Friday, September 21, 2007

Wristy business

I have been taking a break lately due to my wrist/elbow acting up. Before I switched to an ergonomic keyboard and Logitech Trackman mouse, I was in an immense amount of pain from repetitive stress on my wrists, elbows, and shoulders. The split keyboard was a godsend, eliminating most of my pain, and later on I got the Trackman, which pretty much made everything right with the world.

That was maybe 10 years ago. Then, I got fibro, and computer use has to be balanced more carefully because of it. Unfortunately, this also means that the right hand needs to be rested and cared for gently, so that means writing and drawing are out during flare-ups. If I have to use a regular mouse and keyboard (like at my last job), I'll be hurting pretty badly within an hour, so it could be worse.

Now, since I walk on my hands instead of my feet, destroying my poor joints with crushing weight, this is obviously the result of my being fat. If I could just pry myself out of the McDonald's booth to which my skin has grafted itself, maybe I wouldn't have these problems. Right? Ha!

Anyway, I have a few things bouncing around in my mind to write about, so when this flare subsides, there'll be stuff! Meanwhile, it's wrist braces and cat therapy for me.

2 comments:

Lindsay said...

'Tis the season to be flare-y, apparently. I've flared up something fierce within the last week.

I'm blaming the weather. Not that it helps, but ah well.

Hope you get to feelin' better soon.

Lindley said...

I finally gave in and got a pen and tablet instead of a mouse at work (I was lucky that they were on an ergonomics kick so they paid for it) and it's been a godsend. Like you, I can spend about an hour with a standard mouse before I start aching.