🚀 go-pugleaf

>From: sfor...@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Susanne Forslev)
>My wrists are in pain right now, but I've been resting them, so
>they'll be all right.  I've given up knitting, spinning yarn, and playing
>music.  Giving up the computer would kill me.

There are several classes of RSI.  I had no problem with pain in the 
wrists, just sort of a dull ache in the back of my hand.  But after
a month or so, I began to have these dreams about a large orange cat
with its teeth sunk in my fingers (no, this is not the dream thread...)
About two weeks later, I had permanent "fingers asleep" sensation in my
two mouse fingers.  The pain in the wrists is often another of the RSI
instances.  After a month of neurological tests, the conclusion was
Carpal Tunnel.  Because I am (permanently) on blood thinners, the steroid
anti-inflammatory treatments would not work.

Because it was an on-the-job injury, my {employer, (CMU)}'s Workmens
Compensation insurance covered all of the diagnostic tests and the
surgery.
If you've got an employer providing this coverage, your medical bills
should be covered.  Don't try to treat it by "resting" your hands; you
may, as you continue to type, be doing continuing damage in spite of
what it feels like (e.g., it is not necessarily WHAT you do, but HOW
you do it...knitting or music may be harmless but typing the source of
the problem).

[I don't want to belabor this point on a.f.c, but I can't emphasize
enough how important it is to get professional medical advice ASAP. 
Brought to
you as a public service.]

                            joe