Being forced out of gaming by Arthritis

[shawnmck]

At first I didn't want to make this topic because I didn't want to cry on anyone, nor do I want to be viewed as weak or anything. I've tried keeping this pent up for months now, but the situation has really gotten me depressed & frustrated because video-games is how I relieve stress, pass the time, and is simply the ideal method of enjoying myself (you know what I mean).

When I first got diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis I knew my gaming days would be limited, but I just assumed that I would have more time and that the problem would come about slowly. Unfortunately, the disease is advancing rapidly, and is going to force me out of the hobby that I've enjoyed for so many years much sooner than I expected.

I first got diagnosed with RA when I was 37 years old (5 years ago), and so I thought it could be manageable and didn't think much of it. But it just keeps progressing further at a rapid rate. I am now 42 years old and my fingers (& other body parts) are already a bit crooked and am in constant pain. I can't make fists anymore and can't even open up those push-down medicine bottles. Even grasping objects is difficult & painful. I have difficulty walking too.
I was hoping I would still be able to enjoy playing video games since not much effort or force is needed, but I was wrong. Simply moving an analog stick (& typing this) causes more pain than I can endure if prolonged for too long.

There is better medicine available, but all come with serious side-effects, but I can't afford them with my crappy insurance, so it doesn't matter anyway.
I am still going to try to game a little, but its obvious that my days of playing video-games are numbered, and that I've been fooling myself for quite some time.
I'm not dying or anything, but giving up video-games I might as well be.

I'm told that there are no cures and that they can attempt to slow it down some, but not too much. It is basically a matter of pain management.
I didn't really come here to complain about it, but you guys here are the closest thing I have to friends. I know some people, but they don't play video-games and thus can't relate. I tell them that I can't play video-games that much anymore and they act like...so what?
I guess I just needed to vent a little with people that could relate, even if just a little, since I am the only person I know that plays games anymore.

I don't want to give anyone the impression that I can't play video-games at all at present, but that within a year (at the rate things are going) I will have to stop completely. I can still play, but for very limited time. If I play for a few hours then I have to stop for 3 or more days. And even then, those few hours of play are filled with constant & substantive amount of pain, and my wrists & hands swell up so that I have to wait til the swelling subsides enough to be able to play again. I have to chew down a few pain pills before I play just to numb it a little. I just don't play games all that much anymore because of the pain involved.

I know I am being stubborn too, but video-games are that important to me. I don't want to give them up. There are still many games that I've yet to finish and many more that I've been looking forward to within the next year or so. What can I do that will replace the fun of video-games?

Anyway, sorry for the sob-story & rant, but I had to get it out, as it was eating me alive to keep it pent up inside.
I'm not looking for sympathy, but had to express myself to someone that might relate. So I guess maybe I am looking for some sympathy I guess.
I just don't want to let playing video games go, and I am getting more hopeless & desperate as time goes by.

[matthewfarmery]

Damn that is bad, really sorry to hear that, its a shame that its effecting you so badly, don#t really know what else to say, but that is one real bummer

[koovan]

It sounds like an extremely difficult situation that you find yourself in. I am sorry to hear that you are in such pain with an apparent prognosis of deterioration in your condition.

I was diagnosed some years ago with a chronic, debilitating and grievous condition. The symptoms became increasingly marked whilst predicted outcomes became more and more ominous. Then something changed, the disease receded, but remains, and the effects are currently negligible.

All I mean to say, is that nothing is certain, perhaps not even death and taxes. There is much that is unknown to medical science, a great deal more than is readily admitted to. I hope that you situation improves or that in losing one thing you gain something else equally precious. I would argue that nothing of real value is ever truly lost.

[yerkyerk]

Sorry to hear, that's really something man.

I guess there's software that can turn your speech into words, which could make typing somewhat easier. I don't suppose stuff like the XBoX Kinect peeks your interest?

[shawnmck]

Originally Posted by yerkyerk

Sorry to hear, that's really something man.

I guess there's software that can turn your speech into words, which could make typing somewhat easier. I don't suppose stuff like the XBoX Kinect peeks your interest?

Thats a good suggestion, however my movements in all joints are affected and so my reaction time is slow and my range of movements are extremely limited.
For example, I can't raise my arms above shoulders anymore, & so on.

But I appreciate the suggestion and it makes me feel somewhat better to know that others can relate.
I don't know why, bit it does.
Thanks for all the responses, it is appreciated.

[madned]

Originally Posted by shawnmck

Thats a good suggestion, however my movements in all joints are affected and so my reaction time is slow and my range of movements are extremely limited.
For example, I can't raise my arms above shoulders anymore, & so on.

that's rough.

for alternate control mechanisms.
as others have suggested: eyes, neural impulses.
also tongue/mouth.

some sort of weight shifting game? it'd need some sort of rig to aleviate demands on knees/feet. mixed with another control system maybe some sort of racing game.

I think really the only thing for it is to become a game developer since I can't think of any commercial games which support those input systems.

ok, i stand corrected. advertising on the mouth joystick sites indicate usability for "high-speed interactive games"

www.quadjoy.com/accessories.htm

www.broadenedhorizons.com/mouthjoystick.htm

course both are somewhat pricey.

[Father Squid]

So is it all movement / use of a computer that causes the inflamation / swelling? I'm just thinking like yerk said that maybe there are things like Kinect that might give you some in still playing games, even if it isn't using the analog stick. Maybe changing the type of games you play to something less twitch intensive... turn-based strategy games perhaps, point and click adventures...
Hopefully you'll get some ideas of what you can do... I know I'd miss gaming if I was unable to do it anymore... hope you find a way to continue, or an enjoyable alternative to take its place...

[hooby]

Have you ever looked into those eye-control things?

There should be a few products around, where a camera records your eye-movement, and puts the mouse-cursor at the place where you are currently looking at.
Clicking can be done through either pressing a physical button, or even through
shutting your eyes for slightly longer than you'd normally blink.

I've heard of those things through work once. Never seen it live or tried it myself though.

Google turns up quite a few results on this:
http://www.digitaltrends.com/computi...d-save-the-pc/
http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile...use-use-932196
http://www.gizmag.com/tobii-pceye-ey...release/18328/

[Executioneer]

that's what i was gonna suggest, but then i thought, i frequently tend to click on something while observing other things in the meantime. I'm very sorry to hear that. it's even more a pain when others do not try to even understand or put themselves in your shoes. I really hope it gets better.

[Capn Tucker]

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I can relate somewhat; at 52 I sometimes get pains in the bones of my left hand, usually when the weather changes. Luckily my right hand doesn't get that bad, so I can still use a mouse without too much trouble.
Even so, I have to take frequent breaks when playing games like ARPGs, and console-style jumping, platform and "twitch" games are pretty much out of the question.
Hopefully there will be some breakthrough in treatment for your RA that will allow you to still enjoy some gaming time..