Guild Wars 2

I was almost put out of the game due to my hand arthritis and tendonitis.

What I have done is hotkeyed a right and left click on my keyboard so I minimize the right and left clicking on my mouse. Just running long distances and clicking 250 times to buy a stack were the big things that almost put me out.

My question is this: what have other people done to help with these (and other QoL) issues?

Please note that I am not posting this to complain about the issues… there are plenty of those posts, almost all I agree with. I am posting this to find ways we have found to cope with it as is.

Every 30 mins get up and do jumping jacks as hard as you can for 1 minute, followed by a quick 30 seconds of stretching out the wrist and forearms.

I started doing this after reading about deep vein thrombosis and that scared the shot out of me…but what I discovered is the extra blood flow really helped with that pinky tightening up…even without the stretching. I added the stretch later to prevent any further progress on my carpal tunnel.

For weekends or weekdays where play sessions extend past 4 hours I will add 5 mins of the same every hour.

Regular hand stretches. Get up for drinks of water or something every half hour.

You already changed your keybindings, which is another big suggestion. Good for you.

Have you made sure your mouse is comfortable and the right size for your hand?

For running it sounds like you’re using the ‘press both left and right click’ to move where the camera is pointing – have you tried using the autorun key? I believe it’s set to R by default, and it leaves you only having to turn/steer but not actually having to press down on anything constantly.

I know my friend has some similar issues and is using an xbox 360 controller with his computer.

I have autorun set on the button second to the hotkeyed right and left click (esc=left click, f1=right click, f2=interact, f3=autorun). It is on a low impact button on my mouse as well. I try to get on autorun whenever possible. I use a logictech G600 and it fits me well. I have dodge, autorun, loot, and both R and L click on my mouse and keyboard.

I also have a touchpad (the left click is huge) so I can alternate fingers when “clicking” to buy stacks of stuff and open stacks so no 1 takes the beating.

I am also generally arthritic so, if I am having a long gaming session, make sure I get up, move around (do something physical), stretch my hands, wrists, arms, and generally take a break at least every couple of hours (unless I am dungeoning). I am 52 and have not used my joints gently over the years.

I have tried glucosomine chondroitin and this has not worked. Anti inflammatories do unfortunate things to my stomach. I have neoprene gloves with the ends of the fingers cut out so, when they are particularly achy, I can play with light heat application.

Deep vein thrombosis scares the crap out of me too.

Thank you for the suggestions!

I agree with using auto-run. I’d never really used it before because I was used to games that let you click the ground to move, but it’ really useful.

I have it bound to an extra button on my mouse so it’s easy to reach, but even on they keyboard it helps.

If you’ve got a gaming/programmable mouse it might also be possible to create a toggle for the right mouse button, which also helps a lot. I’ve got one button set up so if I push it the game acts as if I’m holding down the right mouse button until I push it again (or push the actual right button). The functionality is exactly the same, but without the sore finger.

Danikat.8537:

I agree with using auto-run. I’d never really used it before because I was used to games that let you click the ground to move, but it’ really useful.

I have it bound to an extra button on my mouse so it’s easy to reach, but even on they keyboard it helps.

If you’ve got a gaming/programmable mouse it might also be possible to create a toggle for the right mouse button, which also helps a lot. I’ve got one button set up so if I push it the game acts as if I’m holding down the right mouse button until I push it again (or push the actual right button). The functionality is exactly the same, but without the sore finger.

Heh, I thought of that but the only finger I have free on my mouse is my thumb… and its busy with the 12 buttons on the side.

I’ve used an n52 (google it) for years, but still find myself with sore hands. I’m going to try a PC game controller, similar to the xbox suggestion above. Like the OP, I’m also in my 50’s. I’ll let you know how it goes once I’ve had a chance to get used to it.

DeanBB.4268:

I’ve used an n52 (google it) for years, but still find myself with sore hands. I’m going to try a PC game controller, similar to the xbox suggestion above. Like the OP, I’m also in my 50’s. I’ll let you know how it goes once I’ve had a chance to get used to it.

Please PM me? I can’t get it to send me email notifications.

I’ll try to remember… considering…

The first time I ever gamed all night, I was doing the first PvP weekend in Tombs in GW1. My fingers went unresponsive a few hours in and I had to numbly poke a message to my team that I couldn’t play anymore.

After a while my hands got better at being durable and my hands have kind of molded to the keyboard/mouse. Now I can game all day but my hands get really sore if I do pretty much anything else intensive with my hands >.<

I finally have a gaming controller (Sabrent 12 button, $10), the software to configure it (Xpadder, $10), and a profile I am happy with. Now I just need to get used to it.

The advantage of this controller over an Xbox controller (other than the nice, cheap price) is 6 buttons rather than 4. So I have 1-5 mapped on them with a tap and 6-0 on a longer hold. All I’ve done so far is run around LA testing configurations, figuring out what to map where, so I’ll start using it in combat next.

Google “gw2 game controller” and you’ll see others have been doing this. I’m not claiming it to be superior to K/M, just hoping I can play the game better with it.

I’ll still use mouse/keyboard for inventory management, crafting, etc.

Also, I switched to a vertical mouse for both home and work and find it helps. There are a bunch to choose from on Amazon. Now when I do use a normal mouse, it feels really weird.

Gregori.5807:

I was almost put out of the game due to my hand arthritis and tendonitis.

What I have done is hotkeyed a right and left click on my keyboard so I minimize the right and left clicking on my mouse. Just running long distances and clicking 250 times to buy a stack were the big things that almost put me out.

My question is this: what have other people done to help with these (and other QoL) issues?

Please note that I am not posting this to complain about the issues… there are plenty of those posts, almost all I agree with. I am posting this to find ways we have found to cope with it as is.

i don’t have arthritis or any bone/joint problem, but in a last 2 months i had 3 major inflamations of my right (mouse) hand where my fingers would swell up and it would look like i was attacked by a angry swarm of bees. I went to a doctor and everything is fine, he told me that was because excesive mouse using and my poor circulation. First i tought he was joking but it was true.

I guess consuming luck is just too much for me.

So now i play every other day because if i play two days in a row the fingers start to swell up again.

I suggest not playing more then 3 hours a day and after that a day of rest. Also drink magnesium daily it helps with the pain a lot.

And buy the largest mouse you can buy so arm weight is distributed more evenly, meaning less pressure on the joints, but test the mouse buttons if you can, if they are really light to press that would be ideal.

Get a razer naga.

It’s only been a week, but I’ve gone back to mouse & n52. The controller and software work as intended, but I just use the wrong buttons too often. The old dog/new trick thing. I’ll give it another shot with another game with fewer button options.