Gamers that struggles with arthritis. What do you do for relief?

StabbityDoom

compression gloves.

OMG i thought i was one of the few who had this. I use compression gloves (these) https://www.brownmed.com/product/imak-compression/arthritis-gloves/ when it's really bad, and i always use an imak rsi smartglove (wore the last one to death over 15 years --- worth it) https://www.brownmed.com/product/imak-rsi/smartglove/ as a normal wristguard.


Arthritic games unite! (carefully)

doomette

Enemy-of-Coldharbour wrote: »

Hazurko_RaShan wrote: »

Actually broke two fingers and my wrist falling up wet stairs while holding a cat a couple of years ago. Wasn't able to snap my fingers for months. That when i got the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. This year it seems to bother me more while gaming than i have noticed in the past. Also i have some concerns about carpal tunnel syndrome. Still trying to work out the kinks with my VA paperwork b4 considering going there. Thought i would try some home remedies first.

How do you fall 'up' stairs?

Ah to be not clumsy enough to have to ask such a question.

Lord_Eomer

something else

Switch to other MMO

ChunkyCat

something else

Cowboy up and walk it off.

StabbityDoom

compression gloves.

SkerKro wrote: »

Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, I have Naproxen, vicodin, and two different braces for my hands and one for fingers with tension strings.

Actually they took me off naproxen sodium and put me on diclofenac, also vicodin too, and braces for night and gloves for day. Plus cyclobenzaprine for pain between the naproxen ---> vicodin

Siohwenoeht

something else

I have hand stretches I do 4-5 times a day. Mine are just about permanently half closed from years of holding drills and drivers for 10 plus hours a day lol. Bright side is Xbox controller fits the curve perfectly 😉

rumple9

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Spliffe

Cernow

something else

I use a small, lightweight mouse that is suited for fingertip / claw grip control. So I lightly flick the mouse with my fingertips, which reduces stress. On the keyboard hand I try to organise keybinds to minimise travel.

The other thing I do is not to bother too much with animation cancelling light attack weaving as this gets really tiring on the hands. I can do it if I need to, for boss fights, but during general gameplay I rarely bother.

StormeReigns

something else

StabbityDoom wrote: »

SkerKro wrote: »

Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, I have Naproxen, vicodin, and two different braces for my hands and one for fingers with tension strings.

Actually they took me off naproxen sodium and put me on diclofenac, also vicodin too, and braces for night and gloves for day. Plus cyclobenzaprine for pain between the naproxen ---> vicodin

Next visit in 3 months I'll see about cyclobenzaprine. When I get labs done (again) for Lupus testing (fingers crossed that its just one and not two aggressive joint issues, especially one that can cause heart issues and photosensitivies)

AcadianPaladin

MehrunesFlagon wrote: »

I find that if your thumb is that controls the mouse still works without too much pain a 12 button mouse works well.Find that also makes for a more comfortable key config too.Ditch wasd for the arrow keys and bind your commonly used commands adjacent to the keys.Beats the awkwardness of the default bar swap too.This might be a tad different for me though since I have played piano and various other instruments throughout the years.

That is so nice that this worked for you and helps. I tried a mouse with 7 side buttons and ran into a couple problems with it. Too clumsy to navigate 7 buttons with one thumb and doing so really made that thumb hurt. The sweet spot for me turned out to be mouse with just 2 side buttons. I do use kb & mouse but try to spread the load among as many fingers as possible. Ultimately, shorter play sessions seems to help as well.

Just goes to show how different people are and that it takes trying lots of things to figure out what works best for each of us.

Ragged_Claw

something else

My main problem is in my neck and shoulders and the only real relief is just not to be staring at a screen for hours on end sadly. So lots of painkillers, switching to a controller (I like Xbox 360 controllers the best) so I can sit back a bit. It's got worse now, so I can't do trials anymore, that prolonged intense button mashing makes me dizzy. For my hands and wrists, I use a mousepad with the cushioned wrist rest and that has helped a lot as well as changing mice until I found one that doesn't make my hand ache.

Nefas

something else

Mousepads with a wrist pad are so good . Plus a comfortable mouse helps a bit too.

Nemesis7884

maybe look into your diet as well...jordan peterson talked about how only eating meat has cleared his daughters arthritis...not saying that this will help but looking into issues caused by diet might be worthwile....

i def. have less issues with inflammation if i eat fewer sugar and grains and more fish(oil) and essential fats

StabbityDoom

compression gloves.

SkerKro wrote: »

StabbityDoom wrote: »

SkerKro wrote: »

Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, I have Naproxen, vicodin, and two different braces for my hands and one for fingers with tension strings.

Actually they took me off naproxen sodium and put me on diclofenac, also vicodin too, and braces for night and gloves for day. Plus cyclobenzaprine for pain between the naproxen ---> vicodin

Next visit in 3 months I'll see about cyclobenzaprine. When I get labs done (again) for Lupus testing (fingers crossed that its just one and not two aggressive joint issues, especially one that can cause heart issues and photosensitivies)

Not to bum you out but it has limited help. Right now i'm on enbrel (this is after 5 years of trying other crappier arthritis meds)

morrowjen

something else

Hippie4927 wrote: »

I play with a controller instead of M and K. It's less painful for me.

This. There are fewer big movements required with a controller which makes it a ton easier. I hated giving up the kb+mouse but when hand pain/arthritis, even carpal tunnel is flaring up, a controller is a godsend.

StabbityDoom

compression gloves.

Nemesis7884 wrote: »

maybe look into your diet as well...jordan peterson talked about how only eating meat has cleared his daughters arthritis...not saying that this will help but looking into issues caused by diet might be worthwile....

i def. have less issues with inflammation if i eat fewer sugar and grains and more fish(oil) and essential fats

This is a danger zone, you don't want to risk malutrition with some of the more.. faddish diets. Eating *only* meat cannot be good for you (without doctor's supervision at least, or without supplements)! There are some things you need in your diet that can't be gotten from meat. You could risk a lot of bigger problems. (Not picking on you, this is a common thing you hear in arthritis groups, so i researched it) I went vegetarian mostly, but still eat meat from time to time. I spoke to my rheumatologist and he said that *SOME* people may have improvement with cutting out dairy, but not everyone. Other diets he has not seen anyone improve on.

Nemesis7884

StabbityDoom wrote: »

Nemesis7884 wrote: »

maybe look into your diet as well...jordan peterson talked about how only eating meat has cleared his daughters arthritis...not saying that this will help but looking into issues caused by diet might be worthwile....

i def. have less issues with inflammation if i eat fewer sugar and grains and more fish(oil) and essential fats

This is a danger zone, you don't want to risk malutrition with some of the more.. faddish diets. Eating *only* meat cannot be good for you (without doctor's supervision at least, or without supplements)! There are some things you need in your diet that can't be gotten from meat. You could risk a lot of bigger problems. (Not picking on you, this is a common thing you hear in arthritis groups, so i researched it) I went vegetarian mostly, but still eat meat from time to time. I spoke to my rheumatologist and he said that *SOME* people may have improvement with cutting out dairy, but not everyone. Other diets he has not seen anyone improve on.

im not saying "THIS" is the solution for everyone - i am saying looking into your diet can be hugely beneficial regardless where it leads

and even extreme diets dont necessarily lead to malnutrition - there are huge misconceptions about this - there are for example culture that predominantly eat fatty meat and fish and are fine - for example your requirement for a lot of vitamines including vitamin c are much much lower if you dont eat carbs... i mean vitamin c you can buy in stores is usually made from pig skin anyhow (yeah its kinda gross).

But of course if you drastically change diet you should always have your blood levels checked - just saying from personal experience, cutting out grains and sugar has had a tremendous effect on my health including near elimination of inflammation, gut health, digestion, mood, energy level and blood values...

but it is my 100% belief that everything inflammation related - is VERY often caused or at least strongly impacted by your diet!

And trying to solve the real causes of problems will bring a lot more than fighting symptomes.

Health issues should always be fought from inside out instead of outside in.

if you are interested look up the joe rogan podcast with i think her name was mikaela peterson... it was really fascinating and she suffered heavily before changing her diet.

Eirinin

something else

StabbityDoom wrote: »

SkerKro wrote: »

StabbityDoom wrote: »

SkerKro wrote: »

Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, I have Naproxen, vicodin, and two different braces for my hands and one for fingers with tension strings.

Actually they took me off naproxen sodium and put me on diclofenac, also vicodin too, and braces for night and gloves for day. Plus cyclobenzaprine for pain between the naproxen ---> vicodin

Next visit in 3 months I'll see about cyclobenzaprine. When I get labs done (again) for Lupus testing (fingers crossed that its just one and not two aggressive joint issues, especially one that can cause heart issues and photosensitivies)

Not to bum you out but it has limited help. Right now i'm on enbrel (this is after 5 years of trying other crappier arthritis meds)

I so hope the enbrel helps you. I developed an anaphylactic allergy to it. That was...not fun. Here's hoping we find another med to take it's place and let me continue to breathe. RA is a rough disease.

StabbityDoom

compression gloves.

Eirinin wrote: »

StabbityDoom wrote: »

SkerKro wrote: »

StabbityDoom wrote: »

SkerKro wrote: »

Suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, I have Naproxen, vicodin, and two different braces for my hands and one for fingers with tension strings.

Actually they took me off naproxen sodium and put me on diclofenac, also vicodin too, and braces for night and gloves for day. Plus cyclobenzaprine for pain between the naproxen ---> vicodin

Next visit in 3 months I'll see about cyclobenzaprine. When I get labs done (again) for Lupus testing (fingers crossed that its just one and not two aggressive joint issues, especially one that can cause heart issues and photosensitivies)

Not to bum you out but it has limited help. Right now i'm on enbrel (this is after 5 years of trying other crappier arthritis meds)

I so hope the enbrel helps you. I developed an anaphylactic allergy to it. That was...not fun. Here's hoping we find another med to take it's place and let me continue to breathe. RA is a rough disease.

Yeah, i don't think it really helps my pain. I do feel higher energy levels though.

Same.

Vhozek

something else

Controller on PC and leave the mouse and keyboard for more serious games. Funny because controller is what gave it to me but from a heavily demanding game.

A loose grip on your controller is optimal. Grip as in the way you hold it.

Ankaridan

something else

I tried a variety of different wrist support to no avail.

My left hand is -significantly- worse than my right, so most days I play with a mouse + Belkin N52TE. Occasionally I have to switch to a controller (looking at you, Witcher 3) but I find my fingers/reflexes notably slower on controller.

Before discovering compression gloves were a thing, I accidentally discovered that wearing cheap winter gloves vastly increased my playtime endurance. For reasons unknown I had a pair that were fingerless in a closet, which I wore during one winter night when the heating unit in my apartment building broke down. After that, I just started always wearing them, and by that summer it was pointed out to me that they are basically cheap DIY compression gloves.

kylewwefan

something else

I started on PC, but there was no controller support at that time. Switched to PS4. Controller is much better for me. After 15 minutes of playing on keyboard wasd had my hand cramped like a lobster claw.

Even controller every now and then has to be put down. It’s all thumbs and pointer fingers, witch seem to be better than the rest of them digits.

When them bones from your knuckle to your wrist start hurting....there’s no way I could keyboard and mouse it. But a controller and some will to play powers through.

Heimpai

Idk about arthritis but i did have my tfcc(cartilage)surgically repaired after i tore it..sometimes when it acts up i use a a wrist brace (free fingers) or use a controller

Sometimes i just use a heating pad

AlienSlof

with open fingers

My arthritis is in my hips, knees and feet, so not an issue for gaming - my hands have a different issue. Since having a stroke some years ago, they don't work terribly well; I drop stuff a lot and have only partial feeling in my left one. I wear fingerless gloves more because I get really cold very quickly, even in summer. My hands and feet often feel corpse-like!

stuartx13

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shock

kinguardian

something else

I play with a xbox power a mini controller. This one light small and I always like where xbox has the joysticks. But because of my illness even then I can not always play when I have a flare up. It was difficult to find a controller because I am not so big and have small hands.

I sometimes wish I could play with a mouse though seeing how fast people are with everything.

Eventhough I don't have arthritis my illness prevents me from a lot and if there would be a controller that could have more buttons so that we have a bit more options I would love that. Only not so extreme big. I bought the steam controller well that was a joke. I can not do anything with it even my husband finds it big.

So inventors out there make a not to big not to heavy controller with more buttons and the joy sticks like the xbox has them.

Lumenn

while I've been lucky enough to not have R.A. or Lupus, after a lifetime of abuse(working in a freezer for 10 years, roofing and carpentry for longer, martial arts for 30, and an ex wife who slammed a door shut, a doorframe I was leaning on mind you, breaking 3 fingers) my hands started letting me know they weren't pleased back in my 30's. Now in my 40's they like to show off their ability to "sing" almost daily. Luckily I did 2 years as a cna at a nursing home in my youth and having retired RNs and Nurse Practitioners in the family helps.(the knowledge a 30 + year nurse has is incredible) For just plain arthritis there just isn't much you can do though. High pain tolerance, adjust your attitude (hard some days) and find what works for you. For me,

Compression gloves, hand exercises. Xbox elite controller(helps when you can remap the buttons, especially bar swap) I don't do a lot of animation cancelling, but can in a pinch. I also found diet helps some. My hands don't have near the pain when I include hot peppers daily(capsaicin. This is a BIGGIE. I NOTICE the difference if I miss ONE day. There are other benefits too but anti inflammation helps) on rare days I have a hot wax dip that I can "soak" my hands in.

Greystag

I don't know that much about the topic but from what I read, controllers seem to be a bad choice or very hit or miss. I wouldn't use a small controller if I had arthritis, since you need to grip it and it could be painful for your fingers.

I'd suggest looking into ergonomic keyboards like the Razer Orbweaver.
As for a mouse, maybe one of those vertical ones?
I'd try these (and other) alternatives until finding the one that is the most comfortable. Probably each person has a different comfort zone when it comes to gaming hardware.

Siohwenoeht

something else

Lumenn wrote: »

while I've been lucky enough to not have R.A. or Lupus, after a lifetime of abuse(working in a freezer for 10 years, roofing and carpentry for longer, martial arts for 30, and an ex wife who slammed a door shut, a doorframe I was leaning on mind you, breaking 3 fingers) my hands started letting me know they weren't pleased back in my 30's. Now in my 40's they like to show off their ability to "sing" almost daily. Luckily I did 2 years as a cna at a nursing home in my youth and having retired RNs and Nurse Practitioners in the family helps.(the knowledge a 30 + year nurse has is incredible) For just plain arthritis there just isn't much you can do though. High pain tolerance, adjust your attitude (hard some days) and find what works for you. For me,

Compression gloves, hand exercises. Xbox elite controller(helps when you can remap the buttons, especially bar swap) I don't do a lot of animation cancelling, but can in a pinch. I also found diet helps some. My hands don't have near the pain when I include hot peppers daily(capsaicin. This is a BIGGIE. I NOTICE the difference if I miss ONE day. There are other benefits too but anti inflammation helps) on rare days I have a hot wax dip that I can "soak" my hands in.

Truth on the spicy peppers. I'm quite thankful, and the wife is quite jealous that I don't get heartburn lol.

Turmeric in your food or as a supplement does wonders for inflammation too. I wouldn't recommend making tea out of it though... We'll just say it's rather earthy.☹️

bearbelly

something else

I subsist on Goody's Headache Powders. (I am not a smart man, Jenny.)
The mix of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine, especially in powder form.
Over the 20 years I've been taking it, I've found that it works well for most of my arthritic pain, as well as headaches.