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agree - many MT's have chronic back/neck/shoulder problems also

Posted By: nm on 2006-07-08
In Reply to: but it's a much more brutal job than being in an office - sm

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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.
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!!
neck and upper back sm
Swimming helps some. Massage definitely helps. I have asked the massage therapist just to focus on my neck and upper back and to work deeply. Rates for massage depend on where you live. I pay about $60 for an hour. Sometimes you can get a half hour. Definitely ask for what you want with massage, and give feedback about what feels helpful. A chiropractor has helped and a strong vibrator has helped. Good luck! I know the pain.
back and neck pains
does anyone have any tips for backache and neck pains from sitting?  I do try to take breaks and do stretches.  As far as a good chair, any hints?  I know of a good brand but it is awfully expensive but may be worth the investment, but I would like to spend under $200 if I could.
neck/upper back problems
Anyone else out there with neck and upper back problems.  I am having problems with neck spasms and it makes my head feel funny with pain into my jaw etc.  Another downfall to our jobs I guess.    Any tips from anyone that has had these and gotten relief would be much appreciated I do not like taking muscle relaxers. 
Try leaning back in your chair and typing with your keyboard in your lap. I had terrible neck sm
back and shoulder pain, as well as pain in my elbows and hands from rheumatoid arthritis. I tried this method and have been using it for almost 6 years now with excellent results.
3rd-world MTs often sit shoulder-to shoulder,
with no partitions at all if they work in-house. At home, you-re right.... often 3 generations and 9 people living there.

PS: I like the Staples idea! There are some pretty good ones at Ikea, too. Who would ever know?
Yes they are!!!! OSi and SoftScript are neck and neck
There are MUCH better companies out there. Please, for your sake, do not go there with SoftScript.
chronic illness
God bless you.  I have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and I still work full time, I have a friend diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and she still works full time..Hang in there, honey..You can live with a chronic illness..I have lived with my SLE for 36 years and my friend with multiple sclerosis for 10 years..
Chronic Yawner!

Anyone ever have to put up with a chronic yawner who dictates during/through a yawn? How could anyone be THAT tired? Life must be tough when you make more than +$250,000 a year--poor thing--wish I could get that exhausted!


Chronic chapped lips
This seems so goofy --- go to the dermatologist for chapped lips?  I have had this problem consistently for the past couple of months.  I haven't been sunburned.  My lips are swollen (love the swelling - looks like collagen!  LOL!)  and chapped, can't get enough chapstick (no MQ jokes - LOL).  I read this could be a malignant of premalignant condition and I should see a dermatologist!  Wow!  Anyone have any insight into this problem?  Thanks in advance! 
I have a chronic pain condition as well
It is giving me a break right now so I won't talk too much about it so I don't wake it up.:) This is my first relief in 10 years from severe RA which seems to have been in every joint at one time or another. So, totally understand your emotions on needing to feel like a useful member of society and take care of your responsibilities. Before RA, I worked for 17 years. I did try the disability route and was denied 5 years ago 5 times! Never tried again. I didn't want to then but to help the husband with the bills, I thought it was best and it would have been good for the marriage as well.

The hips keep me from sitting long periods, but you have MT companies who will work with you. One I work for now wants at least 800/lines per day but prefers 1000+. However, mentioned it was okay to break frequently as long as when the MT is on that the MT is very productive. So you might have a longer work day than the other MTs. However, there is hope. I would say even with your nursing background and good grasp of medical terminology and anatomy/physiology, you should still find a program in transcription or a good mentor or both. My heart goes out to you. I thought of nursing and my condition is the only reason I didn't go for it, but it is in demand, that and technology jobs are in demand also. I try to stick with the jobs that are in high demand.

I am going to try to leave a web site for you to take a look around that will give you an idea of what companies expect an MT to know:

http://www.hpisum.com/home.ihtml

You will have to cut and paste the address in the address box, but there is a lot of information there. Other posters may have more information for you. Best wishes.
Can you get cancer from chronic mouth

I have a wisdom tooth that is coming in. I do NOT do well w/ dentists/anesthesia, etc...well a few months back i had an appointment to have this removed.  long story short even though the dentist knew I was freaked out about the local anesthesia he took so long to do the extraction my mouth was no longer numb when the hygenist tested my gum area.  I freaked out, left crying and vowed to never go back to him.  Well now that the tooth is slowly coming in more and more i have an ulcer that seems to be getting bigger from where i am more or less chewing the inside of my mouth. 


It doesn't really hurt or bother me that much, i would much rather deal with the ulcer than have another panic attack/heart racing event from the local at the dentist's office.  My concern is this:  Can you develop cancer from a chronic mouth ulcer? My aunt died of oral (tongue) cancer last year so i'm paranoid about it.


 


Any info you can give is welcom.  Thanks!


I agree, I like a pat on the back every once in a while, just like a dog
(
shoulder to cry on
I am really sorry that you are undergoing all of these stressors in your life. Can you get any financial help from your state/county right now, temporary - such as food stamps, help to pay your mortgage so you don't lose your house? Also, I would submit a claim to your insurance company disputing what they will pay and what should be paid, maybe that would get you some money for the doctors bills, etc. Years ago when I had two little ones, my husband was not working, we did get some temporary help from the state with food stamps, etc. Maybe one of your neighbors could rally for you and have a fund raiser to help you out, such as a dance with a DJ, where they charge admission and the money goes to your family to help pay the bills. I know they do that around here a lot. I know that depression can get the best of you and maybe you should talk to a pastor, your doctor, your employer, maybe someone can help you out.
I truly hope that things will get better for you and I send you a great big hug and tell you that even though in the darkest times, someone or something will surprise you and you will get through this. Take care and let us all know how you are doing.
Maybe selling some things in your house that you don't need would help you through this right now also. Good luck and I hope that your life will get easier and no one needs all of this at one time on their shoulders.

I have one PA with a chronic allergy or sinus problem....
which is, of course, not his fault, but makes him very hard to understand.  He has a very deep voice and likes to raise and lower the volume at random.  And at least every other sentence, he says "Excuse me," like he made a mistake, but then just repeats what he said and keeps on going.  He also likes to say, "Delete." a lot.  I think he is even the one who dropped a "F" bomb on me one day. 
no, but with dislocated shoulder,
(surgically relocated),among numerous other injuries over the years. Its amazing what we can do when we have to. Take care of yourself!!
Angel on my shoulder - NM
NM
I have a spare shoulder!

Husband had health problems, we had 2 businesses, and then 9/11 hit and both businesses had NO income but we had lots of overhead!  Ended up having to close businesses, declare bankruptcy, sell off almost everything, but managed to keep the house and an old vehicle with 200,000+ miles.  Still paying the IRS.  Believe it or not, it eventually gets better, although at one time I was hoping the IRS would just put us in jail for the taxes we couldn't pay so that at least we could have regular meals! 


I need a shoulder to cry on as I feel I'm

1. I can't make my lines and lose my FT status.


2. My self-employed husband goes for open heart surgery. Thankfully, he's doing good, but the insurance only paid 1/4 of the hospital and doctor bills, even though it states up to $100,000 per event. They refused to pay the ambulance, didn't pay the doctors at all, and only paid the hospital 1/4 of what they charged. Why bother to pay for health insurance if they're going to renege (sic) on their agreement?


3. My credit rating has gone from excellent to fair since I am the only one working. I can't pay all the bills now until my husband goes back to work and then we have to wait 5 weeks for a paycheck from him. In the meantime, his truck payment, 2 mortgages 1st & 2nd, truck insurance, etc. must be paid to the tune of $3500 a month. I don't make that much a month plus I need another $500 for utilities and $1000 for life, health, disability insurance.


4. His brakes failed on his pickup when he was coming down our hill. Thankfully, he has the knowledge as a big truck driver, so he was not injured.


5.  I decided to sell some extra things I have around here to make some money to help. I screwed it up and now am afraid to try again. Yet I have a houseful of "trinkets" to sell.  I'm even thinking about selling some of our antique furniture, but am afraid I'll get ripped off.


This has not been a good year. I am trying not to break down in front of hubby, but I'm having a hard time keeping back the tears today..


Same thing here. I have chronic tinnitus and hear crickets
when it gets really really acute with sinusitis to go with it. People think I am crazy when I tell them I hear crickets but that's what it sounds like.
It already has. I have to work from home because of disability due to chronic disease.
My physicians and visiting nurses are extraordinarily caring individuals who fortunate have (more so than I had previously thought, apparently).

Also, I can understand venting about a situation you feel you have no control over. I assume you desired sympathy or empathy or just someone to say, "I know where you are coming from," but to post incoherently and then lash out at those that reply is only going to add to your frustrations and negative feelings.

I am sorry you feel as though your health care providers don't care if you did, but I am sure that is not the reality of the situation. If you had taken the time to provide context to your rant, then you might have received the type of replies you were looking for, whatever that may have been.

Best of luck to you.
I bought one of those, but it hurts my shoulder.
They're awkward to shove around and very loud.  The only reason I bought it was because my good vacuum was in the shop.  (12 year old Electrolux)  Strange how different perception can be from one person to another.  My husband keeps trying to give away my Dirt Devil, but I like it for cleaning out the cars.
Careful, you will hurt your shoulder.
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Are they shoulder width apart, scrunched in
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Bells palsy and chronic headaches? Does anyone have any good info or help out there? sm

Unfortunately, I have had Bells palsy for the past 8 years. I got it while pregnant and had a pretty severe case. I was extremely sick with that pregnancy and then ended up with the Bells palsy. In fact, my baby quit growing after I got the Bells palsy! Thank God I was about 32 weeks when I got it. Anyway, over time the symptoms have not been as bad. For the most part to look at me you couldnt tell I had the Bells--until I smiled at you. Then, of course, you would know it. I have regained some use of muscles, but not all. I have been able to get my eye to close, but it is not tight, so I still battle with dry eye every night/morning. My forehead has been completely "dead" since this happened. Even electric stim could not move the muscle! Whenever I get a headache it always seems to settle on the dead part of my forehead. My headaches have been increasing lately, and currently I have had a headache for five days! I have tried Advil, Tylenol and Excedrin Migraine with no relief. My neurologist cant see me until January since I havent been to him for years. I can not afford an MRI right now and have no desire to start taking any type of pain med. Does anyone have any experience with Bells or have any ideas. I was wondering if a TENS unit might help. I have been reading about that on the internet. Sorry this is so long. Thank you for any help. As you can imagine, I am having a very hard time working all day at my computer with this!


I heard crickets til I realized it was winter. Was really the start of chronic
:=
I agree with you. I had a kindergarten graduation back in ྉ...sm
But it was really casual, our caps were cardboard and yarn, and it was very short. I think the parents had to sit on the little kindergarten-sized chairs. I didn't want to do it because I was very shy and terrified of being in front of people, LOL. But we had nothing else after that till the real graudation from high school. I don't get the significance of grad from 6th or 8th grades, either. It makes them come to expect rewards for EVERY accomplishment no matter how small. That stops abruptly when you get out of school!
No. Like dont strain your shoulder patting
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Not me, but kids' friends have them. Behind your shoulder or on your ankle would be nice. nm
s
I carry my laptop in a case with a shoulder strap and...sm
put my keyboard and foot pedal in my rolling luggage. it has worked fine so far. I will say that the next upgrade for me will be a much lighter weight smaller laptop.
After divorce, child chronic illness, involuntary job change, parents illnesses and death, was force
I frequently regret it, the changes it has made to my life, but when life hands you horror, at least there is this "final solution" to your financial situation. I must admit, I sleep better, and I can finally hold my head up, and I no longer feel hopeless. Find the attorney you can work with,get your free consultation and DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU TO DO. If you have doubts, see a 2nd and a 3rd attorney, till you're comfortable with the person you choose.
Well you can always strap one around your neck :)

Think about it. The possibilities are endless when you learn to be "without hands" doing this job.


If it is lunchtime, cutting a sandwich into 6 individual pieces and stabbing each piece with a toothpick works very well as you only have to do one bite at a time and your keyboard doesn't get nasty from touching the bread.


For dessert, don't buy Reeses peanut butter cups. The "Popable" Reeses fit nicely into a small cup that you can toss a mouthful from whenever the urge hits you.


I don't recommend anything that you actually have to pick up with your fingers, i.e., Cheese Doodles, Doritos, salt and vinegar chips, etc., as the keyboard gets really icky and you lose time that way or you have to wipe the residue on your pants or a leftover coffee filter.


I've also found that a straw works well with coffee once it has cooled down to tepid, as it usually does before you expect it.


stiff neck

What do you do for a stiff neck from working at the computer too long?  Mine is killing me today.


How about a neck pillow you can
That can help sometimes; you can even make one. Just sew up a tube and fill it with beans or rice. Or maybe you could get someone to massage your neck to loosen up those tight muscles? If nobody is around to do that for me, I sometimes stand under the shower with hot water or take a long soak in the tub with Epsom salts. Also, those neck rotating exercises help loosen up tense muscles sometimes. Hope it gets better; I know the feeling well. If it's not the hands, wrists, or arms, it's the back, neck, or butt.
help for stiff neck
I have many severe problems with my neck (which is one of the reasons I am on SS disability). Take a long mens tube sock and fill with rice and some lavender. Either tie the end or sew it close. Heat in the microwave, then hang it around your neck. It will work wonders. This also helps sore shoulders as well.
Stiff neck
What really helped me, and I know they are expensive, but an Aeron chair was the best MT investment I made, especially the one with the swivel arms that you can pivot to the right position for your keyboard. No more back or neck ache. At least this worked for me.
It is about the norm around here in my neck of the USA. nm
x
My neck does hurt too...but...
my wrists usually get super sore when I STOP typing, I guess from not using them so much. If I take a weekend off, I am in severe pain with them, usually the brace works or taking ibuprofen, but now the brace doesn't fit. Thanks for your help!! I have actually thought about trying acupuncture, someone I know did that and they don't have any back pain at all after some sessions, supposed to be covered by my insurance too. Thanks again for your help!
neck pain
I had neck pain and both wrists/hands, and they thought it was carpal tunnel, finally had an MRI and had herniated disk at C5-C6 with nerve entrapment, ended up with cervical diskectomy and pain went away for a long time, but now back in my neck when I type too much, but I also have spurs in my neck and DJD in my neck. Transcription is a tough job, repetitive motion causing back, neck and arm/hand/wrist pains. I found the Thermawraps that you can buy at the store to help a lot, it has heat and you wear it like a collar. I have been to a chiropracter and acupuncturist and these did not help at all, and that is why I had the surgery. If the neck pain keeps up, I would have an MRI, I waited too long for doctor to go ahead with one, nerve was trapped under C5-C6 for 3 years and that is why I had the surgery. Good luck, hope the pain is relieved. I had it for a long time and it can be terrible.
QA is not breathing down MY neck, as I am only the--sm
transcriptionist with a small MTSO, but they may be breathing down the MTSOs neck. All I know is that one doctor in particular, a felon on top of that, has his office QA each report for errors and for line count. If he feels the line count is in error, he demands a return of funds charged...not from me personally, but from the MTSO. My MTSO also has another account that discovered that their transcription company was charging for lines not typed, i.e. ALL lines, and fired them for it. So they DO check. Even doctors do not want to get ripped off. The OP can charge whatever she likes. Maybe 11 cpl in her area is the going rate. That is not for anyone else to decide, but she must be honest above all, or she won't have ANY account for long.
Maybe she won't be such a pain in the neck
once you have your cervical surgery.  They can probably get off paying her real cheap.  Sounds like you are being duped.  You may want to consider working for another practice who appreciates you instead of going above your head and hiring people since you are the supervisor.  If they didn't think it was a good idea, they wouldn't have had the girl waiting there for you to train when you got back.  Unfortunately this happens.  Believe me, I know from experience, I worked for a hospital for over 15 years.  They hired a lady that was ready for retirement.  She comes and goes as she wishes.  She did not listen to a word I said.  She had medical problems herself and as far as I was concerned was not worth my time.  So you know what I did?  I resigned.  End of story.  Now I am happy and not having to train.  So instead of thinking they care about what you think, start caring about what you think and find a position somewhere else where you are more appreciated.      It sounds a little late in this game to train even someone with a lot of experience if your plan is to go out in just a few months.  Everyone can be replaced, believe me, it is so true.   
So what neck of the woods are you from?
In other words, where do you live in case this is a little deep for you. I have been a Transcriptionist for over 30 years and it is simply our way of speaking here in the south- has nothing to do with being lazy or unintelligent either one. Even with my southern twang, I still pride myself on my understanding not only of English but what we do for a living every day. No slouch here.
I know about CTS, but do any of you have neck pain? SM

My neck is killing me, I guess from staying in the same position for hours. I am starting to feel a knot in my neck!


Thanks.


neck pain
I like the center of my monitor even with my eyes. This keeps my neck straight. Also if you wear glasses be sure to measure the distance from your eyes to the monitor so you are not pulling your head foreward.
A break? Your arm, your neck or your leg? Your choice...
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Sore neck and shoulders
This is the first year that I have had this type of pain. There is nothing that will relieve it and if there is the slightest movement of my computer screen or anything out of the ordinary, there it goes. I am afraid surgery is in my future. I do take breaks and your schedule sounds good. Thanks for the information....
Put a frozen sirloin on your neck. nm
//
Forgot one...NECK after shoulders(nm)
X
Migraines really are not associated with stiff neck.
I have been cursed with them for about 15+ years - stiff neck is usually associated with some types of meningitis - RUN to the nearest ER, my friend. Photophobia, sensitive to noise, nausea, vomiting -- these are migraines - stiff neck, no.
Get a soft neck collar and try
Roll up a towel and put it under your neck when you sleep for support. If you don't get a collar you can also use a rolled towel and pin it while you're working.
Neck pain is horrible. Good luck