" over the past 14 months . . . I try to "exercise" and stretch them as much as I can without going "overboard" -- if I do too much, I pay for it for weeks.  I think the rest is really important; hard to do if you have to work with a keyboard.

I had a root canal done about Month 7 post the toxicity; I took some Ibuprofen which really helped the tooth root pain, but did absolutely nothing for my tendons; it was remarkable to feel the difference.  NOTHING helps that tendon pain . . . .

Hope you find something that helps you, best of luck.

[namakb]

Since my last post I have gone to a Chiropractor who is also a Naprapath. He also specializes in work related musculosketetal disorders.

I had my first visit July 7 and three visits a week for the next two weeks. I will be starting on two visits a week this week. The pain in

my arms and shoulders have improved greatly. I get 45-60 min of massage therapy at each appointment. The first 15 min is electrical stimulation with

hot packs then massage. He has also given me some shoulder exercises to do using stretch cords. He is going to give me some additions exercies

to do this week. I hope going two days a week will work for a few weeks because it cost $75 per visit. The Dr. is on my insurance but I have a

$5,000 deductible. Hopefully I can quickly work my way to once or twice a month. I do get my money worth for my $75 dollors though.

Not like a regular Dr. where you get 5 min of his time after waiting 30-60 min to see them. And then they give you a prescription for pain and tell you to


come back next month.

[Bella]

Wow, that's really great to hear you're improving.  I will definately have to consider it!  Thanks for the info.

[namakb]

I am afraid, after lots of typing Monday & Tuesday, my arms and shoulders are hurting again. Not as bad yet as before treatment. This is my first week of cutting down to two days a week instead of three days of treatment only work did not cooperate and typing and posting increased a lot the last two days. According to a book I have you are not suppose to work through the pain and numbness. It could cause permanent damage.
I am at wits end trying to decide what to do. I will be 62 in December and could collect SS then but in the meantime I need to work at least 30 hours a week and the treatments are $75 each. The irony of the whole thing is that work is causing me to need the treatments. So I work about 40 hours a week which causes me to have to go to the Chiropractor to give him two thirds of my take home pay so I can continue to work. Is it worth it?
At least I know the Chiropractor and the massage works to help my pain I just have to figure out a way to type and post invoices without using my arms and hands.
People have learned to use their feet for stuff like that.

[namakb]

Updating my RSI - I have not been able to work since August 10. I just could not type or write anymore so I decided to take off and persue
a workman's comp claim. So far I have just been going back and forth with the temp agency I work through. They are suppose to have an
answer for me Monday of Tuesday. I have now spent $1000.00 on treatment but have not been able to afford any more since I have been
off work. My arms, hands,wrists, etc. have started feeling better. I can type longer emails on my computer and even do some writing.
The bad thing is in the meantime my nasal dryness has increased. Maybe the stress of it all.
I will update when I find out if they are going to pay me anyting for my treatments.

[TripleC]

 I have carpal tunnel and trigger finger in both hands/wrists.  I wear the hand wrists/supports at nite, have had accupunture/massage therapy and cortesone three times over the last 3-4 years. Next week I will have an MRI done on both hands & wrists and most likely will end up with surgery for wrists & fingers.   I am on the computer at work and at home so after three years of pain I am ready for surgery !

[eyeamdry]

I worked for years as a secretary with carpal tunnel.  After I retired, I had surgery on one wrist and never bothered by the other.

I used to cry at night and elevate my hands/wrists and put ice on them.  It helped them to calm down.  Also pain meds helped.  I wore wrist braces at night on both arms.  I was told that much of the harm comes at night while we lay on our arm, put hand under the pillow etc.  I believe the wrist braces at night were able to keep me working for years.

I heard about some botched surgeries along the way and just didn't want to go that way.  Massaging your hands/wrists and I think I had ultrasound at one time with PT.  I just think there are lots of ways to try and prevent surgery or further damage.  I was a secretary all my working life.  I have been retired 5 years.  Lucy