VR editor - still with CT symptoms, very severe. sm
Posted By: Carpal Tunnel Sufferer on 2007-09-03
In Reply to: Transcription-Versus-Editing, Particularly RE: Tendinitis - samsa
I have to admit, it has eased up a little; however, I have had CTS for over 12 years now and never did anything about it. As I age, use my hands the same, and keep the same sleeping habits, my symptoms have gotten so severe.
I really can not say it is better or worse with transcribing or editing these days. It is more pronounced when sleeping or grasping things.
I would not change a job for reasons such as tendinitis or CTS, etc.
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I've also found it varies from editor to editor -
In one case I researched it fully, and found that both of them were wrong, and I had been right all along.
[Sigh........]
I don't know if this will help you as your CT is already severe...sm
I transcribe with my keyboard in my lap. With the keyboard at that level my wrists are straight and there is no stress on wrists, elbows, neck or shoulders. My carpal tunnel which was moderate about 10 years ago is almost nonexistent now. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and on demonstrating my body alignment to my rheumatologist she said my body mechanics were excellent and more people should try doing this. Try it. You might be surprised.
I was 31...severe RA.
doesn't sound like RA, however, I am not a doctor.:)
wishing the best.
severe burnout
I just can't do MT anymore. I've been doing it for 30 years, the last 6 with a national that begins and ends with an S. I so tired of their lies and garbage. I also edit as an IC which I enjoy but can't get steady hours. I'm presently on intermittent FMLA from "S" for my mom who is a paraplegic and they're giving me all kinds of grief over it. My supervisor is doing everything she can to put roadblocks in front of me. She won't me change accounts permanently. I get put on an account I'm good at and can get good line counts on for awhile and then I'm put back on the account I told her I hate and can't make money on. This happens over and over again. She also won't let me taking an editing job or change my hours. I received their "certificates" for quality and attendance, but not for production which is the only thing they care about since only 62% of the company made 98% or more quality. Some days I just can't sit and work. I'm totally burned out and the above doesn't help.
I'd leave in a minute if I thought another place would be better, but I'm not convinced it would be. Add to that the fact that I only have dial-up, need health insurance as I am single and can't afford a good computer at this time.
Sorry for the long post. Just needed to vent. Has anyone been in this situation? What can I do?  I'm working 50-60 hours a week and still can't make a living. I'm really ready to go on welfare rather than keep working.
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
not *identity* - much more severe problem...nm *S*
x
I've heard that if it is a severe CTS
symptoms as the nerves can become permanently damaged. I'd look into first to see if this would help or not.
if you have severe back problems, how could you sit in one position all day?
You would first need to get into an accredited school.
Also you would be sitting down for 4 to 8 hours at a time. I dont know if you can pull that off with severe back problems.
Try searching in the new MT/student section for more information.
Good luck to you.
Does NE1 have severe joint pain while working?
I have been working as an MT for only 4 years, and I am only 23 years old, but lately I have had severe finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and neck joint pains, especially when working. I am just wondering if this is normal.
Thanks for the help.
Anyone ever experience severe ulnar styloid pain?
Doesn't bother me to move up or down but I can't twist my wrist or lift heavy things. When typing it becomes very uncomfortable if I'm not careful how I position my hands. Anyone else out there experiencing anything like this?
I'd just keep your eye on him since he has no other symptoms.
Mine was doing that about a month ago and nothing ever came of it. He must have just had a little cold or snuffed something up his nose. When we first got him, he was a mess with mattery eyes, ear mites, and blowing snot all over when he sneezed. Antibiotics and mitecide fixed him up, so we had to change his name from Snot to something else.
Have you had these symptoms before? sm
I could see a pinched nerve causing your arms and hands to tingle but not your face. You might want to consider see a doc for this as it could be something serious. I had these symptoms along with dizziness, headaches, and my muscles were twitching. I was freaked out that I had some neurological problem or MS. Turns out I had a "complicated migraine." But it's better to be safe than sorry!
Same symptoms here, but I'm 36
I think my hormones are out of whack. I feel extremely moody before and after menses and then feel depressed along with it. Then I get the panic attacks to where it feels like you are choking, then can't breath normal and heart raising.
I have those same symptoms, but I'm in my early 30s.
Have you had a tubal or come off BC pills? I was doing some research the other day and came up with hormonal imbalance, but not estrogen like they think. One of the posters on the Ask the Dr. board recommend progesterone cream for the sore hoohas. Read down the board and you'll see the posts. She said the doctors are mistreating it with BC pills, which only makes it worse.. I'm making an appt w/my doctor and asking for an endocrine evaluation to see how out of whack everything is. FWIW, my former doctor put me on BC pills with Prozac for my PMS. The physical symptoms got worse, while the Prozac made me sleep 12 hours a day, have really wild dreams, and lose all motivation to clean the house or work. I do not like that stuff.
There are there boys here, and believe me, males have their hormonal mood swings, too.
Been having those symptoms plus for 4 days now.
ears popping, congested, aching all over like the flu, headaches.
I did go to a hospital to visit a family member on Monday, so may have picked it up from there. I hate feeling miserable like this. I have 3 other family members who have had whatever it is, tho.
Your symptoms - my two cents
Hi - I want to try to put your mind at ease - I can't say for sure that you don't have MS but I can tell you that I had similar symptoms a few years ago, as did a friend of mine, both from extreme stress. You feel like you are dealing with the stress just fine, but your body still reacts. Try this - make sure you ae getting plenty of vitamin B-12, omega fatty acids (like flax oil), and take a supplement of the amino acid taurine. Also, are you sleeping well? Those can be symptoms of chronic sleep deprivation or lack of REM sleep. If so, you could try Valerian root capsules to help you relax and sleep better, or even Benadryl for sleep. I am not a doctor so of course I can't say for sure that this is the problem or that this will help, but it helped me - after I had two MRIs, tons of blood work, and a nerve conduction study - do yourself a favor and try the other route first! Especially the flax oil - especially if you are not a seafood eater!
I have had symptoms for over 30 years!
I take HRT because I have drenching night sweats and will have to get up and change clothing, bedding, etc., if I don't I do not sleep well at all if I am not on HRT. I had to have a medically necessary TAH/BSO at the age of 19 and have been on HRT since for the most part. I have tried weaning off and my symptoms always come back within a couple weeks, not to mention the emotional aspect. :( I would LOVE to not need them but it really messes with my quality of life. Those of you with mild symptoms or none after a few years are very lucky. :)
I am looking at having saliva testing done in hopes that it will work even better than the HRT I use but I have to wait until I can afford it.
I once saw your exact symptoms on a PBS
show about these families who were sent out west to live in cabins..."Pioneer House" I think was the name of it. Anywhoo, one lady, a nurse, thought she had a blood clot in her arm because it was going numb and cold. She was on the pill too and that worried her even more. So, she saw the doctor and it turned out to be bursitis, although she didn't notice any pain! Weird, huh? But yeah, you should have someone check it out just to be on the safe side. Hope it gets better soon!
Former CT warning symptoms SM
are totally completely gone with editing.
Maybe someone else will have a more specific answer for the keystrokes, but CONSIDERABLY fewer per minute. As the VR system gets better and better with a dictator, you may spend most of the time just sitting there reading along with squeakily speeded up dictation. Other dictators will have corrections on every line, though.
Part of reduced Keystrokes is expander, too. For instance, I do ".t" when I come on a lowercase "the" between what should be two sentences, which backs up, inserts a period, double spaces, deletes the small t and inserts a capital T, then jumps to the beginning of the next word for me.
When I started editing, though, my Expander wasn't nearly so well developed and I still made more money AND my worrisome carpal tunnel pains, which a number of times required me to take nonpaid leave while I rested my wrists, disappeared. So have the wrist braces I wore religiously every night to bed.
Could it be no HEENT symptoms?
I only say this because you say "no headache", etc.
not symptoms of bipolar disorder
actually, that just sounds like most of the spoiled kids I've met - society won't treat them the way mom did so they're trying to push the buttons they used to push w/mom. (Did she die or wise up?).
Yes, been sick for 2 weeks - same symptoms. nm
x
my girlfriend had those same symptoms and never made it out
of the emergency room! Many conditions have these symptoms so you did the right thing. You just can't risk it if it is cardiac. When my girlfriend went to the ER, she went in total arrest and they could not revive her. She was 50. On another note, it could be anything from gallbladder, gas, hiatal hernia (very common symptom for HH) or an esophageal spasm (I get those). You did the right thing and a full workup sounded like it was warranted.
I started getting symptoms after about 3-5 years. Nobody could believe it. sm
Fellow MTs told me it was too early, but nope. I had the tests, and had/have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Think it's anatomical for some. I have very tiny wrists, and I've read that sometimes that can be related.
Some 15-20 years later, I had endoscopic surgery on the right side. I wouldn't recommend endoscopic. If you get surgery, go open. I learned later that it's usually more effective. I still have symptoms in both wrists, can tell no improvement in the right hand.
Best things: Physical therapy was the very best, but Worker's Comp obviously wouldn't pay for that forever. Cat's Paw (exerciser) is cheap and mimics a lot of the stuff I was doing in PT.
SmartGlove when I work. Helps a lot.
Trackball - huge difference.
Shorthand - I have made it my hobby to learn to work smarter instead of harder. I studied the productivity sites and am constantly working on building my ShortHand file. It's rare that something isn't in it. I have gotten to where it shows a savings of about 50% keystrokes, which is something to think about. It's like working half a day and getting paid for a full day.
Rest. Get up at least once an hour, go to your dining room table, put your palm flat on the table and press down. You should feel a really good stretch. And then I take at least 5-10 minutes to break. Maybe not the best thing for productivity, but the best for longevity.
Those symptoms you described sound like some of mine, SM
I get photophobic, have numbness and tingling, nausea, you name it.
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.
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?
Could be Flonase, but that is usually 50 mcg for non-allergic symptoms
Might get more of a response on Word Help board instead
I didn't have any hand/finger symptoms either, just
wrist. Using a brace at night helps some. I use the kind that has the metal strip so that you can't bend your wrist. I found them at my drugstore. I had surgery almost 15 years ago and did fine until this past year, and again am developing symptoms. My symptoms developed from writing, not typing, and now I can type usually without problems, but I can only write a tiny bit, can't grip a garden tool for long or do any type of fine motor movement for long and then if I do my wrists hurt so much that typing then bothers me.
I know there is some vitamin regimen to help, though I don't know what it is. I was put on Naprosyn first and was allergic to it. Orthopod suggested hot and cold soaks, 15 minutes each. I had cortisone injections and some other type of injections, and physical therapy. I was only out of work about 3 days, but I wasn't an MT at the time. I do not have the strength in my hand that I used to, but other than that haven't really had any problems. I do have trouble with pain occasionally, can't think of the word, but it feels like the scar is drawing up and I get shooting pains, but I can massage the scar and it eases. I'm considering a job change rather than going through surgery again, not because the surgery was bad, just because not only do I have carpal tunnel, but I have swelling and tingling in my feet, butt spread, etc.
Word of warning - make sure you have an empty bladder before the EMG study. They have to test both sides so they have a comparison and between laying flat, still, and the electrical shocks I couldn't get off that table quick enough to go potty.
Also, if you don't already, get a keyboard tray that is adjustable. You can find them at a woodworking store or in various catalogs. I can position mine at various heights and various angles. I also sometimes lower the tray and put a pillow on it and then my keyboard and it absorbs some of the pressure and using the pillow you don't have an edge from the tray or the wrist pad pressing into you. I also found I sit back in my chair better with the pillow. If this is not comfortable at least try a folded towel between the tray and keyboard.
I wouldn't discourage surgery, but I would try some of the things above first.
My doctor told me I have all the symptoms of "Andropause"...
Otherwise known as "male menopause"!! Sheesh! That explains a lot, lol. She said most men start to experience in their mid to late 40's (I'm 47), and I do believe it. Darn, I thot guys were spared all that "hot flash" stuff!
Yes, helped for about 1 year, then same symptoms returned.
Just had hysterectomy last year. Never felt better. No pain, no cramps, no heavy bleeding and I can leave the house and not have to worry about blood running down my legs any more. The ablation worked in decreasing the heavy menstrual flow for about a year. Then it returned with the pain, etc. I have had endometriosis and ovarian cysts since I was 13, with many laparoscopic cystectomies, etc. I am now 38. I finally know what a normal pain-free life is like.
If you do decide to go with the ablation, get the NovaSure - it takes less than 5 minutes to perform and better results than ThermaChoice.
Good luck.
...The content stays the same - history, symptoms,
s
Yep, the newest "fix" for the last few years of PMS and perimenopausal symptoms is
Serafem, which is just Prozac. The drug company "reinvented" a use for Prozac when they needed a new use! So, its called Serafem. You're supposed to take it a few days before your period, or sometimes all month - just depends. Pretty flowery packaging! I went thru the same thing at about 43 to 44 - only symptoms as well, and never had 1 day of PMS prior to that. It just stopped as suddenly as it had started. Just me - we're all different. I tried the Serafem and it didn't help at all - just made me feel like a zombie 30 days of the month! Good luck to you! Just had my LMP 2 days ago - only lasts for about 1/2 day now! Yeah!! I, for one, will not be missing THAT each month. No way!! Also remember if you have female teens at home, those hormones are floating all over in the air! Its HORRIBLE! I have 2 daughters and we all get it the same time now, etc. Oh, yes, and my face breaks out now as it did when I was a teen when I had my period. Never had that my entire life til now. Just today we were all cracking up - all 3 of us had 1 huge zit on our noses!! Nowhere else, and all 3 had the same one on our nose! We are really fair skinned and blonde, and look RIDICULOUS!! Oh well!
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? 
Ditto. Go to hospital. Not usual symptoms for a migraine. nm
nm
If your son's acne is not very bad and not cystic, you aren't dealing with severe acne, right?
There is a big difference. I have very oily skin that is acne prone, even now in my 40s, but my older sister's condition is much more severe, with cystic acne even on her back, like a male, and the one time I tried to tell her what was helping my skin, she let me know that what might help me was not going to be strong enough to help her. She's tried it all.
No perimenopausal symptoms? Mood swings? Crying? Forgetfulness? Lucky you if so. I started all that
s
Editor Pay??
I've seen quite a few posts on here about pay being horrible...just wondering if I'm getting paid right. I've been editing now for two years, started at .02/line and now am getting paid .03/line (65 character line with spaces). I've been in the MT business for 4 years total. Does this sound right or should I ask for more??
bad editor
I think you are the editor that was making so many mistakes and had such poor quality, And you are the first to cast stones??? SoftScript has always paid for all their lines if there was a problem. You just didn't like getting caught doing poor work issues, All of us MTs know who you are.
QA Editor Pay?
I've just been offered a QA editor position with the pay being .05 cpl.....Is this average pay or below average? Thanks!
Very well said and I am not an editor. I am MT
working hard and trying my hardest to do my job well. Both jobs are tough and we all need to be working together. While it not's always comfortable to have my errors pointed out to me, you can be sure that I probably will not make the same error again. As far as getting feedback, well as the old saying goes, "No news is good news." If one works in DocQ, one can go back and pull up the "finished" product that has been corrected if blanks were left in it; so, that's good enough feedback right there. You can read the report as it was sent to the client after it has been through QA.
BUT I am not an editor
I was offered 2 cpl.
Editor
What is the standard "going" rate for an Editor position?
Thanks in advance for the info.
Editor pay
I've worked for 5 a line and 4 a line.
Becoming an Editor/QA
Can anyone tell me how you go about becoming an Editor or Q/A person. It seems like every job opening wants experienced editors but where do you get the experience from. I would work for a lot less if I could get experience editing. I have been an MT for over 20 years, so you would think that would count for something.
QA editor pay
Wondering about what a fair hourly pay rate would be for QA Editor position? Is there such a thing as a line rate for that job? Also curious about how ASR is paid...by the hour? By the line? How much?
editor for 15 or ???
THAT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MUCH YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL, FIGURE INCOST OF WARDROBE, GAS, DAYCARE IF YOU NEED IT. DO THEY OFFER BENEFITS AND ARE THEY REASONABLE?
Editor Pay
It would be wonderful if MTSO's hiring editors would state if they're paying by the line or per hour/salary. It's a huge waste of time testing for a position only to find that the position is paid per line. A quality Editor would do better working at McDonald's.
You OBVIOUSLY are not an editor.
nm
QA/Editor/MT
Whomever has never made a mistake raise your hand? I've worked as a Supervisor/QA/Editor/MT and I'll be the first to admit I've made mistakes. I'd rather learn from my mistakes. Laugh off the I can't believe I did that ones and chalk up it all up to learning. I've had moments where I would sit at my pc and think why can't I find this or that? Also, the ones where you know the answer but for some reason you left your brain somewhere and forgot to pick it back up. We all have good and bad days. I decided to go back to being a Editor/MT. I wasn't demoted or fired from a job. I like what I'm doing now and of course I have those days where I want to pull my hair out. I'm grateful that I'm able to use my skills where they are needed. I don't knock anyone for their efforts and sometimes just saying a kind word or encouraging someone who makes mistakes won't discourage them. No one is superior here. We all start somewhere and helping one another out can establish good working relationships and even good friendships. Try to look at things in a different light next time. Getting angry and having a tantrum won't get you anywhere. I have worked in situations where I couldn't believe how they treated the MT staff and even the QA staff. I would shake my head and think that person needs a prayer. I hope that all the experiences we have make us stronger and don't discourage any of us. Remember that this too shall pass and it will soon be a distant memory. Big huge hugs to all the QA/Editors/MTs out there. Let's work together and the results will be phenomenal. =)
Unfortunately, I see this a lot as an editor
Quite a few MTs seem to have trouble with constructing proper sentences. I do remember one sentence that did clearly need a comma, but it was still a complete sentence. The sentence with "however" in it was a run on, but I don't remember any of the others.
I wasn't criticising your skills as an MT. I was just stating that you may need to brush up on proper English/grammar/sentence structure, as people tend to get into the groove of things and forget the proper rules.
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