Nerve damage - wrist drop

[barq2]

Hi,

Anyone here had experience of the wrist drop caused by damage to the radial nerve? 

I'm having real trouble using computers and cannot write with a pen. I can type one-handed, but it is very slow. I cannot use a mouse at all. I can use a trackpad or touchscreen with difficulty and after a few minutes other muscles start aching because they aren't used to this. Any recommendations for equipment or tips for making life easier? My job requires computer use and very specialist software, so unfortunately the type of accessibility features you get in something like MS Word, or on a Mac aren't sufficient.

Second question, does anyone know of any supplements that are neuro-protective? In terms of diet, I need to make sure I get my essential fatty acids (I don't eat meat or fish). What else is good for the health of your nerves?

Thanks in advance,
barq

[Grandote]

Make sure you are getting your b vitamins, also fish oil. Other good things for the nerves include creatine, glutamine and a few others I can't think of. I found that taking about 15 or 20gm a day of glutamine helped my neuropathy symptoms, it may or may not help in your case. Buy it in bulk, swansons or ebay are good sources, pills are too expensive and it does not taste bad. Something that worked for my sciatica is ultrasound. I give myself about a 3 minute treatment with my home unit and it feels better for days. A wrist brace may help depending on your condition.

[Spanky]

Hi Barq,

I'm no doc, but did most computer jobs from desktop help to network admin.  One of the items that doesn't require exactly the same nerves used with operating a standard mouse is the rolling ball mouse.  I imagine you've seen them.  They are simply a ball about half the size of a pool game ball, and suspended in a simple holder.  Rolling the ball around moves the cursor.  Usually you have to hit an "enter" spot on the holder, but there are ways around that in the instructions with the ball device.

Don't know the extent or nature of your damage, but most of those in office use are repetitive use flareups that will calm once the nerves used are rested.  It that is the cause, then wrist devices of different configurations can be used in the future to lessen the chances of "repetitive" or chronic occurrences. 

good luck,

Spank

[Grandote]

In addition to the things I mentioned, all of which help, I also now am using my other hand to work the mouse. You get used to it after a while and it takes stress off your usual hand.

[barq2]

Hi,

Thanks...

Rolling ball mouse - will look into that. I forgot they existed. They are effectively an old style mouse upside down, aren't they? Good idea, and certainly worth trying. I can sort of use a mouse/trackpad with non-dominant hand, but can't do any of the gestures or quick shortcuts. Seems to make my back ache too, so using my other hand might be making me sit weirdly.

I've got B complex plus good quality multivitamin and minerals. I don't use fish oil due to being a vegetarian, but will check my diet covers enough omega-3 etc. I normally use flaxseed oil and things like that, but I might need a supplement there. Will research more... I have l-tyrosine among my supplements too. Will consider low dose creatine - obviously I get less in my diet than more carnivorous folks!

I plan to electrically stimulate some of the muscles in my forearm that currently don't work to avoid too much muscle wastage, but want to chat to a neurologist next week just to be sure it won't cause other problems at this stage.

Good ideas there, thanks for your time.
barq