lomondtaffer on 17/11/2007 at 18:26
This is a shaggy dog story.
I stopped smoking just over a year ago. I used a combination of patches, sugarless gum and Oblivion to help. When I tired of Oblivion, I played Thief FMs (thanks all you dromed guys'n'gals out there).
BUT.....my elbows started to get sore. Then they got sorer. Now I can't lift anything heavier than a coffee bean at arm's length.
My doc says 'Tendonitis'. He says I have to 'rest' my elbows. HOW do you rest your elbows !!
I got my main man to hide all my games, so I can't play them. I'm suffering some serious cold turkey here..... this is worse than the giving up smoking thing!:eek:
Sensible suggestions for instant tendonitis cure, or different way of playing please. NOW!!! (please)
mxleader on 17/11/2007 at 18:44
Find something to rest your arm on and turn your keyboard so it is in a more natural position. Stretch your hands and arms often. Don't play Thief for 16 hours a day everyday! I have to limit myself because I mostly use a laptop now, and I started to get a sharp pain in my left palm, between my ring and middle finger, when I am at work. So now I limit my self to only two or three hours at time and not everyday. Of course now I am doing a marathon testing/repairing session with my latest mission so I have to stay on the computer more than I want. Also change your seating position. Most people tend to have very poor seating arangements with their home computer set ups. Another option is to get a more ergonomic keyboard. I have one of those split keyboards and it is much more comfortable than the traditional Qwerty board.
Aerothorn on 17/11/2007 at 21:31
I got tendonitis in my wrists, but getting the Microsoft Natural 4000 ergonomic keyboard cured that right up. Dunno if it would help elbows, though.
charlestheoaf on 18/11/2007 at 00:35
Make sure your desk area is set up properly. With that and a proper posture, you shouldn't have any major problems.
I have these problems in my wrists, and my doctor told me to sleep in wrist splints. This holds my wrists in the neutral position at night and allows them to heal. Since I've started doing this, I've had huge improvements.
I don't know if anything like this exists for elbows, but wearing a brace while you sleep might help. Either that or find a way to lie down while keeping your elbows in a relaxed, natural position.
Also keep in mind that our bodies were not made to sit in a chair for hours a day, so try to regularly get up and do some small exercises, stretches, et cetera, or at least just do some excessive walking when you go to the bathroom or something. This will help keep you loosened up and keep everything "flowing" properly.
jtr7 on 18/11/2007 at 04:02
Try to lower the level of your keyboard and mouse pad (or raise your seat) so your elbows hang closer to your sides, and raise your monitor so you can look straight at it. Even a small adjustment can make a big difference.
This is, of course, not so easy with a laptop.;)
ffox on 18/11/2007 at 09:22
I put cushions (which touch the desk) on the arms of my office-type chair so there is a flattish surface supporting forearm, wrist and hand. No elbow or wrist problems now.
lomondtaffer on 18/11/2007 at 09:24
Thanks, chaps and chapesses. I've put the monitor on top of the giant gardening dictionary, and raised my seat.
When my doc mentioned splints, I thought you had to wear them all the time, and wondered how on earth you could get dressed, or go to the loo. For a bright girl, I can be awful dumb sometimes! :o Might just go back and try that out if I get no joy from posish changes.
lomondtaffer on 18/11/2007 at 09:26
great idea foxx , I'm off to find a cushion right now.
PigLick on 18/11/2007 at 10:09
you see, this is the kind of situation where noid comes in handy
Dia on 18/11/2007 at 13:56
At least you didn't say faggots this time Piggy.
oh wait ....
I went out & bought ergonomic keyboard & mouse pads and have a chair that has arms high enough to rest mine on comfortably. My main problem is remembering to keep a decent, relaxed posture; I have a habit of tensing up & leaning forward & then end up with a sharp pain along the left side of my upper spine. For which I blame the authors for making such suspenseful FMs.
