Carpal Tunnel and cross stitching
Andrea
Does anyone else out there have a problem with carpal tunnel? What do
you do for it when you REALLY want to stitch but are in too much pain?
I have to wear a splint, but it doesn't help much. I'm frustrated with
this because my Mother's Day presents are going to be late now. ANy
suggestions?
Bill & Jennifer Forster
My father just had surgery for carpel tunnel on both wrists last winter.
He had developed it from computer and drafting work. He tried the wrist
splints and all, but it got so bad that the pain went all the way up the
shoulder and neck. At night, he was even having trouble sleeping. Within
hours after the surgery, both times, all the carpel tunnel pain was
completely gone. He feels no pain now and can't believe how much happier
he is. I know people who write a lot and have to wear the wrist splint
too, but basically, unless you can get it surgically fixed, most people
I've known just say you have to rest it for a few days until it feels
better.
Jennifer
Andrea <dsch...@televar.com> wrote in article
<3374D3...@televar.com>...
Tammy Davis
Hello Andrea,
I have mild carpal tunnel. I know exactly what you are going through! I
do not know your body weight so I would suggest you talk to a doc or
pharmisist before trying what I do so you do not have any ill effects. I
used to be perscribed 600mlg of Ibuphrofin... I currently take 800mlg every
6 ot 8 hours as needed (I use the generic over the counter stuff bought in
jars of 500). I also sleep with my wrist propped up on a pillow. If you
can get a wrist exerciser this can sometimes help as well. If you do this
start very low at first. Like around three or four a day and working up to
do about 5 three times a day and on up from there. This has helped for me.
I hope it may help a little for you. Please let me know if any of this
helps you :)
Peace and love
TigerEye/Tammarah
Andrea wrote in article <3374D3...@televar.com>...
Naunet
Andrea wrote:
>
> Does anyone else out there have a problem with carpal tunnel? What do
> you do for it when you REALLY want to stitch but are in too much pain?
> I have to wear a splint, but it doesn't help much. I'm frustrated with
> this because my Mother's Day presents are going to be late now. ANy
> suggestions?
I don't have carpal tunnel but if I am not careful I will....not from
cross stitch though. I find that doesn't bother my wrists, but from
using a mouse to add color to my artwork *things that then become
designs* If you find any helpful answers I'd love to know. I have to
rotate my wrists often to work out any of the pain, and I notice the
pain is less if I move my whole lower arm, stretch and such, as compared
to just the wrist. I do believe I will be purchasing something I
recently saw in a cross stitch catalogue, a brace that massages asyou
work and supports. I need it for my mousework *since my uncle is slow
getting back to me on getting this art pad set up:)*
--
@}--,--'--
Shelah Dinwiddie - Email: scar...@mail.llion.org
Like wolves, cross stitch and the color blue? Check it out!:
http://scorpio.dmv.com/~princess/Designs/design1.htm
G. Fratto
Definite problems! And I'm on my computer all day too! Hot baths seem to
help. I also lay off the stitching of a few days or try to use my left
hand, or stitch in spurts. I now use my left hand exclusively for my
mouse. Give it a try, it definitely takes some practice.
-Gina
Andrea <dsch...@televar.com> wrote in article
<3374D3...@televar.com>...
Dorsey
Hi:
Mine was caused by DUMMY ME trying to catch a 6hp, 60gal upright
compressor. Here's what I do:
Measure your writs add 2". Cut a peice of terrycloth the lenght of your
wrist plus the 2" and 4" whide. Fold in half and sew leaving one 2" end
open. Fill with uncooked rice so that it's about 1/4" to 1/2" thick, but
still easily bends around your wrist and is not too heavy. Sew ends close.
Attach 2" strips of Velcro to either end of band.
When your wrist is bothering you pop this band into micro wave for about
two mintues, rice warms up and gently warms wrist and eases pain. And you
can still stitch while wearing it.
--
Dorsey
Enjoy life's small pleasures
and the big ones will find you.
XenonOH
I've found that B6 therapy has helped my carpel tunnel symptoms. I take
100mg in the morning w/breakfast and 100mg at night w/dinner. Also make
sure you take a vitamin w/Bcomplex and extra magnesium. I take a women's
multi and that seems to have what I need along w/the extra B6. This
therapy has caused my symptoms to pretty much disappear.
Deb
Xen...@aol.com
"We're Starfleet officers Mr. Kim. Weird is part of the job." -- Capt. Janeway
"Great minds think alike. Greater minds innovate."
"You have reached a non-working mind. Please hang-up and try your call again later."
arm...@vms.cis.pitt.edu
> Does anyone else out there have a problem with carpal tunnel? What do
> you do for it when you REALLY want to stitch but are in too much pain?
You *don't* stitch! Your hand is telling you something, and if you
ignore it you're likely to aggravate the problem. As I understand
it, carpal tunnel can lead to permanent nerve and muscle damage,
which might mean you could never stitch again, something I'm sure
you don't want to happen. Give your hands a rest.
(Also watch your posture--I think craning my neck down toward my lap
and sitting without good back support has been a major contributing
factor to my problems.)
I've had problems for 5 years now. For the first year I pretty much
gave up everything hand-intensive (outside of necessities like
the computer at work). As I got better, I started doing needlework
again in very short sessions with lots of rest time between. I'm much
better than I was when this started, but I still get symptoms and
have to pace myself as needed.
> I have to wear a splint, but it doesn't help much. I'm frustrated with
> this because my Mother's Day presents are going to be late now. ANy
> suggestions?
Yes, it is very frustrating, not being able to do the things you love,
but keep it in perspective. Whenever I really get annoyed with my
situation, I stop to think of all the people in the world who *really
can't do things they'd like to do that I take for granted (seeing,
walking, general good health, you know the bit). It would be great
to give your mom something you made for Mother's Day, but I'm sure
she'd rather you have healthy hands in your old age.
Please take care of your hands--they're the only ones you have.
Bess Campbell-Domme
First off -- get a stand. My sister and I both had problems and quickly
found that our worst problems weren't the stitching but the gripping. I
have more problems while working on the computer and so I do wear a brace
when I am going to spend much time in front of the screen. I find the mouse
is worst for me (I use an ergonomic keynoard). I tried a trackball, but it
really bugged my thumb.
I like using the Hand-Eze gloves. they give very light support. I think
they keep my hands slightly warmer which keeps them more flexible. You are
right to check out carpal tunnel. It can cause serious problems if ignored.
Good Luck -- Bess Domme
Andrea <dsch...@televar.com> wrote in article
<3374D3...@televar.com>...
> Does anyone else out there have a problem with carpal tunnel? What do
> you do for it when you REALLY want to stitch but are in too much pain?
Pamela Ric
In article
<2938F77E1D52E5DB.E6795E9F...@library-proxy.airnews.
net>, "Tammy Davis" <ne...@airmail.net> writes:
> I used to be perscribed 600mlg of Ibuphrofin... I currently take 800mlg
every
>6 ot 8 hours as needed (I use the generic over the counter stuff bought
in
>jars of 500).
Please remember if taking this much anti-inflammatory, you need to take it
with some food. This stuff can eat through a stomach lining in no time
flat. I take mine
at meals or with crackers or something like that. On top of wrist pain,
you do not need to be even more miserable with stomach pain. Ulcers if
not treated can perforate and kill you.
Pamela R.
Elizabeth Reen
In article <3375FF...@mail.llion.org>, scar...@mail.llion.org
says...
> Andrea wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone else out there have a problem with carpal tunnel? What do
> > you do for it when you REALLY want to stitch but are in too much pain?
> > I have to wear a splint, but it doesn't help much. I'm frustrated with
> > this because my Mother's Day presents are going to be late now. ANy
> > suggestions?
>
I have Repetative Strain Injuries. The trick is not to start the pain.
When it hurts you are doing too much and are further injuring yourself.
(I found this out the hard way). To prevent the pain give yourself a
break every 10 - 15 minutes. A couple of minutes of not stitching goes
along way to preventing the problem. I find that holding the frame is
hard on my hand, I'm hoping to get a floor stand to relieve the stress.
Liz
--
Headers are anti spam!! My real address is Lizr at aol dot com.
Beth Mcconnell Baker
XenonOH wrote:
>
> I've found that B6 therapy has helped my carpel tunnel symptoms. I take
> 100mg in the morning w/breakfast and 100mg at night w/dinner. Also make
> sure you take a vitamin w/Bcomplex and extra magnesium. I take a women's
> multi and that seems to have what I need along w/the extra B6. This
> therapy has caused my symptoms to pretty much disappear.
>
Beth
Teresa Harris
I work at a computer all day and have had carpal tunnel surgery on my right
wrist. The pain was gone instantly!! My surgery was in July 1995 and I do not
regret it for one minute. I was only off work for a week and had outpatient
surgery. The scar is about 1" long.
I recently started cross stitching again and have found that the stitching does
cause the carpal tunnel to flare up. Nothing I did while stitching, except
stopping, helped the pain. When I would put it down overnight, the pain was
gone, but within about a half hour of starting to stitch again it was bothering
me.
Hope this helps. For me the surgery was well worth it. I have been back to
work (within a week of surgery) and have not had the pain to return at all.
Teresa Harris
Marie K
Dear Teresa-I find that resting my hand on a pillow helps...I too had
surgery and the worst is gone but like you, it flares up when I stitch or
I am at the computer. I also have had pain flare up in the crook of my
right elbow. I purchases a brace for it and wear it wherever the pain
flares up. With the stitching, resting my arm on a pillow really
helps...maybe one of those wrist braces would help would help you..so far
the pillow works for me...Marie K.
Stephanie M. Thorson
On Sun, 11 May 1997, Naunet wrote:
> Andrea wrote:
> >
> > Does anyone else out there have a problem with carpal tunnel? What do
> > you do for it when you REALLY want to stitch but are in too much pain?
> > I have to wear a splint, but it doesn't help much. I'm frustrated with
> > this because my Mother's Day presents are going to be late now. ANy
> > suggestions?
>
> I don't have carpal tunnel but if I am not careful I will....not from
> cross stitch though. I find that doesn't bother my wrists, but from
> using a mouse to add color to my artwork *things that then become
> designs* If you find any helpful answers I'd love to know. I have to
> rotate my wrists often to work out any of the pain, and I notice the
> pain is less if I move my whole lower arm, stretch and such, as compared
> to just the wrist. I do believe I will be purchasing something I
> recently saw in a cross stitch catalogue, a brace that massages asyou
> work and supports. I need it for my mousework *since my uncle is slow
> getting back to me on getting this art pad set up:)*
I do have CT, and frankly folks, it's a pig. I got it from spending too
much time in front of the computer editing guides to government records in
my days as an archivist. Cross-stitch doesn't bother me, though, although
sewing does. I tend to embroider/cross stitch/needlepoint (I do all 3)
with the "stab" method, and I think that motion (with frequent stops to
let the fiber of choice untwist) is what makes the difference.
As far as mousework goes, I've heard some people say that using a
trackball instead of a mouse helps, but I've never tried it, myself. I
don't do an enormous amount of mousing anyway, so it's not a real problem
for me.
Your best bet in all circumstances is to talk to an occupational therapist
about the right way to cope with your problem. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome"
means you're suffering from inflammation of the medial nerve as a result
of overuse, but there are a number of things (poor wrist posture, ulnar
deviation, etc) that can bring it on. The kind of splint you wear and the
sort of exercises which can sometimes help depend a lot on what exactly
you're doing that's causing the problem in the first place. I tend to be
guilty of ulnar deviation, which means the splints I wear are designed to
prevent that, but if your problem is poor wrist posture, they won't help
you terribly much.
At the end of the day, if I'm really hurting, I find that Ben-Gay helps.
I have no idea why, but I learned that trick from another CTS sufferer,
and it does seem to make a difference. I wouldn't recommend getting it on
your stitching, though. :)
HTH,
Stephanie
*****************************************************************************
Stephanie M. Thorson | SCA: Lady Alianora Munro
Dept. of Scottish History | Clan White Wing
University of St Andrews | Tarkhan, Khanate Red Lion
drm...@worldnet.att.net
On 13 May 1997 03:12:31 GMT, "Bess Campbell-Domme"
<ned...@sandia.gov> wrote:
>First off -- get a stand. My sister and I both had problems and quickly
>found that our worst problems weren't the stitching but the gripping. I
>have more problems while working on the computer and so I do wear a brace
>when I am going to spend much time in front of the screen. I find the mouse
>is worst for me (I use an ergonomic keynoard). I tried a trackball, but it
>really bugged my thumb.
>
>I like using the Hand-Eze gloves. they give very light support. I think
>they keep my hands slightly warmer which keeps them more flexible. You are
>right to check out carpal tunnel. It can cause serious problems if ignored.
>Good Luck -- Bess Domme
I started having mild problems last year, which coincided with when I
started really reading this newsgroup, and spending more time on the
web in general. It bothered me stitching, but i think it was all the
mouse work that caused it. I found that I had my hand clenched on the
mouse all the time, while reading ng posts, to scroll down the page,
advance to the next post, etc. I switched to a trackball,
specifically one by Mouse Systems. It is about 4 inches wide by 6
inches deep, and the ball is located in the middle of the top 1/3,
with left and right buttons on either side of it. I can use it in
many different ways, which is what prevents the carpal tunnel problem
(variety). Sometimes I rotate the ball with my middle finger and click
with the index finger or thumb. Often if I'm just reading on the
screen, I sit back and hold it in my lap, and use both hands, allowing
my left hand to do the clicking, and my right thumb on the ball
itself. Of course, for drawing, manipulating files, etc. it's easiest
to do on the desk. But if you're like me and read a lot on here, try
using the other or both hands, and just change it frequently.
Karen
Sue
drm...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>I started having mild problems last year, which coincided with when I
>started really reading this newsgroup, and spending more time on the
>web in general. It bothered me stitching, but i think it was all the
>mouse work that caused it. I found that I had my hand clenched on the
>mouse all the time, while reading ng posts, to scroll down the page,
>advance to the next post, etc. I switched to a trackball,
>specifically one by Mouse Systems. It is about 4 inches wide by 6
>inches deep, and the ball is located in the middle of the top 1/3,
>with left and right buttons on either side of it. I can use it in
>many different ways, which is what prevents the carpal tunnel problem
>(variety). Sometimes I rotate the ball with my middle finger and click
>with the index finger or thumb. Often if I'm just reading on the
>screen, I sit back and hold it in my lap, and use both hands, allowing
>my left hand to do the clicking, and my right thumb on the ball
>itself. Of course, for drawing, manipulating files, etc. it's easiest
>to do on the desk. But if you're like me and read a lot on here, try
>using the other or both hands, and just change it frequently.
>Karen
Or, just a suggestion from an old die-hard..... learn the keystrokes
on the keyboard instead of using the mouse. I have more trouble after
a day at work using said mouse. If there is such a thing as
pre-carpal, I must have it. Anyway, when I read the newsgroup and its
200+ posts a day, the only thing I just the mouse for is to click on
the little icon to respond. I use the directional arrows to scroll
through the post and the 'n' key to skip to the next post. And of
course the tab key when I need to switch window areas. I do use Free
Agent so maybe it's a little easier, but honestly, if I can use the
keystrokes, I do. Don't want to lose that skill.
I might, however, like to try a track ball one of these days. Anyway,
take care of that CTS, all of you who have it. See a doctor or a
therapist, and listen to your body. When it hurts, take a rest!
Sue in Montreal
---
Sue sue.bi...@sympatico.ca
*** Carpe Diem, mes enfants!
**** What may be may not be. Scottish Proverb
***** Conform and be dull. J. Frank Dobie
Rosemary Peeler
I don't know what Carpal Tunnel is like, but I gave myself a ganglion
on my right wrist (sure CT is much worse) by doing data entry and
spending all my spare time knitting.
I'm right-handed, but I always use a mouse left-handed. It makes sense
if you have to use the number pad too, numbers one hand, mouse the
other.
What I started to say was that I like it because my middle finger is
on the button I click most, where if I used the mouse with my right
hand, I would using my index finger. I find this helpful. A way to
achieve the same thing without switching hands would be to reconfigure
the buttons on your mouse, but this may be confusing.
I can't remember the original post, so I'm sorry if what I've said is
irrevelant.
Rosemary in Sydney, Australia
Catharine Lawhon
I found a wonderful product to help! I have fibromyalgia, as well as CTS. I
replaced my mouse with a device called FELIX from Altra. It is an optical
device that allows you to cover your entire screen with a curser in only
one square inch of space. The movement is so tiny, that you only move your
fingers. There is no wrist or arm movement at all. It doesn't require any
special drivers, simply replaces your mouse. I've been using mine for 8
months now and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not terribly expensive.
You can learn all about it on the web http://www.altra.com
I'm really pleased with the product. It has saved me MUCH pain.
Catharine .......{-;
Jazzbird Designs