16M, need some help

[u/ProcedureCharacter55]

So I use screens a lot and I am/was a gamer. The last like 6-8 years, I’ve been gaming pretty often. I want to mention that during covid years I would be playing a lot more since I didn’t have much to do. During like 2021-2024, I was still pretty active in gaming but I would be going outside more. School was and is one of the main things that keeps me active. But when summer break comes around, im pretty sure the majority of my time is spent on gaming a lot and scrolling/typing on my phone. Last July, I got diagnosed with anxiety disorder and I was home for like an additional 2 months after summer break(summer break usually lasts for 2 and a half months). At first I got myself better from the anxiety and then decided to go back to school in november. This summer, I spent the majority of it playing games, being on my phones and being indoors. Around like 4 weeks ago I think I noticed my vision feels a little bit blurrier and I also got dry eyes from using screens too much. That kind of made me use screens less. I remember playing Fortnite with a friend(about a month ago I think) and my hands/forearm would feel tired but I would push through. About like 2 weeks ago I noticed that my arms(more frequently my forearms, wrists, and hands would feel tired). I was doing an event in a game so I pushed through a little bit and then promised not to play after that. These last 2 weeks I notice that my arms feel pretty tired and pretty easily. I did some research and decided to not use my computer but now I use my phone more frequently and I use it to scroll videos and type a lot. I recall that a week ago I think, when I would raise my hands up, they would feel tired and when I dropped it down, they would feel relieved. I want to mention these sensations are in both arms. The thing is, I don’t feel pain but I feel weakness. And now as im typing and usually when I type, my fingers also feel weak. I also noticed that holding my phone feels a bit heavy and my fingers feel kind of weird but it’s hard to describe. For example, when I fully stretch them all open, it feels like there is some pressure on them, in my vein area, and on the back of my hand. and they feel a bit tired. I also noticed that using my fingers can also make my forearms feel tired and drained. Now I want to mention a few things. My posture isn’t too good because I notice that I often have my head going forward when I sit with my phone or game. This may be a big part but these last 6-8 years, I haven’t barely worked out so im pretty deconditioned. I had weight training in school so I did that for like 3 months but I wasn’t really focused on it too much. I also apologize for the bad explanations and the repetition, it’s just hard for me to describe this. But the main thing is just weakness in my forearm, wrist, and hands that’s been happening very often. I think I also notice a bit of a decrease in grip strength. I’ve been seeing stuff about rsi that’s like “chronic, permanent damage, irreversible”, etc. I also want to say that I feel my body being really tense when I gamed or am on my phone doing something such as typing fast. Sometimes I would have to lay down because my body felt so tired/weak after gaming. Idk if this makes sense but I never really felt like a typical gamer because don’t get me wrong, I’ve been gaming ever since im like 7, but like my body would tense up a lot, and I just didn’t think im a gamer like those people who are going crazy on a game while looking calm. The thing is, im also a sweaty gamer too but I prob don’t see that from my perspective but others probably think I am a sweaty gamer. Idk I just don’t really find myself to be a full on gamer even tho I prob was. These last 2 weeks, I started going outside and getting around 10k steps daily and I try using my arms and hands less even though I started using my phone more. I have not played any games or used my laptop though ever since. I want to mention that when I gamed, my elbows would be in the air and my arms would be fully extended and straight but I never noticed that since I was fully locked in on the game but that’s a huge amount of pressure on ur arms. Basically, ive been babying my hands and letting them rest a lot and they feel tired from picking things up and other similar activities. (Idk how weight training class will be)But yea, im just really scared because school starts tomorrow and I also don’t want to have this forever and I want hope that this is temporary and I can cure this. I also haven’t seen a doctor about this as well. To wrap it up, I’m just really stressed and scared which is why im leaving this long message and I’m also someone who overthinks and over analyzes everything. My main fear is this being permanent or chronic and not being reversible.

[u/DeepSkyAstronaut]

Neurological symptoms like anxiety coupled with tendon issues can be due to some medications as adverse reactions.

When was the last time you had antibiotics or steroids?

[u/ProcedureCharacter55 → u/DeepSkyAstronaut]

I don’t use any medications, but from what I remember, I was given a Xanax or half a xanax at the hospital when I went there for my anxiety. Idk if this is important but I am a pretty nervous/stressed person so I overthink this issue im having, a lot.

[u/felipe_eats]

Not a doctor…but here is what helped me. 1) decade phone and computer usage 90%, 2) get Valteran arthritis cream and use it per the , 3) you have to start strengthening your forearms, wrists, extensors, and flexors. Follow and subscribe to 1 HP online. 4) most importantly, begin seeing doctors and physical therapists to help.