Topic: NDS screens gave me a near black-out: was advised by EB Games staff to do away with it!

[Gamebasher]

I wanted to tell you guys about something which I experienced recently, and which forced me to sell my Nintendo DS (tears...).

Yes, after playing Super Mario 64 DS for 3 days of 3 hours each, I suddenly felt a strong headache in the left side of my head, and strange lightpatterns intertwined with weird reflections obscured the eyesight in the left part of the left eye. I had to stop playing, and wait until the pain and visual disturbances had gone away. They did, after half an hour or so, sitting in a chair with my eyes closed. I recall how, sitting there with my eyes closed, I could now see even more powerfull light-patterns in all kinds of weird colors, just hoping they would go away so I could get back to playing. So after 30-40 minutes, I resumed playing. Only resulting in immediate return of both the headache and the visual disturbances, even more strongly.

I thought, this is unbelievable! Here I waited over one year to get my hands on a DS, and then after only three days of playing I find I cannot do it! What the heck is wrong? I NEVER had such trouble from either the GameBoy or any other handheld I ever played games on!!

When I went on the train about an hour later, going out in the open to relax and get better, I nearly fainted on the floor of the train! I donĀ“t think people noticed it, but I did! Only because of immediate action which helped me to concentrate, I managed to keep my balance. Even walking out of the train, with no eyesight in the whole left part of the left eye was one terrible experience which made me think I was about to go blind! Whaaaam! And it took the whole of the rest of that day, before I felt well again. Regaining my eyesight in the left eye fully, made me very relieved. After the resumption of play, I must have triggered something worse, I thought later. Because this was way too strange. It never happened before, with any other console I played, not even the ones I play on a tv.

The next day, I went over to the EBGames shop where I bought the DS, and explained about the problem. They immediately looked at me in a very concerned way, flipping open a DS manual, and said that the DS manual had a warning which told of the risk of epileptic seizure found with some people who are sensitive to certain flashes and lightpatterns found in videogames and which could result in all sorts of health problems. So there it was! The problem I had, was that I obviously cannot view the DS screens without sustaining epileptic seizures!!

I requested they give me something else in place of the DS, and knew that it was no problem as there were pixel-errors on the screens of my DS already. I had found two of them, which I had decided to use as a reason for the requested exchange. Incredibly, EB Games staff found three more pixel errors, so that there were five of them alltogether.

Has any of you people ever experienced such a problem playing your DS machines, or know of people/heard of people who did? I really thought how sad it is that I cannot play the DS anymore, and just wondered if any of you know what to do about it, if anything at all possible. Because I really want to play the DS, but fear the consequences in light of the crazy reaction I got from my body!

 

[Flames_of_chaos]

I suppose you can try going to a eye doctor or a general doctor, explain your symptoms and maybe he'll give you medicine or something.

[Mario]

Uh... you sure it wasn't from something else? and you're pretty stupid to KEEP playing after those effects.

I don't see how DS could make you feel like this but other screens do not.

[KnowsNothing]

I knowsnothing about c-sures, but those symptoms sound like a pretty serious migraine.  The two could be, and probably are, related, so uhh *shrugs*  The only thing keeping me from thinking that you're under the risk of seashores is that this has never happened to you before.....You could have, for a variety of reasons, been suffereing from [or been on the verge of] a migraine and were extremely senitive towards light.  In what environment and lighting conditions were you playing?

Your best bet is to go seek a doctor

[kirby_killer_dedede]

Yeah, see a doctor.

And I severely doubt it's because of your DS if you have experiences with Game Boys and whatnot.  I'm thinking something else is going on with you and the DS is just making it worse.  Like how staring at the computer with a headache is going to make it worse - the computer didn't cause your headache (well...maybe) but it is makign it worse.

Definitely see a dcotor about it, because if it is epileptic seizures you're experiencing then that may cut you off from the gaming world forever. *tear*

[Caliban]

The 1st thing you should have done was to have gone to your family doctor rather than EBGames, and may I emphasize 'family doctor' because something similar might've happened in your family medical history.

[Gamebasher]

Thanks, guys.

I WILL see a doctor. I just decided for it. I guess I forgot about that ption after the problem faded away. Yeah, it would e good to find out what it is that I am sensitive to.

As to what light conditions I was playing under, I can say that I was playing under three spotlights fixed on a magnetic steel-bar in the ceiling. Pretty tough direct light. Could be that there was some sort of interaction between the screens light-output beaming out in the room and the descending light-output from above. Hard to say. Still, when I played in total darkness, I really felt it was worse.  

[Renny]

It's possible the DS can create an effect not seen on previous Game Boys. With the screens seperated fairly significantly, a large area of each screen is in your peripheral vision. Your peripheral vision being more sensitive to light will detect flicker much more easily. [Try with your monitor or TV if you'd like.] Times two screens, it could be enough to provoke symptoms of an undiagnosed condition. Do you feel even a slight effect with larger LCD displays?

[Blackknight131]

I dont know what your condition is GameBasher, but please see a doctor. Im sorry to hear the story tho, and I hope it ultimately will not prevent you from enjoying one of your favorite hobbies.

I was going to say email Nintendo as well and ask them if they have had complaints of this previously and what to do about it...but really, they would likely advise you to see your doctor anyway.

[thepoga]

i think its because of the DS' backlight maybe. You know how you hold it at one angle, and when u hold it at another, it's either darker or lighter. And also having to stare at objects meant for a TV screen on Mario 64 could contribute to it. Good luck!

[ruby_onix]

Quote
I suddenly felt a strong headache in the left side of my head, and strange lightpatterns intertwined with weird reflections obscured the eyesight in the left part of the left eye.

I've gotten something that feels exactly like that (just not always on the left... I think) on the few occasions when I've had a mild fever, and thought I could just "brush it off" because I didn't really feel "sick".

It's probably not related to your DS. (Unless you caught Japan's latest version of the flu from it.) Lay off it for a couple days anyways. Take it easy. See a doctor if you're worried.

If it comes back when you play your DS again, then you might have a problem.

[Bloodworth]

Let me jump on the bandwagon of unqualified advice.  I think it may simply be a motion sickness thing.  I've felt slightly like that on rare occasions from just reading on the bus even, but it's not a regular problem keeping me from doing a particular activity.  You were playing a 3D game that some people starting getting motion sickness from on N64.  Having it on a handheld, and being able to move it around - in addition to the movement on the map screen could have just furthered the problem.  You're probably still best off seeing a doctor and finding out how susceptible you are to motion sickness (or seizures).  

[TheYoungerPlumber]

I wrote a 20 page paper on epileptic seizures just last quarter, actually, so I know a bit about video game-triggered seizures.  The Nintendo DS reallly can't be blamed--perhaps the GAME in question has something in it that set you off.  That being said, if it is indeed a seizure, you shouldn't be thinking of this as a problem with any one system, but with ALL VIDEO GAMES.  As Dan suggested, you may have made a hasty decision as to what caused the problem.

HOWEVER.  From my research, I can tell you that DOES NOT sound like most epilleptic seizures.  Most take the form of muscle twitches, larger spasms or "spacing out."  Most also last for shorter periods of time.  Seizure is a general term for a salt imbalance in the brain that causes odd behavior, but I don't remember reading about headaches or visual imbalances.  It's possible, but that would be a rare manifestation of a seizure.

EDIT: Also, though this does not exclude anything, an LCD/DS screen is less likely to cause an epilleptic seizure since:
    1) The screens (or at least the pattern that potentially triggered the seizure) probably don't take up THAT much of your field of vision
    2) The LCD screens do not have the flicker of TV sets, which increase the chance of a seizure for predisposed individuals
    3) Depending on the lighting conditions, colors may have been somewhat washed out, making changes in luminance (the contrast) in a pattern over time or space less pronounced.  But you said you were playing in the dark, which is the most dangerous situation from a seizure standpoint.

EDIT 2: Oh yeah, and that EB guy didn't know jack.  He could flip open ANY manual for a video game system written in the last 10 years and see such a disclaimer/warning.  So if he really knew what he was doing, he wouldn't have sold you any more games if he thought it was seizure-related.  Doesn't that manual even say to STOP PLAYING GAMES AND SEE A DOCTOR if you have such an experience?!

So yeah, I'd say it could be a seizure, but I don't believe all seizures are chronic/epilepsy.  All of that happened in the same day, so you really shouldn't be considering that multiple experiences.  Hopefully your doctor can figure out what happened.  

[KDR_11k]

Yeah, doesn't sound like epilepsy, more like a stroke or other brain injury. Go see a doctor immediately or you might suffer permanent brain damage. Could be harmless (lack of blood, for example) or serious (tumor, internal bleeding). Only a doctor will be able to tell you.

[Pale]

My turn for unqalified advice.  I have had similar though not near as bad experiences.  For me it sometimes happens when I am reading a book.  My personal conclusion is that it has to do with the way your head may be angled down for such and extended period of time.  Just something else to think about.

I would definately not blame the DS.  I half expected that story to end with "And then the EBGames guy sold me a PSP."

[Gremio]

It sounds like a migraine. If you want more info on it I found a nice site here:

http://www.mamashealth.com/migraine.asp

Like others said, go to your doctor as it could be anything. But if was seizures I'd think the symptoms would be different. I've suffered from migraines and those symptoms do sound familiar. It's possible concentrating on 3D graphics on a small screen might have triggered it. Mine were usually triggered by caffiene, stress, and very bright light.

[RickPowers]

For the record, what you experienced was most likely NOT an epileptic seizure.  But yes, those symptoms do sound like a migraine, likely having nothing to do with the DS itself, and more to do with the way you were focusing on the screen and the lighting conditions.

Is this the first time you've ever experienced something like this?  Did you feel nauseous?  Regardless, I think it would definitely be wise to talk to a doctor.

[zakkiel]

Third voice for the migraine option. Migraines usually have asymmetrical headaches and weird visual effects, and I know they can cause weird sensitivity to some kinds of light. Mine usually just cause my brain to stop compensating for the blind spots in my retinas, causing an area in my vision where there just isn't... anything. Not blackness, just nothing. Very weird.

But I've never heard of people passing out from one. Definitely see a doctor. Anything that can make you black out is very dangerous, if only because it can make you fall and split your skull or crash a car or whatnot.

[KDR_11k]

zakkiel: I guess it has the advantage that you know how to imagine the nothing in The Neverending Story, eh?

[Artimus]

Nothing you experienced is even remotely connected to seizures. I'm confused as why you'd suddenly go in, trade your system and then harp how dangerous it is without even consulting a physician. Sounds like you overreacted in the worst possible way. You could have called NINTENDO, you know, the people who made the system? They probably know more than a 20 year old college student trying to make a few bucks working retail. At the very least they'd have a section on their database for the person you talk to to read. Probably one written by a doctor. But I suppose this is too logical a thought process. Sounds to me like you might've experienced brain damage already. See a doctor and next time don't be so quick to act foolishly.

Honestly, people who consult EB Games for medical advice...well, natural selection will runs its course.

[Rancid Planet]

Chirst the guy's brain is broken guys. Cut him some slack. He just did what he thought was the best thing under the circumstances. He doesn't need everyone telling him what a doof he is for getting rid of his DS.

[Mr. Segali]

Health > gaming

[Cleon_I]

How weird, I just had the same thing happen earlier this evening and was really confused since I'd never had it happen before.  I was in the middle of writing a paper on my computer and all of a sudden I started seeing flashing lines on my vision that obstructed my view.  It got so bad I couldn't even read what I was typing.  Then I got hit with a massive headache and couldn't think straight.  The vision thing eventually cleared up but the headache stuck until I realized I hadn't eaten in like 24 hours, so I went and got a sandwich.  As soon as I smelled food, the headache cleared up.

On the website for migraines, it says hunger is a possible cause, and the symptoms of the Classic Migraine match mine perfectly.  Thanks guys, who needs a doctor when you have the PGC forums?

Anyway, looking at the website, it doesn't seem like the DS was the cause and I've certainly never had problems with epilepsy before, and I play games anywhere, even playing in the car doesn't make me sick.  Of course, you should still see a doctor if it keeps happening.  Fainting isn't usually serious, but if it happens repeatedly it can be a sign of something bigger.

[mantidor]

Quote
Originally posted by: Mr. Segali
Health > gaming

Its is!?!? O_o j/k


I had something similar, although not as severe, and it was caused by being to much time in front of my monitor, I felt a really unconfortable sensation in my left eye, almost painful, like if the muscles were being stretch, and I wasnt playing games, just browsing the web. After that I take a rest from any screen at least every hour, even if Im just reading.

[zakkiel]

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
zakkiel: I guess it has the advantage that you know how to imagine the nothing in The Neverending Story, eh?

Hmm, not really. It's kind of like how you can't see behind you. It's not there's 180 degrees of vision and then nothing. You don't another 180 degrees of blackness outside of your peripheral vision, you just don't see anything there. Your brain can't even conceive of anything being there, you can't imagine being able to see 360 degrees. Try and imagine that your vision now has a hole in it, an area in the middle which is like all the area outside your peripheral vision: just nonexistent as far as your brain is concerned. Except in this case you can obviously imagine it being filled because normally it is.