Has anyone been experiencing pain in their hands from writing?

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   tamronposted 13 years ago

   I am experiencing pain in both thumbs.  I was wondering if anyone else is having this trouble?  Several months ago I had to cut back on my writing because my face swelled up and my eyes got real strained.

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      luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Your face swelled up from writing?

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         Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         luvpassion, what tamron didn't mention was that sitting at the computer all day without exercising led to a 5 lb weight gain - hence the swollen face.    Sorry, tamron.  I couldn't resist..   
         
         In all seriousnessness, in research on RSI that I've done for articles; I've read that people shouldn't keep doing the same thing the same way if it leads to pain (like your thumb pain).  Find another hand position.  Drink lots of water all through the day.  Take frequent, small, breaks.  I don't know if these small steps will help, but one thing you don't want to do is keep doing things the same way even with the pain.  That's when more permanent damage is more likely to happen.
         
         Maybe shift any typing rhythm you have.  Maybe try typing without using the thumbs when you can.

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            luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I'm so sorry...I've been away and havn't been able to visit you guys in a while.
            
            Teri

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            tamronposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Lisa
            You are so right!  I finally put myself in a reward program.  I have to get something done before I get on computer.  I only allow myself an hour than I go get something else done.  Now my house is really starting to shape up.
            
            The one thing I do is drink a lot of water and coffee but mostly water.  I was getting bags under my eyes so I had to cut back on the computer.

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         tamronposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Ya I was writing all hours of the night.  I had to stop I was making to many mistakes.  My eyes wouldn't stay focused.  Now I don't put myself through all that and I am enjoying my writing instead of trying to meet a quota that is why I was wondering about the pain in my thumbs.  The pain started around the time my face was swelling up about 6 mths ago but I have slowed way down with writing.

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            Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I can't help but wonder if, maybe, the face swelling and pain in the thumbs might either be completely unrelated, or else not related to just writing at all - and maybe to something like diet, etc. 
            
            I do know that if you use something like fingers or hands in repetitive motions and without giving the muscles a chance to get "re-lubricated" after "using up" what's there, that's when pain can set in. Once pain sets in, that's when damage can start to set in too.  That's why taking small breaks and drinking lots of water all day are something people should do.  (Hope you get to the bottom of it.  I've had numbness in one hand from time to time, but that's it.)

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      AEvansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like Carpal Tunnel, I would recommend seeing a doctor.

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      ChristinSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This sounds like the start of a repetitive motion injury - not necessarily carpal - but it could be.  Believe it or not I had a neck injury from computer use simply because of the level my chair was - A couple of simple adjustments to my chair and the pain went away.    I have always taken breaks every hour as well - get up and move the body and stretch - give your eyes a break from the screen etc. 
      
      I would look and see if there is a way you are holding your hands or if you are perhaps tensing up or clenching things like that which could be causing some nerve pain.  Good luck I know it's frustrating trying to figure it out.

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      drspanielposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Is this paper writing, or typing writing on a keyboard? If this is on a keyboard it's obvious that you're spending too much time writing, and you need to take a break every 45 minutes. If this is paper writing we're talking about here, you could be holding the pen too tightly, or writing for way too long.
      
      I used to constantly get sore thumbs, however I learned the beauties of having breaks!

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   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   I've only experienced pain in my hand when I used to do a lot of physical writing. I don't experience pain in my hand when I type things.
   
   Sorry to hear you're having pain. It's never a good thing and I hope you figure out what's triggering it.

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      luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Cags (((Hug)))

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         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Hey Luv (((Hugs)))
         
         What? Are you slumming?

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            luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            No, got to go to England for a while...Visited Stonehenge (((WOW)))

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               Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I meant with your presence in the forums. Haven't seen you around much, if at all.

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                  luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I know you don't believe it, but the feelings of timeless mystery that surround the ancient monument make the world a more interesting place

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                     Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     The world is already an interesting place. I just don't sucked in with "shock and awe" effect. And, I love mysteries btw.

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                        luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        So many members of the band have changed but I see you guys are still playing the same old tune. Love ya anyway

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                           Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                           Well, you know people do need enlightenment.

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                              luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                              Buddah!!! is that really you?

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   habeeposted 13 years ago

   I have severe CTS in both hands. The neurologist said it's the worst case he's ever seen. My daughter often has to type for me as I dictate. If I didn't have CTS, I could REALLY write a lot of hubs!!

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      tamronposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Can they do anything for CTS?  You are talking about carpal tunnel syndrome?

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         habeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Right - carpal tunnel. The neurologist said mine is so bad and has been going on for so long that he didn't think surgery would help much. Also, I would probably lose some of my already-compromised grip strength, which I really need. I have a very bad right knee and right hip, so I need my grip for grab bars.

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   kverdasmithposted 13 years ago

   The thumbs have nerve endings directly related to the colon. massaging the thumbs and cleansing the colon help. I also get pain in my hands and have numbness often. Mine is from a pinched nerve in my neck from a past injury. Carpel tunnel is often the diagnosis both in my case and others but it is commonly one of the most mis-diagnoses. Certain foods as you get older will activate rheumatic joint pain. I am still paying attention to when I have pain and perhaps the culprit. The most common foods that activate are acid producing foods and especially nightshade family foods like peppers,eggplant and tomatoes (all my favorites). I mostly type now as long hand writing activates the numbness. If I stop and stretch my muscles and work my neck it helps.

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