finger wrist pain

I have wrist pain that comes and goes every several months. currently my right wrist hurts slightly and my right index finger hurts if I extend it. I think it might be due to my laptop. I used to have more constant problems when I was using a regular mouse. Ever since I got this

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Trackman-Wheel-Optical-Silver/dp/B00005NIMJ/ref=sr_1_23?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253664408&sr=1-23

the pain went away but it keeps mysteriously coming back every several months typically in my right hand then usually mysteriously vanishing again. I elevated my laptop with books so that I don't have to hunch to look at it. But this sometimes forces my hands into weird positions when I have to type. What might be wrong and what measures can I take before I can see a doc?

thanks

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Ergonomically your fingers should do the typing and use the mouse without your wrists or outer forehand touching the laptop or the table. You have to practice this so that you do not have wrist problems. You need to rest for some time and do some stretching exercises after every couple of hours.

You can keep practicing this and consult a good therapist to learn the ergonomics of your posture while sitting, position of your hand while working. This would help.

You can take some pain killers intermittently, and if this does not work I would suggest you to meet an orthopedician for examination and proper diagnosis.

Take care!