El_Gringo_Grande

Does anybody else have this and game?

I am also a developer so I spend about 9.5 hours at the keyboard anyway so by the time I get home and have time to play a game I just can't because of the pain.

I experience it mainly in my left hand/wrist/shoulder. My right/mouse hand is fine I guess because I switch between the mouse and the keyboard so often.

Currently I use the Nostromo n-52 and it does help. I put the main commands(movement/weapons selection/communication) on it and the secondary commands on the key board to force some movement. But I still experience pain after a short amount of time.

So my question is if anybody else experiences this what do you do? Any tips or tricks, hardware or software that you have found helpful?

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E0_

I'm having a similar problem, but strangely enough, it is my lower arm rather than my wrist that hurts. It has been so bad recently that I've had to drop out of several games. I'm very interested in any suggestions people may have.

By the way, on the "Bill Richardson for President" topic, take it from a New Mexico resident and be careful what you wish for lest you get it.

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The time for calm and rational discussion has passed. Now is the time for senseless bickering.

Acreo Aeneas

It should end up being in your forearm area.

1) Use a gel or other raised wrist pad.
2) Stretch your arms and hands every hour or so.
3) Game for a few hours, take a good break.

If it's hurtly badly, then you'll need to take a long break from gaming or go see your physician/doctor for treatments.


I know I'm developing it, since I also spend a god-awful amount of time at my computer gaming and coding and other long essay projects.

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BleedingKnee

Take lots of very frequent breaks. Work shorter hours (I know, you wish). Exercise (for real). Get an ergonomic station. Stop working/playing BEFORE you hurt (real hard to do).

Here's software to help you out: www.workpace.com

I'm a developer too. I, however, do no more than 6 hours of work per day.

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"Even the very wise cannot see all ends" - Gandalf

sc1ence

I had it really bad a few years ago. I took a break from gaming and wore some wrist brace thing for a few months till the sharp pain went away. once it got better I went back into it slowly and took breaks often. I also adjust the position of my chair often so my wrist is not allways at the same angle. another thing I did was change the sensativity of my mouse during work often so repetitive motions were reduced.

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Zid

what causes carpal tunnel syndrome i know it has to do with costant computer work but what is it exactly? i'm young and unfamiliar with it.

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BleedingKnee

Carpal tunnel is one of many injuries you can get. The carpal tunnel is a part of your arm - it is where your hand joins your wrist. It is a conduit through which a variety of cabling (tendons, nerves, etc) passes through. When the tendons swell up, they pinch a nerve which causes the tingling in the fingers.
Carpal tunnel is easily caused by hand motions where the forearm stays in place and the hand moves left and right. Do like this - put your hand on the mouse, make sure your palm touches the mouse pad. Then move your hand left and right while keeping your palm in place.
It can be avoided by keeping your wrists straight as you type (get a split keyboard) and mouse (move your whole forearm, not just the hand).

Change your mouse and see if it helps. Try this upright mouse by 3M: http://www3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/...er/output_html
That mouse I use at work and when not gaming. It's helped me in a big way.

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"Even the very wise cannot see all ends" - Gandalf

Hambergler

To avoid hyper extension. I have a footstool by the computer chair. I slouch pretty low and put my feet up; so my elbows are slightly below the keyboard.

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Backlash-7

This may not work for you but it sure did for me. I had terrible wrist pain in both wrists and my forearms were killing me. I went to an indian medicine man and bought a copper braclet to go on my left wrist. The next morning the pain was gone from both sides and it hasn't returned in several months, of course I never take the braclet off. I also sit at a computer all day at work so I understand about being in pain at the office and then trying to game a little afterwards and being in too much pain to enjoy it.

Give it a try. HTH.

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Greflin

My right wrist used to hurt really bad, then I got a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104206 and it hasn't hurt since really. These things are great.

Pompa

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phaze

Very nasty thing Carpal Tunnel.

I had an operation involving keyhole surgery to relieve the symptoms now over 2 years ago. Since the operation my hands and wrists show very little pain but i still have to limit my time on a PC and wear protective wrist supports.

If you are starting to get pain in your hands and shoulders you must STOP and take a break immediately. The symptoms will only get worse over time if you dont.

I do have a few tips that may help.

Firstly i was told by my specialist to buy some wrist supports. Here are a few options which are very similar to mine.

http://www.nextag.com/carpal-tunnel-...ce/search-html

These really do work. They Support your carpal tunnel and restrict movement of the wrist. At first they are pretty clumsy but you soon get used to them and i find i can use my PC for longer amounts of time without any problems.

Secondly for browsing and general computing i now use a Wacom graphics tablet and pen. You can configure the pen to do anything you want in Windows and i now find this so easy to use. I even use the pen on games like Vanguard & Eve. This stops the repetitive movement of your fingers and positions your hand and wrist at a different angle which helps keep pressure of the wrist itself.

Have a look at the site...

http://www.wacom.com/index2.cfm

Thirdly i now game with a Microsoft Trackball Explorer. Again at first i found this pretty hard but now it comes second nature to me. Obviously i am still crap at CSS but I'm still able to play. There is absolutely no way i can use a mouse because of the repetitive finger movement which caused my particular problems, so now my firing is done with my thumb.

As of any medical condition the best option is to go and see your doctor and receive professional advice. I did and it helped a great deal.

I hope this all helps.

Some links - Knowledge is the key.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/c...pal_tunnel.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome

http://www.ctsplace.com/

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VegaBond

It happened to me last year on my right hand and I couldn't do anything with that hand, no bending, grabbing so for now on I just take breaks from games or sometimes follow this exercise site http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/ctexercise.htm

Please take breaks every hour, walk around the house, clap hands, stretch arms.

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Acreo Aeneas

I've been mulling whether or not to start a thread on this subject (relevant, does it matter, etc.) and now I think I have the balls to do it, so here goes.

Purpose

I hope to at least address the issue from my own experience and hoping make others aware of this problem (it's for real). Maybe I'll gain good advice or end up helping someone else. Or maybe this thread isn't even read by anyone. Whatever the case, I'm typing this all out before I regret it and before I hit the sack.

Overview

I suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (or CTS for short). I don't get the shooting pains that other people might, but I do get numbness in my right hand (mouse hand) in my right side (fourth finger and pinky).

RMD stands for Repetitive Motion Disorder.

For those who don't know what CTS is: read this.

I am scared of surgery and after dealing with this for such a long time (over 2 years) and doing so much online research, surgery just causes more problems.

My Story

About 2 1/2 to 3 years ago I started noticing that my right hand and forearm would get numb. That started me off on a series of online searches and eventually I found some information on CTS. I knew right away this is what I had (and have...yes self-diagnosis).

I went and purchase a mouse pad with a gel wrist pad (was using a both-hand oriented mouse then). After about a week of using my mouse with the wristpad, the numbness disappeared in both my hand and forearm.

Recently (about 2 months ago), I noticed that my right hand started feeling numb again. I figured the wristpad was just too warn out (was already half the height it used to be) and replaced it with a new pad and wristpad (gel).

The numbness has not gone away and has been getting more frequent (hand is partly numb right now as I type). I've been looking at the Evoluent vertical mouse (not likely I'll purchase since I'm broke and it's $70) and thinking about my posture and angles my arm twists in and support, etc.

I figure that 8+ hours a day using a mouse and typing on my cramped netbook keyboard isn't the best of help since I don't have a gel wristpad and it's all very repetitive.

I think keeping my arm level with the height of my wrist and moving my arm rather than twisting my wrist may help. Otherwise, more exercise, sleep, and less computering and gaming should help me more. (Although, I still have plenty of papers to type and several programs on the back burner to write).

I thank those who have taken the time to read this lengthy post. I welcome any comments, discussion, advice, ecetera.


P.S. Feel free to move this into some other section since we don't have a section dedicated to health, I figured this is the best section for it.

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cstealth

Everybody at my moms work has those vertical mice things.
They would say get them because they absolutely love them