I went through that about 10 years ago. Completely debilitating. I couldn't take time off from work where I use the computer for everything, plus I was doing a lot of CAD design at that time which is mouse heavy. Luckily we have some ergonomics experts in the health and safety group, and lots of information to read through.

My biggest solution to get through the short term was to use my left hand for the mouse. Yes, I'm right handed. I never went back to the right hand mouse! One reason is that, for the right hand, the mouse should be where the number pad is. Mouse on the left side of the keyboard lets you center the keyboard in front of you and still have the mouse close at hand. Reaching for the mouse is bad ergonomics. Everything should be close to the body.

I also switched to a trackball (Logitech Marble Mouse), and found that to be better for several reasons: 1) Once the pointer speed is adjusted, it has much better cursor precision, yet easier to move the cursor far and fast -- both with simple motions 2) It takes up much less desk space and doesn't require you to reposition it on occasion 3) It tends to keep your arm positioned with a straight wrist which is more ergonomic 4) it takes the micro movements away from the large muscles around the shoulder (I think the finger muscles are better suited for this).

It took me about 2 weeks to get the left hand muscles to be fast and precise enough to not notice I was using the "wrong" hand. I expect the same from most musician as we tend to have already trained the left hand -- fingering keyboards and guitars and such.

Ergonomic keyboard is also a huge relief. Even today, when I have to do heaving typing on a normal one for more than a few minutes, I can feel the strain.


Ergonomics

Just in case you haven't found this information already, it's important to have the wrists straight, and elbows & knees bent no more than a right angle (for extended periods). This is better for blood circulation, and possibly pinching nerves. The straight wrist is important so the tendons don't rub against the carpel tunnels in the wrist while you move your fingers (think of a rope sliding over the edge of a cliff ).

Google "computer ergonomic positioning" for lots of information.

Also note if you find your shoulders in a "shrugged" position. Mousing involves muscles in the neck, shoulders, and pecs. Even though my pain was in the wrist it was when a therapist gave me stretches for the shoulder area (especially the pecs!) that relief came. Ask and I'll detail some of these stretches

Another +1 for a Trackball. I've used a Kensington Expert Mouse for years and I've been very happy with it and with their support.

-Susan

ORIGINAL: Susan G

Another +1 for a Trackball. I've used a Kensington Expert Mouse for years and I've been very happy with it and with their support.

-Susan

I went to a kensington trackball, when my wrist started to play up....I have not experienced any issues of wrist pain since.

cheers

Wiz

First, and most importantly... go see a physical therapist.
At one point several years ago, I had RSI so bad I could hardly write my name.
I saw 101 doctors... took lots of anti-inflamitory medication... but it really didn't help.
Finally, a good doctor refered me to a physical therapist. Literally took the PT about 15 minutes... and she told me exactly what was wrong... and how we could fix it (over time).

With the PT's guidance (stretches to break up the scar tissue, exercises to strengthen the area, and ice to reduce inflamation), my arms are about 90% back to normal. I say 90% because I can still manage to flare up the RSI with marathon sessions... and or from lack of rest.

The solution has to be all encompassing.
1. You need to address the immediate pain/inflamation
2. You need to change existing ergonomics/habbits that caused the problem
3. You need to build strength back in the affected area

I'd start with your work area. Make sure you're arms are by your side and that your elbows/forearms are bent at a 90 degree angle (for keyboard playing, mousing/typing, etc.
If you're too far out of this position... for any lenth of time, you're inviting RSI problems.
If you do marathon sessions (10+ hours), you're going to need to take many breaks to stretch and rest those muscles/tendons.
Examine you keyboard/mouse. Make sure the buttons/keys offer as little resistance as possible. Stiff buttons/keys might not seem like a big deal, but after 100,000 clicks... it can make a HUGE difference.
BTW, I won't recommend anything specific mouse/keyboard wise... because "comfortable" is such a unique/individual scenario. ie: Lots of folks with RSI like track-ball mice. If I use a track-ball mouse for a couple of hours, my RSI starts to hurt. I'm much better off with a MicroSoft mouse. YMMV

What ever you do... don't just ignore the problem.
It will only get worse if you continue on the same path.

Thank you all so much, I think I recognize the seriousness of the issue and will have it addressed immediately. Jim - I'm totally with the PT thing; I've had 8 knee surgeries and a spinal fusion, and the only thing that got me on my feet was PT. It took a while to find a good one, but when you do, it's like night and day (from a bad PT).

I've started using the trackball, can't tell if it's better yet b/c I think a lot of my problems are rooted in my thumb, or at least manifest there. Interesting that one is not supposed to rest wrists! All those gel strips and such lead one to believe that you should be resting wrists while typing, while the opposite is true: you should be hovering, using arms/shoulders for most movement around the keyboard.

I appreciate all the input very VERY much. I knew this was the place to go.

Thanks to you especially, Info@

ORIGINAL: Treefight
I've started using the trackball, can't tell if it's better yet b/c I think a lot of my problems are rooted in my thumb, or at least manifest there.

I've got tendonitis in my right hand, bursitins in right shoulder, and carpal tunnel around both right and left thumbs. For me, trackball was the worst, it really aggravated the thumb carpal tunnel. If you've got thumb problems already, I'd be wary of the trackball. Also, I haven't found a good keyboard. So while keyboard shortcuts are still a lot better than mouse actions, they're still a problem for me.

Two things helped. First, just stop using the computer. I had to force myself to take breaks, and take days of from computer work. Second, the Aerobic Mouse improved my situation a lot. It's the only piece of hardware that helped. It's expensive, it took a while to get used to, but for me it was worth it.

I drew CAD for a living for several years and eventually realized that moving a mouse to control a computer is like moving the table saw instead of the board when you are cutting wood,slow innaccurate and fatiguing. I bought one of these (Logitec Marble Mouse 20 bucks) and will never go back. Buy one if you dont like it I'll buy it from you. They look like this
trackball

I have pain in my right index finger from clicking and using the scroll wheel. Does a trackball relieve your index finger from clicking?

ORIGINAL: maxsax

I have pain in my right index finger from clicking and using the scroll wheel. Does a trackball relieve your index finger from clicking?

Probably not, I don't really know 'cos I've never had pain from using a mouse so can't really say whether using a trackball is any different. Depends on the trackball of course but most of my work is done with my thumb (the ball) and first (left click) and middle finger (wheel and right click). I use one mainly because I have very little space and this doesn't need as much as a mouse. It is much bigger than a mouse though so the whole hand is more supported.

Sorry if that isn't much use, I don't suppose you know anyone who has one you can try or maybe visit a computer store and see if they have one set up on a display model.

I wish Sonar would have better pen tablet support. All the (Pro Tools) studios I work at have pen tablets. They are so much faster and don't cause me any RSI.

UnderTow