Can you apply for disability, do some PT/Yoga for a year and then reassess yourself? That would be a fair chance to your body to heal.

I'm trying to do something along those lines. I'm switching jobs to what is basically a part-time teaching job that will require little computer use or repetitive motion. Ceasing to work altogether is a tough proposition for me because I have debts to pay off. Also, I want to start thinking about what happens at the end of this upcoming year one way or another. With repetitive strain injury, rest often makes the pain subside, but a return to the troublesome activity typically makes the pain come back. So just because I get myself feeling better for a year does not mean I can go back to sitting at a computer 10 hours a day 6 days a week.

I understand. I believe rest and proper sleep are a big part of any RSI related recovery. Since your symptoms are RSI related & not trauma, rest & relaxation can have a huge impact on your symptoms and allow you to gradually ease back into a more active lifestyle. I have RSI + trauma & am still working & its not exactly ideal.

Another thought..your TOS is probably the big thing, the cubital syndrome is downstream so if you fix your TOS, it will probably recede.

I am yet to find the answer to this question as well. Typing is the worst. When a switched to a job that required me to use the mouse but not type very much it was better but still painful. Some people have tried real estate but the driving is aggravating. Still at home recovering from bilateral rib resections.

Thanks for the responses. Working while trying to recover is definitely not ideal. I agree with your point that if I could fix the problems in my neck and shoulders, the "downstream" problems in my elbows and wrists would likely lighten up.

Real estate sounds like an interesting idea. Other things that I have been pondering are tutoring and bartending. I think I can do tutoring, but I'm not sure I could make enough money to live on. Bartending seems dicey. While it does not involve the specific repetitive movement that hurts me the most (computing), it still requires a lot of constant handwork. Thanks again!

Hi,

Saw this and am jumping in from another forum. Has anyone tried Dragon Software? Some of the folks on the RSD forum use it who cannot type much. It is also used for physician dictation. Might be an option to consider...I would think some employers would allow as a reasonable accommodation.