Hi there, I just discovered this site. I guess im searching for some answers with my CuTS.. thought id introduce myself.

I started having problems in my right arm about 2 years ago now.. perhaps even earlier, at my old job. It was the typical story.. bosses had a bad pc set up, causing a very unnatural position for the arm and too much keyboard work without breaks, but i desperatly needed the job so i stayed when i shouldnt have. My manager had an op for his CuTS while mine was slowly developing. As far as i know he has not really seen much improvement...

Thankfully i dont work there anymore, but now i work in a tech department for a big IT firm so im still on the pc all day but i think the worst thing (and now im gonna sound like a super geek! ) is that previous to developing this my major hobby was pc gaming, and i also like to chat online in an evening and browse.. all of which cause tons of pain now. I had to give up all the gaming ofc, which has been really hard to accept, because these days everything hurts, even holding my book up and ofc typing this here.

My doc and I are currently trying to cure the condition using physical therapy, lots of stretches, frequent breaks etc, and pain relief gel. Im aware ill probably have to have surgary at some point, but my doc is trying to avoid that in regards to my age (22).

I guess my question to you guys is, how do you cope? This isnt a new thing for me but im finding it increasingly hard to cope with the restrictions on my lifestyle, not being able to enjoy my hobbies, and dealing with pain whenever i go to work or write essays for my study. I live together with my boyfriend whose hobby is also gaming, and its really hard to watch him have fun, knowing all i can do in my free time is watch tv or try to pin down a book to read it. Im pretty depressed about all this right now.

I taught myself to be left handed about a year ago, but now when i use a mouse with my left hand im starting to get some mild pain, which worries me that it is also starting in this arm possibly.
Im considering some "upgraded" ergonomic pc solutions. a right hand ergonomic mouse and wrist support didnt do much good back when i first had this problem, maybe someone could recomend something more drastic for my left hand? Or i have considered a foot mouse.. but they seem pricy.
Another thing id like to try is something to help the arm/s during the night, where would i find one of those supports or splints?

Thanks for reading, any advice would be appreciated

For splints try...

www.nextag.com/cubital-tunnel-splint/products-html

Hi lis6999,
I feel your pain. I'm just starting out on my journey through CuTS at 20 years old, and I believe it's more difficult for those of us that are younger than most diagnosed with the condition. I have also found that I have become more and more depressed because of restrictions in my activities, moreso because I'm in the middle of moving to a new place and can't do very much cleaning that needs to be done before the move this weekend.

I personally find that listening to some calming music (my favorite being Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor) while lying down in a darkened room calms me down when I feel angry or frustrated at my situation, and going for walks has helped me calm down in those moments that the sadness feels like too much to bear. My fiance has also been excellent at keeping me level-headed during pity parties and outbursts of frustration. I've learned that it's totally okay to just have a pity-party day once in a while, and I usually feel better the next day. It also helps to know that you're not the only one going through this. My physiotherapist also has the same condition as me. You're not alone in this!

The university essays have also been difficult on me. I find myself taking more breaks and taking more time to write them than I prefer; but I just have to live with it for now. The worst for me has been exams in classes that are writing-intensive. I usually give myself a long break from typing and activity after those.

I hope I've helped you a little bit in the area of coping, as it's something I'm trying to get through right now as well. I don't know very much about nighttime braces, as my fiance made one for me himself.

definitely do the braces. they are cheap and lots of cubital tunnels can be caused by not keeping your arms straight, sleeping with hands behind your head, laying on your sides etc. This could alleviate a lot of suffering. it's a cheap and easy fix. please try!