Burn-out, carpal tunnel, RSI, obesity,
Posted By: sm on 2009-03-23
In Reply to: CPL History - mountain typer
blood clots in the legs, very high stress to produce fast and still 100% accuracy, years of training... we are waaaay underpaid.
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- CPL History - mountain typer
- Burn-out, carpal tunnel, RSI, obesity, - sm
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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.
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.
carpal tunnel syndrome...nm
yes, CTS, (carpal tunnel) sorry guys
Don't you worry about getting carpal tunnel
or worse yet a blood clot from all that sitting? I used to work those kinds of hours about 8 years ago when we were swamped and they constantly asked us to put in more time. Now, I am suffering the consequences. I was diagnosed with RSD, repetitive stress disorder. My forearms start to ache and my neck and shoulders burn like heck. I messed myself up good so now can only work about 4 hours straight and then have to take a big break. Sure, it's possibe, but it will take its toll eventually.
well at least im not alone. its probably sign of carpal tunnel,..
something to do with blood flow or something. its stinks and it hurts. i run my hands under hot burning water when i just cant take it any more.
Carpal tunnel--what works for me
1. Vitamin B6,50 mg a day. No more than 50 mg per day, as per my neurologist. (i.e. if you take more than that, you can burn the nerves and cause pain). I have taken B-6 50mg a day, more or less, for 10+ years.
2. Watch what program you are typing on. I have much less problem with Microsoft Word 97, no experience with newer versions of Word, BUT, WP5.1 and other programs like ChartScript really, really caused MAJOR CT symptoms after even a week. So, I'm sticking with Word for now.
3. Do the exercise where you really stretch the wrist back (up) a long way. Seems to help. You can search Google for other exercises.
The B6 and being on Word instead of Word Perfect have really helped me. If I was still on Word Perfect, I don't know if I'd still be doing this. Hope you get help. I had one hand operated on 16 years ago by an excellent orthopod, and have never had to have the other one done.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYMPTOMS..sm
Is it possible for carpal tunnel syndrome to cause a slight tingling feeling in the face as well as the arms and hands? I have had just the slightest of tingling in my face for the last two weeks. No other symptoms at all...just a slight tingling. I have also had, for a longer period of time, pins and needles in both arms, more on the right. I've been a steady MT for about 14 years, and I'm wondering if it's catching up with me? I sorta ruled out a stroke since I figured I'd be dead by now and there are no other symptoms! Any advice/help is greatly appreciated.
you are confusing RSI with carpal tunnel
I'm not having a problem with my wrists. It's all the tendons in my fingers. Funny thing, I posted the message after having gone to Best Buy and clickey-clacking through all their keyboards. They are all stiff too. I am looking for something that you can just barely touch the keys so my tendons aren't so strained.
Carpal tunnel surgery??
Has anyone had the surgery on both hands? I just got done with the left hand and now will have the right hand done next week. Just wondering if you are right handed if that hand takes longer to heal. My left healed enough for me to type in about three weeks. I am hoping my right does too. I want to change companies, but cannot really apply for any jobs or even test if I do not know when I can start.
Thanks for any help. I am new here and it has been a wealth of info for me.
right carpal tunnel surgery - sm
I had my right carpal tunnel surgery about 10 years ago, and I would say I was fairly well healed by three weeks, but I took the whole six weeks that I was allowed as my job paid for the leave. IF I had to have it done now, I would have to go back to work at three weeks, cannot afford to stay out for six weeks. I found that squeezing a small rubber ball really helped. Good luck.
carpal tunnel symptoms
Well, it has finally happened. After 18 years of transcription, I'm starting to have symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It has come on very suddenly, over the course of just a week. What I would like to know is if it is possible to turn this around, since it's just coming on? I have bought wrist supports, which help immensely, as does naproxen. I'm taking frequent breaks also. Can somebody give me hope that I won't end up needing surgery?
Symptom of carpal tunnel
one of the first things some people experience is excruciating elbow pain.
Carpal Tunnel recovery
Hey All,
I have been putting off surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, and am wondering if any of you have had carpal tunnel surgery. How long was it before you could return to full-time transcription? How much releif did the surgery give? I also have developed a nodule on the inside of my right thumb,  right where it hits the spacebar and am having to hold my wrists up higher, like I am playing the piano, so I don't hit that spot on my thumb, and that makes my arms get numb faster than they usually do. What a mess!
I just can't keep going much longer, but I am scared of the financial loss of not working for any period of time
Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!
Tinnitus and carpal tunnel....
....plus a rotten and distrustful attitude toward the industry. Man, I'm so grateful to be old and retired!
Don't forget Carpal Tunnel Lane! nm
x
Wrist splints for carpal tunnel....
Go to your local drug store and purchase the best pair available and then wear them nightly faithfully. They help tremendously! (At least me, but everyone's different...) 
Carpal tunnel - know I saw post about vitamins...
or such that helped carpal tunnel without surgery or such. I am really having problems with my right wrist and it is majorly affecting my production. I do not want surgery or such, so was going to try vitamins or exercise first, any suggestions? Thanks.
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.
Duh! Should be carpal tunnel. I really should proof before I hit send. nm
/
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?
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. 
does workman's compensation cover us for carpal tunnel? nm
x
Isolation, backaches, carpal tunnel, eyestrain sm
neck pain, sensitivity to noise, others think you're "nuts" because you know so much; yet they call you first for every little thing. On the positive side, being able to perform a task not many can, even doctors! Pride in profession, even though in today's world the pay stinks! It used to pay well, sorry for those who have wasted 2 years of college on something that is going the way of the horse and buggy. Sorry to be so negative, it's sad and I get even madder if anyone calls us "a dying breed" - we are special people. Love it, hate to see what's happening all around me - worth the pain to me though, not sorry about any of it. No flaming please, its sad enough, bordering on depression but refuse to go there, I take a nice hot bath instead and hope for the best.
My left thumb is the only "finger" I don't use, carpal tunnel is bad enough already.nm
x
And don't forget avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome! nm
......
so its not a common typing symptom? like carpal tunnel maybe? i am the only one here who suffers...
from chronic cold fingers? only while typing.
Probably something to do with carpal tunnel - The rare times mine acts up - sm
my thumbs get weird and trembly (?). I suspect that is your problem. Try changing your keyboard position, if you have it raised, make it flat, and visa versa. On my backup computer I have to have the keyboard raised but on my everyday PC I have it flat, and my CTS does not bother me now that I have my keyboards situated well for me.
...to prevent carpal tunnel and other repetative stress injury. nm
s
ABC told Star not to come to work anymore because of her stunt yesterday. Burn bridges, burn! nm
x
Burn, baby, BURN! ]:-)
I agree wholeheartedly! BURN that mutha! Our new boss has been trying to inflict that AAMT "Book of Style" crap on us for the past few months, and even the doctors we type for don't want things done that way. All our REAL dictionaries and reference books have it as "q.i.d.", "q.a.m.", etc. And it can be EITHER "ml" or "mL"... both are correct, it's just a matter of preference. I agree, it just a bunch of snippy little nitpicking minutia they are worried about. Our boss is now so worried about periods and commas, that she doesn't even see the forest for the trees, i.e., she doesn't notice that we are all well-trained, hard-working employees who are turning out high-quality work. Alot of the things AAMT gets so anal about are just matters of preference, and we have always gone with that our DOCTORS want, not what the boss says we have to do in order for her to feel important and in control. I don't work for HER, I work for my DOCTORS, so I still do things THEIR way!
US to outsource obesity to India....
With our jobs, come our problems.....very interesting article.
http://infotech.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-616323,flstry-1.cms
Did you see the story about bake sales/childhood obesity?
From the AP out of Minneapolis. "Study links bake sales, weight problems."
Puhleez. What next?
When are the "Diet Police" going to stop and realize that the majority of the obesity "problem" among children begins at home? Who gives these kids the money to go eat at McDonalds and loads their cupboards with junk food anyway?
Sure my kids like sweets and they like McDonalds, but monitor and moderation goes a long way.
Something tells me that a pencil sale just isn't going to bring in that much cash flow.
I asked an obesity MD speaking at a conference, and she said save your money.
w
Burn-out
I, too, have done this for over 30 years and am just about fried. It's the same thing, over and over, except I worked for a private group for over 26 years--they purchased new equipment and they didn't want to pay me what I had been making. They never came out and told me that but that is the bottom line. . . money! I figured with my expertise and years of experience I should be paid more than the gal they hired that can't even spell English let alone medical words. My daughters all tell me, "Mom, you've done this for so many years now. Quit and do something different. Like work at Joann Fabrics or ??" I do love to sew so (I like that word combo, don't you?) perhaps I should look into that. I am officially retired anyway but worked on a contingent basis for five years making very good money--not line count pay but a good hourly wage. I am working for a company now on a contingent basis online; however, it is so contingent I made $25.20 last month! I don't know what I'll do with all that money!!!! Ha! Sounds like we should all just do a 180 and start over with something new. I hate to lose all the info stored in my brain over the years but after reading all these posts, is it really worth it anymore??? Another Oldie!
Burn the BOS!!!!
I think the authors of it are bipolar anyway because they change so many snippy little things between every edition. The doctors could care less about the BOS. I mean really, who elected the AAMT to speak for all of us? I certainly never joined their offshore-loving organization.
Burn out
I think it sounds pretty normal. I type specifically x-ray accounts right now, that is the job I was hired to do, and I feel that after years of typing, this is about all a I want to do! But, I recently accepted a position as floater, and that means I have to do stat xrays, but also typing x-rays that need done in the TAT that is specified for each account....but when the x-rays are low, I hve to type whatever account needs help...this could be surgeries, H&P, etc......and lately, as you said, the xrays have been low, and i have been getting more and more of the other accounts!
It can be confusing and frustrating because each, as you probably know, have different account specifics and different things that need to be done. The only reason I like this and have agreed to do this is that the company I work for offered me full time but at an hourly rate.....I think this is awesome and really the only reason I don't get too upset with the different accounts that I type....I think, well yes they are time consuming, but I am getting paid by the hour, which gives me a little breathing room to look up information and make sure I am doing the report in the correct way!
Good luck, and if you would like to know the company I am working for, as I have found they are the BEST to work for.....just let me know, and I would be glad to share that information with you!
burn out
Been doing MT for 31 years and have come to the bottom. I'm quitting the national I've worked for for 6 years because of the stress  of working for them and am going to try to transcribe part time and edit part time. Haven't been allowed to take a day off since end of Sept. The only problem is, will have no health insurance and now I'm probably going to be even more stressed about my finances. Am looking to get out of MT altogether-one way or another. The national sapped my will to MT! (and almost my will to live ). I'm not a fast typist anymore (and I say typist because the national didn't want an MT, just a fast typist), in fact, it's sometimes physically painful to type and production is the only key these days. In fact, had the national tell me they didn't want knowledge and experience, just production. Very demoralizing to have someone tell you that. Anyway, out of there in one week! 
burn out
I have been in this business for almost 20 years and I am not surprised about your situation. It seems that medical transcriptionists are supposed to work like dogs all the time. I have had to battle to get time off in a number of situations. My coworkers seldom took time off as they had no life outside their job which I did. I have a full and enjoyable life. My husband and I love to fish, camp, bicycle, snowshoe, ski, etc. When I took off in my last job my employer who had personal problems besides had a mad look on her face when I came back and treated me coldly for about a month afterwards. I really believe the reason we are treated like this is because most of us are women. They think they can take advantage of us. Right now I am looking for a new medical transcription job on the Internet. I am appalled on how many companies require their medical transcriptionists to work every weekend. Don't they think we need a break? That's why so many of us get burned out. Good luck. Hope you get a break.
Burn out
Remember to get enough exercise and eat well and get enough rest. Going back to school sounds like a great idea. Taking some time off on a regular basis is also important.
Burn out
HOw do you combat burn out from MT. MT is all I can do right now. I do not want to start at the bottom of any job....Maybe a WalMart Greeter for a few days a week would work, but I am not about to go to work in an office where some 20-yo chicky will tell this late 50-yo chicky what to do.....
so how do you deal with burn out?
I SAY BURN THEM AT THE STAKE...
just kidding of course !
Total Burn Out
Well, I've tried everything to change my attitude & outlook & always feel I've succeeded until I log on every morning & encounter the worst of the worst ESL or American Doc on a cell phone dictating 50 feet away from the mouthpiece with every extraneous background noise imaginable! I can handle a few of those in a row, but that seems to be the majority of what I now get, with dictation times varying from 3-4 hrs or more apart to minutes - depending on who the doctor is.
I'm seriously questioning why I'm doing this to myself on a daily basis as I, too, have only seen my income decline, my hours increase, & am mentally wiped out at the end of the day. I'm doing good to fix something for dinner, let alone anything else that needs to be done! I just seem to sit here in a daze and/or stupor every evening - telling myself tomorrow will be better!
And, Whining Wendy, you're not alone. I thought the days of crying out of total frustration & despair ended in the 60s when I was a "Newbie". Wrong!! During the last 2-3 yrs, this has & is being encountered by me almost on a daily basis - & I'm an "Oldie". In years past, once you mastered deciphering an accent, doc, etc., your days of frustration were over. Now, working for a National, I have found that every day is filled with different, new doc's, new accents, etc. Problem arises when after you finally master an "impossible" dictator, you find that in 6 months or more, since you were so "good" - you get all of his horrible, undecipherable dictation again - none of which is consistent nor repetitive of prior dictations. Back to frustration level 1.
I hate to say it, but my love for this profession has totally been annhilated. Really wish I could offer words of encouragement or suggestions but, at the moment, I have none. I'm just really saddened to see how many of us feel this way & what has happened to a once highly regarded, elite, "profession."
Never in my life have I ever pictured myself working at "Bob Evans" (Geez - could just picture it all now - dumping trays of food, etc.); however, went to dinner there the other evening & they had an Ad posted in their window for help wanted. Jokingly, told hubby I thought I'd apply for the job. Sad thing is, his reply was that I'd probably make more money & be less stressed!
I don't know where we're all headed & wish I had answers & a magic wand - but I regretfully don't. I do know I'm seriously looking into what other options are available to me.
Sorry all - just venting after a very, very bad week, on top of my normal very bad weeks, only now with a Bonus offered until the end of the pay period. Just another stark realization that with the dictators in my pool, that is an impossible, unattainable bonus to achieve unless I want to work 24/7 trying to decipher such. My price to pay for being an experienced, good, at-home, Oldie?
ha ha ha crash and burn
if and I repeat if you are doing that much you will
crash and burn. you either pace yourself in MTing
or you leave pretty quick.
but unless you are doing only OPs or only ERs i
honestly doubt you are doing quality work of acute care
with all the crap that comes with the docs not being able to
enter right numbers, say right names, say decent drug doses
or even say the drugs correctly. nope doing all the leg work
necessary to do most acute care, you won't do 2800 lines in a
decent number of hours a day to have a life.
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