My experience: The combinantion of signing (being Deaf) and programming were deathly to my wrists. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands and now they are fine. First the right hand then two years later the left hand. They recovered completely but it took a long time (18 months). I could work with the hands after 1 month but felt pain when pressure was applied on the scar even a year later. For example biking was a problem. Now I feel that my fingers aren't as strong as before, but I still think it was worth it.
Before surgery I also switched the mouse to the left hand, and a bonus of it, now I can use two mouses simultaneously (for example the laptop mouse with one hand and the desktop mouse with the other hand).
Another bonus: My wife is left-handed therefore I can use her system without fiddling with the mouse. I always took care to switch the buttons when using the mouse left-handed. This means it's like going over to the UK and suddenly driving on the other side of the road with a rental car and not my own continental car. The side where I sit in the car is the middle of the street. This thinking also helps with switching mouses, so that's why it's important to switch the mouse buttons, at least for me it get's easier because of symmetry.
Before surgery I also switched the mouse to the left hand, and a bonus of it, now I can use two mouses simultaneously (for example the laptop mouse with one hand and the desktop mouse with the other hand).
Another bonus: My wife is left-handed therefore I can use her system without fiddling with the mouse. I always took care to switch the buttons when using the mouse left-handed. This means it's like going over to the UK and suddenly driving on the other side of the road with a rental car and not my own continental car. The side where I sit in the car is the middle of the street. This thinking also helps with switching mouses, so that's why it's important to switch the mouse buttons, at least for me it get's easier because of symmetry.