bean bag thingies

the.fee.fairy · Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:05 pm

What's the best thing to use on one of those wheat bag thingies ( i realise i've called it a wheat bag, but i have no idea what bit of the wheat even)?

I've got RSI, and i want to make one of the things to put in front of my keyboard as a wrist rest.

What's the best thing for it? i'm not really worried about it being heatable, just nice and supportive.

Jandra · Post: # 72721Post **Jandra** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:31 pm

Have you tried a kitchen towel folded into a narrow strip? That should give you an idea whether you like a support in front of your keyboard.

You might consider timer software to ensure you take (micro) breaks while doing computer work, if you haven't already installed it.

All the best, RSI sucks (been there, still am there and doing that).

Jandra

Silver Ether · Sat Sep 29, 2007 6:49 pm

The wheat used is the sort you get if wild bird seed packs but you can buy it by the pound from seed merchants...
What about those little polystyrene balls thats are used in bean bags cushions not very eco the poly that is ...

oh got a good one Rice ...

Annpan · Post: # 72728Post **Annpan** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 7:59 pm

y'know those ones that you put in the microwave and they smell all lavendery...well... they are made of rice, I'd try shortgrain maybe (a bit less jaggy than long grain.

Hope you find something

Shirley · Post: # 72734Post **Shirley** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:14 pm

Never thought of using rice... mine is wheat filled and has lavender seedheads in it too... I know that because it said so, and also because there is a wee velcro fastening so that I can empty them and wash the bag.

Agree with the idea of regular breaks - good advice that one!

No idea of the credentials of this website but the advice does look good - http://www.allscan.ca/ergo/rsi.htm

Annpan · Post: # 72736Post **Annpan** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 10:26 pm

I don't have one but I have seem loads of instructions on how to make them, and it always says use rice. Guess what I am making for xmas pressies

Shirley · Post: # 72746Post **Shirley** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 7:13 am

Annpan wrote:

I don't have one but I have seem loads of instructions on how to make them, and it always says use rice. Guess what I am making for xmas pressies

I reckon I'll be making some too :D Will try rice!

Silver Ether · Sun Sep 30, 2007 9:02 am

I have never made them with rice ... just wheat. I made small hand sized ones for the kids to put in their pockets on cold mornings and they smell lovely of bread ...

the.fee.fairy · Sun Sep 30, 2007 11:58 am

oooh, rice! i thought it would be something obvious!!

i'll give it a go today.

ta!

mrsflibble · Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:19 pm

I know that if I was going to try rice I'd use a rounded one like arborio, Vialone Nano, Carnaroli, sushi (pearl) rice would work well too, so would valencian (paella) rice. none of the above would poke out of the material and jab you.

last time I meade a "beanbag" type thing it was in the shape of a frog and I used green (puy) lentils.

the.fee.fairy · Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:14 pm

I didn't get to make them this weekend - maybe next weekend!

Good advice on the type of rice. Looks like i'll have to go shopping to get some.

Made lots of other stuff instead.

mrsflibble · Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:20 pm

from my last trip to the dreaded t*sco, an own brand arborio will be the cheapest option next to puy.

pskipper · Post: # 74759Post **pskipper** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:14 am

Just made 4 using long grain rice, each weighs a kilo and when tucked in my hot water bottle cover stay warm all night! (Hot water bottle leaked on tuesday so a replacement was in order!)

possum · Post: # 74763Post **possum** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:07 am

Wheat bags are made with the whole wheat - buy what you would buy for chickens, The reason why wheat is used rather that rice is that it holds the heat better.
However with RSI, speaking from personal experience, ask to be refered to a physiotherapist: things like ultra sound and temporary splinting and also addressing the way you are sitting/working, can work wonders. Do not put up with the pain.

the.fee.fairy · Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:36 pm

I've had a workstation assessment, and i need my chair raising (so i
m waiting for someone to take the arms off...) and i've been given a wrist rest to keep my wrists at the right angle. Apparently, i'm stretching too much too.

My wrists are hundred times better now!! Thankfully (or not) i recognise the symptoms early enough. I've ahd RSI since i was at uni and wrote at odd angles, so i find that if i support the wrists for a few days, then the improve. The new wrist rest is great too.

I'm still going to make a few wheat bags though (or rice, whichever i find first - i think the local feed shop might have disappeared). They look comfy! They'll also be handy for if/when i or my parents get backache too.