Hands

[Guest guest]

Chen, just a thought, I have a lot of trouble with my hands when I'm on the

phone a lot. I think it is from the bent elbow pinching a nerve. If you need to

be on the phone for a long time, I've found that a headset is so much better. I

used to hold the phone, switch ears, shake the numbness out of my hand, switch

ears again, shake the numbess out of the other and when it goes on too long,

those electric jolts you describe.

If you think it may be carpal tunnel, a good test is to put the backs of your

hands together with your elbows pointed out to the sides and your hands held at

about chest level. Push your hands together to make your wrists bend at a 90

degree angle. Hold it for a few minutes or until you feel that sharp pain. If

you feel it, it is probably carpal tunnel. Of course that is only a crude

screen, but it will point you in the right direction to getting it worked up.

Holli

>

> Hi everyone

>

> I have a question: today sevral times i had pain in my hand - both

> numbness, which wasn't so much painful as it was annoying, and like

> electric pain going through the palm of my hand.

> It took my completly by suprise - the numbness had happend before,

> but the pain was new, and it happend sevral times through the day,

> and at the time it was so painful. I'm writing about an hour later,

> and the pain hasn't disapeared completley.

>

> Is this a common thing?

> I wasn't doing anything when it happend, just talking on the phone,

> so I don't even have an idea why it happend, so I'd like to hear from

> you if you had the same experience

>

> tanks,

>

> Chen

>

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with Carpel Tunnel in both hands thirty years ago. The plan

was to do surgery on my left hand, and when it had healed, do the right.

I had the surgery on the left hand, and while recuperating, the symptoms in

the right hand went away. I cancelled the second surgery.

Since then I have discoverd that repetitive motion will cause my hands to go

numb. Yes, the right one more than the left, but even the hand I had surgery

on continues to get numb.

When I find my hands going numb, I figure out what is aggravating the

condition and try to find ways to accomplish the task that doesn't make me go

numb.

O

[Guest guest]

Holli,

I believe that CMT exacerbates the carpal tunnel too. I used to type eight hours

a day at my job and the fingers just got too stiff and I had a dr. tell me I had

carpal tunnel from all they typing.

Dawn 

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I've had all the same experiences with my hands that you have. My hands feel

like they've been shot up with novocaine. My neuro sent me to a 'hand

specialist' and I hsve carpel-tunnel. They're going to do surgery left hand and

elbow first, he said it won't solve the neuropathy, but it should definitely

help. So you might want to get that checked out.

Jeanne

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

What do they think caused the carpal tunnel? I have more fascillations on my

left hand, but I am left handed. Also, it is very noticable the muscle loss in

my hands especially between thumb and forefinger (the classic CMT place) I

thought carpal tunnel was more from using the mouse on the computer and mine is

curved and no longer meets with my other fingers. Could this be carpal tunnel?

Thanks for the advice!

Jackie

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie,

I have cramping and muscle loss in both hands, plus numbness in all

fingers. I was told that carpel is common in CMT as well as HNPP,

which is the version I have. My first surgery will be wrist AND elbow,

the hand doc said it won't be perfect due to neuropathy,, but I will

hopefully see improvement. I would at least have it checked out :-)

(sorry about the typing, it's how carpel acts)

Jeanne

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I too have problems with my hands,pain,numbness difficulty working them

correctly.We are all so different.I am greatfull that I still doing the things

That I love to do,ok so I may have to make some changes but eeh no big deal.

Geoff the CMT Drummer in PHX

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply! It's hard being young with this but I just live me life

the way I always have, or try to at least. I was diagnosed 7 years ago, but am

just starting to take the time to learn about CMT and talk to people. Let's

just say I found out when I was 16 and I was like F*** That, I was very much in

denial and did not care, and spiraled out of control for a little while. So how

are old are you?

>

> I too have problems with my hands,pain,numbness difficulty working them

correctly.We are all so different.I am greatfull that I still doing the things

That I love to do,ok so I may have to make some changes but eeh no big deal.

>

> Geoff the CMT Drummer in PHX

>

[Guest guest]

Hi my name is I have CMT type 1B. I was told first told I had CMT when I

was 13 years old. I did not find out which type until last September. I have

attached some pics of my hands that show how CMT has affected them. Just thought

people might want a look.

[Guest guest]

Barb,

I have problems with my hands, too, and have had those problems for 20 years.

There is one thing that I know will irritate them - working on the computer!

Ease off of the computer for awhile and see if it helps.

Hope that helps! It's worth a try.

>

> Thanks Gretchen, BB, and for your comments regarding my

> question on fatigue. I can see that it affects people differently

> and can even come and go throughout the course of one's life. BB,

> you asked about my age so thought I would give a bit of a background.

>

> I am 52 years old and was diagnosed with CMT 2 weeks ago due to

> numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. I had a pretty normal

> childhood, although I was definitely the slowest runner in my class

> and really didn't like physical activity. At age 22 I was diagnosed

> with a mild case of scoliosis, which I have never pursued since then

> but I don't think it has gotten any worse. I have played tennis

> since I was about 10 years old up until this day. In my 20's I got

> hooked on aerobic exercise and have done dance aerobics, step

> aerobics, kick boxing, Tae Bo etc off and on for the past 30 years.

> At the moment I am walking briskly 25 minutes a day, 6 or 7 days a

> week, as well as doing stretching and situps. I do not get winded

> with workouts, and it actually energizes me at this point.

>

> About 6-8 years ago, I experienced the same symptoms as I have now

> with my hands and feet, along with weakness in my right hand. Docs

> gave me an EMG but didn't know what I had. Symptoms went away until

> they reappeared about 3 months ago.

>

> I am volunteering 3 days a week at a radio ministry (mostly computer

> work) and doing housework, laundry, grocery shopping, etc the other 2

> days. I try to keep the weekends and evenings free to do things I

> enjoy. We used to live in the Philippines (tropical heat), where I

> developed the habit of taking a 20 minute " power nap " after lunch

> every day to make it through the rest of the day. I still do that

> here in South Africa 4 days a week when I'm not at work, but do not

> really need to like I did when the tropical heat would completely zap

> my strength some days. I have always placed a priority on sleep. My

> usual day is getting up at 5:30 a.m. and going to bed by 10 p.m. I

> usually sleep well and wake up well rested.

>

> So I guess at this point I will just count my blessings and hope for

> the best. And if I get to the point where I start to have

> stamina/fatigue issues, I will know the importance of slowing down

> and pacing myself.

>

> Blessings,

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I appreciate your advice on using the computer. I don't have any

problems with the typing, but I do know if I use the mouse for

extended periods (such as playing computer games), then my arms will

start to tingle. When I am at work, I am on the computer quite a

bit, but doing varied things interspersed with reading, some writing,

and I get up and walk back and forth between my office and my

coworkers office so I am not sitting all the time. Now that I am

more conscious of my hands, I will try not to hold the mouse so much.

Blessings,

Barb

[Guest guest]

Barb, I tend to lurk here more that 'speak' but I had a lot of empathy with your

work-related and computer-related problems. I use a computer several hours a

day, at work and at home. Several years ago, after repeated problems with pain

in the base of my thumb and wrist, I bought a trackball gizmo, mine is a

Logitech trackball with the ball smack dab on top of the whole gizmo, to be used

with the forefinger, not the thumb (there are some that you operate the

trackball with the thumb, I don't use that type). You have to left-click with

your thumb but the lack of a need to grip and move the mouse around, instead

just moving the trackball with a forefinger or middle finger, has worked well

for me. I think the Logitech trackball mouse sells for under $30.

Sherry

>

> Hi ,

>

> I appreciate your advice on using the computer. I don't have any

> problems with the typing, but I do know if I use the mouse for

> extended periods (such as playing computer games), then my arms will

> start to tingle. When I am at work, I am on the computer quite a

> bit, but doing varied things interspersed with reading, some writing,

> and I get up and walk back and forth between my office and my

> coworkers office so I am not sitting all the time. Now that I am

> more conscious of my hands, I will try not to hold the mouse so much.

>

> Blessings,

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Barb,

I to am on a pc quite a bit and years ago replaced my house with a TrackBall

by Logitech. It took some getting used to but I can now sit longer on the

computer without experiencing forearm pain. My thing is the darn 'pinkey'

fingers. They are so curled and lack so much muscle that I can no longer

use them to hit the outside keys. I've learned to 'poke' in that general

direction

Rashid

[Guest guest]

Ditto. I have the exact same device and it has helped very much

Rashid

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

sherry37919

Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 7:50 AM

Subject: Re: Hands

Barb, I tend to lurk here more that 'speak' but I had a lot of empathy with

your work-related and computer-related problems. I use a computer several

hours a day, at work and at home. Several years ago, after repeated problems

with pain in the base of my thumb and wrist, I bought a trackball gizmo,

mine is a Logitech trackball with the ball smack dab on top of the whole

gizmo, to be used with the forefinger, not the thumb (there are some that

you operate the trackball with the thumb, I don't use that type). You have

to left-click with your thumb but the lack of a need to grip and move the

mouse around, instead just moving the trackball with a forefinger or middle

finger, has worked well for me. I think the Logitech trackball mouse sells

for under $30.

Sherry

>

> Hi ,

>

> I appreciate your advice on using the computer. I don't have any

> problems with the typing, but I do know if I use the mouse for

> extended periods (such as playing computer games), then my arms will

> start to tingle. When I am at work, I am on the computer quite a

> bit, but doing varied things interspersed with reading, some writing,

> and I get up and walk back and forth between my office and my

> coworkers office so I am not sitting all the time. Now that I am

> more conscious of my hands, I will try not to hold the mouse so much.

>

> Blessings,

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

Sherry and Barb,

I've had best luck using a touch pad. There is no resistance at all and I can

use it all day with no strain. Typing is now an act of futility, I'm seriously

considering reverting to two finger hunt and peck.

Ed

[Guest guest]

Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

(click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

of those trackballs and see how that works.

On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

Blessings,

Barb

[Guest guest]

Hello Barb,

I believe there may be multiple types of trackballs out there so I took a

quick photo of the one I am using and attached a photo. They are not too

costly and when I was working I told my HR Department that I needed an

" ergonomic " device. After giving them a letter from my doctor they picked

one up for me. Perhaps your company will do the same??

The walking is an interesting observation. On my end, I think that when my

diabetes numbers are high the " tingling " pain in my hands and feet seem

worse?? I need to track that better but I hear that diabetic patients can

have neuropathy pain as well.

Barb, so you live in South Africa?? What is it like there?? You have to

send a pic or two to enlighten us Westerners

RbQ

" Let Not The Ego Produce Evil "

http://www.charcot-marie-tooth.org/

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Barb

Bartz

Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 9:11 AM

Subject: Re: Hands

Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

(click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

of those trackballs and see how that works.

On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

Blessings,

Barb

[Guest guest]

Over a year ago, I missed the step out of our living room into the hall way and

fell into the dining room. Natural response was put your hands out, and the

result was a bad sprain to my wrist. The hand doctor I went to suspected carpul

tunnel but then blamed it on the CMT. I had no symptoms at the time at all to

make me think about having carpul tunnel.

This year, at my visit with the great Dr. Shy, I mentioned out my thumb and

pointer finger have weakness and tingling. Back to carpal tunnel again! Anyone I

have known that has had CT has experienced such terrible pain. Me - just

numbness. One of the benefits of CMT? Nerves too damaged to know I am in pain? I

am supposed to get a CT brace but have yet to do it. One of these days...

Mark

>

> Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

> will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

> symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

> originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

> related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

> gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

> database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

> (click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

> that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

> after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

> of those trackballs and see how that works.

>

> On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

> since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

> the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

> I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

> the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

> to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

> get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

> within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

>

> Blessings,

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

I have exactly the same issue with the mouse. Writing with a pen is becoming a

real problem. I can't read it anymore and it hurts after a few minutes. Typing

is still good but my right wrist starts aching and my hand is tingling after

just a few minutes even poised over the mouse. I got a mouse pad with a gel

wrist pad and whenever I'm not actually using the mouse I roll my hand over and

let gravity work opposite to the pain. That seems to help if I'm very aware of

it. Some days the ache makes it all the way up to the shoulder. I, too had

carpal tunnel diagnosis years before knowing I had CMT. It is carpal tunnel,

just exacerbated by CMT.

Holli.

>

> Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

> will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

> symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

> originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

> related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

> gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

> database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

> (click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

> that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

> after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

> of those trackballs and see how that works.

>

> On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

> since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

> the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

> I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

> the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

> to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

> get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

> within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

>

> Blessings,

>

> Barb

>

[Guest guest]

I hear ya on the writing thing. If using a pen one can barely understand what I

have written and pain does settle in. The only thing I have found to come close

to help is a gift from a good friend. He knew my pain and gave me this HUGE

writing pen...and I do mean huge. That has done some good and I would like to

stock up.

Rbq

" Let Not The Ego Produce Evil "

On Oct 7, 2010, at 12:32 PM, " hmm_md " <hmm_md@...> wrote:

> I have exactly the same issue with the mouse. Writing with a pen is becoming a

real problem. I can't read it anymore and it hurts after a few minutes. Typing

is still good but my right wrist starts aching and my hand is tingling after

just a few minutes even poised over the mouse. I got a mouse pad with a gel

wrist pad and whenever I'm not actually using the mouse I roll my hand over and

let gravity work opposite to the pain. That seems to help if I'm very aware of

it. Some days the ache makes it all the way up to the shoulder. I, too had

carpal tunnel diagnosis years before knowing I had CMT. It is carpal tunnel,

just exacerbated by CMT.

>

> Holli.

>

>

> >

> > Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

> > will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

> > symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

> > originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

> > related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

> > gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

> > database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

> > (click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

> > that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

> > after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

> > of those trackballs and see how that works.

> >

> > On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

> > since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

> > the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

> > I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

> > the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

> > to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

> > get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

> > within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

> >

> > Blessings,

> >

> > Barb

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

I can relate.  My bank rejects my checks, because the handwriting is so

different now.  Thank goodness for online banking.

 

I too find that a big pen helps - big grippy pen with easy-glide roller and

writing on a hard surface.

 

Couple of other ideas that work for me...

 

I type and paste.  Type out what I want to say and then print it out on

full-sheet label paper.  Cut it to size and paste it where I want it, i.e.

inside a card.

 

Also, when filling out forms, I use a program called Snag-it.  In Snag-it, I

can type in all of my answers, then save it as a PDF and print it out.

 

To use Snag-It,  I either get the form electronically from the source/website

or scan it myself into a PDF.  Once I have the form on my screen, I send it to

print to the Snag-It program (instead of a printer), it opens in a Snag-it

window, I then type in my text additions in text boxes, save as a PDF, and

print.  It works great!  The program cost about $25.

 

> I have exactly the same issue with the mouse. Writing with a pen is becoming a

real problem. I can't read it anymore and it hurts after a few minutes. Typing

is still good but my right wrist starts aching and my hand is tingling after

just a few minutes even poised over the mouse. I got a mouse pad with a gel

wrist pad and whenever I'm not actually using the mouse I roll my hand over and

let gravity work opposite to the pain. That seems to help if I'm very aware of

it. Some days the ache makes it all the way up to the shoulder. I, too had

carpal tunnel diagnosis years before knowing I had CMT. It is carpal tunnel,

just exacerbated by CMT.

>

> Holli.

>

>

> >

> > Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

> > will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

> > symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

> > originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

> > related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

> > gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

> > database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

> > (click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

> > that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

> > after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

> > of those trackballs and see how that works.

> >

> > On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

> > since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

> > the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

> > I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

> > the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

> > to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

> > get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

> > within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

> >

> > Blessings,

> >

> > Barb

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

I need a big pen too. I think some of mine is using the computer so much that

my writing is out of practice.

Hansen

Re: Hands

I can relate. My bank rejects my checks, because the handwriting is so

different now. Thank goodness for online banking.

I too find that a big pen helps - big grippy pen with easy-glide roller and

writing on a hard surface.

Couple of other ideas that work for me...

I type and paste. Type out what I want to say and then print it out on

full-sheet label paper. Cut it to size and paste it where I want it, i.e.

inside a card.

Also, when filling out forms, I use a program called Snag-it. In Snag-it, I

can type in all of my answers, then save it as a PDF and print it out.

To use Snag-It, I either get the form electronically from the source/website

or scan it myself into a PDF. Once I have the form on my screen, I send it to

print to the Snag-It program (instead of a printer), it opens in a Snag-it

window, I then type in my text additions in text boxes, save as a PDF, and

print. It works great! The program cost about $25.

> I have exactly the same issue with the mouse. Writing with a pen is becoming

a real problem. I can't read it anymore and it hurts after a few minutes. Typing

is still good but my right wrist starts aching and my hand is tingling after

just a few minutes even poised over the mouse. I got a mouse pad with a gel

wrist pad and whenever I'm not actually using the mouse I roll my hand over and

let gravity work opposite to the pain. That seems to help if I'm very aware of

it. Some days the ache makes it all the way up to the shoulder. I, too had

carpal tunnel diagnosis years before knowing I had CMT. It is carpal tunnel,

just exacerbated by CMT.

>

> Holli.

>

>

> >

> > Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

> > will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

> > symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

> > originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

> > related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

> > gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

> > database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

> > (click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

> > that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

> > after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

> > of those trackballs and see how that works.

> >

> > On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

> > since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

> > the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

> > I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

> > the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

> > to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

> > get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

> > within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

> >

> > Blessings,

> >

> > Barb

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have used Snag-It to do print screens in windows but did not know I could

complete forms....good to know. I will give that a try

Rbq

" Let Not The Ego Produce Evil "

On Oct 9, 2010, at 3:50 AM, " " <majorhart@...> wrote:

> I need a big pen too. I think some of mine is using the computer so much that

my writing is out of practice.

>

> Hansen

>

> Re: Hands

>

> I can relate. My bank rejects my checks, because the handwriting is so

different now. Thank goodness for online banking.

>

> I too find that a big pen helps - big grippy pen with easy-glide roller and

writing on a hard surface.

>

> Couple of other ideas that work for me...

>

> I type and paste. Type out what I want to say and then print it out on

full-sheet label paper. Cut it to size and paste it where I want it, i.e. inside

a card.

>

> Also, when filling out forms, I use a program called Snag-it. In Snag-it, I

can type in all of my answers, then save it as a PDF and print it out.

>

> To use Snag-It, I either get the form electronically from the source/website

or scan it myself into a PDF. Once I have the form on my screen, I send it to

print to the Snag-It program (instead of a printer), it opens in a Snag-it

window, I then type in my text additions in text boxes, save as a PDF, and

print. It works great! The program cost about $25.

>

>

>

>

>

> > I have exactly the same issue with the mouse. Writing with a pen is becoming

a real problem. I can't read it anymore and it hurts after a few minutes. Typing

is still good but my right wrist starts aching and my hand is tingling after

just a few minutes even poised over the mouse. I got a mouse pad with a gel

wrist pad and whenever I'm not actually using the mouse I roll my hand over and

let gravity work opposite to the pain. That seems to help if I'm very aware of

it. Some days the ache makes it all the way up to the shoulder. I, too had

carpal tunnel diagnosis years before knowing I had CMT. It is carpal tunnel,

just exacerbated by CMT.

> >

> > Holli.

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Sherry and Rashid, thanks for the tip on the Logitec trackball. I

> > > will definitely check that out. I am beginning to think that my CMT

> > > symptoms in my hands have been going on a lot longer than I

> > > originally thought. Before I thought they might be carpal tunnel

> > > related. Typing is still okay for me. It's using the mouse that

> > > gets my arm to feeling tingly. Today, I was doing some routine

> > > database work on the computer at work, which was repetive mouse work

> > > (click, move the mouse, click, click, move the mouse, etc) I found

> > > that my arm was starting to feel tingly, so quit what I was doing

> > > after awhile and will finish up the task on Friday. I will get one

> > > of those trackballs and see how that works.

> > >

> > > On another note, I have switched my daily walks to early mornings

> > > since summer has arrived bigtime here in South Africa (hot walking in

> > > the afternoons, but absolutely beautiful out in the early mornings).

> > > I immediately noticed that my hands do not bother me when walking in

> > > the mornings like they do in the afternoons. It may have something

> > > to do with the weather, but I think it might be more likely that I

> > > get out of bed after laying flat for 7+ hours and start walking

> > > within 15 minutes. Just an interesting observation.

> > >

> > > Blessings,

> > >

> > > Barb

> > >

> >

> >

>

>