Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

be careful all of you - you could be pushing yourself into repetitive use syndrome formerly carpal t

Posted By: Florida MT on 2007-01-31
In Reply to: When your hands feel like they are - curious mind...

and then your ability to earn an income is jeopardized.... I know because I have walked in those shoes.


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

Be careful if pushing speed up too much, if a verbatim
account missing little words like the, and, etc., can hurt you in the long run with QA
carpal tunnel syndrome...nm

Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
I have the above, and neurologist told me that at all times to keep my wrists turned outwards and not bent inwards. This, along with wrist splints, have helped me tremendously and I have no need for surgical intervention.
what are the specific symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (sm)
Anyone know the specific symptoms of carpal tunnel? My right top of my arm feels sort of numb, like my forearm and my wrist aches.  Also, my shoulder hurts.  Is this typical for carpal tunnel or maybe something else?
And don't forget avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome! nm
......
Pushing MTs
Well said. Most of us are self-starters and will push ourselves. However, "crap in, crap out." Some of those dictations require detectives just to figure out what they are trying to say. There goes production; need I say more? They want no blanks? My production would be astronomical if I could blank every unintelligible utterance without having to "go figure." Those "high hotshot" managers need to get in the muck with the rest of us and get a taste of our world. Their attempts at managing MTs would be like my trying to supervise the construction of a highrise building. Absurd!
pushing religion
I say that about anyone pushing their beliefs..be it gere, cruise, the pillsbury dough boy..You have beliefs, wonderful, so do I..however, that all changes when you try to push your religion/beliefs on others..More power buddists, scientologists, christians, pagans, hindus, muslims, you name it..just dont try to sway me unless I ask for it..
by boring I mean very repetitive...
but easy to normalize.  They use these tables for different degrees of muscle movement and stuff.  Maybe you could get a sample from one of the other MT websites.
You are crazy for pushing yourself so much!
If you stop pressuring yourself, the lines will come easier. THe only time I ever got that many the first days on the job was when I worked for a hospital which had the same exact doctors I worked for 10 years prior to starting the hospital job. Even then, I just made that amount because the new job had different style rules. If you care about your QA you won't worry about the numbers. You need to make sure that you are comfortable with your dictators and account through doing rather than pushing yourself. You are in it long enough now to get the big numbers as far as your experience level. It can take up to 6 months depending on the kind of work you do to get the big numbers with a good quality score. So hang in there, with your persistence you will get it, but please don't drive yourself nutz! :)
Pushing them to play a sport is not always
"good for them". As a coach's wife I can see why you would say that but come on the world does not revolve around sports in most households!
The schools are pushing it BIG TIME, and of
.
Repetitive = easy, so no, they usually don't make more.
But there are exceptions to every rule, of course. As was stated in another post on radiology, the software is usually maddeningly inefficient, so sometimes it is hard to find and retain MTs for certain facilities. But the reason the software is bad for MTs is that they usually bought it with the hope they could change over to VR, thereby putting most of the MTs out of work. Radiology can be fun if you find a place where you can work in-house, have the skills to win the respect of the radiologists and learn to be able to read their minds, which helps you a lot when they misspeak.
Repetitive Stress Injury Neck
I am in bad shape with my neck and I thought maybe I could come here for some advice before I go to my doctor. I have an injury there already, but I thought it healed.  I do 8 to 10 hours a day of typing and computer work.  I do sit in an ergonomic chair, but I have very bad neck pain still...primarily on the left and it is a sharp intermittent pain.
Last year I got repetitive stress injury..sm

have been working on and off as an MT for 20 some years. One year I worked radiology and I can remember actually putting out 200 reports one day. I never got carpal tunnel with the keyboard but could get it with the mouse. About two years ago, I had a busy stint where I was probably working 6-7 straight hours, then my fingers began to hurt. First it was the thumbs, then it was all my fingers. Just ached. Not arthritis, because joints were not red or swollen. I even bought a parafin bath, tried NSAIDs. Finally investigated on the internet to find out I had repetitive stress injury. I stopped typing (fortunately I own a small MTSO) and just let my fingers rest. To this day, two years later, of almost NO typing, all it takes is about 3 hours straight typing and it's back. I've decided I've hurt my fingers irreparably and any further damage I do now, I will just pay for later with arthritis or something. Sorry to hear about your disability.


Was expecting more from last night's performances . . . wonder if they are pushing them with too
many activities, etc, and they're just tired.  Ace was too cute, but didn't really think his song was that great.  I think Lisa may be on her way out, even though she has a great voice, it was one of the weaker performances, and I think Ace's looks will keep him in for another couple of weeks.
I seem to remember pushing one of the buttons at the bottom twice
so that the red light is blinking and then the headphones work.  I remember having to program the phone but I don't remember if it was for the headphones or not.  Sorry, hope you figure it out
Macros are recordings of keystrokes and commands that are repetitive. sm
A lot of people are confused on what a macro actually is. They are used to insert templates/boiler plates into documents, but the recording of the commands in the sequence they are used is the actual "macro."
Personally, I am more productive with OPs because much of OP notes are repetitive and it is easy
create abbreviation expanders.  I like radiology too for the same reason, but I'm not quite as productive with radiology because the reports are so short.
Macros are better suited to repetitive tasks like formatting.
I have a macro to create a different second page of a letter with header info., another one that will update formatting from documents created using a different Normal template so they conform with mine, another one for highlighting, etc. They really can be timesavers.
Interesting article on MSNBC regarding repetitive motion strain and malaise.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9814810/
Restless leg syndrome
I have read in the paper comments by  a doctor that a bar of soap underneath the sheet near the legs will alleviate RLS.  Many people have used this method and they say it works.  Use anything but Dove soap, do not know why. 
I had a doc once with Napoleon syndrome
(little man disease) who told me that a monkey could do my job!!! He referred to me as a "typist." AAAHHHH!!!
Toaster syndrome, LOL!
Sorry I can't help. I am in the same exact spot.
toaster syndrome
I thought it was just me.
Mosse's sign (or syndrome)..

I must have Tourette's thought syndrome too! (nm)
x
Deer in headlight syndrome...
As a poster stated below, I, too, would probably freeze up big time with an oral test. Here is something that I observed while talking to other people about the mttest testing. I took this test for Career Step and then for a large national. Both times, I took the MAXIMUM time allowed, even 'sleeping on it' and looking it over in the morning. I did very well. Some people I talked to did not want to bother taking extra time to be assured of a good grade. They just rushed through it even though I encouraged them NOT to, and failed.

I was hired by the large national, and seem to do very well. High QA scores, and rarely hear from QA...have never had any major mistake. That is because I take extra time, since I am new, to look up EVERYTHING! No, I am not getting rich, but I am learning. And to top it off, I recently discovered that they accidentally? placed me at the advanced level of reports from the get-go. I thought ALL newbies did ops and procedures!

My theory is that the people that would not take the time to do well on the mttest also would not take time to proofread their reports or look things up!

I am sure I would have failed your oral test even if I DID know the answers! Oh well, everyone is different. Besides, you are obviously looking for the well-seasoned MT as is your right.
She will tire of this soon. It's just "newbie syndrome". nm
:)
computer vision syndrome

My eyes have gone downhill big time since starting in this field (around 3 years ago).  I have always had near perfect vision, and this is about the only thing I can attribute it to. 


I have nearly all of the symptoms of this when researching (in all 3 categories; vision problems, eye problems, and general discomfort) - then again, I found that some doctors are skeptical about this.  I have an eye appointment on Thursday and I am hoping that my doctor will take me seriously.  I am at my wits end with this. 


Was anyone told they have this, or does anyone have any suggestions for me? 


Thank you!  


Anyone have Raynaud's syndrome from typing? SM
Just since January my hands have been ice cold. Sometimes just one hand. Sometimes just the fingertips. I figured these weren't typical carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, because I have no pain. So I did a little googling and came up Raynaud's. It is getting super annoying. No pain, just freezing hands. Anyone else? Thanks!
I call it Numbutt Syndrome LOL

I bought this chair from Office Max (link below) when I started working at home. I can work in it comfortably for several hours at a time.


I also do "glute crunches" - tense one side for about five seconds, release, tense the other side, release, repeat several times.


PTSIO Syndrome - Please Read



Moms, are you suffering from PTSIO Syndrome?


This is "Post Traumatic School Is Out" Syndrome.

Symptoms include:

* Loss of balance due to tripping over piles of leftover school
supplies, end of year projects, extra gym shoes and paint shirts.

* Headaches due to sudden loss of any personal time during the day
as well as loss of late evening personal time. they are staying up
later than you now that it's summer!

* Feeling of chaos due to house a disaster 24/7 (used to at least be
clean a few hours while kids at school.

* Earaches due to loud begging from children for sleepovers with
friends, as well as pleas for setting up the pool, and/or going to
the pool.

* Dizziness due to increased shuttling to and from friends' houses,
swimming lessons, summer camps, baseball and other sports.

* Ringing in ears due to phone and doorbell constantly ringing with
friends wanting to play.

* Pain in the neck due to husband's annoying: What did you do today honey?




(DUH! The kids are home!)




*Sudden weight gain and bad hair days due to Mom's inability to go
to the gym, get a hair cut/color caused by kids' constant presence.




*Feelings of claustrophobia due to kids hanging on you, causing
inability to accomplish simple tasks like going to grocery store.




Length of PTSIO Syndrome:




Usually about 90 days (June-August)




Remedies include: Locking yourself in the bathroom for the next 90 days
and/or stocking up on beer, wine and other alcoholic consumables as coping
mechanisms. Other possible remedies include taping therapeutic Oprah
episodes and watching late night. (Lord knows you can't watch it during the day - "their shows are on!)




Prognosis: While PTSIO Syndrome is not fatal, some mothers have been driven to
the brink of insanity, but thankfully almost all regain their faculties by early September.
  

I have a preference for Dead in Bed syndrome myself
.
Just for your info.. this 30-year MT is NOT adding s to Down syndrome
so that is not what the problem is... I don't care HOW long you've been transcribing a split infinitive is a split infinitive!  and verb tenses haven't changed, as far as I know... so don't act like 30-year MTs just aren't "with it" cause this one is!
I thought that was rectocranial inversion syndrome?
I'm outta here.  Y'all have fun now.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
My best guess. 
male Turner's syndrome...? please see inside first.
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:ZCb1hg2MO0wJ:www.whonamedit.com/synd.cfm/1920.html+male+turner%27s+syndrome&hl=en

is this a child? sometimes symptoms are skeletal deformities...?
Sounds like irritable bowel syndrome ...sm
if you go to webmd.com you can read up on it as well as some things to do to help alleviate symptoms.
There is a disordered called Wilson's Syndrome
I believe.  The TFTs will be normal, but there is still a problem and being put on low-dose thyroid replacement helps.  I don't remember all the specifics now, but when through testing with my primary physician who had an interest in this. 
Me, too. I also have what I call 'phantom word syndrome' - sm
where I heard a word (or words), and was SURE I typed them, only to go back and proofread, and find a mysterious gap where I left it (them) out. Must be those 'word-gremlins' coming in and erasing them!
;D
Sounds like cubital tunnel syndrome (sm)
which is like carpal tunnel of the elbow.

I've been told to bend my elbows as little as possible, and wear knee braces on my elbows in bed to keep my arms straight (or else tie a scarf around my waist and tie my hands to my waist - but that sounded too kinky to me LOL)
I think you can get cortisone injections in there if necessary, which is easier than surgery.
Thanks! At least I don't have carpal tunnel (yet)! nm
nm
Carpal tunnel
I had carpal tunnel surgery about 10 years ago in Nashville, the chief of ortho told me I would never be able to transcribe again - went back to work transcribing 10 days later and have been transcribing every since without problems.
carpal tunnel
My wrists were just starting to hurt after almost 8 years of transcribing and I was thinking oh no, not surgery. I bought a pair of little stretchy "gloves" with the fingers cut out and an adjustable strap that goes around the wrist at Walmart for about $8.00 and they have really helped. Found them in the section where they have assorted splints and braces.
Carpal tunnel
I just had the carpal tunnel release done. It was quick, relatively painless and I was able to work again almost immediately.  Before considering a complete career overhaul, consider having the CT release surgery.
Carpal Tunnel
I was having terrible symptoms of wrist pain, hand pain, forearm and shoulder pain.  A couple of years ago I switched to an ergonomic keyboard and the pain went away.  It took me about a week to get used to the keyboard, but it was well worth it.  The only problem is that now I can't type on a regular keyboard.  My friend, who has been an MT for 20+ years and was about ready to retire due to the pain, did the same and it helped her also.  There are a lot of ergonomic keyboards on the market, but my favorite is the Microsoft Natural.  Hope this helps.
Carpal tunnel
Have been doing this for 20+ years and I had more problems when working as an Admin Assistant for department heads at a hospital.  In fact had CT surgery when working as a secretary and answering phones for 12 social workers.  Since I have been doing this, have not had any problems except for that which comes with older age.  I do get up and move about, have a movable keyboard rest and work in several positions but type up to 10 hours a day sometimes and no problems.  I do walk, exercise and do yoga and take time for myself and feel that helps. 
Carpal Tunnel
I began experiencing problems with carpal tunnel about 3 or 4 months ago. It wasn't so much during the day that I hurt. My first symptom was that I was waking up at night with my hands having numbness with a sharp tingling sensation. My thumb, and first two fingers were slightly numb during the day, but not enough that I really noticed it very much.

I went to the doctor for the pain that I was having at night because I thought that I had something wrong with my circulation.

His advice to me was to wear supportive wrist braces at night--and only at night--to keep me from bending my wrists while I sleep (which is what most people do, I guess). He said that I had inflammation of my carpal tunnel due to the amount of time that I spent on my keyboard (though I blame ASR for the necessary repetitive motions back and forth between the arrow keys and 'home row'). However, wearing a brace during the day would only cause my handsd to have to move in 'unnatural' ways and would only make the problem worse. He said that I needed to keep my wrists straight while I slept at night, as this would be when my wrists would receive their best 'healing time.' He also prescribed daily NSAIDs.

I noticed a difference after just one night!! I still had to wear the braces for about a month to completely get rid of the symptoms, but I am currently symptom-free!!

I can't say anything about how to relieve exhaustion WHILE ACTUALLY TYPING. I mean, the best thing to do is to take frequent breaks--but if you can't, then you can't!

I fortunately now have an account that has no ASR and allows me to work for a couple hours in the morning, a few hours in the afternoon, and a coulple of hours in the evening. This breaks up the monotony and gives my hands a break.
IC with severe carpal ts, what will I do for $$
Hi, any suggestions for an IC for 10 years now that has severe CTS? I am in severe pain and have to medicate myself daily to work. After raising 2 kids on my own, I don't have any $$$ left to pay for an operation. What do I do now? I am so used to being independent.  .   .thanks for any help.sm
carpal tunnel
I never had the surgery itself, but I worked with a coworker when I was in-house who had both hands done, but not at the same time. She was back to work within a couple of days. She did find that an "ergonically correct" keyboard (hope spelling is correct)was helpful. It took her a while to get used to it, but it really helped her.
The dreaded carpal tunnel

My doctor (neurosurgeon) thinks I need carpal tunnel surgery.  I went to him for back pain and during neuro checks, he said my thumbs were "dead."  He is sending me for an EMG.  The only thing I have noticed is that I wake up in the night with "numb wrists."  I don't have any finger/hand symptoms at all.  I have always knocked on wood when anybody said "carpal tunnel." 


Has anybody out there had carpal tunnel surgery? And how did it turn out?  BTW, I am 51 and have been an MT since 1984.