Using words: carpal tunnel/tendinitis.

[oak]

Hi friends. I’m only as sick as my secrets, so here goes:

After years of office work, I have something like carpal tunnel or tendinitis in my right (dominant) wrist and forearm.

My panic ability instantly convinces me I’ll lose my current job, end up homeless and alone etc etc etc. You know the drill!

Here is my plan:

1. Post here. I am scared to do so, so it is all the more important I do. I can also post here later, hopefully with progress, and I very much hope to (kindly) chuckle at this very post.

2. My physical therapist has given me exercises. I can do them a few minutes each day.

3. I can ask my (lovely and kind) karate colleagues to watch my right wrist.

4. I can build my strength at the gym (btw I saw several cuties there tonight- sigh).

Thanks for listening! It is a huge help. I’ll post here soon with an update.

<3

[snoringdog]

Hello Oak,

Sounds like good plans!

Low grade physical pain can be exhausting, and the worry on top of it.... (had a frozen shoulder for about 9 months, didn't think it would ever improve)

Used to hear a lot about Carpal Tunnel, maybe when it was first being recognized. There are various ergonomic mice and keyboards that are supposed to help. Have you tried any of these?

Regards

SD

[oak]

Thanks SD. Your encouragement means so much to me!

I thought sincerely that others would laugh at me. I have zero shame about other health issues:

Example 1: The other day I went to the dentist. I have zero shame about the modest amount of plaque they removed: I am much improved in my flossing habits, and plaque is a normal byproduct of life.

Example 2: I have been diagnosed with GAD, and Buspar has helped.

Example 3: Due to stuttering, I could not put a sentence together until I was 15. I received best-practice therapy then, and continue to re-implement to this day, as needed.

Example 4: I went to the bathroom an hour ago.

None of these bothered me: I just faced them and effected a solution.

I think, and I'm just guessing here:

1. Carpal tunnel is a natural outcome from an un-natural (ie modern) repetitive task.

2. I have instructions from my PT, and finger/hand/arm implements (putty, bands, weights) to effect a solution.

and most importantly, as demonstrated that I am dancing around it:

3. I am getting in depth with Excel, and teaching myself Photoshop.

Both of these skills can really change my professional life.

But that thing inside me (that equates change with death) is doing everything it can to keep me in the "safe" mode, where life makes sense (even if it sucks) rather than risk a life-changing experience.

If I correct my right wrist pain, or strengthen my left hand, then I can click for hours to learn Photoshop, change my life, and (effectively) "kill" the previous me.

What got me here won't get me there, but my lizard brain can't understand that.

[Heatherwantspeace]

I hear you, Oak!
If anyone can offer any books or other things they found helpful in learning to walk away from the "old you" I would appreciate it as I am really struggling with this myself.
Heather

[oak]

Thanks friends!

I am pleased to report that I am better: doing the exercises my physical therapist gave me, just a few days a week, really helped.

[oak]

Good news bad news:

Good: I got better!

Tai chi helped me very quickly. I am very grateful.

Bad: That car wreck gave me left wrist pain, then, three weeks in (!) pain all over!

As my PTSD/grief/depression lifts I'll try to get back to my tai chi and physical therapy exercises.

[manuel_moe_g]

Please take care, Oak.

[Heatherwantspeace]

Hope you're doing better now, Oak.
Heather

[oak]

@ManuelMoe and Heather: thank you for your encouragement. It is a bigger help than you realize.