Re: Thumb pain from using alt+tab

I'm a lefty and I've always used my left thumb on the space bar. I
can't imagine how hard it would be to switch after all this time, but
if I were having that much pain I would certainly make a concerted
effort, even to the point of wrapping my left thumb to make it more
difficult to use. And, I wouldn't wait until your next scheduled
visit with the doctor -- I'd be on the phone to make a special
appointment to discuss this, now. The splint may improve things
temporarily, but you could be doing further damage without realizing
it. Now get on it!

Margie

On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 01:26:51 -0400, "Christie"
<transcription@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I've thought about using 2 monitors, but honestly I can't figure out how
that would really help much if you need more than 2 windows open at a time.
Usually I have one window open with the day's schedule, an Excel document
with addresses, DSS Player, Google, and the document I'm transcribing (plus
a chat window or two). So that's 5 to 7 windows that I'm using at least
once every minute. Would you think that adding a second monitor would
reduce my "alt-ing" in that case?

It's funny, but it never occurred to me to use the opposite thumb, Margie!
Habits get so ingrained that it's almost unimaginable that there's another
way to do it. Using the other thumb will also help the little aches in my
other fingers. What I really need to do is take a week completely off of
the computer, but unfortunately I can't do that.

After I posted, I started getting pains in the wrist too, as well as my
pinkie. The pinkie was actually swollen as well, so I'll be bringing it up
next time I go to my doctor. I picked up a good splint today, and I do seem
to be feeling significantly better. I also haven't worked all day, so we'll
see how I'm doing in a few hours! I'm going to hit the town in search of a
new keyboard, because I noticed some big problems with the position of my
right hand that I never noticed before. I'm not looking forward to the
search - it's easier for me to find a pair of jeans that fit me than a
keyboard that "fits" me! lol

Thanks for all the suggestions.

-Christie

"Chris" <chrispetersen2@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1182833884.474174.105300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Jun 25, 1:47?pm, "Christie" <transcript...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
After all these years, it's finally caught up with me - I'm getting pain
and
tingling in the first joint of my left thumb because I'm constantly
switching windows using alt+tab.

I've been using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard for the past 2 years or
so,
which is the only thing that's changed in the past 15 years. I think
when I
was using the old keyboard, I moved the whole thumb, but now I just move
the
tip of it.

Has anyone else had to deal with this? It's sore, tingling, and
slightly
numb even when I'm not typing and is driving me crazy.

I don't have to hit Alt-Tab as much after getting my system set up to
accommodate 2 monitors. I keep my document open in front of me and
open my most-used programs onto the monitor to my right. I just click
in the same place I would be clicking after hitting Alt-Tab to get
there otherwise and go from there. I love it. When I have to go to
working on the laptop, I feel like I'm trying to work on a cell phone
display or something. lol. For example, I can have my QLEDR, SEMD, and
AOL, and Excel all open on the other monitor to where they are all
visible, or at least the parts I will type something to look up so I
don't have to constantly Alt-Tab to get there. I spoke with someone
today who was recommending UltraMon.



.

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