General Medical Question - Non Urgent - Dead hand.

[Dreaming.]

In the last few days, my right hand has been going dead as I've been on the laptop. I use it as a desk, and I sit up straight and everything.
It's only been in the last few days really, but it's kind-of annoying. Every half-hour or so I have to take my hand off and shake it out - and then I get that awful pins-and-needles feeling, where you can't move it because it hurts too much!
I'm not on any more than I have been before, I'm not sitting any differently - and it's only my right hand.

Is this something to worry about/is there anything I can do to stop it/should I just ignore it/am I being a hypochondriac?
Just a-wonderin', thanks for any replies either way.

:)
xx

[Animad]

I'm wondering if you're starting to show signs of repetitive strain disorder. These can affect one hand more than the other. Really when it goes like that the best thing to do is not use your laptop, do something totally different and try not to be on it long enough for that to happen though 30mins isn't that long. Also, having your laptop on a stand so the keyboard is at an angle and having a gel pad under your wrists may help as it just gives that bit of extra support.

Another thing that can help is a wrist support or even a tubigrip around your wrist (Size B for small wrists, C for medium sized, D for large) may help support your muscles but really may not help too much once it gets to that stage. You can get special supports for wrists and hands for things such as Repetitive Strain Injury but it is better getting checked out first and having someone properly examine the area and determine what is up.

Something warm over the area such as a heated gel pad may also help to return it back to normal quicker as well as keeping it in a natural position; ie down by your sides; not up on a desk with your wrists hyperextended to type. A heated gel pad would work the best as these are VERY lightwight and things like ice actually slow nerve conduction and tighten muscles which is likely to worsen the problem.

As it's been going on for a week now and hasn't been improving it is getting to the point where it may be worth going to see a doctor about it, especially if it's worsening or if it is "dead" for quite a while