I’ve stopped using VR since yesterday night. The reason being, I was feeling very nauseous (to the point I felt anytime I was going to throw up). And I won’t be putting that headset on until all symptoms go away.
The symptoms I’ve been feeling are thus;
-A feeling of weight and pressure on the front of my head (and above my nose).
-My eyes feeling I’m still in VR (at times), even swearing I’m still controlling my avatar’s arms and hands.
-Over time with use, the part where my hair ends at my forehead, it itches and feels sweaty.
-A slight nauseous feeling that came and went, but only intensified until what it is now.
But yeah, I was sick as a dog last night. Clearly I over-exerted myself, feeling that my body would eventually get used to it. …No. I felt ready to die. Though I drunk some water, and it barely stayed down. As time went on, I was able to drink more and not feel as bad.
As I write this, I only feel slightly nauseous. And I’m able to keep food down. This is a really, really good sign that I stopped at the right moment (before it could’ve gotten irreversible).
*deep sighs*
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I kind of want to blame the acquaintance, for saying the first two are ‘perfectly normal’, yet never said “take a break”. However, I also shouldn’t be depending on him. For he did say that it affects everyone in a different way.
Ergo, I blame only myself. It’s just, before, my body seemed fine with it (was still getting the first two symptoms, then started getting the 3rd yesterday). So this needs to be a life lesson to not push myself. Infact, I felt almost dreaded to get the headset on, worrying about the nausea feeling. That’s never good. I never should feel I have to force myself to get used to this.
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This is clearly going to take a very long time, with careful training and moderation. I got to find my limits, and when to stop when I hit them.
Though, what if I never get used to it? What if my body just can’t handle VR? That makes me more sick than wearing it. I’ll be blaming myself, over and over.
But on the other hand, I also should feel proud, not embarrassed. For I was able to experience VR for the first time in my life! I can write it off the list of things I need to do before I die.
There’s also lots of others who cannot get their body to tolerate VR.
Infact I’m going to try to get my mind off of this, attempt to hook up the equipment to get my PS4 into my secondary monitor, and play some Assassin’s Creed Origins.
.
EDIT: Instead of doing the above, RL issues got in the way and they weren’t good. But anyway, I spoke to several people in VRChat, who say even the nausea I’m feeling is ‘perfectly normal’, and “everybody gets it”.
Was also told that my symptoms — my ailments — should go away in either four days or up to a week.
When I asked how long should I play in VR (to get my body used to it), one said 1-2 hours. Adding on that he would play for 1-2 hours, then take it off and do something
else. Then 2 hours hours later, put it on for another 1-2 hours. Essentially, rinse and repeat.
..
So, in order to get used to VR, I should only stop if I start to feel nauseous (and stay off until that feeling goes away). It’s just like riding a bike; eventually, you’ll get the hang of it. But at least with VR (as long as you’re in a sitting position that is), you won’t fall off and hurt yourself.
..
EDIT 2: From the way I was acting after that edit, you would think I’d be confident enough to get back into VR… but you’d be wrong. My Hypochondria (illness anxiety disorder), demands proof I’ll be OK. Even though I can feel my symptoms very, very slowly starting to wane, I need proof that in a week from now, they’ll be gone.
That’s why I’ve decided to do this. This is the only proof I can think of (outside of seeing a doctor, which may (or may not) be a waste of my parents time of getting me up there).
A week from now, and I’m completely cured of all my ailments, THEN and ONLY then will I feel confident enough to get back into VR. Even though I know my symptoms will just start right back up, I’ll know I’ll get over them (with the previous experience).
I don’t fucking care how many times I’m told “you WILL get over it” (from strangers), VR affects everyone differently.
And if I don’t get over it (which I feel is more likely), I’m packing the WMR system back up and getting my money back. Because by then, I’ll know I cannot get used to VR.
Then I’ll say “at least I got to experience VR for the first time in my life, before I die”.
*deep sighs*
It’s up to my body now. In a week (on October 1st), it either gets over the effects of VR (to let me know I’ll be OK), or it doesn’t. Either way, I’ll have my very much needed proof.
It’s going to be a long week…