General / Off-Topic RSI anyone else having/had issues?

[Nerwan]

I think I'm going to have to take an unwanted break from the game for a while (No this isn't a rage quit ;-) I've had RSI in the past, ranging from a few weeks discomfort to a period in my early 20s when I had months of problems with my wrists and elbows after doing my final exams at uni. For the last 4/5 years I've had no problems at all but I had a bit of a long ED session a week or so ago and afterwards felt the old pain returning.


Just wondering does anyone else in the ED community have problems like this?


Anyway, it usually takes a while to recover properly so I'll be taking a few weeks off to properly rest my hands and wrists and hopefully I'll be back on line.

 

[Surfinjo]

I have had, with other repetitive routines.

As far as I know the only treatment is rest. Which you are doing.

You may think about getting different equipment when you return. That will depend upon which equipment you are using right now of course.

Good luck.

 

[Patrick_68000]

RSI ?

 

[Nerwan]

RSI ?

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Repetitive-strain-injury/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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I have had, with other repetitive routines.

As far as I know the only treatment is rest. Which you are doing.

You may think about getting different equipment when you return. That will depend upon which equipment you are using right now of course.

Good luck.

Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one. I'm using a CH Throttle and a T16000m stick and I'm careful to have them at a good height so I can keep my elbows at a 90 degree angle most of the time. The only improvement I can think of making is peddles to stop me having to use the twist yaw (although I'll really miss that). The odd thing I find with RSI though is that I always get it in both hands at the same time... I've always thought that meant it was probably more of a neck thing..

 

[Patrick_68000]

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Repetitive-strain-injury/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Oh yes it is a problem. In the game but also at work

 

[Nerwan]

Oh yes it is a problem. In the game but also at work

Yes.. in my 20s it was work related (all night programming sessions during my final exams).. But I'm really careful at work now and I have good equipment. This time it's definitely game related.

 

[Surfinjo]

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Repetitive-strain-injury/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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Thanks, good to know I'm not the only one. I'm using a CH Throttle and a T16000m stick and I'm careful to have them at a good height so I can keep my elbows at a 90 degree angle most of the time. The only improvement I can think of making is peddles to stop me having to use the twist yaw (although I'll really miss that). The odd thing I find with RSI though is that I always get it in both hands at the same time... I've always thought that meant it was probably more of a neck thing..

I know that most typists try to maintain various elbow positions, but some have found that they reduce strain with wrist supports, others with wrist pads.

These are examples, there are many different designs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adjustable...&qid=1467621628&sr=8-5&keywords=wrist+support

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Allsop-Wri...&qid=1467621645&sr=1-5&keywords=wrist+support

Not a solution for everyone of course, but may be worth thinking about.

After all, it is important to get you back into the game as soon as possible.

 

[TheThingIs]

change what you do is the simplest method. If playing with a Joystick then play with mouse & kb and vice versa, get a joypad. Look at what you are doing repeatedly and change it, move your pc, change your chair. "Repetitive" in RSI is a big clue

I used to suffer from this quite badly and the above works a treat. As soon as I feel an ache, I change.

 

[charlieinthetree]

Hmm, looks interesting. I sometimes use some squeezy wrist device, bit like a stress ball but stronger, to help my wrists. Should do it more though...

 

[Adept]

I'm a biologist, not a doctor. This is what works for me, but do your own research as well.

I have bad joints (genetic) with overly stretchy ligaments. I also have a mum who got arthritis at ~40.

When I get join trouble, I have a short regimen of ibuprofein (400mg) to clamp down on the inflammation. If it's my right shoulder for instance, I swith my mouse to the left side of the desk (and left hand of course). I in general use the mouse on the left for browsing and work, and only play with it on the right.

Additionally I take gelatin to help in the regeneration of cartilage. CH Alpha is a good commercial product (and participating in their product test introduced me to this research). There are also collagen capsules that models and actors eat (it's good for your skin and hair). Personally I just buy gelatin powder and dissolve a heaped teaspoon into a small amount of boiled water (there is a trick to this, using the microwave) and then add a chockolate drink to make it a pleasant drink. I have made this for myself and my wife for a decade and it has made out joint troubles disappear almost entirely.

I hope you get better soon.

 

[Ian Phillips]

I don't get this from FD, but do from Civilisation.

The difference is that Civ is a mouse controlled game whilst I have a X52 (and a few keyboard keys) for ED. I had to stop playing Civilisation just before ED went into Alpha testing but haven't had any RSI problems from playing ED.

I think you are right when you say that it is probably neck related. To get it in both hands at once is a bit of a tell-tale sign!

Check your chair and desk set up at home, make sure your position is all those 90 degree angles, legs, back, arms, monitor at the correct height etc. I have it all 'properly' set up but still get neck trouble/pain after long sessions, but that is related to slumping and bad posture that creeps in whilst playing in longer sessions.

 

[Zetta]

I had stop playing Guild Wars 2 because for some reason it would really aggravate my RSI, the clicking and dragging involved would set my hands and wrists off in no time.
Personally I found switching to a stand-up desk was the biggest help, the improvement to posture really makes a difference. I also switched to a Logitech M570 Trackball for everything bar gaming. If I'm not using Windows I'm running Unix and everything in my window manager is keyboard driven rather than natty old point and click. Anything to minimise that repetitiveness.

 

[Ozram]

I don't get this from FD, but do from Civilisation.

The difference is that Civ is a mouse controlled game whilst I have a X52 (and a few keyboard keys) for ED. I had to stop playing Civilisation just before ED went into Alpha testing but haven't had any RSI problems from playing ED.

I think you are right when you say that it is probably neck related. To get it in both hands at once is a bit of a tell-tale sign!

Check your chair and desk set up at home, make sure your position is all those 90 degree angles, legs, back, arms, monitor at the correct height etc. I have it all 'properly' set up but still get neck trouble/pain after long sessions, but that is related to slumping and bad posture that creeps in whilst playing in longer sessions.

This sounds about right to me. May also want to double check with a doctor

 

[CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE]

Yes OP I too need to be careful not to overdo it. I find particularly after a long combat session that my right shoulder and/or the right side of my neck will tighten up. Oddly I find it helps to take my right (flightstick) arm off the armrest and just keep my upper arm tight to my side (the armrests on my so-called ergonomic chair are too far out). After about 2-3 hours gameplay time doing combat I'll switch to something less strenuous like trading to give my arm a rest.

I've read quite a bit about RSI, tendonitis, posture etc. Whilst there are a lot of so-called experts trying to make money out of the problem by selling snake-oil, a lot of knowledgeable people conclude that such problems are often caused by muscular imbalances i.e. shoulders are weak compared to the elbows so on certain movements the muscles around the forearm/elbow ends up doing some of the work that the shoulder muscles should be doing etc. etc. So here a well-designed balanced resistance training program can help (doesn't have to be down the gym pulling big weights, resistance bands are enough and can be used at home).

Also a stretching routine may help (but this requires a lot of self-discipline). Probably the most important thing to do is to take regular breaks (every 30 mins or so).

If you are getting aches in your hands the following may help. I have these and I find they help release tension in the hands/fingers:
http://www.ironmind-store.com/Expand-Your-Hand-Bands153-10-Bands/productinfo/1376/
Also:
http://www.pullum-sports.co.uk/strength-training-equipment/extensors/hand-x-band/prod_977.html

 

[Nerwan]

So here a well-designed balanced resistance training program can help (doesn't have to be down the gym pulling big weights, resistance bands are enough and can be used at home).

It's interesting you say that.. for the last 4/5 years (when I've had no issues) I've been really into rock climbing which I've done once a week. I haven't done any for the last few months though and now I've started to have problems again. Rock climbing leaves my arms (especially my forearms) tired in a good way which feels very different to RSI. It's not the first time I've thought it's had a protective effect... Maybe it's time to hit the climbing wall again.

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When I get join trouble, I have a short regimen of ibuprofein (400mg) to clamp down on the inflammation.

Yes, I'm hitting the Ibuprofein pretty hard at the moment.. I'm not sure I do have a joint problem. When I saw a specialist 15 years ago he believed my issues were primarily soft tissue problems (i.e. tendons).. still what have I got to lose by taking geletin I guess... Pigs trotters here we come I get a lot of relief from a TENS machine too actually.. although it's only good for treating the symptoms.

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Check your chair and desk set up at home, make sure your position is all those 90 degree angles, legs, back, arms, monitor at the correct height etc. I have it all 'properly' set up but still get neck trouble/pain after long sessions, but that is related to slumping and bad posture that creeps in whilst playing in longer sessions.

Yes... I'm normally very careful but I suspect I've been getting lax on issues like posture recently...

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but some have found that they reduce strain with wrist supports, others with wrist pads.

Hmm, I wonder if these would help.. I've heard contradictory advice from health professionals about these kind of things. Although I've come to the conclusion that with RSI you have to find out what works for you so trying them might not be a bad idea..

 

[FuzzySpider]

Yes. I've had it. Getting some of those wrist squeeze exercise thingies helped me a lot, but it might have been a placebo.

 

[CMDR MAIN SEQUENCE]

Although I've come to the conclusion that with RSI you have to find out what works for you so trying them might not be a bad idea..

Nail on head. We're all built differently. I've tried two ergonomic mice recently. I think they're actually causing me more aches than a regular mouse LOL (it might be that my muscles are not yet used to using them, so the jury is still out).

BTW these are the best wrist pads I've ever used: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fellowes-C...629754&sr=8-4&keywords=fellowes+gel+wrist+pad

 

[Adept]

Yes, I'm hitting the Ibuprofein pretty hard at the moment.. I'm not sure I do have a joint problem. When I saw a specialist 15 years ago he believed my issues were primarily soft tissue problems (i.e. tendons).. still what have I got to lose by taking geletin I guess... Pigs trotters here we come I get a lot of relief from a TENS machine too actually.. although it's only good for treating the symptoms.

I do really recommend it. Thing is, it won't be fast. What happens is it speeds up the regeneration which is achingly slow normally, and it won't become particularly fast. The key is getting it above the wear rate. Keep eating the gelatin at least for half a year and you should hopefully start noticing a gradual improvement. It's also something to do in addition, not exclusively. Taking a break from the game if that is causing issues is highly recommended. Adjusting the height of the controllers to change the angle could be advisable as well, so you're not wearing down the same spot.

 

[Surfinjo]

Hmm, I wonder if these would help.. I've heard contradictory advice from health professionals about these kind of things. Although I've come to the conclusion that with RSI you have to find out what works for you so trying them might not be a bad idea..

Me too.

But of those that tried them the worst that was said is they weren't too expensive. Some have reported improvements.

At the end of the day, its' all about trying different things out

Adept, #10, suggested an anti-inflammatory. Talk to your Chemist and if they say it is suitable for you, ask if they have this is an ointment. That will certainly do a good job, albeit, short term. But it will allow you to try different things in the mean time.

You should remember that we are not all the same. Some have muscles which others do not and some have larger muscles in some places. I can't say why, but it does emphasise that we each need to find individual solutions.

 

[who?]

I used to get this a lot with my mouse-handling wrist, but it's helped a lot having a gel wrist support at work.

I've never really had problems at home, probably because I play with a joystick so the repetitive element is reduced (different hand/arm/wrist position in work - using a mouse and keyboard - and when playing - using a HOTAS).