speech/handwriting recognition for programming?

Aaah, the pain! My "repetitive strain injury" (RSI) is almost killing me!
I've been programming for 1,5 years now and during the last months the pain in my right forearm and hand increased with every keystroke and mouse click I did.
Today, just a few clicks/keystrokes are enough to bring back the pain. :(
Reducing my type speed and using a Wacom tablet with a pen helped to reduce the pain, but it still hurts.
Has anybody had the same problems? What have you done to reduce/eliminate the pain during programming?
I've tried speech recognition, but my microphone is too bad, and before I buy an expensive good one, I wanted to know if anybody has some experience with using speech recognition for programming?
And what about handwriting recognition? I've tried PenReader, but that's also killing me ...

Thank you for your help. :)

>>Has anybody had the same problems?
yup, just started for me...

>>What have you done to reduce/eliminate the pain during programming?
wearing carpal tunnel splints helps a bit. so does ibuprofen.

Welcome to the club ... :(

I would be careful with medicine. It may reduce the pain, but the root of all evil is still there! So, you may well increase the damage done to your forearm/hand, without feeling any pain.
But on the other hand - if used correctly - pain-killing medicine might help to reprogram your central nervous system by separating keystrokes/mouseclicks from feeling pain.
Yes, you've read correctly: Your central nervous system has learned that keystrokes and mouseclicks result in pain; and finally pain is induced by just a few clicks ... :(

I will check out these "carpal tunnel splints" you were refering to. Thank you for the hint! :)

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I would be careful with medicine. It may reduce the pain, but the root of all evil is still there! So, you may well increase the damage done to your forearm/hand, without feeling any pain.
But on the other hand - if used correctly - pain-killing medicine might help to reprogram your central nervous system by separating keystrokes/mouseclicks from feeling pain.

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It's just a temporary measure... I've been taking one ibuprofen a night, and that's it... it's anti-inflamatory, too, so that can help. Anyway, I'm mainly just hoping that if I can kill the pain and any swelling and wear those splints (especially to bed), it will get better after a while. Speaking of which, I think I'll go do something other than lurk on cprogramming.com... ya' know, to reduce the injuries ;)

edit 10 seconds later: the carpal tunnel splints can probably be found in a drug store. They have a metal brace that holds your wrist up at a slight angle.

ergonomic keyboard
mouse option 1:
optical mouse, fashion something against the side of your chair and hold the mouse so that your palm is facing your opposite arm. This allows the joints to lock naturally, relieving stress...try to make it fairly low so that you don't have ot bend your elbow uncomfortably.
mouse option 2:
trackball mouse, also held somewhere at an angle to reduce stress.
Besides that echo everyone else and good luck...i was in my friends car and she got into a car accident this summer, i took the handle of the arm rest off the door in the process and damaged the tendons in my left wrist, so im in the same boat as you, hope what i suggested helps.

@confuted:
@ibuprofen and swelling:
Okay, that's different! I don't have any visible symptoms. You may very well need the anti-inflamatory effect of ibuprofen! :eek:

@lurking on cprogramming.com:
Yeah, I should reduce my daily internet dosis, too ... it can only do good!

@carpal tunnel splints at drug store:
I will check it out tomorrow. Sadly, I've been there before you posted ...


@Waldo2k2:
Great! I will try it! A little problem may be that I am not sitting on a chair but on a ball ...

Anyway, I wish you both a speedy recovery!:)

>>Okay, that's different! I don't have any visible symptoms. You may very well need the anti-inflamatory effect of ibuprofen!
mine isn't visible either, but I figured the tendons or something are probably swollen somewhat. Perhaps I'll have to make a visit to the doctor :-/

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Originally posted by confuted

mine isn't visible either, but I figured the tendons or something are probably swollen somewhat. Perhaps I'll have to make a visit to the doctor :-/

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Oh, I thought the doctor prescribed you ibuprofen. I guess, it's time for a Doc. I hope it will not get worse!
...
...
I still wonder if I am actually able to type my thesis ... :(