Want to start Skyrim, but I'm having hoof pain... : Othor Games

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:41 pm

I used to use a mousepad with a wrist rest but now I use the mouse like that. I hardly game at all, but my hands have developed some persistent numbness lately that I need to get checked out. :unsure:

Ya, you need to have that looked at.

» Mon May 14, 2012 8:03 pm

Use a controller instead of a mouse.
See your doctor about Carpel Tunnel.
Take a break during games and rotate your wrists.
Go to the beach and make a sand castle

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:30 pm

Go to the beach and make a sand castle

The best advice in this thread.

» Mon May 14, 2012 1:50 pm

Seek treatment, and use one of http://www.amazon.com/Thermoskin-Carpal-Tunnel-2X-Large-26-30cm/dp/B002VRSM0K while using the computer.

» Mon May 14, 2012 11:38 am

Hey everyone, what's up? Well I've run into a bit of a problem yet I know that anyone who plays the Elder Scrolls series or Fallout 3 an insane amount of hours-per-day, is going to have the answer to my question. In general I love long games like the ones mentioned above, and I'm just ending the Dragon Age series and fixing to start Skyrim, but my frickin mouse-hand wrist hurts, and my index and middle fingers are numb at the tips.

I'm certain it's some sort of RSI or Carpal Tunnel. So I'm wondering if anyone here on the Bethesda Forums has experience with this. In particular, I'm wondering whether I should relocate my mouse pad from the edge of the desk, farther toward the back maybe taking the pressure off the wrist. Or would a mouse wrist rest of some sort fix the problem? I don't know what to do. But I don't want to stop gaming that's for sure!

Anyone have any expertise in this area or suggestions? Thanks for any help you offer, Gardenia :smile:

Using gamepads can help reduce RSI with many things. I'm fairly certain Skyrim on the PC supports gamepads to some extent, right?

» Mon May 14, 2012 11:17 pm

Qualified doctors: soon to be put out of business by wildly inaccurate internet forum advice.

» Tue May 15, 2012 12:21 am

Hey everyone, what's up? Well I've run into a bit of a problem yet I know that anyone who plays the Elder Scrolls series or Fallout 3 an insane amount of hours-per-day, is going to have the answer to my question. In general I love long games like the ones mentioned above, and I'm just ending the Dragon Age series and fixing to start Skyrim, but my frickin mouse-hand wrist hurts, and my index and middle fingers are numb at the tips.

I'm certain it's some sort of RSI or Carpal Tunnel. So I'm wondering if anyone here on the Bethesda Forums has experience with this. In particular, I'm wondering whether I should relocate my mouse pad from the edge of the desk, farther toward the back maybe taking the pressure off the wrist. Or would a mouse wrist rest of some sort fix the problem? I don't know what to do. But I don't want to stop gaming that's for sure!

Anyone have any expertise in this area or suggestions? Thanks for any help you offer, Gardenia :smile:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l37JpqP9wVs&feature=relatedyou go.

Edit: If you're certain that it's something like RSI or Carpal Tunnel, just go to the doctor.

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:30 am

I just rolled up a thin piece of foam rubber and put it under my wrist and that seems to help a good bit. I don't think it's anything serious....yet...but I'm trying to avoid that happening.

I've had this too, I was warned it's a precursor to actual CTS, so at minimum an adjustment of wrist placement is needed along with perhaps less time at the computer for a while.

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:40 am

Well, I'm no doctor so this is just personal opinion. But I've had wrist problems during the past (tendinitis). I'd try not using the mouse at the edge of your desk (the pressure on your wrist might also be cutting off circulation to your fingers, if they're numb?), I always tried to have my entire lower arm rested on something. Not sure if wearing a hand support/bandage is a good idea unless told so by a docs. I had one (from docs) which also had a piece of plastic in it to keep my wrist straight, it got quite uncomfortable for writing etc. and it limits wrist movement..

anyway take a break, find good support for your arm when gaming and if pain persists, see doc.

» Mon May 14, 2012 10:35 pm

The best advice in this thread.

Well I'm in luck, because I live on the Gulf of Mexico where the sand looks like sugar and the ocean is blue and relaxing. Ima go build a sand castle.

Thanks too, for all of the advice and tips you guys have offered.

» Mon May 14, 2012 4:20 pm

Use a controller instead of a mouse.

...and if you play any competitive FPS games prepare to be pwned handily.

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:16 pm

I have tendonitis in my right wrist. I got it from a combination of working in a supermarket till, too much computer, and playing guitar (fast strumming stuff). It's better these days but flares up now and then.

The best thing I did for it was to buy a trackball, Logitech do a pretty good one. It's a lot easier on the wrist, as your thumb is doing more work. I hardly ever have problems while working at the computer now.

Don't ignore it, it'll just get worse!

I waited too long before doing anything about it (in the end I quitted the job and stayed away from the computer for a couple of months, but by then the inflammation had pretty much set in.)

» Mon May 14, 2012 10:50 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l37JpqP9wVs&feature=relatedyou go.

Edit: If you're certain that it's something like RSI or Carpal Tunnel, just go to the doctor.

Very good video Xalxitz! I'm already using her techniques. Thanks.

» Tue May 15, 2012 12:38 am

The best thing I did for it was to buy a trackball

How long did it take for you to make the transition, to trackball?

» Mon May 14, 2012 9:36 am

How long did it take for you to make the transition, to trackball?

I tried that type of mouse what, back in 1995 or so.. it's far too annoying to get used to, especially for games. How some people manage to use it with such ease is beyond me.

» Mon May 14, 2012 2:39 pm

I encountered wrist pain as well, however I was lucky enough to not experience the numbness.

And, I found a solution that works for me!

Its an exercise for CTS. Basically, one is to do the following 10 times before and after using a computer for an extended amount of time.

Outstretch your arms, hands extended, hands flat, arms flat, fingers pointing straight, kind of like a zombie when he is walking.
Start bending your hands toward you, so that, in the end, you look like you're pushing against a wall. Make this movement slowly, and hold it for about 5 seconds.
Slowly flatten your hands out again, and let them sit for another 5 seconds.
Then, slowly tuck in your fingers downward into your palm, slowly making a fist, and bending it downward to point towards the ground. Hold this for about 5 seconds.
Again, list up slowly, straightening hands again.
Repeat steps 2 -- 5, 10 times.
After, let your arms hang, and shake your wrists.

Oh, and http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/ctexercise.htm I got the above information from. It will probably be more helpful as there are pictures, but I guess I'll leave what I wrote, anyway.

I personally don't do it everytime I use the computer, especially before and after. Its more like, when it starts hurting again, I'll do it. Of course, that isn't good. But, I mean to say that it seems to help me.

» Tue May 15, 2012 12:41 am

Thanks Shassay, I'll have a look.