[Crystal Dawn]

Do you feel that repetative movements make your symptoms worse? Besides avoiding these tasks, have you found anything that helps?

I have noticed that days were I do more typing or more laboratory work, my symptoms are worse. I take frequent breaks and don't push myself too hard. But it doesn't seems to be helping.

Annie--It seems that my symptoms are very similar to yours and I too am a laboratory researcher. I see that you are still working full time. I was wondering if you have picked up any tricks or have special tools that help keep your symptoms from flaring up while you are at work.

I am really worried that I may not be able to keep doing my job for much longer, but it's the only thing I am really trained to do. Any suggestions or tips anybody can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Crystal

[Jomar]

Do you think you could have RSI {repetitive strain injury}or even possible TOS {thoracic outlet syndrome}?

Where are your symptoms located when they flare up?

Arm, neck, shoulder, hands or upper back?

TOS and RSD do have overlapping sx at times and if it is your upper body that has the symptoms and you do repetitive work {or lots of desk work , forward head, forward arms, reaching up/out} it might be something to look into.
It's possible to have both RSD & TOS , some members here have both.

Here's the TOS forum useful sticky thread - post # 1 has great info links
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread84.html

[dealingwithtos]

Hi.

I had TOS Before I had the rib resection and then developed RSD because of the surgery. So, yes, absolutely, repetitive motions are hard on RSD and can develop TOS.

I am also at a desk all day, typing, doing things at the desk that are repetitive.

Things that help? Not working unfortuntely. I haven't found anything other than possibly getting up every 1/2 hour religiously and walking around and trying to do other movements to loosen up. I do also have a heating bag that I put in the microwave and put that on my forearms. That seems to help a little bit.

I do find that I'm better in the morning. Once the afternoon comes around, I really get miserable. It seems that 1:30 or 2:00 is the magic time that I really start feeling the strains of working.

I do have to say, I try not to do very much on the weekends. That seems to help so I start as fresh as I can on Monday morning.

I know I'm not much help, but just so you know, I feel for you. I understand how hard it is.

[ali12]

I also notice that when I do more repetitive movements, my symptoms are worse.

I have RSD in my right arm for definite and possibly left arm (I see my PT's next week to discuss this) and if I am doing a lot of writing, my pain will go up a lot and my arm will begin to swell and change colour. I don't like writing that much now that I have RSD as my handwriting is really bad and the pain from it is really high but can't avoid it seeing as I go to school on a part time basis (I go on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday although I have been off this week)!

Computer work also seems to make my symptoms worse. I'm not sure if I have RSI but if I have been on the computer for too long, my arm will start hurting a lot - especially in the index fingers so I have to stop what I am doing and then rest. I used to always be on the computer but now that I have RSD, I have to limit what I do and not do too much typing.

I have also noticed that if I am brushing my hair, the pain in my arm will go up a lot. When I used to just have RSD pain in my right arm, it wasn't too bad as I could use my left arm to brush my hair but now that my left arm also has pain, it has made things pretty difficult!!

I haven't really found anything that helps with the pain from repetitive exercises other than taking a break and not overdoing things! Theres a fine line between doing too much and doing too little and it's really important that you listen to your body. My Doctor is always telling me to keep moving so I do the best I can but stop if I think things are getting too bad. I have a Dragon Voice Software for my computer that I use sometimes when the pain is too much and it is really useful - you talk to the voice software and it types everything for you!

I'm sorry that you have to deal with this also. Just know that I care and know what you are going through and that you aren't alone!! Take care and if you ever need anyone to talk to, please know that I am here for you!!

Alison.

[Crystal Dawn]

Thanks for sharing, and for the encouragement.

My history is a little complicated, but my neurologist does not think I have a repetative strain injury. However, my PCP does think I have developed TOS due to the botox injections I get for the dystonia in my right shoulder and back. The muscles are just too weak right now. When my symptoms flare up, I get a deep aching pain in my forearm/wrist and sometimes upper arm, numbness in my forearm/wrist/hands, and pain in my shoulder/back/neck/clavicle region. The back, shoulder, clavicle, and neck pain is relatively new (only the last 9 months or so). I've had symptoms (including others which I did not list) in my right forearm/wrist/fingers for almost 3 years, all of which started immediately after a routine blood draw from my arm.

I will definately talk to my neurologist about TOS when I see her next week.

Thank you so much for everything!

[Jomar]

oh yes, those sx sound very familiar.
One gal that used to post a lot got TOS from a influenza shot {I think it was that - but it was a basic vaccination of some sort}.

I believe she developed the TOS first because of the dropped shoulder caused, or a factor of, the vaccination and then did develop RSD later on.

Something you can do now until you find out more from the Dr, is be aware of your posture at all times.

shoulders back and down and not rolled forward -but relaxed and don't strain to do it.
Head in line with the shoulders and not forward of the body same thing as above if you can't do this perfectly yet -slowly work towards it.

I hope the Dr suggests an advanced PT that can help you reduce your pain & discomfort - there are good ones out there but as with anything you might get a few duds before you find a really good one.
Don't stay with any duds!
Not a condition for rookie PTs to learn on

If they don't listen to you or make you do things that will make you hurt worse - delayed pain!!} Tell them about it and if they don't make adjustments for that- move on to another.
Hopefully the dr will only rx to a good one.

Over the long haul i went to about 6 different PT places and learned things from each one -except the time I had a rookie reading out of his book
Didn't stay there long at all.
But by the end of my worst time was where I found the really good PTs and realized they had advanced training.
I found a really good chiropractor too and he does the various modalities same as the PTs did as well as any adjustments i need.

[Crystal Dawn]

Originally Posted by Jo*mar

oh yes, those sx sound very familiar.
One gal that used to post a lot got TOS from a influenza shot {I think it was that - but it was a basic vaccination of some sort}.

I believe she developed the TOS first because of the dropped shoulder caused, or a factor of, the vaccination and then did develop RSD later on.

Something you can do now until you find out more from the Dr, is be aware of your posture at all times.

shoulders back and down and not rolled forward -but relaxed and don't strain to do it.
Head in line with the shoulders and not forward of the body same thing as above if you can't do this perfectly yet -slowly work towards it.

I hope the Dr suggests an advanced PT that can help you reduce your pain & discomfort - there are good ones out there but as with anything you might get a few duds before you find a really good one.
Don't stay with any duds!
Not a condition for rookie PTs to learn on

If they don't listen to you or make you do things that will make you hurt worse - delayed pain!!} Tell them about it and if they don't make adjustments for that- move on to another.
Hopefully the dr will only rx to a good one.

Over the long haul i went to about 6 different PT places and learned things from each one -except the time I had a rookie reading out of his book
Didn't stay there long at all.
But by the end of my worst time was where I found the really good PTs and realized they had advanced training.
I found a really good chiropractor too and he does the various modalities same as the PTs did as well as any adjustments i need.

Thank you for the suggestions. I do try to watch my posture, but I am sure there are things I can do to improve my posture and/or decrease the strain on my shoulder. I'm a little nervous about physical therapy, but I do think a good physical therapist will help, at least a little.

Crystal

[Annie Poo]

Hi Crystal,

I'm headed back up to the lab, but here are a few suggestions:

Try to mix up what you are doing if at all possible. For instance, try not to sit and pipet for an hour straight. Pipet for 10 minutes, stretch out your fingers and arm really well, then do something different (e.g. label tubes) for the next 10 minutes. It may not be as efficient short term, but will be more efficient long term if you can prevent the pain from flaring up.

Get up and walk around the lab as much as possible. Sit with good posture. Stretch, stretch, stretch your arm and fingers frequently.

Stay warm. I wear fleece almost all the time, and just use a bigger lab coat. I also use Thermacare neck/arm heating pads, when it's cold, on my forearm just below the elbow. These warm me up nicely.

Get enough sleep if possible.

Good luck!!

Ann

[Annie Poo]

Start using your other hand for some things. I was VERY right hand dominant before my injury (to my right arm). I use my left arm more than I used to for things like holding the steering wheel, vacuuming, etc. Give your injured arm & hand a break when you can.

[Annie Poo]

Me again, Crystal. I read your older posts and sent you a PM. Your symptoms sound awfully familiar. Are you on meds for the neuropathic pain symptoms specifically (opposed to anything you are on for the dystonia?

Now I really need to get back to work.

Annie