RSI in mouse hand - advice welcomed

[DrunkenZombiee]

So on a more serious note I think I may be suffering from some onset of a RSI after the use of a very small travel mouse (Microsoft presenter mouse) for a couple of weeks for 12 hours + a day using a regular table in front of a laptop screen. I now have shooting pains up my left arm and a lot of pain in my pinkie next smallest finger when using my main full sized mouse, when typing and a lot of pain using a screwdriver or any wrist and finger motion.

I know some of you have suffered with this in the past and I am really looking for some advice on managing it and hopefully making a full recovery.

Any suggestions would be very gratefully welcomed as its very uncomfortable and beginning to effect my work.

Thanks in advance.

DZ

[Gorion]

Are the shooting pains you mentioned burning sensations, shock sensations, or a combination of both?
Do you have tingling/numbness in some of your fingers?
Can you move your fingers all the way, or is there a certain point when your fingers don't obey the mental command to move?
Is the pain waking you up at night?
Do you feel the hand/fingers swelling?
Are you dropping objects/losing some of your grip?
When using the screwdriver, is the pain specific to the wrist area?

What you can do:
For starters you need to take a break from using mice/keyboards.  Even if it affects work.
Keep your affected hand in its natural position (thumb upwards).
Use one of these for a while (Any other brand is fine, just make sure you size it properly).  Feel free to sleep with it, as it helps a lot.
Have someone massage your affected hand.

Go see a doctor, tomorrow if possible.  Do not ignore it as it can get worse, and you may suffer permanent damage.

[DuVeL]

Indeed go see a doctor.
I had some problems which ended up in me loosing movement of the 2 right fingers on my right hand. For me it was the nerve of the right arm moving over the elbow/bone which caused the problem and I had to get surgery for it, now it's capsuled in so it wont move over the bone anymore.

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What I had explained: http://www.neuro-surgery.eu/EXEN/site/z-ulnaris-neuropathie.aspx

I actually had the more severe one which ended up that my arm had to be in a cast for a few weeks.

[Gorion]

Yep, it can also be carpal tunnel syndrome which is a similar issue but in the wrist section.

I suffer from both carpal (median), and cubital (ulnar) tunnel syndromes in both my arms, and its hell.  As it progresses the issues worsen, so the doctor part is important.  If possible, talk to a neurology professor from the get go, as you will probably need a nerve conduction test (arm shocks).

You do not want this problem to progress.

[Obsydian]

I haven't watched it (so it may be rubbish) but came across this video and thought it worth mentioning here:

[video=youtube;EiRC80FJbHU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiRC80FJbHU[/video]

[albert]

This is a good alternative:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/3M-Ergonomic-Mouse-review

keeps your hand in a more relaxing natural position. meant for RSI recovery. Your company should supply it if asked.

[OldBloke]

Out of the many people I knew who had RSI issues the vast majority found the vertical mouse to be the most effective solution.

[BrotherTobious]

Completely agree I have one for work also stretching the arm and fingers ever 45mins and after that 5 mins rest of the arm.

Also sitting positioning is so so important.

I had to stop gaming for a month and with that kind of stuff I have saved my arm and didn't need the Cortozone injection.

Sent from my Nexus 5

[Vargen]

This is a good alternative:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/3M-Ergonomic-Mouse-review

keeps your hand in a more relaxing natural position. meant for RSI recovery. Your company should supply it if asked.

Some other options include this vertical mouse, and this rollermouse. Personal preference I guess. I prefer the vertical mouse option.

[Twyst]

I use a wristband which saved me. These days i cannot use a normal mouse without it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ergonomic-Wrist-Rest-Mouse-Keyboard-Black-MEDIUM/dp/B001O9I45O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top