tilting tri-pod/tired wrists

[Mike Rowell]

High, I'm a student that just got into my 160's, and just in the past few weeks my hands have become tired all the time and my wrists hurt pretty often.

I try to keep good posture and to be aware of how I'm sitting and what have you, but I have a few strikes against me outside of being on my writer. One, I play bass and guitar, both of which can cause carpal tunnel, and two, my day job is data entry (on a regular keyboard). I haven't worked at all this week, but on a normal day I will get out of school after 5-7 hours and then go work for 3-5 hours more on a regular keyboard.

I'm on a stentura protege with a regular non-tilting tri-pod. I recently switched to a bigger school and noticed a lot of students seem to have their machines tilted at an angle. I'm wondering if I should maybe spend the money and get a tilting tri-pod? Or is it possible that my machine is too stiff and the keys could use some adjustment?

[Jenny Griffin, RMR CRR CCRR CRC]

Mike, a tilting tripod is great. Ask if you can borrow one from another student for 15 minutes. Make sure you tilt it so your fingers are tilting down and not up. Taking breaks and getting your circulation going is so important - I know it's hard! Good luck - Jenny

[Mike Rowell]

Thanks for the advice, will do!

[Tami]

Mike,

I started using a tilting tripod in about '04, and now I find it difficult to write on a "flat" writer. I just bought the Lightspeed, so am wondering if I might miss it and how that's going to work out.

My tilt goes beyond average. Other reporters can't believe how far my machine tilts. I tilt it away from me, and it kind of feels like it's stretching my hands out. I love it. I ended up with claws for hands in about 1990 after only ten years of working -- two years on computer, which I think was what did me in -- so I have been searching for ways to keep working for a lot of years now. I did take five years off of reporting completely way back then because I had no choice.

I use the Report-It by Stenograph for my hurt shoulders and love that, too.

I don't have to tell you that you are doing way too much with your hands. It's a good thing you're zooming through school and hopefully will be decreasing the stress on your hands. BOIT, (by the way) you being a musician really didn't surprise me. :)

I agree with Jenny about borrowing the tripod first.

AND can't never let an opportunity like this go . . .

Writing shorter will decrease the stress on your hands and prolong your career.

If you are bored and want to take a look at my tilting machine, go over to Depoman, pull up the "My Favorite Student" thread under the student section, and I posted a pic on there that had my machine in the background, and I think a couple people flipped over it when they saw it there, too.

Happy Writing Short!!

Tami

[Andrew Snail Sutton]

Tami, I didn't see this picture. For a while I just held the machine between my legs to tilt it, lifting it into position with my knees. I found the stenograph tilting tripods awkward to position closely enough to my body in a standard four-leg chair AND tilt them properly.
Incidentally, Stenograph and Pengad, are they the only ones who offer tripod laptop stands? SO EXPENSIVE. I am thankful that I have an extra tripod, but I want to have a basic flat tray for my laptop/notebook(is there a difference?). My extra tripod does not lock well -- neither does my primary tripod. I have yet to find a locking device I really feel comfortable with. I saw someone's tripod that looked heavy duty but I never did note the name... it looked like the shiny metal stands that drums are used.

[Tami]

Andrew,

I think Stenovations has a flat tripod for the Lightspeed. I think it might be universal. I don't know how much it is, but they seem to always be less expensive than the other major players.

I just bought the Lightspeed machine, so I'm pretty excited about being able to get it on my lap and start writing on air. Takes away my tripod troubles. I bought a "bean bag" lap pad for it to sit on. Not necessary, but it seemed really comfortable and only $25.

I will still use my Report-It from Stenograph to hold the weight off of my shoulders with my new LS.

[Andrew Snail Sutton]

Aye, this is too much on your hands. I just recently got through school and I noticed that, toward the end of getting out, my hands were scrunched together uncomfortably so. I noticed an improvement when I scooted my fingers on my right hand farther away from the left hand. I tried out a tilting tripod. It was difficult for me to position it just right. I also tried a gemini writer, the basic cheap one. It was great but the keys' noise and feel as well as having to readjust it PRECISELY each time I set up was awkward. Being that my focus was and still is C.A.R.T. and captioning, I didn't need all the fancy features of a massive machine data storage, but I did like this comfort in my model (Stentura SRT 400 Electric) when I took -- and passed! -- the Texas C.S.R. exam. I also PREFER the firmer touch of the stentura, BUT I don't want to press the keys so far.
Briefing came natural for me -- it was an outlet for my creativity.
Being consistent can work for and against you. Keep an open mind.
As for breaks, learn some exercises such as yoga and Tai Chi which will keep your whole body healthy, improve circulation, and improve intelligence. Breathing in and out only through your nose is important. It is critical to keep a calm disposition while writing, and it starts in your practice.
It is quite a dilemma for you how to balance your time: work(on computer), practice on machine, practice with music. It makes all the difference how you practice.
Have a commitment to a certain amount of time -- ANY amount of time daily to be at practice ONLY with a positive, focused mind. You will successfully acquire endurance only when you learn good writing habits and apply them consistently. When your mood goes down, your writing can suffer. Take control now to ensure your dedication to your steno practice is not corrupted or less efficient than it could be.
At work, make sure your keyboard writing is not angling your hands upward.(Some keyboards are designed to elevate the keys even on a flat surface on their base setting). Learn to write with both hands when you must write with pen or pencil often -- trust me, this one comes in handy(pun).
TAKE TIME FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT. I don't think I did that one enough -- well, I was away from people, so that WAS enjoyable.
Good luck. Keep up your commitments and ENJOY the new paths of knowledge that will be presented to you.

[Mike Rowell]

Thanks. I appreciate the lengthy response, there's a lot of good advice in there. I always write best when I'm staying positive through practice and putting in long hours the day before. I got a 92% on a test today after being at 160's for about 3 weeks. Measurable improvement is the most motivating thing to keep up the practice.

[Katy Cuellar]

Mike, have you tried sidesaddle yet? First, you need a chair with arms. Cross your legs, turn them to the left, then lean your right elbow on the arm of the chair. This way, your arms are not suspended. It can be really hard on your neck to leave your arms just suspended like that with the fingers moving for hours. And yes, a tilting tripod is a must.

[Tami]

Katy,

Sounds like you need the Report-It from Stenograph. Expensive, but it's lifesaving for our shoulders. I cannot work without it for one second.

[Jenny Griffin, RMR CRR CCRR CRC]

Andrea, it helps so much to see the pic of your tilted machine. What I'd also like to see is how you sit at the machine with the Report-It. I've got one, but it's not working out for me. I think I need a visual!

[Katy Cuellar]

I have a funny story about the tilting tripod. I was the first one to get one at the courhouse here. Another reporter came into the courtroom during a recess, saw my machine sitting there tilted like that, and got very upset and tried to straighten it out! Fortunately, he didn't break anything.

[Tami]

Jenny,

I fight with the chair and the tripod all the time. I have to have it perfect, or it will not fit right. That's another reason why I'm so excited about the Lightspeed. I did ask Depowife about how she uses the Report-It still, how many blocks, etc., and I think she said she uses it without blocks or with only one.

Also I wanted to tell you, I bought that beanbag lap deal from Stenovations for only $25. It's shaped like the binder idea that you told me about. I had forgotten I purchased it. It was on back order, so came later than the LS. I think that's going to work really great, too.

I know with depo reporters it's all about limiting your load, but it is still lightweight, and you can angle it either way. Played with it yesterday, and I think it's going to be something I use every day.

Great visual, Andrea. I don't know how, but I think my machine tilts even more. A couple people who saw it at the convention really did get freaky about it.