Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Computer Games = Pain

Noticed a few threads referring to computer games.

As AS is so (darn, run out of two letter words) individualistic (is that a word?) this may not apply to you, BUT...

When I was at work, the computer, and sitting down was my worst enemy, it caused pain.

Now that I've retired, I've been able to get a pretty good handle on what triggers my pain.

As a result, I've had to give up what used to be the love of my life - computer games! Anything that involves rapid mouse movement produces long lasting pain in my back. No more Battlefied 2, no more World At War, no more Age of Empires and Empire Earth - DOH!

The only outlet I have left is Flight Sim, which is a simulation, not a game .

Using mainly the joystick means I can get away with an hour a day flying around (although not usually consecutive days).

Thank goodness I can still play with my joystick!

Jimmy just blew my tiny mind with this very issue and I have to admit, many of my pains are worsened by the time I spend at the computer...my elbows, wrists and fingers aren't the worst of the bunch lately for nothing.

I hadn't actually put it together before but Jimmy was right.

Perhaps more surprisingly, it isn't going to change anything. Even though I know I could lessen some of my pains by spending less time at the computer, I don't think my life would improve. I still can't make it out or work...what the heck else is there left for me to do.

I go through intense bouts of reading - I'm making my way through a list of banned books like Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" and such. The reading uses different muscles and I find it to be far more painful and tiring. Honestly, holding the book up becomes a massive problem after a few minutes and I try all sorts of weird things to compensate.

Gaming might make my pains worse in my arms but, they have a sort of analgesic effect that is wonderful for me overall. Without it, I would have nothing better to do than feel sorry for myself. I'd rather be gaming.

In fact, typing these ridiculously long posts is probably hurting me worse than any game could...perhaps I'll take Jimmy's advice and step away from the keyboard for now.

Good night folks, or good morning, such as the case may be...

Chris

Hi James,

I know the feeling... almost. The mouse always hurts my arm from elbow down to my fingers (I think it's part muscle pain too). Keyboard games are even worse for me. My back can only put up with 1 or 2 hours of sitting too, so I don't play as much as I'd like to.

Well you could always get into those solitaire games, or those hide-n-seek type games. (they're ok but they make me sleepy lol).

Sorry to hear the news.
Take care,
James

I do much better sitting in my comfy chair in the living room with my netbook, than I do sitting in an office chair at the desktop. I still get pain, but not as much.

Chris, I know exactly what you mean when you say that holding up a book becomes very painful and almost impossible to do after a while! After a lifetime of being an avid reader--I mean, just devouring book after book--I had reached a point in my life a few years ago where I was lucky if I read one book a year. First I had to give up hardcover books, as they were just way too heavy and way too unwieldy for me to hold onto. Even as we speak, I have not read the last two books in Stephen Kings fantastic "Gunslinger" series because they were gifted to me in hardcover and I never got around to buying the softcover ones instead.

For a time, paperback books were ok, especially the smaller mass market paperbacks (as opposed to the classification known as trade paperback, which usually are the same dimensions as the hardcover version, just with a paperback cover instead of the hardback). I was able to bend and fold back the pages in paperback books enough to create a suitable reading position without too much trouble.

In time, even paperbacks made my hands hurt too much, and on top of that, my recurring iritis made it tougher and tougher to see the text in ANY book. I think the only reason I didn't get even more depressed about basically losing reading as one of my pasttimes is because the web was exploding at the same time and eating up all of my time anyhow.

Still, web or no web, I did miss reading books--magazines are a poor substitute. Then, just before Christmas 2008, a miracle occurred!! OK, a miracle is a bit strong, so let's just say I made a wonderful discovery. I received a Sony Reader as an early Christmas present, and ever since that day, reading is once again a big part of my life.

The Reader is Sony's ebook reader--it is similar to the Amazon Kindle in many ways, although the Kindle has more features. For anyone who has trouble holding books without pain, or who has trouble with their vision, I cannot recommend an ebook reader strongly enough. The Sony Reader is very lightweight, very thin, and super easy to hold and carry. It uses a technology called "e-Ink" to create a "page" on the screen that looks very much like a real book page. More importantly, you can choose from one of three font sizes for your reading pleasure--Bingo! No more struggling to decipher small print. One other great thing about the readers is that ebooks, at least for the time being, are much cheaper than hardcover books and on par with trade and mass market paperbacks. I don't think I have paid more than $9.99 for any new release since I received my Reader--hardcover versions of the same books cost at least $19.99.

The Kindle and the Sony Reader are still the two biggest players in the ebook field, but there are new competitors jumping in all the time. I know that Barnes and Noble introduced their own proprietary model this past Christmas. Both of the big 2 have their pros and cons, although I know most folks really love the Kindle's wireless capability. The Reader, on the other hand, just came out with a mini-version that is slightly bigger than an iPhone, and speaking of the iPhone, I know there are Kindle and other ebook apps on it aomw people swear by. For me, those screens are just too small. Prices range from about $200 for the mini Reader to anywhere from $300 to $500.

If you can afford one right now, or if your insurance will subsidize one, I cannot recommend strongly enough getting an ebook reader. They changed my life in a very positive way.

Brad

I totally agree with the "perils" of computer time and reading.
I'm flaring major (3 months now) and the hands are nearly paralyzed-typing w/1 finger!

For reading I will usually put a big pillow on my lap and set the book on top. I have also been doing audio books lately on my ipod, audible.com.

Jimmy, I'm really glad you can still have fun with your joystick!!
I'll be giggling at that all night.

-Donette

and the newest option for e-books and gaming.....the ipad from apple.

Hey Jimmy & Chris:

what about a console gaming device? Using on your TV with a wireless remote controller?

that way you could play from any position that works for you?

Brad & Sue:

Any day now, the iPad will be available! I have trouble reading books too, and I'm really hoping that an e-Reader will help with my eyestrain. Also hoping I can make electronic notes on the pages, as I still sometimes do that with a pen in the sides of the pages

as you mentioned there is a free kindle app for the iPhone, I'm assuming that those people who like it have better eyesight than me, so haven't tried it

I'll share my thoughts on the iPad tomorrow when I'm more awake. FYI, they ain't pretty (and I'm an Apple fan).

B.

Hi Dow,

Yes, I had thought of that, as you have much less movement that with a mouse, but I'm not sure how it would work with the strategy games?

I did buy a gaming device for my PC when I was first dxed - it looked very similar to a ps3 control. Remembering back, it was terrible. It was extremely hard to use and just wouldn't work properly.

Now I've been thinking about getting a PS3. How do others go with using the consoles - I wonder if you can get Empire Earth on a ps3 or xbox???

To help me keep me the PC I sit in my recliner using a bluetooth keyboard and mouse which helps heaps.

Reading the other posts, I wonder whether computers are one of the main causes of AS and whether we could be heading for an "epidemic". PC's have only been around for the last 20 years or so in the mainstream, so it would be hitting anytime now!

James