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Hand pain - needing to cut back lines per week. Anyone else done this?

Posted By: Sore hands on 2006-02-06
In Reply to:

I have so much hand and wrist pain from all this typing.  I only do 5000-6000 lines per week and that is torture.  By the end of the week I have slowed down so badly it is ridiculous.  I think I am going to have to cut way back before I trash my hands and wrists for good.  Has anyone else had this problem and cut back on MT work?  I'm trying to think of other jobs I could do for a few hours a day to make up the difference ($$)that don't involve typing. 


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Hand Pain Help
You may also try taking magnesium and B6. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer, and the B6 works with the mag. Your problem is not exactly the same as mine was, but it could help you too.

Several years ago I developed carpel tunnel syndrome that got progressively worse over a several of months. Magnesium/B6 is what the doctor suggested, and within a week, my pain, numbness, tingling....all the symptoms, were completely resolved!!! I haven't worn a brace since! The dosage I took was 2600 mg of magnesium a day and 200 mg of B6. Adjust the dose as needed.

**Word of warning - if you develop stomach problems (to put it nicely), cut back your dose. Loose stools are a side effect of too much magnesium in your body, but it doesn't mean you can't take it...just cut back the dose until you get to a comfortable level. Good Luck!
Hand pain

Help!  Both of my hands today are very painful.  Sometimes I get the usual aches and pains in my hands and wrists from transcribing, but today they BOTH hurt so bad, especially between the index finger and thumb areas.  They feel cramped and the pain is similar to when my shoulders get tense and you rub the knots.  It's not a sharp pain, but a pretty intense pain when I put pressure on my hands, try to lift anything or touch/massage them or even stretch them.  They're painful in the first four digits on both hands.  Has anyone had this and/or have any clues what it is or what I can do to help them.  TIA!


hand pain
Heating pad, ibuprofen, some kind of muscle rub with gloves over that, even if you have to cut the fingers out of a regular pair of gloves. Sometimes, the compression gloves make mine hurt worse. Also, a rigid wrist brace with thumb stabilizer helps overnight.
Hand Pain
Try using typing gloves or wrist supports. You buy them at Wal-Mart for about $20.00. Mueller's are the best ones I have found. Hope this helps!
Hand Pain
I have just gone back to transcribing after editing the last 4 years. I am having a problem with a very painful left hand. I work a secretary job during the day and transcribe for 4 hours at night. After 2 shifts, the pain starts. After the 3rd shift, I am in extreme pain. Does anyone know of anything that could help relieve this pain? Thanks in advance!
Hand Pain
Hi,

 

Hand pain is miserable.  I tried transcription gloves and they help.  An ergonomic keyboard is better than a standard keyboard.  Once you get used to using one, you won't want to go back.  One thing that truly helps me is a parafin wax treatment for my hands.  I am also a guitarist so my hands work very hard. I got a home parafin wax setup, not too expensive.  Bed, Bath, & Beyond used to carry them. Refill wax you can find at a beauty supply store.  It wraps your hands in wonderful heat.  Good to do on your night off.  Good luck!

You have a reason for needing the lines, keep that
goal in mind.  Write it on a sticky note and put it on your monitor.  If that doesn't work I don't have any other suggestions.  You're an adult.  Caffeine may help. 
any routines to keep CPS and hand pain at bay
Special diet or supplements, keyboads, positions, stretching or exercises, yoga, pain meds that work best, gloves, etc.  My hands are just completely inflamed!  Need help.
Hand pain question

My hands are absolutely killing me!!  I've been tested for carpal tunnel about a year ago, and nothing was abnormal, but I've got the classic symptoms, the numbness, the tingling, the pain.  I've got a good ergonomic setup and I've been transcribing for 6 years, so it's not like my hands aren't used to this.  I get cramps and spasms in my wrist/fingers, and I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this and if so, what have you done to help it?  It's really cut my production down.


Thanks so much!


those of you with hand pain, carpal tunnel, tendinitis

How long had you been in the business before the onset of the symptoms, how fast did they progress, and what steps did you take to keep the symptoms at bay, without surgery.  Even those who have had surgery, you may reply whether or not it helped.


For me, my symptoms began after seven years, just aching.  I then switched keyboards to split.  That worked for a few months, then the joint pains in fingers.  I typed softer, really concentrated on not BANGING the keys out.  Those two things helped another six months.  Last year about this time, pain again caught up.  I got splints..started B6, magnesium, muscle relaxers, took sugar and pasta out of diet (most), and coffee, carpal tunnel exercises.  If I deviate off this diet for even one day, I get the inflammation in the wrists.  The night splint worked for exactly one year.  Here we are, i'm now on the same boring diet, and have resorted to wearing the splints during the day as well.  I believe this is my last year as an MT.  I need to get a dif job and do this part time or find an editing job which seems impossible.


Could some of you share your time lines so I know how severe mine is in comparison?  Also anything I have not tried, if you could share.  Thanks. 


I used to get hand and wrist pain. I still do if I'm forced to use a standard keyboard.
I bought an ergonomic keyboard and use a telescoping keyboard drawer so I can prop the side of the board that's closest to me up in the air.  That forces my wrists into the proper position and spreads my hands apart.  It works wonders.  I thought I would have to quit MT before ever really getting started, but I'm able to work pretty much fulltime now.
counting lines by hand - pls help!
I type letters all day and need to count actual lines. MS word does not count accurately.  I need just the lines typed (for ex. salutation is 1 line, signature line is 1 line, etc.)  I have been doing this manually, but is a waste of time, as sometimes they are 3-page letters.  I downloaded Flashcount and was hoping that I could use it right in MS Word to count the actual lines of each letter that I type without having to go to another screen, but have not been able to do that. Anyone know if this is possible or of a good program out there where this is possible???  I am not so concerned about making an invoice, just counting each line typed (no matter how many characters on that line) accurately.  Thanks.
Same problem, usually crave about a week before my period - pain in the butt-
and yes, dark chocolate works wonder! But cutting out all sweets, etc. should help procure a cure, I am going to try it as I have 70 pounds to hack off. Maybe suck on a mint/TicTac type of thing will help.
No leg or back pain here

I do try to sit up straight and hold in my abs, which helps the back.  I also try to remember to breathe deeply once in awhile - raise up your rib cage and take in a good deep breath.  I also switch the pedal foot, sometimes use the left and other times the right.  I started doing that long ago when I got to thinking - what if I had a cast on my right foot, how would I work? Started using both feet - solved that problem.


My problem is my shoulders.  I do shoulder rolls at my desk and also do stretching.  They still get tight though.


And my RIGHT THUMB!  From hitting the spacebar so often.  When that gets bad, I pad it with a Band-Aid.


back pain
This is probably more info than you want, but I had the same problem a few years ago. I'm soon to be 52. Had to see a chiropractor after a while. He told me it is called "tailor's seat" and the best thing to do at home is ice 20 minutes at a time, do not sit in a recliner, take ibuprofen and if you can afford it, get chiropractic treatments; if not, I would suggest using a massage therapist. I actually have done both. The ice worked the best for me. I still do it sometimes. I also bought a spine cushion for my desk chair. That helps, too. Good luck.
Back pain sm
Have had this problem for years. Tried everything. The best cure for me is one of those microwaveable heat packs you can pick up from a mall kiosk, is made of cotton with rice-like material inside and perhaps some fragrance. You can make your own but would suggest you buy one, as wouldn't want it to be flammable. After all I have tried, a few Tylenol and the hot pack, lying flat on my back for perhaps 15 min., gently relieves the spasm/pain. Believe me, I have tried every gadget, PT (works for the session, then back to pain), have everything ever made for back pain and you have to be your own therapist. Try heat, rest, lie flat and at night, instead of Tylenol PM I use plain Tylenol and a Benadryl (sometimes 50 mg (2) help me to sleep. Getting the stress off your back is the only way in our profession. It hurts!
Back/neck pain
If anyone responds to the post about upper back/neck pain, please let me know - I have the exact same problem, and it makes long hours just miserable sometimes! Thanks in advance!!
Upper back pain

In the past I have had the same problem, but I found that when I lowered my chair it was greatly improved.  It seems I can type faster with my chair higher, but when I lower my chair I have much less pain.  It is something to do with the angle in which my arms are..  When they are pretty much level with the keyboard that is a great improvement in the pain, although I have to sacrifice a little bit of speed it is well worth it.  I also use a split keyboard which also seems to make an improvement in my pain.  I have been at this work for 30 years and believe me I have had pain in all parts of my body related to sitting in this chair in the same position for many hours at a time.  I wish you well.


 


Posture/back pain
Or, try this link.
http://www.backjoy.com/testimonials_users.asp#Sciatica
Back pain and chairs.
Go for the pillows. I tried to splurge a while ago and get a new chair, took it back and got a new pillow. I use a thin pillow for my bottom and a nice orthopedic pillow for my back. I'm tempted to try the keyboard on my lap like I've seen suggested here but my husband just brought me a new keyboard tray from a teardown job he was doing that sells for almost 200.00. I think he'd be hurt if I didn't try it.
All the stuff along the left hand side disappeared. How do I get that back.
:
Any knee/back pain sufferers out there? sm
What are your favorite shoes to wear that don't make your knees hurt?   My back doesn't hurt if I wear Birkenstocks but my knees hurt if I do.  I've tried countless types of arch supports and the ones that help my knees don't help my back.  I have arthritis in both areas and the cartilage in my knees are shot due to degeneration.   Yesterday I wore my Birkenstock inserts I recently got in my sneakers while I ran around Wal-Mart and boy am I ever paying for that today - my knees are killing me!   Any advice would be appreciated. 
Ergonomics for upper back pain?

I have been having tremendous problems with upper back pain right between my shoulder blades and up into my neck and right shoulder for weeks now.  It makes typing just miserable.


Doc said I had brachial plexopathy, and gave me narcotics and told me to quit transcription.  Since that isn't an option -- any ideas as to how to keep from getting this excruciating pain after an hour of typing?  It goes away on weekends when I don't sit at the computer, so I'm sure it's largely related to my positioning.  I've tried to fix my posture, but sitting up completely straight hurts worse than slouching.


Share any stretches, techniques for arm positioning, etc.  I will be extremely grateful.


 


Thanks!


Ergonomics for upper back pain
I find that it helps to get up and do a few stretch exercises. I have a 3-minute workout and microbreaks pamphlet that my husband got from his work that shows and explains some exercises including neck and back stretches. It does help when you get stiff from sitting and typing for so long. If you want me to type it up for you, just let me know and I will.
positioning footpedal; leg and back pain
Does anyone else have problems with back or leg tingling they feel is due to using a foot pedal?  I switch feet but have low back pain and leg tingling I feel is due to depressing and letting up on the footpedal, etc.  I have read some use a foot rest but I assume one would have to be custom built so that you could place the foot pedal on it plus your other foot.  I wonder if sitting all day with your feet on a foot rest since they are built at an angle would cause problems, too.  I read somewhere about an MT using a recliner which sounded comfortable but I wonder how in the world you could use a foot pedal placed on the foot rest of a recliner.  If anyone has any suggestions for me I would truly appreciate it.  If I don't find something soon, I am afraid I am going to have to go part-time or maybe even find a different profession. 
foot pedal back pain
I had the same problem and had my honey make me a ramp for my pedals. one rectangle pice of wood with a 2 inch strip to give it a "lean." I have one for each pedal so it looks like I drive a stick while working. LOL not only helped the back pain, but my thighs don't swell as much either.
Know of any good chairs for back pain?
I have been using a $20 task chair from Wal-Mart for the past three years, I am sitting her now six months pregnant about ready to die from upper and lower back pain.  Anyone have suggestions for a good quality chair they like, right now money is not an option,  I would pay big $$$ for just a little relief. 
back/shoulder/neck pain
last year I started out like that and so I checked the ergonomics of my keyboard, etc. I wound up moving my mouse to my left hand and that helped somewhat but later developed symptoms of a frozen shoulder. Do you get an extreme burning sensation? It took me a year to recover. I feel your pain.
I found pain clinic to be very boring, but you can rack up a lot of lines with all the repetitious
s
I'm up to 5,000 lines per week.

Now I just wish it didn't take me all day to do it.  I'm not sure how many days I actually worked this week, whether it was four or five, because all the days blend together into one now. 


I only recently started using an expander, so I do spend some time each day adding to it.


that would be 75K lines a week for each
insane
1,500 lines per week is not much.

There are some companies out there that will let you work at will from a pool, which is really what IC status should be, but so many are taken advantage of by being asked to commit to a schedule.  STay away from those companies; they are crooks.


In saying that, you may want to do ask which companies allow you 24 hour TAT as opposed to a set schedule unless you'd like to be an employee, and then you could accept the shift work. 


Cardioscribes offers 24 hour TAT.  I cannot think of any others off hand, but the other thing you could do is contact an IC position that is advertised and ask if they would be flexible.  I think Zylomed also offers IC status and some flexibility, but I'm not sure.


Good luck to you...  Best wishes to find what you are looking for!


I had back pain for an entire year. They did a trigger point
injection and it's gone. I couldn't believe it. I wish I'd found it sooner.
Does anyone have any good ideas for back and hip pain from sitting all day? Anything on the market?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
So you do 15,000 lines per week at $.10+ per line?
That's $1,500 per week, or $78,000 per year.  How many hours do you put in per week?  Do you have a life outside of work?  Kids, S/O, hobbies, family, friends?  Not being snotty, I just find it hard to believe that anyone can do that many lines without other aspects of their life suffering.
are u sure that's 1000 lines per WEEK for them? NM
n
goal is 10,000 lines a week!... :) nm
x
How many lines per week do you transcribe?
Do you think shooting for 9000 lines a week is way over the top?  I need to work as much as I can and I am thinking I may commit to 9000 lines a week (can do that over 5, 6 or 7 days or however I want) - but I'm afraid of burnout.  I have been an MT many years and in my younger days I did that much on a consistent basis; just not so sure I can keep up that pace anymore.  Just wondering how much others are doing.
12,000 lines per week for me - consistently. nm
x
how many lines per hour/day/week do you do?? NM
???
I typed 600 lines more this week than I usually do
(working extra hours) and my pay for the week is still 50 dollars short because of the VR pay. I don't know if we should say something to our companies about this or what or if it would even help but it really ticks me off!
OTI. So many lines per week. No schedule. No benefits, either. nm
x
Lines typed an hour or a week?

I know this has been talked about a lot, but I was offered a chance to test for an IC job, and I'm required to type between 2,500-5,000 lines per week.  Since I'm an employee and haven't been paid by the line for about five years, approximately how many hours does it usually take for some of you to type 2,500 lines per week?   


TIA.


I think we are-think back to MT Week and..sm

chocolate that someone won and offered to share it with you...I think it was you.....*S*  Pembroke Pines you said....*winks* -


Meanwhile my blood sugar has escalated, dontcha know??  Since that.....chocolate arrived here....*lol*.....but not really laughing (high blood sugar NOT good around this house)......



Look back I believe it was last week
There are two separate thread about the virus threats that have come through the site. The moderator has been working on this. It's not a virus. Truthfully, I forgot what they said it actually was, but supposedly it was nothing to worry about. I'd check the previous posts to get all the information. Or I'm sure the moderate will be on to address the issue.
Depends -- usually 2500-3000 lines per week - sm
though where I work does not have a minimum, but they are considering changing that shortly. Still won't be a firm # as they go by minutes, but the min. will be 60 minutes a day which will be approx 500-600 lines a day.
2-1/2 hours a day, 1300 lines/day, $150 a day, 7 days a week, IC status
a
I type around 2300-2600 lines a day, 5 days a week.
Yeah, it does come out to $6,000 a year.

Yeah, many of us do it on a regular basis.

Yeah, it is worth it to me.

No, there is no magical single tip that can give you that kind of production.

No, I'm not interested in talking about production with anyone because all I ever get back is all the reasons you can't do it. So, if that's your mindset, you're exactly right - you can't do it.

My experience pays off for me and having the CMT gives me an extra income boost (which I save and makes a tidy nest egg padding) and the CEUs are very, very educational and worthwhile.


Try to get you old job back, I'd kill for $500 a week after taxes- nm
x
Oh yeah, I did 2800 lines last Thurs and I had 10,500 for week to my usual 8K sheesh I'm a
nm
Mine don't go back until Sept. 7 - VA - get out usually 2nd week in June - nm
xx