Polymyositis & Dermatomyositis Support Group

Polymyositis (PM) is a type of chronic inflammation of the muscles (inflammatory myopathy) related to dermatomyositis and inclusion body myositis. The inflammation is predominantly of the endomysium in polymyositis, whereas dermatomyositis is characterized by primarily perimysial inflammation.

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freelee 05/16/2011

My arm and neck are preventing me from getting on Daily Strength and my myositis blog. I started it as i thought it might help get the word out there and i could not find many current blogs. My arm starts aching after 15 minutes - even if I have a break it seems to stay all day. My neck also aches.
Any suggestions please

deleted_user 05/16/2011

I got an iPad. I could not sit at the computer as I could not sit for any length of time. It was great, I could lay on the sofa with it on my lap.

deleted_user 05/16/2011

I too have the same problem....I have a laptop!!! Love it but I must admit my next purchase will be an iPad!!!!

Hugs

jfreeze0 05/17/2011

I have a vertical mouse. It's ergonomic and it makes your hand in more of a natural position (sort of like a handshake) rather than resting on top like a regular mouse. I don't know if you can get one in a store these days - I ordered mine online. It wasn't cheap (about $100) but back when I was working on a computer all day long it sure did help!

lexisgirl 05/17/2011

I have a laptop and put it in my lap so my arms are down and don't have to hang. My hands can rest on it more naturally than when it is on a desk. If you don't have a laptop, consider pulling your keyboard to your lap. You might want to consider a more ergonomic desk too. Just a slight height difference can make a huge difference for you.

nanny1611 05/17/2011

I no longer have a regular desk. Instead, I use an adjustable-height folding table and a laptop. Moving the screen back and forth helps my neck, as well as using glasses specifically for working on the computer. There are times that I keep a heated rice bag on my neck, too. In addition, because sitting is often a problem for me, I have a stool to lean against, as well as an adjustable-height office chair for sitting at different levels. Occasionally I sit in a recliner and place the laptop on the arm of the chair. Also, I alternate between a mouse and the touch pad.

Keep taking breaks, as that is important. Sometimes I just stop and walk on my treadmill for 5-10 mins. or use my hand weights, just for the sake of moving. I appreciated your question and everyone's responses and might consider some of the ideas for myself in the future. I'm especially interested in that vertical mouse and the iPad.

jfreeze0 05/17/2011

Check out the vertical mouse here (it's the one I have). Though I've been on LTD and have not been at work since Christmas 2009, my work gave it to me to take home and use. http://www.evoluent.ca/

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