any play video games?

[neil25]

ever since getting cfs ive been playin a lot more video games. Sometimes i'm too fatigued for them but usually i still play them cos its better than sitting doing nothing and helps take my mind off them. I dunno how i would survive without them because when im stuck at home there isnt much to do. i got a ps3, xbox 360 and wii so it keeps me entertained. anyone play online?

[StarDust]

yea i play games on computer. RTS and FPS, sometimes it's frustrating cuz I don't have the energy to play good but I still play cuz it's better than doing nothing. The quality of my game is highly dependent on how I feel in regards to CF so it's highly sporadic.

[neil25]

do you have a ps3? I play a lot of call of duty modern warfare on that.

[StarDust]

Nah, I just play on computer

[Jeffy14]

Hello,

I have CFS but I noticed that playing video games makes me so tired and prevents me to sleep.
Have you not noticed that ?
Even playing 1 hour or 2 will prevent me to sleep. It's like I get extremely nervous and my brain wont shut down. It's very weird, so I dont play anymore....
I'm really bored and dont know what to do about it

[crmfghtr]

I play alot of online games as it gives me the interaction with people I am missing stuck here. Primarily Pirates Online and Star Trek Online. Sort of a virtual life you can't physically live, they can be theraputic

[billoddie]

I understand the attraction...but the short is dont! Looking at a computer screen for too long is stressful. Video games are stimulating to the brain (read amygdala) and this is simply read as stress.if you have time to play vid games, you have time to meditate. Sorry to be so blunt

[neil25]

I personally find playing computer games more relaxing than meditating. I just love computer games and have since an early age. I could never give them up since i got cfs i do have to limit my time on them because of the pain and fatigue. I've said this before and i'll say it again you can't take out all the fun in your life because you have an illness. If everyone with an illness did that they would do nothing. Part of having CFS is learining to cope with the symptoms if you just want to meditate all day i can't see how you can actually do any hobbies or interests which you may have.

People should give themselves a break sometimes it's like anything which is fun is bad for your so called amgdyla. Everyone is so paranoid about it that they have lost the fun in their life. This is very sad and the thought of it makes me feel isolated.

[kenvj]

Video games, especially on a computer causes serious problems with breathing and because of that it can cause very serious fatigue. Probably what your fatigue is being caused by Neil.

[billoddie]

I understand your point about fun and its valid. My fun is exercising...gym, boxing etc...but the reality is I just cant do as much as I would like. Video games are the same...but beyond a "healthy" level can only be detrimental to your fatigue. Meditation is always boring to a busy mind because it wants to be entertained. True meditation (which does take time to "get") is profoundly relaxing. Playing video games allows you to take your mind off your symptoms...I understand that. But it also limits your ability to REALLY listen to your body. Only recently have I been able to "get back into my body" and actually inhabit it. Gupta, meditation etc allowed to slow down internally for this to actually BEGIN to happen. I have said it before to others...when you are "stuck" in your symptoms you cant get an accurate perspective of yourself...the mind and its machinations are linked in with this illness. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise. Playing too much video games only serves to perpetuate the inner speed and mind machinations. The reality is you able not able to see this until something like Gupta (doesn't have to be just Gupta) lets the body get off that high alert footing. Only then does some space come. The insights and realizations I had about my illness were remarkable when i first stated Gupta (13 months ago). I simply was not able to see in my prior state.
As one of my favorite boxers, Joe Louis was fond of saying..."Each man is entitled to make his own mistakes".
I think its a mistake to play too much video (just like my exercise), but your entitled to do it. Its only when you decide that your time can be used more productively will you decide to do so.

[StarDust]

what the hell is kenvj talking about

[kenvj]

Stardust - I assume you have Google on your computer - why don't you use it?

[neil25]

Whats the deal with everyone talking complete and utter bullshit on this forum. It's like the illness has taken over your lives. Get a grip with reality people.

Just for your information the video games are not causing my fatigue. Because i didn't play them for 2 months and I still had the fatigue just as bad. When my fatigue is bad i don't play video games i only play them when im feeling ok.

I enjoy playing video games it's an interest i have simple as that. At least i'm not constantly locked into my illness i actually do other things than think about cfs for 24 hours of the day.

Seriously everyone on here needs to start living. All im saying is im doing what I enjoy. If i enjoy playing video games thats why i play them. My cfs does limit me playing them as much but i still play them. I'm determined not to let cfs ruin all the hobbies i had before i got it.

One other thing if computer games cause serious problems with breathing then why don't any of my friends have health problems. They perfectly healthy and play more video games than myself. They do not have CFS either. So where the hell is your evidence? Everyone is so full of shit here half the time. sorry for the language im just getting annoyed at the crap that people write about.

Gupta is the saviour we get the picture you don't need to write about it in every post.

If you want to meditate all day fair enough go ahead and do it but don't judge people for playing computer games its so ignorant. Basically your view is that everything other than sitting in your house doing meditation is bad for you.

[billoddie]

How long have you had CFS? I am guessing it is relatively new (last few yrs maybe). In time you will realize we have only tried to be helpful to you. My post certainly did not read that I advocated doing meditation all day. It did advocate balance though. Games like "modern warfare" or any of those type of strong graphic violence is ABSOLUTELY interpreted as a stress from the brain. This is just the way it is and not my opinion. I am sure you realize by now how this illness robs you of your life...eventually we all ask the question..."What do I need to do to get better?. Progress is generally made incrementally as you make the changes and decisions that you need to make. The reduction or cessation of the type and amount of game playing you refer to is a miniscule and trivial "sacrifice" for such progress. I am sorry you have felt we have made some sort of attack on you; that was never my intention. But it did seem so overwhelmingly obvious that the situation that you yourself described viz a viz your video game playing, whilst admittedly perhaps not "responsible" for your condition, nonetheless, cannot be beneficial.

[neil25]

I don't really play games like modern warfare 2. My favourite game is Fifa how the hell is this game violent or bad for the brain. One of the reasons i play it is to be social. When my friends come over We like to play it. I don't like how your critising computer games. I think there good for the brain because it keeps your mind active. If you just sit and vegitate all day it can't be good for you. No offense but do you have any hobbies other than meditation.

Even though I have cfs I'm fairly active I still go to the gym 3 times a week and I go out and meet friends. Don't get me wrong when I first ill I was housebound for a good 4 months I couldn't even watch the tv I was so ill. I'm better than I was before and am able to play some video games. Do you have any fun in your life?

You can't just avoid everything in life which is stressful on the brain. There are a lot of things which put stress on the brain you have to be able to cope with it. Thats life for you. You can't live some sheltered lifestyle all the time.

Before you start slamming video games read some articles online. There is evidence to suggest it helps with problem solving and helps improve the anylytical side of your brain. It can also help with visual skills.

Don't get me wrong here I beleive there should be a balance towards rest and play. Too much of one thing can be bad for you. Playing video games in moderation is fine and it helps enjoy something. As weird as it may sound it's difficult to actually achieve much when you have cfs. I can't play football or basketball like I used to because it would wreck me. Through computer games it feels like I've achieved a goal. When I complete a game it feels great. I love that feeling and its hard to get that feeling when you have cfs.

I have sacrificed a hell of a lot for cfs and I don't wish computer games to be another thing I give up.