Choices

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:46 am

Ok .. I have a very hard choice to make and I'm not too sure what to do. I'm getting split messages from people around me and I hope that some of you might see this in a different light Smile

I'm facing the problem of loosing the use of my hands. I have just about every problem there is a name for ..... at least that's what my specialist says Smile

So here are my choices.

1) Major physical therapy ... they say will be painful. They want to build up muscles in my back and arms that I don't use since I sit all day hunched over a computer. We're talking 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. No guarantee will help.

2) Major surgery to move everything around so the nerves and muscles will work better. I'll be off work for 3 months. No guarantee will help.

3) Give up computer completely and let everything heal naturally. Could take several years or never. Personally I think I'd go insane with the option. I can't even go camping without my laptop :p

What would some of you do if faced with this? I mean I’m not on my computers as much. I try to take nights off since I’m on all day. But now I’m bored at night.

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:51 am

Choose #3 and take an voice system.
The voice system will do all commands you did with your hands.

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:00 am

Yeah I agree (1) and (3) re evaluate in 6 months - 1 year if no significant changes are happening reconsider option (2).

I've had the experience of working with an individual who had severe cerebral palsy and he had his tendons relocated which gave him back considerable use of his hands in particular. But of course physical therapy was played an extensive role in developing and maintaining the continued use and therefore the success of the surgery.

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:02 am

I've tried those. But the computer says it's doesn't understand me. My hubbie just laughed and said "I told you that you mumble too much" Very Happy

But that was 4 years ago, has the technology improved?

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:04 am

I think DragonSpeak is pretty good once it begins to "learn" which takes some time to do as I understand it.

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 11:13 am

That's who I tried before. Smile

Maybe it's time to try them again. I wonder if they'll let me update my copy, it's pretty expensive software.

Site Admin/Owner Joined: Aug 27, 2002 Posts: 17088

Obviously this is more than carpal tunnel? Don't laugh. I've known people that waited until they couldn't pick things up before opting for #2.

Client Joined: Apr 10, 2004 Posts: 649 Location: UK

I'd try out as many voice programs as possible before making a decision then go for 3.

My husband tried ViaVoice and it was the most entertaining 2 weeks we've ever spent. We were in stitches. He has a broad Cornish accent (sounds like a real west country bumkin at times) so the computer couldnt understand a word he said, and the answers or actions it took on his 'command' were hilarious.

If none of the voice programs work for you at least they'd cheer you up while you tried them.

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 11:21 am

Apple/IBM has created incredible voicecommand system last year if i remember.
It's self learning this means when you say something and it doesn't recognize it you or someone else can repeat the command using mouse or keyboard.
Then it stores the command so you have easy going next time.

Also there are systems where you can use your head, feet, air, etc. to communicate with the computer.
So when voice isn't recognizd then use a pen in your mouth and bang it on the keyboard untill the voicesoftware has all info it needs Wink

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:37 am

And if that doesnt work a kick in the hard drive usually does the job lol

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 8:01 am

HauntedWebby wrote:

Ok .. I have a very hard choice to make and I'm not too sure what to do. I'm getting split messages from people around me and I hope that some of you might see this in a different light Smile

I'm facing the problem of loosing the use of my hands. I have just about every problem there is a name for ..... at least that's what my specialist says Smile

So here are my choices.

1) Major physical therapy ... they say will be painful. They want to build up muscles in my back and arms that I don't use since I sit all day hunched over a computer. We're talking 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. No guarantee will help.

2) Major surgery to move everything around so the nerves and muscles will work better. I'll be off work for 3 months. No guarantee will help.

3) Give up computer completely and let everything heal naturally. Could take several years or never. Personally I think I'd go insane with the option. I can't even go camping without my laptop :p

What would some of you do if faced with this? I mean I’m not on my computers as much. I try to take nights off since I’m on all day. But now I’m bored at night.

Bless your heart. I had no idea that you were dealing with such a terrible thing. Sad

Lord I ask you to be with your servant and guide her in the direction that edifies you. Please give her the mind and heart that will get her through this ordeal as a stronger person. Lord I also ask that you be constantly in the hearts of her family so that they are continually there for her giving her the support that she needs. I ask that YOUR will be done. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:29 am

THanks all.

I've started the PT stuff. Man they were not kidding when they said it would be painful. Anyone that has gone through this knows what trigger points are. Yesterday one of the PT staff came up behind me and put her hand on my shoulder and hit the trigger point that in the shouler/collar bone area (not sure exactly where until it's hit) and I almost died it hurt so much. And she dodn't put a lot of pressure on it Sad

I've also been working with the voice software again. My hubbie is still making fun of me since the computer doesn't understand me. But I'll keep plugging away at it.

I also did something I'm not sure I should have, but am very glad I did. If I didn't purchase it the city had it slated to be demolished in May '05.

I purchased the old Weber County Metal Health Building. It's a 30,000 building on 2 acres of land for $125,000. It needs a moderate amount of work. Mostly replacing 436 panes of window glass and the landscaping needs to be redone since it's nothing but sticker weeds.

I have a couple pictures up on my website. Only registered users can see links on this board! Get registered or login! or Only registered users can see links on this board! Get registered or login! The building pics are in the album My Building.

The Exchange Building here in Ogden, was built in 1938 at a cost of $1,300,000. It was called the Exchange Building because it was the bank for the money exchanged for livestock which was shipped to Ogden to be auctioned to the numerous slaughter houses in the area. The historic building housed many fringe businesses as well, including cafes, barber shop, accounting firms, and State and Federal inspectors. The cafe and barber shop is still there, they just haven't been operated in 20 years. Weber Co. Mental Health was ran in the building from 1974 until 1986; no one has been in there since.The building has three stories, and space for 53 offices.

Client Joined: Jul 13, 2003 Posts: 11

HauntedWebby wrote:

Ok .. I have a very hard choice to make and I'm not too sure what to do. I'm getting split messages from people around me and I hope that some of you might see this in a different light Smile

I'm facing the problem of loosing the use of my hands. I have just about every problem there is a name for ..... at least that's what my specialist says Smile

So here are my choices.

1) Major physical therapy ... they say will be painful. They want to build up muscles in my back and arms that I don't use since I sit all day hunched over a computer. We're talking 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. No guarantee will help.

2) Major surgery to move everything around so the nerves and muscles will work better. I'll be off work for 3 months. No guarantee will help.

3) Give up computer completely and let everything heal naturally. Could take several years or never. Personally I think I'd go insane with the option. I can't even go camping without my laptop :p

What would some of you do if faced with this? I mean I’m not on my computers as much. I try to take nights off since I’m on all day. But now I’m bored at night.

Have you tried acupuncture?

A good acupuncturist, trained in China's Beijing University of East-West medicine would be able to help you.

After an accident in 1990 I was told by all the specialists I'd have permanent nerve damage in my left leg and that it would "drag" when I walked. I had no sensation at all in that leg.

In 1991 (18 months after the accident)I found a good acupuncturist, and seeing as this therapy specialises in the nervous system, I tried it. After 6 months I could walk properly, had all the sensation back and only have occasional twinges of sciatic pain.

I see my Chinese doctor as and when needed now, but she's brilliant.

Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:33 am

nannette wrote:

Have you tried acupuncture?

No way. The though of it almost puts me in a panic attack. I have an extreme fear of needles. I can't even watch them on tv without wigging. I can sit and watch brain surgery while eating dinner, but as soon as the needle comes out I flip to another station.

When I was a kid I bit my dentist a couple of times because he wanted to give me shots.