in 4.5 i was used to having the joint clicks to cycle though extende or contract but now that im in 4.8 it cycles though relax hold extend and contract.

if there is a way to fix this that will be helpful but if not ill just play on 4.5

The cycling of the joints hasn't changed at all. Perhaps you are starting your character off as holding all, instead of relaxing? When I was still fairly new, that would happen and it would throw me off.

On the main menu, go to setup > options > change mouse buttons to 1. That might fix it.