Rant

Everything has stalled. RSI means I shouldn't be clicking, mousing, typing, writing, knitting, or doing anything vaguely interesting. The daily dose of ibuprofen (400mg x 3 times daily with food) is dissolving my stomach lining without much other demonstrable benefit. Waiting to hear about a job interview process that's now in its eighth week. Bored rigid at work, about to read a book. In an utterly despicable mood. Desperate to start certain crafty projects but everything seems to aggravate my wrists at the moment. Apart from reading, what else do you suggest to keep me amused???

Comments

[Sarah]

I feel your pain. For years I had an RSI-like condition (hypermobile joints) which was luckily the kind one grows out of (ie the joints started to stiffen up). I still get occasional twinges though. I know you know all this stuff but even small changes you make can help like really, REALLY watching your posture when you type etc, and all the dorky exercises they give you to do.

Anyway, I don't know how much exercise you already do but my suggestion is dance class - good for the body, uplifting for the mood, creatively fulfilling and circulation boosting, as well as giving you a break from keyboarding, knitting etc.

Actually it could be a complete coincidence but I just realised my symptoms started to get better when I took up salsa dancing.

[Ali]

Ooh you sound proper fed up. What a pain. Does your RSI allow you to take photos? I'm really enjoying that as a creative outlet at the moment.

[another outspoken female]

Pain - yuck! Anti-inflammatory drugs - double yuck!!

Podcasts and vodcasts, or even good old fashioned radio. I have months of ones from the (australian) ABC - late night live, all in the mind, (california) KCRW - good food, morning becomes eclectic....I've also youtubed the entire 2 series of "Spaced" (Simon Pegg) and "Flight of the Conchords" when summer got to hot to do anything other than flop on the bed.

Walking - get to know the back streets of your new home area.

Dictate some story ideas onto tape (or whatever).

Sing.

..and get yourself to a good osteopath asap if you haven't done so already.

Pixie's been through all this and may have some good ideas.

[Thimbleanna]

Ouch! Sorry I don't have any advice for you, but I sure hope you're feeling better soon!

[Fliss]

Errr.. wine, beer, vodka...

And after a few of these you won't feel the RSI anymore so you can crack on with the knitting. I can't guarantee the quality of the output, however!

Or, watch all those films no-one else will watch with you with a bar of choccie - bliss!

Poor you - I hope you feel better soon. I had a similar day yesterday (bad mood, run in the cold which made me asthma-ish). Fish and chips (with healthy peas) really did the trick :)

[claire]

Cinema! See more insane films with me, I can be your stand-in Jen until she gets back.

[Lucy]

Ugh! Sounds ghastly. Have frazzled brain just now so complete blank for ideas but if I come up with something will send it on. In the meantime, good luck for the job and remember you can always snooze at your desk as long as you remember to say "amen" first when you are woken by a colleague.

[Jennifer]

Plan a trip! A real one, one you might take someday, a hoped-for one, that you might only take in theory. The get-away daydream, full of lots of detail, maybe some reading and research (hard copy, no online stuff), does wonders for me (and does not require any stress on your joints...).

[Rebecca]

Chocolate?

I don't know much about RSI, despite having had it in my shoulder which is now fine. Does it include swelling? If so glucosamine really helps and has been shown to be as effective as ibuprofen for some arthritis sufferers.

Hope you feel better soon, must be driving you crazy.

Good films? Little Miss Sunshine

[Claire (not Bahrain)]

Hi Flibgibb
Can't you get one of those wrist supports like they use for arthritis sufferers? May be this will help as they are quite stiff and reduce movement. Don't know if this will help you, just an idea.
I hope that it gets better soon, missing your posts.
Wishing you all the best and keep your spirits up.