Are there any PC games you like playing that work fine with a gamepad?

When I started to notice similar problems coming on before I started rotating my games more between KB/M and gamepad games. I also started trying to put my arm in slightly different positions and making myself take breaks more often for a while. It helped a lot and with time most of the problems went away. Though I generally don't hold the mouse in a claw grip style and use more of a fingertip grip. So it might not be as useful for you.

I'm sorry to hear this. Injuries like this are maddening because they are so subtle, and because you don't really know what you can and can't do. I mean, what really effects Carpul Tunnel positively and negatively? Can you play golf, drive, or play darts? It drove me up the wall.

Have you considered a second opinion on the Carpal Tunnel bit? It's often quite an easy "out" for doctors, they can label it such and it's not their problem. However there are far more common causes of irritation in the forearms and hands than just Carpal Tunnel.

When I encountered such pain I responded with a few different approaches, none of which are medically proven, this is "bloke in the pub" talking. However I don't think you need rule out the mouse yet. I now use my mouse left handed for work, and right handed for home. It actually works pretty well. It's not easy, but you get there. For now, try just left handed mouse all the time.

Unless it's both hands?

I personally found Golf helped, it just forced me to use the muscles a bit more freely, and break them up a bit. However that one for Carpal Tunnel (which I didn't have) might not be such an idea.

There is always the option of just taking a total break. Go travelling for a year, take jobs as they come, send money home when you can. I think you're not a parent? Perhaps a break is worth it?

Oh, and try Brufen (not sure of the US name for it, we have it marketted as Ibuprofen), but it just helps. However excessive use can cause stomach troubles.

Sorry I can't be more help, but I really understand where you're at. Last year when my hands were screwed up from this, I was in a similar position.

Oh, do you take any tube journeys, or any rides where you hold onto a bar to take the impact of turns? The piccadilly line was really hurting me.

Liar ! You probably got that from masturbating all day !

Funny part is I traveled in Europe for all of 2012 and never used a mouse once that whole time. So I did have a break, but in less than 10 months it has already progressed to this point.

And yeah on the second opinion, I probably will. Fact of the matter is mouse gaming hurts, so... probably looking at a change anyway, at least for a while.

How about alternate hands? It really helped me to switch, and it doesn't take long to take to it (at first you think you can't do it, but give it a week).

I could try it, I suppose. I sometimes use my left hand to browse the internet but can't imagine gaming with it.

Just shoot the ones responsible, that'll fix everything, right?

You might want to look at Pinnacle Game Profiler. I don't have your severe problems, but I do some pain which I avoid by using bicycle gloves to play. Pinnacle Game Profiler allows you to set up keyboard profiles per game on a game controller (button mapper). I am not associated with the company; I just looked at them as an option if my wrists got any worse.

Try raising your chair. I used to get tendonitis from using a chair where my arms were touching the table at an angle, once I raised it my arms were even (or higher) to distribute the weight better, it went away. I know carpal tunnel isn't the same thing, but it might be worth a try. If the issue is just using a mouse, consider buying an Apple Magic Pad (trackpad) that you can plug into a desktop.

I am really sorry to hear that. =( Can you at least play genres that tend to be slower and thus don't put as much of a strain on your wrist? Turn-based or pausable real-time strategy/tactics games, puzzle games, management games etc. Those shouldn't be too demanding, but then, I have no idea just how bad your condition is.

I suppose using a track pad is an ok alternative for slower type of games. Also, even if you ignore genres that are best played with the keyboard and mouse, console/handheld gaming has a lot to offer (especially if you explore the libraries of some of the older consoles).

Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck and I hope your condition eventually improves.

Banished to a game pad. Sounds like hell. Since we're sharing...

I've fought the same issue for a few years, mostly thanks to my job which involves repetitive hand motion ( not jacking off, har, har) One day at work I slipped and caught myself with my left hand. This was months ago and It has never fully recovered. It only gets worse when I game. I think I fucked up an already agitated wrist. Still in denial about it. I stretch and exercise, but giving up PC gaming would mean giving up one of my hobbies. There's no way I'd be happy with a game pad. I'll try some of the suggestions in this thread. In the meantime, I'll drink Vodka and pretend it doesn't hurt.

Have you tried Xpadder? It simulates keyboard and mouse controls using a gamepad, and it's DRM-free, lightweight, and easy to use. You can use Xpadder to play with a gamepad regardless of whether or not a game supports gamepads. I've used it for years and highly recommend it.

It's currently offered for $10.

Whatever the case, for whatever it's worth, I hope things get better for you.

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That sucks. Definitely prioritize doing whatever is necessary to take care of it before surgery becomes necessary (my dad had to have surgery for carpal tunnel, and it definitely was not fun). However, as someone else mentioned you should also get a second diagnosis (preferably from a specialist) to confirm that it really is carpal tunnel, as other wrist and lower arm conditions are often misdiagnosed as carpal tunnel. But cutting out PC use almost entirely until you've got whatever it is under control is probably the best way to go, and only after that point look into ways to start using a PC again without causing the problem to come back.

Along those lines, though, as others have mentioned you may want to look at an alternative mouse, such as a trackball or a vertical mouse along the lines of this (a co-worker of mine had wrist problems and a vertical mouse really helped her out, although I have no idea of how suitable they are for gaming).

Sir, this isn't the 1800s. Your affliction can fixed quite easily. Take your tv money and fix yourself.

Omega 3s and glucosamine chondroitin might help.