Sore neck and shoulders
Posted By: Cathy on 2005-10-08
In Reply to: To Dancin Shoes & Cathy - MWW
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....
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Sore neck, sore eyes sm
Depends - if you are young, have the time and need the money, at least it's work. Did it years ago, no "day at the beach" so to say and the ESL's write like they talk, so be prepared to try to figure out what they are trying to say. "He can't get alone with the neighbor." Alone - along - a loan???? " The pt. drink 1-1/2 6 can beer per day." - A six pack and a half??? 9 cans??? Good luck anyway, Honey.
Forgot one...NECK after shoulders(nm)
X
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.
For me, shoulders and hips.
.
Can I cry on your shoulders this morning?
My husband is gone until spring with his company about 5 hours away from home. Not too far but far enough where I can't see him often. In fact, he left Jan1 and haven't seen in since. No big deal - 14 days.
He is staying in a nice hotel with company car, perks, etc. He doesn't have a boss, but they have him working 13 days straight and then one day off and he is working his tail off. He calls me every night, and we trust each other 110%. We have 2 boys - 2 and 4. I am basically going nuts over here with them but that is a different subject.
So I got this grand idea last night that in the morning (today) I would drive and come see him, he has tomorrow off, and then I would leave early Tues to come back home. No big deal. The kids could watch DVD, etc. I am very, very independent and can do this with my eyes closed. I've always traveled by myself, etc., because of my background, and he's the type who is ultra-conservative, worried about traffic, safety, etc. Which is irritating because yes, there are risks involved when traveling. I have a new vehicle, great tires, great gas mileage, a cell phone, money, and street smarts. What the h*** is the big deal? He calls me this morning when the boys and I are ready to go to tell me, "don't come."
Do you know how upset I am? I am very upset. He won't be back until April or so and he doesn't want to see us????? He can't leave the area, so we have to come and see him. Yet, because he's so darn cautious and conservative (always has been that way), we have to suffer by staying here and basically I have done nothing but work extra and take care of 2 kids who really miss their dad.
I am upset. I am all packed up and ready to go with no where to go. He did say I could possibly come down later, as in a few weeks later, when the area is not as congested (he's near the gulf of Mexico where hurricane hit, but in a city that was not devastated so there are hotels and restaurants, etc). But to be honest, I'm not going to waste my time or energy on him if he doesn't want to see us. I am not going through this again in 2 weeks. He can just forget it.
I'm usually very mature, but I am so pissed right now and I don't really care. He doesn't want to see us today, then I guess he and his ultra safety self can wait until he comes home in April. 
Mine was in the shoulders
It took several doctors to find it, but my issues were caused by tension where the neck meets the shoulders. Tilt your head to the left and pull it down with your left hand, then repeat on the right. Tilt your head forward and pull down. Tilt your head forward at an angle and pull down, repeat with other side. I had pain, loss of sensation, and locking of my muscles because of tightness right there. Not sure if that's your situation, but just in case!
Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes...
http://www.mothergooserocks.com/headandshoulders.html
Thank you. I do feel the weight of the world on my shoulders...sm
And I am so afraid that I am going to "break" one day. He is a good person. Ever since he has been off of work and considered disabled everything has changed. He used to work 50+ hours a week, he took the effort for himself, etc. I know that I am not perfect either, but seeing a grown man like this breaks my heart day after day after day. He is wonderful with our son though. I would love to find a way to get that "fire" back again, but I know I won't be able to unless he makes a little more effort to just do SIMPLE things...and another problem is we NEVER have any help with our son - no time to get away, even just out for dinner, by ourselves. It is just hard and any advice I will take. Thank you for your advice...
Joint Pain in Arms/Hands/Shoulders
I am just going to relate this story for what it is worth to someone else.
In 2001 I began having problems with my left hand, arm and shoulder. Orthopedist thought it may be the beginnings of carpal tunnel but EMG was neg. It was bad enuf that at times I couldn't pick stuff up and it hurt to type. It waned and waxed. A few years later I began having problems with my hands and the joints in my fingers hurting, along with left shoulder pain. My hands were so bad I could not open a jar at times. Eventually I went to a rheumatologist who told me that I had no visible signs of severe arthritis. All MDs, incl. orthopedist and rheumatologist recommended trying Celebrex, aspirin, etc. The regular stuff. I was resigned to early arthritis like my mother.
Well, one day in late 2004/early 2005 I decide to see a chiropractor for my shoulder because I'd had electro therapy for an injury years ago and thought maybe this would help. I had some adjustments and electro therapy on my shoulder.
I want to tell you -- ALL and EVERY pain in my fingers left and never came back. ALL and EVERY pain running from shoulder to hand stopped. It had to have been some sort of pinched nerve.
Not a single MD had even suggested seeing a chiropractor. And had it not been for my shoulder and my past experience, I never would have thought of it and would still be suffering, possibly with even further damage to the nerve by now.
1-wrist/fingers.2-shoulders. 3. Foot that uses the pedal. 4. Knees. 5. Hips. They're all coming
x
sore arm
I found that it is not from MTing, but actually from leaning on 1 arm/side too much. I had this myself about a week ago on my left side only and found that when I modified how I was sitting, sitting more centered, that the pain has totally gone away with no meds or injections.
sore fingertips
I also type 10 to sometimes 12 hours a day between my regular 40 hour a week job and extras that I do - I found my right thumb was getting soooo tender so I have since improvised and put a foam ring (that is actually for toes) on it to take the brunt of my hitting the space bar all the time. It works wonders and can't do without it now. But never had any other trouble with fingertips....
And sore wrists. Have you tried any of these?
Smart Gloves. Google them. They're wonderful. About $20 bucks apiece but well worth the money.
Carpal tunnel type straps. Wal Mart. $10 bucks apiece.
I have both and I alternate.
I ended up with numbness in my right index finger, but after buying these, it just went away after a few weeks. My fingers and wrists have some discomfort on occasion, but nothing like they were before.
One more thing, and I know people that do this, if you do "pound" the keyboard with your fingertips, relax those hands, elbows and shoulders and just tap. If that doesn't work, you may want to get a better keyboard.
Good luck! 
Sore elbow(s)
 I use elbow pads to save my shoulders & neck, but find that continually resting my elbows on anything (or keeping them bent at a 90-degree angle or greater) for any period of time exacerbates the pain. My problem is bone-spurs in the elbows - combination of arthritis and/or overuse from sports, etc. But typing, sleeping with it bent, etc. do make it worse. I've found gentle exercises on the machines at the gym to be helpful, provided I don't overdo it. I also use glucosamine & chondroitin supplements for a knee problem that might help a little.
Sometimes sleeping curled around an extra pillow, with my arm stretched out underneath it to help prevent it from being over-bent, seems to help. Also avoiding over-use. I try to keep my med. dictionary on my desk during the day, so I don't have to reach for it, and when I first take it off the shelf in the morning, I do it while standing up to lessen the stress on the joint.
When it does flare up, I've experimented with different pain remedies to find what is most effective. While aspirin works best on some of my parts, my own elbow pain seems to respond best to extra-strength Tylenol, and second-best to two ibuprofen (even though the bottle says take just one.) And the neck and shoulder pain is best relieved by Flexall cream, second-best by ibuprofen.
Best of luck finding the right cure!
sore elbows
I have used a tennis elbow brace that is worn around the forearm right under the elbow. Really helps.
sore elbows
In a way it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has this problem. Not that I wish pain on anybody... :)
Fortunately, I did not need any injections. I had physical therapy--heat, iontophoresis, and exercises--and anti-inflammatories.
The occupational health physician I saw also recommended a keyboard tray adjusted so that my arms were at a 90-degree angle while typing. I know someone mentioned having their arms at that angle made it worse, but my problem at that time was having my keyboard too low so that my arms were going down. Changing the angle did help.
Now when I have a flare-up, ibuprofen usually helps as well as a topical gel called Biofreeze which I buy it from my chiropractor but some independent pharmacies carry it, also.
Sore loser
Grow up
sore elbow
Just yesterday I noticed a lump on my forearm, just above the elbow. It is sore and has a red spot just on top of the lump, but the red just fades into almost nothing (which is just smaller than a dime), and the lump is actually lumpy, but seems to spread into a mass a couple of inches long. Anyone have any experience with something similar to this? I don't want to go to the doctor unless I have to because I know they will want to do an MRI, and all of that "stuff," (so if anyone has had anything like this and may have an idea what it is I would appreciate hearing from you). Thank you.
sore wrists
I use Oregano Oil on my wrists and the tops of my hands. Sometimes it hurts to lift fingers and I run the Oregano Oil along those bones.
sore back
I just moved from a hospital setting to typing at home and I am dying, too. At the hospital, they had these articulating keyboard arms that positioned up and down and forward and backward. I had my keyboard raised and close to me so that I could lean completely back in my chair and type comfortably. I researched those online and they are expensive little boogers. I will be getting one soon. My back is worth it. Look at Office Depot. I think they are listed as articulating keyboard something or another.
Sore back
I too have a bad back and I get backaches when I type. I see a chiropractor once a week and he showed me some stretches that help. I also have a support for my lower back. As far as the keyboard, I use a split keyboard and make sure my wrists are straight when typing.
Just saw your post about how sore
your elbow really is at this point (just to touch). If it is inflamed in any way, go with ice (on 10 min/off 10 min - on covered skin)for a few days. Then do moist heat/ice alternating for a couple days. Do the massage and stretching, as I mentioned in post below, as tolerated (keeping consistent with the 7-8/10 on pain scale). Also, make sure your elbows are not lower than your hands when you are typing. Let me know how it goes.
Anyone have a solution for a sore behind??
I just recently bought a new chair, recommended on one of the sites and it wasn't cheap by any means. But my butt gets so sore when I sit for days. I've tried putting a pillow under me, but that doesn't seem to help very much. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Boy oh boy, have you ever hit on a sore spot with me! -(sm)
I'm up against the same thing with that da**ed BOS. Every other day, it's something. Put a dash between words. Don't put a dash between words. And then each account varies from the BOS in its own unique and utterly ridiculous ways. Frequently the BOS goes against what's correct punctuation and writing style.
This whole BOS cow-pucky is keeping a lot of people busy, and in all the wrong ways. We're so busy worrying about the absurd minutia that BOS tells us is Law, that it's harder and harder to get a decent day's worth of transcribing done.
If MT co's want to use the BOS, then they should tell their clients that that's the standard they're going to be using. But no, every account, even every DOCTOR, wants it their way. I have no problem with typing every account and every doctor their way, but then I sure don't want QA flooding my inbox with marked-up reports, telling me I've done it wrong.
I truly believe that the whole purpose of BOS (besides making couple of shady characters very, very wealthy, is to further justify paying us less and eventually driving American MT's entirely out of the field. An MT can be very experienced, accurate, and fast, but if you keep playing the shell-game with the account specifications, and changing them up every other day, no one on earth is going to be able to keep up with all that and maintain a high QA score.
And the bottom line? Since WHEN does it matter to patient care (which is SUPPOSED to be the bottom line in the medical industry) whether you spell out numbers below 10, or type them in numerals? Since when does it matter if the date is March 14 or 3/14? It DOESN'T! When the doctors check our reports to sign, or before going into surgery, etc., does anyone really think they give a rat's backside about whether we capitalized "operating room", or spelled out the number ten? All that matters is accuracy and readability! The almighty BOS doesn't matter to them one iota.
This whole BOS/QA analness of MT is driving me crazy, too, because it's all about being jerked around.
Oh grow up - such a sore loser!
x
Sore left pinky...
Mine gets like that from time to time as well. I tend to stretch it out too far. Usually I'll tape my ring finger and pinkie together with athletic tape (loosely, not as if splinting) for an hour or so to let it rest, and then go back to business as normal.
I'm hoping this will rectify itself when I get an ergo keyboard.
ExText-sore thumb
Does anybody have trouble with a sore left thumb from doing speech recognition in ExText? I have been doing it now for 5 months and have constant pain in my thumb. Just wondered if there was a better way of doing it.
No but I have a sore left pinky from doing
x
That is also a very sore spot, I agree
I requested the same thing about 2 months ago, could a physician pleaseeeeeee spell a name, especially when wanting a cc sent and was told if I could not find, just to pend the note and so I do. Why they are so against asking for a spelling is just beyond me. That should be a no brainer but noooooo, don’t get a high and mighty physician upset.
Any ideas for sore fingers and hands?
I do hand stretches and massage my fingers, but they are so sore from typing. I can still type very fast, just so sore doing it. Also, my thumb and index finger are drawing toward my palm more so than my other hand. Does anyone know what could cause this?
Also, does anyone else get muscle spasms in their feet while typing? javascript:editor_insertHTML('text',' ');
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TIA.
Have you had a sore throat lately? Don't call me crazy, but....
My legs from the calves down, and especially my ankles, have been swollen
since about the first part of February. I walk around like a "weeble-wobble" doll.
And I thought, gosh, am I too fat?!, eating too much salt?!
Why don't they go down overnight or when I prop them up?
Well, finally I found out that I probably have Hoen-Schoenlein (or something like that) purpura.
They say it recurs. It usually is in kids, but can happen in adults.
IT HAPPENS AFTER A SORE THROAT. It is in the autoimmune family. Sometimes they will give you steroids for it -- but mostly you have to just ride it out.
They really don't know what causes it - but like I said they do suspect it comes in correlation with a sore throat.......and I have had that horrible flu that hit in Feb and I have had recurrence of the flu/sore throat about every 6 wks (as do a lot of the folks I know).
They say the purpura/swollen legs and ankles can last for 6-8 wks or longer.
So, if you have really funky swollen legs and don't have luck with them going down after leaving off salt, drinking plenty of water, and not drinking caffeinated drinks -- it may be HENOCH-SCHONLEIN purpura.
What is HSP?
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP or anaphylactoid purpura) is a form of blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis. There are many different conditions that feature vasculitis. Each of the forms of vasculitis tends to involve certain characteristic blood vessels. HSP affects the small arterial vessels called capillaries in the skin and frequently the kidneys. HSP results in skin rash (most prominent over the buttocks and behind the lower extremities associated with joint inflammation (arthritis) and sometimes cramping pain in the abdomen.
What causes HSP?
HSP occurs most often in the spring and frequently follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages. HSP seems to represent an unusual reaction of the body's immune system that is in response to this infection (either bacteria or virus). Aside from infection, drugs can also trigger the condition. HSP occurs most commonly in children, but persons of all age groups can be affected.
What are symptoms of HSP?
Classically, HSP causes skin rash, pain in the abdomen, and joint inflammation (arthritis). Not all features need be present for the diagnosis. The rash of skin lesions appears in gravity-dependent areas, such as the legs. The joints most frequently affected with pain and swelling are the ankles and the knees. Patients with HSP can develop fever. Inflammation of the blood vessels in the kidneys can cause blood and/or protein in the urine. Serious kidney complications are infrequent, but can occur. Sometimes a biopsy of skin and/or kidney is used in assisting the diagnosis, which is typically made based on the clinical findings.
Symptoms usually last approximately a month. Recurrences are not frequent, but do occur.
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.
Do you all type when you are sick? I woke up this morning with a sore throat and a stiff achy
neck and my body was kind of stiff all over, but I ignored it, got the kids off to school, and went about my usual routine of having my morning coffee and reading the paper. I don't start work until noon every day. As the morning wore on, my body got achier and achier and I started having chills and basically had to huddle under three blankets so I would quit shivering. I took my temperature and it was 102.3 and I'm wonder if I have strep throat or something. I tend to pick that up about once a year and amy pretty familiar with the symptoms.
I couldn't bare the thought of calling sick especially because I work at home and I always think it's kind of lame to call in sick when you don't physically have to go much farther then down the stairs. I always feel extremely guilty whenever I have called in for illness in the past. Do you guys feel that way? Like we're somehow not entitled to take sick days because we already working from home. I mean, I have them accrued and I am truly sick, why should I feel bad about taking one when I actually need it?
Anyway, I took a handful of Motrin and the aching has eased up and I'm sweating like a pig so the fever broke for now, and now I just feel really tired and would love to lay down and take a nap, but just feel like I shouldn't and dread the idea of calling my boss.
Oh well, guess I'll suffer through like I always do. Every once in a while working at home doesn't feel quite fair. 
A break? Your arm, your neck or your leg? Your choice...
x
Put a frozen sirloin on your neck. nm
//
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!!
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
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.
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