Same here Willem, I have to take a good weeks break in between playing games so my mouse wrist can recover again. Keyboard one is fine, it's just the damn mouse that fucks it up.

Do controllers not effect RSI as badly as the mouse? 

They don't for me. Using a mouse is definitely my trigger action. I can use a controller or an art tablet all day, no worries. 

Maybe try one of those mousepads that have buldge on one side where you put your wrist on? 

Thanks. Yeah, I've purchased several hundred dollars worth of devices, pads and gadgets over the years. I also get a deep tissue massage once a month. It's a lifetime commitment of maintenance at this point...

It's the kind of thing you can't tell other people to prevent it because they won't listen. The whole, "Sit up straights, arms at 90 degrees, shoulders relaxed, etc" advice sounds horrible but it really would help.

But nobody wants to hear that ... until their wrist/shoulder starts hurting, and then it's too late. 

That kind of stuff is horrible, I stopped using a mouse for work a few years back and it's done so much good to my hands, so now I try to be careful with the rest, but it's not easy.

Out of curiosity, are you in your 30s or 40s Willem? 

Just turned 42 last week. I've had these issues for several years though... 

Wow, I thought I was the only old timer around these parts, turned 43 at the beginning of this year. :) 

A few of us in the 40s 

wtf I swear I was 16 just last week and now I'm 27!! I too am old as fuck. :( 

You're 27? Oh, that explains why you still love mouse and keyboard so much. >:) 

A couple of the older designers at work use those vertical mice because of their wrist problems, similar to this:

http://img.directindustry.com/images_di/photo-m2/joystick-mouse-388854.jpg

I hope that never happens to me, but I'm already creaky and falling apart. 

And haven't noticed any real aches and pains yet, but 5-10 years ago I could go out partying 10 hours, sleep for fifteen minutes and go into work fresh as a daisy.

Nowadays it takes me a week to recover from a handful of hours party. And no chance 2-3-4 days in a row. 

Mine kicked in around 37 or so. Just FYI. :) 

The unfortunate thing is, it isn't something where you start to feel something and then you correct it. If you feel it, you've got it, and you're into management mode.

I wish you all luck! But don't kid yourself into thinking that you don't feel anything so you must be OK ... if you're slouching in your chair and all of that other stuff, it's likely just a matter of time.

Sorry to be a wet blanket. :P Just trying to help...

It's not a problem until it is. 

I thought you were STILL 16.... All the soliciting for nothing! 

I got RSI quite bad several years ago (i'm 32 now) to the point that I had to use a cold flannel on my wrist, but I started using the mouse in my other hand occasionally and just managed it better and it got better again. Tried one of those big flat mouses where you're hold hand sits on it, but it was annoying and slow to use.

Then a few years ago I went self-employed so I don't have to work so hard on the computer. But about 7-12 mnths ago it started getting worse and hasn't improved since. I haven't got the pins and needles at night so much, so I know it can still get much worse than it is now. And it will... probably have to give up gaming in a year or 2, or at least do maybe 1 game a month rather than a few a month.

Willem what do you find works best for it? What kind of mouse do you use/any wrist pad for it? 

Oh by the way I reviewed STALKER Clear Sky. Didn't really enjoy it, it just pissed me off. It seemed to be quite popular on this forum so you guys might not agree. 6/10.

http://www.etherealhell.com/etherealhell/reviews/2012/stalker_clear_sky.php

Also tried Silent Hill Homecoming, but it crashed alot, especially when alt-tabbing, the combat absolutely sucked assholes and it wouldn't accept my key config. Trying to change it in the menu only accepted some of the changes. Fucked up console port that I quit not far in.

Next on my list is either Assassins Creed or Devil May Cry 4 :) 

Kona

I tend to favor the Logitech MX518 mouse - the one that looks bullet riddled. Primarily because it's light and that puts less strain on my hand moving it around but it still feels good button/wheel wise. Wireless mice are right the hell out as the batteries make them instant torture devices.

I don't use pads or gel strips or whatever. Those don't tend to work for me at all. What I found last week, actually, is this hand glove thing:

http://www.amazon.com/Imak-Computer-Glove-EACH/dp/B000FEVWU8/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1333101559&sr=8-15

And THIS actually seems to work for me. I can rest my wrist on the padded part and it feels pretty good. Doesn't help my shoulder but I'll take what I can get. :)

As I said before, I also get a deep tissue/trigger point massage once a month as a maintenance thing. She works out all the knots in my back/shoulders/neck and tries to reset me for another month.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Mine doesn't sound as bad as yours but that might be because I've found a maintenance routine that helps keep it under control somewhat.

Good luck! 

Oh yeah, and if things get really bad I'll wrap my wrist in a cold pack while I watch TV at night. That tends to bring down the inflammation enough that the next day feels better. 

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/trackballs/devices/wireless-trackball-m570

Need to get a new one though... 

Yeah, I tried one of those but keeping my hand/arm stationary all day actually seems to do more harm than good. 

Those gloves are gold. I used them a couple years back when my wrists began to act up. I also bought a trackball and a magic trackpad and cycle between them and the mouse. Haven't had too many problems since then, but then I'm a programmer, so I don't use the mouse too much anyway. 

I have had various problems with the use of the mouse but luckily it never reached the point of no return. As much as sitting up straight and different mouse types help, I found switching around my routine helped the most. I would make it a habit to stretch, use different apps, get up from my desk and walking around, making coffee, etc. 

...ugh, kids! Eh, Shambler?