I was just about to order 2 Art S Buck dummies BUT then i realized i have CTS and ulnar nerve syndrome....so i said is it even worth it? so i didn't push the checkout button....but i want to do so much art and i have tons of ideas. What to do? Just give it up?

you can get wrist supports which apparently help a lot - the most important thing is to make sure your workplace is laid out as ergonomically as possible - google for tips on how to set things up.  Remember to take regular breaks too - it'll help your eyes as well as the rest of you.

Actually i'm past that stage.. nothing works now. i have wrist supports and all. i tried resting. and as soon as i start doing an activity.. i get tingling.

**Wrist supports aren't that much help when using the computer. I know. I have them, too.
What I do is hang my hand down and shake it around a bit. It helps relieve it some and stops the tingling for a few minutes. I just keep repeating this while I'm working. I've also found, for me, that a regular mouse pad helps more than the ones with the gel in them. I know the gels are supposed to help, but I've found I can actually position my wrist to a more comfortable degree without it. Also, an anit-inflammatory medicine such as plain aspirin helps. When all that fails, I just find something else to do for a bit until it calms down some. Generally, when the condition is to the degree you describe, about all that really helps is surgery and even that's not a sure thing.

I feel for you. I've had this for some time and now RA ihas joined the party. Slows my work down alot, especially on rainy days like today.**

IMO The only thing you can really, really do is get your wrist off the desk surface.  Taller chair, lower desk, and use a pen tablet instead of a mouse.

Attached Link: http://www.drhonow.com/

Check out this product. I've had one for about 5 years and it's amazing. Not only does it do the job of a T.E.N.S. machine, but it also stimulates the muscles themselves which helps to relax and strengthen them, not unlike a deep massage.

If you click the "contact us" button, there are phone numbers and addresses for US and International offices.

Whenever I get tired of working with Poser I usually start doing something much more Off the Wall, than I'd have started with if I had'nt been using Poser left and right for very long.

How much Keyboarding are you actually doing with Poser, anyhow?  Typing, here in the forum gets tiring, but I usually put the keyboard down to use Poser.

Well as for poser.. now i'm just using it to browse my pose libraries, applying poses and rotating the camera to get a good angle of the character. That's all i do with poser now, because as you know. i have kinda given up on doing much on poser, itself. now i am shifting to drawing on real paper.

What about an alternative mouse/input device - there are quite a lot to choose from. I met an artist locally who paints on the computer in the conventional painting way layers on top of layers of paint using a Tracker (head mouse for want of a better description) - I used to work with children with severe disabilities and input was always the main barrier but with the OT, PT and SLP we'd come up with workable solutions for most of our clients.

I ues a Logitech trackball mouse, I think they call it Marble Mouse. I just put it on my lap usually or the arm of my chair, and let my fingers do the walking, my wrist and arm never moves.

I have bad CP as well as neurological issues from a brain aneurysm.  I primarily use a wrist brace for the CP and I go very slowly when I have to use both hands.  The wrist brace helps a lot.  Ask your doctor for a prescription for a set, the over the counter ones aren't as good.

I have bad CP as well as

Quote - I was just about to order 2 Art S Buck dummies BUT then i realized i have CTS and ulnar nerve syndrome....so i said is it even worth it? so i didn't push the checkout button....but i want to do so much art and i have tons of ideas. What to do? Just give it up?

Are you using prescription ro non prescription ones.  The kind I use have a straight metal bar brace under the write to keep it from twisting and affecting the nerves.

Quote - Actually i'm past that stage.. nothing works now. i have wrist supports and all. i tried resting. and as soon as i start doing an activity.. i get tingling.

I just checked how I use the mouse.  I don't use my wrist, instead I seem to move the mouse using my arm from the elbow down.  And the movements aren't large, just small.

Maybe adjust how you use the mouse and rather than using your wrist, try using the lower part of your arm?

Thank you very much for your interest in the DR-HO'S Massage System. Currently, our Massage System is not available to our U.S., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands customers.

Hummm, I have a 4 point tens maybe I should find it and start using it again.

i use the non prescription. Well, the doctor suggested some certain ones but i couldn't find them so i just bought the cheapest one i found. It's made of like plastic. it dosn't have a bar but it's hard material so it works the same way. It's pretty good, if i tighten it it feels nice. but wearing the brace doesnt fix all. i guess my right hand has muscle wasting now. cause it feels weak. and i'm 27 years old but i have skinny marfan-like hands and i think that contributed to the problem. i see alot of kids starting music intruments since young and they don't get CTS even as adults. lucky them

Quote - Thank you very much for your interest in the DR-HO'S Massage System. Currently, our Massage System is not available to our U.S., Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands customers.

Hummm, I have a 4 point tens maybe I should find it and start using it again.

If you click the contact us button, there is US contact information including a toll free number to order.

http://drhonow.com/contact.aspIf for some reason it's really not available, It might be because of the difference in health regulations.

With me the CT is worse in my right hand, but the brace helps a lot.  My weak one is the left one.  The aneurysm is on the right side of my brain so it is affecting the left side of my body more.

Quote - i use the non prescription. Well, the doctor suggested some certain ones but i couldn't find them so i just bought the cheapest one i found. It's made of like plastic. it dosn't have a bar but it's hard material so it works the same way. It's pretty good, if i tighten it it feels nice. but wearing the brace doesnt fix all. i guess my right hand has muscle wasting now. cause it feels weak. and i'm 27 years old but i have skinny marfan-like hands and i think that contributed to the problem. i see alot of kids starting music intruments since young and they don't get CTS even as adults. lucky them

To help reduce my fatigue, I use my wacom tablet when I can, and also the connexion space navigator helps as well. (It's a "lefty" 3d viewer controller.) I also have my chair WAY up, and my desk lower, so my weight it not resting my my wrist, but hand instead.

To reduce strain you should try using the mouse with the opposite hand. It takes a while to get used to but I think it helps. Investing in a tablet is also a good idea.

"Most cases of Carpal Tunnel Sydrome start at the neck and can be treated with alternative treatments other than surgery." actually true carpal tunnel is at the wrist which is where theactual carpal tunnel is where the wrist tendons go thru to the hand (on the front of the wrist) it is due to mechanical compression of the median nerve, love esther

aaarrrgggghhhh!
I just posted a super-detailed reply to try to help tbop, and the stupid proram then insisted that I log in (which I was already), and then it vaporized my post. I will rebuild this post tomorrow, but not before I notepad it first. DAmn, I hate when that happens! 

well in summary then the best advice we can give him is - go and see a real doctor.

esther is absolutely right in her comment about "true carpal tunnel" , and that's an example of why you need some competent differential diagnosis. Your mielage will vary depending on your doctor, but what you really want is someone like:

http://www.tomocklerpt.com/

a specialist in MET (muscle energy technique) is probably your best bet for finding someone competent in getting to the true root of the problem, who can work with your doctor, recommend imaging if needed etc. 
People with this training are absolutely among the best remedial biomechanics.

I Know, Tom Ockler helped me tremendously with a severe recurrent neck pain problem. One visit to his clinic was all it took, the follow up visit was just for re-enforcement of what I had learned. Absolutely took care of the problem at the biomechanical root.
I also know cuz I have worked in the field  as a physical therapist myself (tho I left to pursue a start-up 3D graphics thing, thus the Poser) 

tebop, if you can possibly get to NE ohio, go see Tom, he's a good guy. If not, I'm sure he could help you find someone close enough for you to visit a couple times will be all you need. 
 

Lol let me join in on the parade of people with this problem. I found out I had this problem after taking Topamax for my chornic daily headaches that have hit me for over 5 years now, but I just have taken the Topamax for a year now which allowed us to notice the tingling in my fingers. When I started get tingling in the left hand pinky and ring finger to find out I had a pinched ulnar nerve. My neurologist sent me to physical therapy which helped alot to reduce the swelling around the elbow, I just finished that therapy a month ago so its to early to know how it went. I still have a little tingling but not like it was but i do the exercises the therapist gave me daily to help me out. One thing I did which helped even before I saw the therapist is when you are at a chair with armrests is to try not to have the elbow with direct pressure on the elbow as much as possible if you have the ulnar nerve condition cause that aggravates it. As well how my desk is L shaped with my computer in the corner to help me with that situation I put a towel  under the arm making sure the elbow was cantalevering over the back of the towel to help so no pressure is put on it while at the computer which also helped. I hope this gives you some ideas to all that suffer to find creative ways to find work arounds to cope with these problems.

I don't have CP but with Fibromyalgia sometimes I can't even pick up a glass. Then I have to drink from straws. Drawing with a pencil is very hard for me now so I use Poser as much as I can. But when I do draw or write with a pen or pencil, I adjust the way I hold it and rest often. Painkillers are something I can't take much of due to allergies. Try teaching yourself to either hand (yes, you can if you work at it)so you can switch back and forth. I write or draw with either hand, a trick I leaned in grade school due to sprained wrist at test time...lol.

I have something like CP in the right wrist, mainly from undoing all those @#$% twist ties that come with new Dells..and lifting 100-pound printers. Or it could just be me getting old..;) Just twinges and tingles, but I've started doing more things with my left hand (which, thank goodness, is my dominant hand..;)

I've seen some folks as much as in some sort of cast. I think, however, I've been told that the best medicine is just not to use actions that use the carpal tunnel area (like that's an option for most folks..:|

"I have something like CP in the right wrist" CP? is that content paradise - i thought that effects the hip pocket region love esther

Quote - "I have something like CP in the right wrist" CP? is that content paradise - i thought that effects the hip pocket region love esther

It makes my purse tingle!!!

About CP, I discussed it with a doctor few years back, and he made somewhat snide comment that the best thing to do would be to learn how to use both hands - as if I was never going to do it. I did it just to prove him wrong!!!!

What is it about the tingling that artists might find debilitating, I wonder? Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome painful or just annoying? I recommend the use of a laser mouse that can send your cursor to any side of your screen with a mere twitch of the hand. You don't even need to move your wrist.

painful tingling often at night.

Quote - What is it about the tingling that artists might find debilitating, I wonder? Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome painful or just annoying? I recommend the use of a laser mouse that can send your cursor to any side of your screen with a mere twitch of the hand. You don't even need to move your wrist.

Yes, it can develop to the point that it will cause actual pain.  Just for the record, while the pain is felt in the wrist, it is actually repetative movements of the fingers that cause it.  The "tunnels" are guides for the tendons that run from the muscles in the forearm that control the finger movements.  So it's actually the pushing of the buttons that is the  biggest problem.

John

okay, that is usually the case, but conditions that decrease the space eg by swelling the nerves can also start this way, eg myxoedema due to hypothyroidism. this is why he needs to see a doctor.

A family member and had the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. We went to a naturpath physician. the physian recomended Vitmin B6. Cured both of us quite quickly. You can purchase it at any health food store or place that carries vitamins.
cheerio  lululee

Re: Keeping pressure off the elbow. I don't have CP thankfully but I get various stress pains from extended work-sessions. When my elbow gets sore I put on an old sports elbow pad - the type of thing a scateboarder or bike rider might use I guess as it's fairly chunky. Stops the pain and it's easy to put on and forget. I've woken up wearing it a few times, heheh.

Best of luck - not being able to draw or mouse about the place would suck.

Cheers

PS: what were these dummy things you were going to buy? I didn't qute understand the description.

Quote - What is it about the tingling that artists might find debilitating, I wonder? Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome painful or just annoying? I recommend the use of a laser mouse that can send your cursor to any side of your screen with a mere twitch of the hand. You don't even need to move your wrist.

Pain, and at some point nerve damage which prevents fine hand movements. In it's advanced state your whole hand sort of cumples up and fingers can't move.

From: http://rehabengineer.homestead.com/carpaltunnel.html

"The symptoms; pain, numbness, and tingling, are usually felt most at night while sleeping. In advanced cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, the thenar muscles near the base of the thumb may atrophy, and the strengh and dexterity of the entire hand will decrease."

From: http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/ency/carpal_tunnel_syndrome.jsp
" With continued median nerve compression, an individual may begin to experience muscle weakness, making it difficult to open jars and hold objects with the affected hand. Eventually, the muscles of the hand served by the median nerve may begin to grow noticeably smaller (atrophy), especially the fleshy part of the thumb. Untreated, carpal tunnel syndrome may eventually result in permanent weakness, loss of sensation, or even paralysis of the thumb and fingers of the affected hand."

I have mild CP and fibromyalgia.

the gel mousepads dont work for it, cus of the increased pressure in the tunnel area (comeon folks, think about it - the issue is lack of space in there due to swelling, thus, movement/pressure aggrivates it).. i'd avoid the gel crap.

OTC wrist braces are a temporary solution - one i can't manage to use cus the sound of that plastic hitting my desk and clicking worse than the keyboard drives me batty.

for me (i liked the towel idea, there) - i have one of those ... crap, i dont think there's a universal term for them - but you can find them sometimes in natural/healthy food stores, herbal shops, etc.

i call 'em miracle beanies (i make 'em) - they're like mini elongated pillows filled with (usually) flax seed, rice, and buckwheat hulls (mine are anyway).  they can be chilled or heated in the microwave for extra comfort (when heatted, be aware the flax seed DOES have natural oils - while its good for the skin, it sucks for desks).  i use one to prop my wrist/lower arm on when the "tingles" get out of hand.  if you have one, or get one - try it both ways - some like it cold, some like it hot LOL.  shaking the hands out works - kinda.  but the beanie has been my lifesaver.  (and for the other person with fibro - they work great for THAT, too.. if you have anyone massage you to help, the beanies placed on the spot before massage helps stimulate the blood flow and to me, the massage is a bit less painful - but then again, cus my "massage therapist" is my hubby - i get to punch him if he hurts too bad LOL)

good luck... and i dont know what i'd do without being able to use poser.  my handdrawing skills suck big ol censored

Yeah, I think the thing is to see if you can possibly draw from the arm not the hand. Maybe you should do a couple oil pastels real big from magazine photos or whatever and see how it feels. People paint with expresso coffee with a brush (you can mix strong instant coffee) or charcoal sticks soaked in linseed oil too... materials that permit big painting  without big expense. Right now I am using good quality (Prang) children's poster paints on paper cut from a huge roll of butchers paper and craft paper... I have also used rolls of freezer paper. The thing might be to find a new way of working, big gestural drawing or torn paper colages or something. I have an old text book called "Art for Spastics" which was intended for special education teachers working with people who had CP (Cerebreal Palsey... did I spell that right?) and it has interesting aproaches to art making in the case of motor difficulties... maybe you could find a book like that or something on-line. I miss my old c.1998 drawing software (I can't afford a Mac to run it now) that allowed me to draw fluidly despite Parkinsonism through patern recognition and intelegent tremor suppression... closest I have found is drawing in Flash but I can't afford flash and the workspace is confusing to me anyway.

Quote - Most cases of Carpal Tunnel Sydrome start at the neck and can be treated with alternative treatments other than surgery.

This can often be the case.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of htose oddball things which can actually start anywhere along the chain.  If it's in the neck it's usually Thoracic Outlet syndrome - working on the scalene muscles can help that.
Other things are the actual muscles themselves.  remember that the muscles are thactive part in all this - if they become overdeveloped, scarred or otherwise out of balance, the position of their tendons is going to change, and this will lead to the tendons becoming inflamed, i.e. you get CTS.

Get to see a devent physical therapist - either a good physiotherapist or someone like myself (I do Sports & Holistic Therapy, which basically means I treat every man and his dog...well ok, not his dog) mainly with massage techniques.

It can have a really profound effect.  Geting everyone involved, from your GP to a therapist can really pay dividends.  TENS are great for easing the pain, and other forms of EMS (muscle stimulation) can help with gentle exercise in order to keep the muscles working.

Ultimately you need to get the root cause diagnosed.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is more of a symptom than a cause.

In all honesty, when my RSI starts acting up from too much mousing, I just wrap it tightly with an Ace bandage and keep going.  Mine is largely in the back of my hand and forearm.  But I have been to the doctor for it, so I know it's not a symptom of something else.  My doctor actually told me I shouldn't use my right arm at all until all pain and swelling went away.  He said I should put it in a sling if I had to.  Not practical.  Try drinking left handed.  lol.

I can't shell out the cash for a custom made work station, so with long arms and a short torso, I'm pretty much screwed there.

Good luck, and go to the doctor!!

Mice and keyboards can be a real pain -literally.

Getting your forearm, wrist and hand at the right angle, height and position is not easy, and on some desks is completely impossible.
something to try is a laptop 'tea tray' (the sort of thing you put on your lap to eat your chips whilst you watch the footie)  as a mouse-mat, it's a cheap option which can often help.
Another thing if you can't splash out too much cash is to get a similar object with a solid base, (even a bit of MDF) and a cheap camera tripod - drill a hole in the middle of the board, do some surgery to fix the camera screwthread to it. and you have a customised mouse mat which will work at any angle or height.
It will take a bit of extra work to get it so your wrist can rest, but it's not going to bust the bank (pick one up at a car boot sale if necessary)

Ergonomic keyboards are a must.  I know a lot of people don't like them, but they really help.
I absolutely loathe the standard straight things - we are just not designed to use them.

The choice of rat is also important.  get a decent sized mouse, trackball or whatever that fits YOU - spend £50 on it if you need to, but don't sacrifice your health for a miniature rat that you can't use.

I'm using a wireless keyboard and rat setup at the minute - that's because I now have to use a plasma display for my screen after a car crash messed my neck up, and a wireless system is great for sitting on the sofa working.

It's a Microsoft ergonomic kit.  Laser 5000 mouse and a fancy keyboard with it.
The ergonomics of the keyboard are good - but htis is one area that microsoft actually gets right.  If only they could produce software as good!
The mouse is slightly larger than some others, and fits my hand quite well.

Also look at some other input devces.  There are vertical mice around, and I can recall seeing a 3D input tool (a sort of 6 dimensional rat) advertised in 3D World.

Best advice (make sure you check with yourdoctor) is for frequent rests, Ice on the affected part, and good nutrition - you ain't gonna heal if you ain't eating properly.

Gentle exercise, and massage the muscles if you can't get toa therapist (there's enough info around the net to find which muscles control these tendons - go look!)
combine that with whatever sort of hardware setup you can afford, and you won't go far wrong.

My wife uses a split (tenting) keyboard and a vertical mouse.

I actually have an ergo keyboard I used to use (and loved).  But with the setup I have now, a USB keyboard/hub would mess up my external drive, sending it off to be a different letter. I but I agree that they're wonderful things. I'm going to plan my next PC better so I can use the thing.