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I wrote about how I made changes to deal with carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain/nerve issues that may arise from it. I recommend a few things but I thought I’d go deeper into recommendations to help out a few people experiencing the pain so they can maybe lessen the burden some!
1. Pilot Dr. Grip Pen This is the absolute perfect pen. The barrel is just thick enough without being too bulky. The grip is soft and has just enough give without being too squishy. The ink is refillable, so you can use it over and over again. I’ve used this pen for years. It was with my during my undergrad and graduate programs, and it’s the pen I still use every day to write things out by hand. It’s the only pen I can use for a considerable amount of time without any fatigue or pain in my hand and wrist.
2. Pilot Dr. Grip Multipen with Mechanical Pencil Insert Remember in my last, where I mentioned that multipens with a mechanical pencil insert will be your best bet for pencils? Turns out, Dr. Grip makes those too! While this option is a little more expensive, it’s honestly the best option for a pencil, aside from a grip (which I’ll talk about later.) This is essentially 3 different pens and 1 pencil in one package. I love multipens. They’re especially helpful when travelling. This one is very nice looking, too!
3. Uni Style Fit 4 + 1 Multipen and Mechanical Pencil I use the Uni Style Fit 4 chamber multipen with a mechanical pencil insert as my main mechanical pencil. It’s just the right size and I can also use the other colors in the multipen! It’s perfect for note-taking or planning if you have a color-coded system. My only complaint is that the body is a tiny bit too big to fit into most pen holders. However, it fits just fine in my knockoff Filofax planner binder I got from Michael’s! Just make sure to order extra refills in the size that comes with it, though. The tubes hold just a tiny bit less ink than regular pens do.
4. Artline Blox Stick Eraser If you’re using a mechanical pencil, you’re going to need a stick eraser–especially if you’re using something like a multipen as a pencil. This one is a big expensive (as most ergonomic supplies are) but it’s perfect for the job without being so thin that it hurts too use. The barrel’s triangular shape makes it easier to hold for longer and won’t add to any fatigue or pain you already have. Plus it looks like a lego. If you get the matching pencil in the set, you can connect them so they’re always together!
5. The Pencil Grip Orginal Pencil Gripper As promised, here are the grips I wanted to talk about. Sometimes you just want a good-old fashioned wooden pencil. Or maybe you want to use a nice Sakura Gelly Roll gel pen but the barrel is so tiny it makes your wrist cramp just to hold it. I’ve been there a million times. These pencil grips are advertised as helpers for kids who are struggling with holding pencils correctly, but they’re SUCH a huge help for carpal tunnel issues. This pencil grip is literally the only reason I can use my beloved Gelly Roll pens.
These are just the utensils I use every day for my writing needs with carpal tunnel issues. I can tell you where each of these things are right now because I use them so regularly. Some I’ve even stopped keeping in a pencil pouch because I got so tired of taking out and putting up every day. I’ll be sure to make another post soon with more office supplies like scissors and other things I use, too. I genuinely hope this helps someone in pain. It took me years of experimenting with different brands and items until I found something that works for me. I hope it works for you too!
What writing utensils do you use to help with arthritis or carpal tunnel pain? Let me know in the comments! Maybe we can help others who are just starting out with pain.