Ouch! Time to take a break
Computer Workstation Variables (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I watched The Day After Tomorrow last night, and I was reminded once again that life is too short to do things we really don’t want to do (that does not include responsibilities, by the way: I’m selfish; not feckless).
I don’t want to lose the use of my right arm, so I’m taking a break from blogging.
For weeks now I have had a dull ache in my shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers (see how hard I worked not to repeat ‘arm’?). I have tried to ignore it but, as aches work from the inside, and refuse to take ‘no’ for an answer*, my dull ache has become a vivid throb.
*Don’t ask me how I know my ache won’t take ‘no’ for an answer; if I admit to chatting with the pain in my right limb I might be forced to take a much longer break than the one I have planned.
You may have noticed I haven’t been making my usual rounds of the blogosphere. Then again, I may be a massive egotist.
I have been trying to rest my bat wings (not so keen on that synonym, if I’m honest; it’s a little too close to the truth).
I suspect impending Repetitive Strain Injury, given that I go on the computer around seven a.m. and have to be prised from it at lunch time, when the Hub wants his thirteen allocated minutes.
I have prepared your ration of daily jokes but I won’t be posting, commenting or replying to comments. Much. I may visit you with my left hand, if I can sneak on here when my right appendage is asleep (it’s the dominant limb and won’t take kindly to being supplanted. I don’t want to end up like Silas the Albino Monk*).
*The Da Vinci Code; Thursday’s film. Did I mention I’m working my way alphabetically through our DVD collection?
Incidentally, I’ve had a bit of tooth ache. The Hub suggested I also give my mouth a rest.
If you think this post is bizarre even for me, then here’s something that will really blow your mind: as part of the UK Laughter Festival, Russell Brand is to share the stage with the Dalai Lama in Manchester today.
Good grief. I bet the Chinese look like his bezzy mates at the moment.
Less Tilly? What a buttpain.
Ron, have a Malteser! Have two!
I love this comment!
RSI is no laughing matter… look after your limb. xx
It is important to take care of yourself.
Will miss your general wackiness. But I agree, if it’s hurting, time to stop.
Pain is never fun or easy! Kudos for dealing with it like you have. I hope there is a quick solution for you and that relief is on it’s way. Take care of yourself!
Peach State
Do you have a wheat bag? A sausage-shaped thingy that you heat for a couple of minutes in the microwave and then drape around where it hurts. It is a) very comforting, and b) cures the aches.
Rotate your arms every so often (kind of like you were preparing to pitch a ball) and if you can go swimming often, go swimming often. There is a brilliant Chinese herbal remedy called wood lock oil which you rub in – it is amazing – smells like Deep Heat on steroids but I have received so much pain relief from it that in a Pavlov’s dogs kind of way I love the smell. And finally, someone once advised me to sit on a gym ball instead of a chair if I had to spend long hours in front of a computer, trying not to fall off seemingly forces you to readjust your position. I haven’t done it yet but I am planning to as so far I have had two frozen shoulders – very painful and not a lot of fun – so you are wise. Also heat as someone else said. Wheat bags, hot water bottle, weeks in the Caribbean…
And good luck.
I sat on a ball at my computer for a while when my back was bothering me. Sitting on the ball forces you to strengthen your abdominal muscles while you try to keep from falling off!
Don’t let your brain overload, dear Tilly.
hope the break helps you feel better. i look forward to you giving me a laugh, so hurry back
I have been missing you even before I read this, I thought that something was amiss in Tilly Bud land. I hope that you get the rest that your dominant appendage requires of you, perhaps a good soak in Epson Salts and alternating doses of heat and cold. Some happy time with the Hub could be beneficial as well. Sending you positive thoughts from the States.
Oh, Tilly, we’ll miss your sunny cybervoice terribly; but RSI is no laughing matter. You have one body to last you: I am crossing my fingers that it settles down and behaves during its holiday. Take care, and loads of love from all the Shrewsdays xx
Tilly, it’s good to take some time off and rest your arm and very considerate to set up the jokes.
I hope your arm/shoulder/bat wings recover soon.
Oh and by the way the ‘heat’ has finally arrived in Germany.
You could use your enforced time of arm-resting to develop an ambidextrous approach to life.
I’d give my left arm to be ambidextrous.
There seems to be sound advice here, with illustrations -
http://www.rsiprevention.com/rsi_prevention.php
Tell the Hub if you give your arm a break your mouth will take up the slack. Nature abhors a vacuum. Dianne
Well that’s not fair. I just found your blog! Oh well, gives me a good chance to catch up
I take bloggy breaks all the time. I just got back from a particularly long one myself. Enjoy the break. <3
OH NO…. that is dreadful news… but maybe you can catch up on your reading!!!
Russell Brand and the Dali Lama together…??? Whatever for?
ouchy- speedy recovery wishes flying your way!
I’ve also had two frozen shoulders, and know what the pain can be like. Do take care that our arm doesn’t get worse, Tilly. Will miss you, but I’m sure that just like Arnie, you’ll be back.
Take care of yourself…will miss you, but know that rest is what the limb needs.
Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for healing of soul and limb ! (sounded
better in my mind, “soul and limb” than it reads, sigh.).
Peace, love and healing,
Siggi in Downeast Maine
It’s been brilliant reading through all the remedies Tilly, as I have a few probs myself. Such helpful friends you have. Very best wishes for a speedy recovery m’dear. You’ll be missed.
Take care and get well soon.
Hey, I hear you … I have pain, too so I have to actually make myself take breaks from the computer
Oh, my! Take care of yourself! We all love Tilly Bud!! Gentle hug!
Oh how I’ll miss you! Hope you feel better soon.
Just so you and your ego know, I did notice you haven’t been around much.
I’ll miss your posts – but you need to take care of yourself.
Take care, you are wise to rest this.
Tilly, I know exactly what a butt pain is .. got every day I was in the office and I got just now sitting in a very bad chair at my mums, but the only chair I can sit in and be on the netbook. You take a good break from anything that you can write on. Strong believer that sitting in front of or behind a computer makes most body parts to ache and the head to boil. Take a good break .. we will be here waiting for you and a good laugh.
You, poor thing! I’ll voluteer to carry the Maltesers
Have a nice break and hope to see you mended soon.
Tilly! I leave the blogosphere for a week and you bale on me? (Or is it bail – I am never sure about that one?)
I had a repetive strain thing. The trick is to do precisely the opposite of what you do to make it sore. So, just remove your arm and have it stapled back on backwards or something.
Hope you get it sorted and find the urge to blog overpowering.
Until your return.
S
Take RSI seriously. Elly got it, computers are her paycheque, She ended up wearing a splint, having physio a couple of times a week and had to reduce her time at the keyboard for months.
Hope you repair real soon.
Is this just another ploy to deflect from the truth: that you’ve got another “project” on the go? Go on, admit it you’re working your way through the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy…
Shoot.
I read the whole post and every single comment and reply, all the time totally distracted by the thought: What else did your dull ache say?
C’mon, you could do a video and send us some mouth samplings that way, sorta like the pressure vent on a canning pan letting off steam.
I need to know what else the dull ache said!
I have the same pain. It starts in the neck and goes down the arm all the way to the hand. And it’s all about your position. No matter what I do, I can’t find the right position for me. When I do things “the right way”, it hurts, but I think it’s because I have a messed-up back. The best is what you’re doing, take a break and do a lot of stretching exercises to move things around, which they don’t do while you type. I wish you a prompt recovery!
Hope your right arms feels better soon! Cheeky, your hub, suggesting you give your mouth a break!
Hope it heals soon… Plus your site is loading in a funny way… so maybe the rest will help get the kinks out…