[Jewelry making - Article 01174] - Re: [Orchid] Carpal tunnel and workman's compensation

[Beth Wicker]

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    Julia - can't address the workmen's comp issue, but can address the
    carpal tunnel one, as both my husband and myself have it.  Several
    suggestions - first, ultimately what matters is that you get proper
    medical care - because without it, and sometimes even with it - you
    will lose at least part, if not almost all, of the use of your hand
    plus be in extreme pain. 

    My husband's is NOT movement related - they don't know why he
    developed it. It came on very fast, and as I already had it I
    diagnosed it.  Being his usual stubborn self he refused for about 6
    months to go to a doctor.  By the time he went the damage was so bad
    in both hands/wrists that he required surgery - which gave him back
    about 50 - 75% of his prior usage.  Did you catch all that??  SIX
    months, with 50 - 75% usage left!!!  Which amazed all the specialists
    he went to after the surgery - they couldn't believe the result was
    that high!  While he was horrified it was that low!  Believe me -
    with only 50 - 75% of normal, there are a LOT of things you can't
    do, or do with great difficulty and much time! 

    Mine IS movement related (if I had know digging the nutgrass from
    the flower beds would do that to me it would have STAYED!).  It got
    so bad that I could not count on being able to hold a glass of water
    - sometimes I still can't. I did research, saw several doctors, had
    steriod shots into the joints (which hurt incredibly but DO help),
    wore braces day and night, did therapy.....and decided not to do
    surgery.  The "success" - as in pleased patient - rate seemed to be
    about 50% by my totally unscientific survey.  I don't "do"
    non-life-threatening surgery for a 50% success rate! 

    Anyway, I've had it now for about 15 years, and have found that if I
    space my hand-intensice work out, use lots of Celebrex and
    Tylenol-arthritis(I have major arthritis in most of my joints also),
    and lots of Biofreeze (a pain-relieving cream that even seems to help
    the joints) I'm generally ok. Not great - won't ever be there - but
    ok.  I have also made adjustments in tools, mice, positioning, etc.,
    and take lots of little breaks to let my hands rest.  It works. 

    I don't know how you want to handle the insurance issue.  It should
    be able to go under your own health insurance, if you decide you want
    to take that route, as you do repetitive motion things on your own
    time also.  I don't quite see how it could be decided whether the
    home or work or a combination caused the condition, or how they would
    apportion the expense then.  But then while I'm expert at personal
    health insurance I know nothing about workmen's comp, never having
    really worked anywhere that qualified for it! The joys of
    self-employment! 

Best wishes to all.
Beth in steamy SC

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