Carpal Tunnel Issues

Have you tried wearing the arm/hand support braces? I think you can buy these without a huge cost or dr. visits. This helped me some. S.

Hi C.,

My doctor recommended a brace that you wear while sleeping. I assume it keeps the wrist in a certain position to alleviate any pinching of the nerves. This took away some of the pain; it wasn't always comfortable though.

Hello, just this past November I was diagnosed with tendinitis in my upper and lower arm. I was tested for carpal tunnel and found that it was tendinitis instead. I have done quite a bit of P/T. I found that pain relievers didn't really do much. If anything, using pain reliever via a patch was more effective. I also found that a brace on the upper forearm helped quite a bit. An addition I performed excercises that the P/T had me do with an inexpensive resistance band helped immensely. If you don't want to go to the doctor, I would recommend you look on the internet for excercises that you can do at home. If you do those with some icing afterward, you might get some relief. The root of my problem was my workstation. My keboard needed to be lowered so that I wasn't stressing the tendons while do a great deal of keying. I now have a keyboard tray that allows my keyboard to be below my desktop.

I hope this helps, good luck. L.

Ok, I'm not a medical provider, and I'm not qualified to give medical advice, but here's what I'd do. First of all...limited child care? what does that mean? If your husband isn't working and you are, he should be taking care of the kids and keeping them out of your hair while you're working. It will greatly reduce your stress level (if he will cooperate without whining) and will help you to be more productive.

I'm assuming that you are self employed. That is not always the case, as there are many companies that hire medical transcriptionists and allow them to work from home. You should definitely look into this, because it would give you workers' comp coverage as well as private health insurance and resources to help with making sure your work-station is appropriate.

You need to have a designated work station, if you don't already. No typing on a laptop while watching TV. The first part of dealing with your problem needs to be reducing the exposure that's causing the problem in the first place. You need to be very realistic about this. A proper work station is also not the kitchen table, no matter how comfortable the chairs are. You need some sort of desk with a proper desk chair. Skimping here will just give you more problems. I have a built in desk in my house which is too tall, and because of where my arms hit when I'm trying to type, it makes my hands go completely numb! Try to think out of the box for cheap ways to set up your workstation. You elbows should be close to your body with you elbows at slightly greater than a 90 degree angle. Your feet should be flat on the floor or on a box or something to raise them up so that they're not dangling. Your computer screen should be raised up so that you are looking straight ahead at it, not looking down. This can be accomplished with old phone books or stacked reams of paper. You need to be using a full size keyboard, not a laptop keyboard, and some people feel that a split keyboard is more comfortable. Believe me, if you do not make these changes and invest the money into getting appropriate equipment, you will not be doing this job for much longer. You also need a wrist rest for your keyboard, but it won't do you any good if your keyboard is too high up. Your wrists need to be in a neutral position. You can google "office ergonomics" for more set-up ideas.

Next, you need to take little breaks (30 seconds or so) every 20 minutes. Stretch your hands by gently pushing the fingers of each hand back, then bend forward at your wrists as far as you can, gently pushing each hand forward for a gentle stretch. Then clench your hands in tight fists and the strech your fingers out as far as you can.

You probably should be taking some type of anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen is a good one) several times a day or according to the directions on the box, to see if you can get the inflammation calmed down. You should definitely buy wrist braces and wear them at night. You can pick these up at most drugstores. A lot of people have symptoms and aching and numbness, especially at night if it is carpal tunnel. The wrist braces can help because sometimes when we sleep, our hands end up propping us up on our sides for long period in awkward angles, which just compounds the problem. That being said, your description of pain could also be tendonitis, again which would be caused from overuse and poor workstation set up.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be costly to diagnose and treat, and most hand specialists just want to do surgery right away as it does usually give the best long term relief. This doesn't usually just go away on it's own without doing or changing something.

You didn't really mention numbness, and that is one of the main symptoms. Also weakness, dropping thing, etc. If you are having numbness, carpal tunnel usually effects the thumb, index and middle finger. If it is just the last two finger, then it is usually coming from the elbow.

There are a lot of medical clinics (US Healthworks) that you can get a basic exam and diagnosis just to be sure there is nothing more serious going on.

If you make the necessary changes and your symptoms keep getting worse, then you definitey should see a doctor, because if left too long untreated, you can cause permanent nerve damage. Again, I am not a nurse or a doctor, so these are just my personal suggestions for what might help.

Hi C., As a fellow carpal tunnel sufferer, I can certainly empathize. Although I do a lot of computer work, mine more often flares up when I've been doing activities that involve clenching (yard work is a prime example - raking, digging, clipping branches). I first noticed it french braiding my daughter's hair, which she liked before school each day, during a time when I was trying to sand down and refinish dining room chairs (clenching sandpaper around chair legs). My hands would go numb while I was combing and I would have to repeatedly pause and shake them. It has progressed now to the point where I am familiar with waking up in the middle of the night with stabbing pains or numbness up and down my arm. More often I can sleep at night but wake up with numbness and/or pain in the morning.

Two things provide some relief helped. 1) Wrist braces. I got mine from my doctor, but you can probably find some at a pharmacy. The kind with a solid support - like a thin metal plate - that starts at your palm, curves around the heel of your hand and extends up your wrist, are best. Wearing the supports while you are doing activities that agravate your carpal tunnel can help prevent the pain and numbness issues. If you forget or don't want to wear them during daytime activities, I can wear mine to bed at night and usually ward off the morning numbness. (I admit it's not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement, but you get used to it).

The other thing that helped me, and it may not apply to you, is that I was diagnosed with arthritis in my neck. Bone spurs were rubbing nerves in my neck, which was aggravating the nerve issues in my wrists. By remembering to relax my shoulders and watch my posture, I am able to prevent some of this added impact. Even if you don't have arthritis, tension in your neck and shoulders could be aggravating your symptoms. (mmmm - neck massage :-)

Good luck!
J.

I'm fairly certain you can purchase a ct wrist support brace from Rite Aid. Not the perfect solution, but under the circumstances....

Dear C.,
I would evaluate your work station for ergonomic issues. You might find some relief with a few minor adjustments. I just saw on the news this morning that yoga helps with carpal tunnel syndrom. Good to hear...also relieves stress. :)
I wish you the best. God Bless.

Hi C..
A few years ago, during the last Refi boom, I was working for a mortgage company entering an insane amount of data on the computer when I developed what I thought was carpal tunnel syndrome. My hand and arm hurt so bad it would wake me up at night and my thumb and first two fingers started going numb. For some reason, I went to see my chiropractor and after just a few visits to him it went away completely. I had been in so much pain I thought for sure the only cure would be surgery. Thank goodness it wasn't the only answer. My chiropractor explained that by doing so much fine motor work (typing) for so many hours, plus being stressed (I was new to the business) it was actually my shoulders that were the cause of my pain. He recommended getting up and stretching my shoulders every hour. Another person in my office went to see him for the same reason and was also pain free within a few visits. I hope this helps you and good luck.

ice your wrists during your breaks at work, get a couple of wrist braces at the pharmacy, and if you know any massage therapists, talk to the. I am a LMT, and I know that carpal tunnel issues can be reversed with massage.
Good luck!

I have kind of the same thing but my shoulder pops and elbows hurt too so it is not carpal tunnel but I have made an effort to keep my elbows as straight as possible too while sleeping and that has helped. My nerve bundle is being pinched in all of the joints through my arms, left being worse then right. I have had bursitis in both shoulders since I was a teenager and have had problems with my arms falling asleep if I have them above my shoulders. So straight arms below shoulder level at night should help you through the day. Good luck, this pain is terrible. Oh and make sure you are typing with your computer on a table and not your lap, I noticed mine is worse using a laptop in my lap.

You could try calling around to massage therapists and see if any possibly have any specialized training in carpal tunnel syndrome. You can find alot of relief from some massage for this issue, if you find someone who knows what they are doing. Alot of times carpal tunnel issues start in the neck and shoulder area. I'm not exactly sure where you're located but where I live, a 1 hour massage session runs about $55-60. I don't know if this helps or not but I wish you luck.

All the suggestions are great. I would also add stretching the area between your shoulders and your breast and armpit. Do like a pushup in the doorway but push your body thru the doorway so that you get the strech. And massage in that area as well. Also strech your neck by pulling your chin up the the sky.

I used to have the same problem. Massage Therapy helps greatly! I would recommend that you see a massage therapist at least once. Have them do deep tissue work on your arms.
You can feel the muscles in your arms that are causing the pain, just run your fingers up and down your arm pressing on the muscles. You will feel that these muscles are in spasm. You will be able to feel individual muscles and they will be tender. You can break up the spasm yourself or your husband can help.
Also roll a child's rolling pin up and down your arm if it feels like sliding down a staircase those muscles need work to. Press the rolling pin against your arm and roll it up and down. THis will also help the muscles relax.
It will hurt, but you won't miss work or spend a whole lot of money.
I no longer cry at night with pain in my hands. I can eat with chopsticks again and don't drink holding my cup with both hands.
If you need a reference for a therapist, I work for a Chiropractor now and know manny.

Hi C.,
So sorry to hear about your families finances,but it sounds like you are blessed in so many other ways! Keep the FAITH!

I am a massage therapist and I would maybe try a wrist brace? There are lots of braces out there but the one that I would look for is hard on the top of the forearm and hard on the bottom, and velcro straps around the thumb and forearm. Most of them are just hard on the bottom. This will keep your wrist in neutral so you don't further injure yourself. Try stretching your forearms by putting your hands together in the middle of your chest stretching slowly down toward your naval. If that feels good and you need more of a stretch get on your hands and knees, put your hands on the floor hands spread pointing away from your body, lined up with your shoulder, while breathing deeply, gently, slowly rock side to side. If that feels good do the same thing but point your hands so your inside of your forearms are pointing away from your body, and your fingers are pointing toward the back of your body, this time your weight it shifted toward your heels (backward) breathing deeply etc. If anything feels like too much or painful back off with your intensity and stretch short of any pain or discomfort. If you hold your breath your are not going to get a deep stretch so breathing deeply is essential. Ice your forearms as a natural anti inflammatory. I like the direct application of ice, so if you have any paper cups around you can put some water in it and freeze it for your therapy, and or just grab some ice cubes with a wash rag and ice massage until numb approx. 5 min. I would especially wear this brace while sleeping and playing and picking up your kids. If you are picking up your 9 mo. old make sure you keep your thumbs in so you are not bearing any weight on your thumbs. I am a therapist but I also suffered with similar pain for over a year with my first born. I knew what to do with my second. I was healed within a month of wearing this brace. Let me know if this helps! S.

I have this issue. I've even had the 'pleasure' of the pain reaching my shoulder. I went to the doctor and found out that it was Carpal Tunnel syndrome and I also had Tendinitis. Not fun. Ways that I alleviate it have been to do some hand and wrist exercises. There are probably ways you can look this part up online. Also, usually people obtain a wrist brace for this condition at the doctor's, but there might be a way you can order it in a medical catalog or talk to your local pharmacist on a possible way of purchasing this. If you manage to get one, wear it whenever you are sitting, sleeping, or doing anything that doesn't involve limiting wrist and hand usage. Hope this helps!

I'm a PT--carpal tunnel is horrible if that's what you have. You can buy some off the shelf wrist supports to sleep in at night and type in. This will help to keep your wrists in a neutral position. Try to stay neutral at wrists with your daily activities to. Also try stretching by straightening your elbow and bending your wrist back so your palm is facing away. Hold for 30 seconds, repeat twice, several times a day. Walking to get your heart rate up is also good due to circulation. It would be great to talk with you to really make sure that's what you have. If you're interested please email me directly. Go to the website www.dynamicbracing.com and look at the wrist lacer. That's the one I use with my patients and it is easy to get on and comfortable.

I have the exact same problem and I am a nurse. I was x-rayed about a yr ago and they told me it was negative for carpal tunnel. I am considering a second opinion soon. I have been a stay at home mom for the last yr. and do go on the computer several times a day, but not for very long. I am not sure what to do either. I have a hand splint, but it hasn't helped much. Advil helps a little. Red wine helps a lot, but I can't drink every night:) Good luck. J.

Hi C.,

I know doctor bills are no fun but you need to know exactly what you are dealing with in order to treat it appropriately and therefore receive the fastest possible healing. Nerve pain in the hand and forearm can come from multiple spots, but the big three are the wrist retinacula (one side of which partly creates the carpal tunnel), the muscle insertions near the elbow and the muscles around lower neck (TOS). The last two are places were super tight muscles contribute to pinching the nerves that serve the arm and hand, creating pain. The wrist retinacula is band of fascia that keeps all the tendons going to our hands in place and functioning. You need to know which place(s) is causing the problem. Once you know that you can tailor your treatments to really helping relieve the root cause. Regardless, of the physical place, over use is often to blame so please don't wait to get help. You need to work and the sooner you get help the less work you will likely have to miss. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Good Luck,
S.

1) If your injuries were due to your work, and you're working as an employee, you can go to your doctor (I'd recommend an orthopedist) and be treated under worker comp. You would not be paying for any of your medical care, prescriptions or therapy. You would receive partial wage replacement, tax free as it's an insurance benefit, while you are unable to work. This is all administered thru the Dept. of Labor and Industries. When you visit your doctor, you start the process. My doctor had me on Celebrex and no use of my arms to reduce the inflammation. I also took Advil for additional pain relief. Ice packs will also help. You will have to quit typing for a while and look at adjusting your key board, chair, desk and terminal. Ergonomic key board, a mouse pad with wrist supports, terminal at eye height so you're not bending your neck to read. How you hold your head to look at the screen, how you position your wrists and your arms makes a world of difference. Taking frequent breaks, stretching your hands, etc. If you live in the South King County area, I highly recommend Dr. Tullus with Valley Orthopedics or Dr. Karen Nelson with Valley Medical's Occupational Medicine Clinic. Both are very knowledgable and will help you heal and prevent further injuries. If you're not covered by worker comp because you are self-employed, you still need to invest in a dr's appt with an orthopedist to get the initial care. If you don't do this, you need to understand that carpal tunnel is an accumulative injury, it will get worse if you don't treat it and correct your behaviors when it comes to typing and using your hands. My hands and arms were so bad that I couldn't write or braid my daughter's hair. Depending upon the degree of injury, surgery maybe required to enlarge the tunnel that nerves run thru. Every person is unique, so take the time to talk with dr and get the appropriate treatment. Over the counter anti-inflamatories (aleve, ibuprofen, etc) and massage. I found that even now, a good massage of my neck shoulders and upper arms works wonders. I wish you well. It hurts and it takes time to heal. It took time to get this bad, so it will take about the same amount of time to get better.

C.,
Hello! I am so sorry to hear that you are having pain. That is no fun. I suffer from tendonitis and carpal tunnel when I overuse my right wrist. What really helps me is to wear a wrist brace at night while I sleep. This allows my wrist and hand to "rest" and keeps my wrist inmobile. This helps with the swelling and the pain. If you dont have a wrist brace, you can use an ace bandage. I hope this clears up for you. Do get to a doctor when you can.

I found this online http://www.apta.org/AM/Images/APTAIMAGES/ContentImages/pt...
I worked with a physical therapist who was able to help me learn exercises to strengthen and stretch.
My husband had surgery for ct and they ended up snipping a nerve so that was not a solution for him.
Bottom line your health and ability to function should not be compromised. Some clinics offer sliding scale and other options depending on your income.
If it is ct it will progress if you don't address it.
Good luck and don't compromise on taking care of yourself.

Hi C.,
It sounds like your pain is being caused by overuse of your flexor and extensor muscles due to the amount of typing you do with your job. I would recommend seeing a massage therapist for some initial work and then ask them to show you some stretches and self massage techniques that will help you to keep those muscles "happy". I am a massage therapist in Central Oregon, please feel free to call me if you would like me to give you a few pointers over the phone. This really should be an easy fix. My number is ###-###-####.

Oh my goodness! I hate to hear that. I know how horrible it feels to have the Carpal Tunnel issue! YIKES. I had a bad case of Carpal Tunnel the last 3 months of my pregnancy. I was so confused when it first woke me up in the middle of the night with my hand and arm just throbbing in pain up to my elbow. Lots of sleepless nights and tears. It eventually worked its way up to my back and shoulder-so weird (and painful). For me, it was being pregnant and having water retention which puts pressure on the "carpal tunnel" nerve and reduces circulation and causes pain. At least that is what I found through my research. In my case the only thing I could do to try and alleviate the pain was wearing a brace at night and trying to use my hands as little as possible. I asked my doctor about it and there really wasnt anything I could do-especially being pregnant. After 3 months post preg it has finally subsided. From what I understand Ibuprofen should help with the inflammation and pain but only temporarily. Basically just resting your arms as much as possible and using a splint or brace at night is all I know to suggest. Good Luck with it, I truely hope it gets better. That cannot be very easy to deal with in your line of work and having children. I suppose you could look into surgery as well as that is probably the only permanent fix. It may be worth it in the long run. ??? Maybe as a last resort. Sounds like there are a lot of other suggestions from other moms that you could try...:)

Hi C.,
You have gotten some great responses!
In addition to what was already mentioned I would like to add something about supplementation.
I am a dental hygienist and I suffered from something that sounds just like what you have. I had a medical Dr. Friend introduce me to OPC-3, a superantioxidant that's ingredients help reduce inflammation and also works a blood cleanser removing toxins from the circulatory system. Within a couple of months I noticed that I no longer had any pain in my wrists or hands. I have had a drastic reduction in tingling in my arms as well as it also helps increase circulation. I have been taking it faithfully for 2 years and no signs since! I have seen it work for many others with similar ailments. Hope this helps. Here is a link to a site where you can read more about OPC-3. www.marketamerica.com/kimkalin
It may also help with your fatigue. I know it is one of the products in a regimen for chronic fatigue syndrome.
Hope this helps,
D., RDH

Carpal Tunnel is usually caused by a lack of the B-Vitamins. It is a "nerves of the wrist" issue. It is NOT caused by over-use like some wish to make you think. Type in "Natural cure for Carpal Tunnel" in Google. Check to see if Dr. Mercola.com has some suggestions as well. Those people I know who have had surgery to correct this only suffered recurring pain and the same condition later on because the underlying cause was not addressed.

Go here:

http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?q=Carpal%20Tunnel%...

The wrist brace is the place to start! Wear them when you sleep - we have a tendancy to curl our wrists up when we sleep, keeping them straight will help a lot!
Next, for next to no $ -- find a rubberband. You know, like the wide brown ones, a good stiff one. Put it around all your fingers including your thumb (as though you were gonna put it on your wrist, but leave it pretty much on your fingernails). Part of carpal tunnel is that we over use our "closing" muscles, to keep things symetrical you need to work out your "opening" muscles - stretch open that rubberband and give your muscles a work out. Also, ibuprofen is an anti-inflamatory but acetomenophen is not (don't know what Aleve is). And ice packs (not heat, that will increase the swelling).

Hi C.-

I actually have Rheumatoid Arthritis and was only diagnosed three years ago at 27. Up till that time I never really had any major health problems. My RA began in a similar way to what your describing. Not to scare you, but if I were you I'd continue to watch your symptoms, and if it starts to occur in other places around joints, get tested for RA. It's just a simple blood test, but it is one of those things you can't leave untreated. Otherwise, some of the things that help me when I'm having a flareup are braces (there's a really nice one for your thumb and wrist by Futuro that is supportive, but not too bulky. http://www.futuro-usa.com/product_detail.aspx?id=13) hot baths with epsom salt, ibuprofen and rest. Sometimes ice or hot packs can help, sometimes they don't seem to make a huge difference for me.

Also, I wanted to mention the Oregon Health Plan. I don't know if you've thought of it, but I was able to get myself and our three kids on it (my husband already has insurance through his job) so it's worth a try if your income is limited right now. I've been able to get a lot of treatments we wouldn't otherwise be able to afford thanks to OHP.

Hope you find something that helps! Feel free to write me back if you have any more questions.

-J.

Find a doctor who will see you despite your finances. Check into the worker's comp issue, and if that doesn't do it, check into what the state of Oregon offers for low-income insurance (in Washington it's called Washington Basic Health. There's probably something comparable), and if neither of those work, find a doctor in your area that will accept sliding scale fees.

I'm a doctor, and I'd say it's not clear from your description whether you have carpal tunnel, whether you "just" have tight forearm muscles, whether you have "golfer's" or "tennis" elbow (you don't have to play either sport to get 'em -- they are a tendonitis of different sets of tendons attaching to your elbow; I'd be curious about those here in a case where your pain is in your forearm extending to your elbow), or whether you have what is loosely called "thoracic outlet syndrome" - where the muscles in your neck and shoulders and/or your pectoral muscles are tight and thus impinging on the nerves in places where they leave your spine to go through the "brachial plexus" and head into your arm. Why is this important? You need to know where the problem is, so you can treat it effectively.

Completely agree with the person who said to watch the painkillers - masking symptoms will lead to further problems by a) not dealing with the underlying cause and b) causing other toxic damage (including joint damage) if used over time. Personally I'd recommend finding a naturopathic doctor near you (find one on www.naturopathic.org) - they're trained to keep looking for the underlying cause, and not stop at symptom relief, and should also be able to educate you well on which muscles are causing the trouble and how to stretch and otherwise support them. [Plus, I bet you need some herbs and other treatment for stress-support!] I'd also get online and find some illustrations on proper ergonomic setup. Working on the computer all the time does not set you up for proper posture! It's important to compensate for whatever body trouble your work is causing you.

Good luck!

The wrist splits really helped me and you can buy them over the counter. I am sure rite aid carries them, maybe even Walmart. I have seen them at more then one pharmacy.

To keep it from hurting so much until you can get it fixed. Get a wrist brace and wear pretty much 24/7. That helps alot for sure.

D. Mudie

My mom and I both have carpal tunnel. There are braces that you can buy at any pharmacy to wear at night. It keeps your hands and wrists in a position that relieves the pain and reduces swelling. If you have insurance, I would see your doctor. Besides pain relief there are things they can do and a outpatient surgery that works miracles.

I've dealt with carpal tunnel many times over the years and have been able to keep it at bay with ergonomic adjustments. It sounds like your new work is definitely aggravating it. Taking Alleve or ibuprofen really helps the symptoms, as does stretching. Since you are working at home, it is likely that your workstation is not ergonomically correct. Your wrists need to be level with the tops of your hands AND your elbows as you type, and do not rest your wrists or elbows on anything. This means you need to adjust your seat height, get an angled foot rest if needed, and make sure your keyboard and mouse are at a good height to make all this possible. Also, your eyes should naturally line up with the upper third of the monitor. You can use things from around the house to prop your seat or monitor up. Also, TAKE BREAKS! (10 minutes per hour) Truly, your discomfort won't go away entirely until you allow yourself these things. Good luck!

Oh, yes...and like the other poster said, keeping your wrists in a good position at night is essential, either with the braces (the softer ones can be worn during the day, too) or by position modification.

C.,
I had nerve pain issues that mimicked carpal tunnel and rhumetoid arthritis, but defied a conclusive diagnosis. Anyway, I started experimenting with my diet and found that excluding gluten has almost completely solved my problem. I would encourage you to try to go gluten free for a week and see if some of your nerve pain is allievated. You don't have to spend a ton of money to get "gluten-free". If you decide to try it, let me know and I will send some money saving tips.
Good luck,
K.

Hi C.,
As a massage therapist, here's the advice I can offer. Ice 10-15 min at a time, you can do it several times a day if it helps. Keep your wrists straight when you type (you've probably heard that already). Stretch your forearms / wrists, and do some self-massage on your wrists to keep things loosened up and take pressure off that nerve. Good luck!
~J.

C., A recently educated massage therapist can help emensly! I am in school at the moment and we have received training for Carpel Tunnel and Thorasic Outlet which has been proven over and over to work. Here in the Seattle/Olympia area I highly recommend the Bodymachanics School, or call your local massage school and see if you can get in with a student for a minimal fee.

I would reccomend chiropractic and massage. Your neck could be out which effects your forearms and hands. They can also reccomend excercises andstreaches that can help. Try using a tennis ball on your shoulder against the wall roll it around until you find a sore spot and rub as much as you can there. I would try alternative before medical they seem to care about your overall well being more then the medical fiels which are too fast to cut in my opinion. I have had the same problem from carring around two 25 lb kids a lot and working on a computer.

Good luck. I can reccomend a wonderful chiropractor by mall 205 if your interested.

Invest in a couple of wrist braces to sleep in, the ones that go down the arm. Also, there are wrist bands you can buy that will help during the day, especially when you are working. I had surgury on both hands many years ago and it still bothers me. The braces help when they act up. If no on has told you this, you need to take a break from typing every hour or so and shake out and massage your hands. The braces can be a little pricey but even a doctor will tell you to use them. If it gets really bad, you may have no coice but yo see a doctor as you do not want to cause perament damage. Hope this helps.

M. P

Make sure that the mouse you use is not too large for your hand (like some ergonomic mice are). Also get a wristbrace you can sleep in. Doesn't need to be super spendy I have one that is neoprene and just wraps and velcros. Wear it while you sleep, that should help to keep you from bending your wrists while you sleep which can really aggrevate the problem. It should also make all the typing you are doing easier during the day.

You have to get rid of the problem and not just mask it with painkillers or it could get worse. I'd take ibuprofen over aleve and only then if you can't sleep or type. If it is tendonitis, that's what I had and it's very similar to carpal tunnel symptoms, acupuncture is the only thing that helped me. I do a lot of computer work too and have my wrists adjusted regularly by a chiropractor ad have my massage therapist work on my forearms too. I understand wanting to not spend money buy if it gets worse you may not be able to work at all! Good luck!