Symptoms of Arthritus?

RicPlaya · #1 10-23-2009, 12:14 PM

I'm 34, and my hands, fingers and wrists are starting to ache. I type a lot at my job, but I notice bass playing really aggrivates the joints in my fingers. It's a steady ache, sometimes dull sometimes really sharp pains. But I feel it mostly in my finger joints on both hands and its progressively getting worse to the point where I can't practice to learn new tunes for my band. I'm starting to freak out a bit because I do not want to stop playing bass!! But what are some of the symptoms you guys feel and what are some remedies to make aching joints and fingers feel better? I'm too young for this crap!!!!

Thanks

Vince

**Thor** · #2 10-23-2009, 12:21 PM

I am suffering now from joint inflammation in the left index
finger. Freaking me out as well. I can't play a C chord on a
guitar though I can still get by on bass.

People have recommended Glucosamine pills. IDK. Seems like
snake oil. I stopped at sports authority and got an exercise
ball. Hurts when I use it.

You may want to try the old frozen pea ice pack trick. Ibuprofen or other NSAIDS as well. Not that I do, I hate
taking any kind of pills. And ibuprofen is supposed to be crappy for you liver.

Best of all, see your doctor. We all know that the very
best medical advice is available right here on good old
TB.

Mr. Mig · #3 10-23-2009, 12:23 PM

Well if it only bothers you while playing? Then maybe your posture is bad and it is causing the joints to hurt. If that is it then you need to adjust your posture. If you can I'd have a doctor check it out as soon as you can. And you are not to young for this. Arthritus can hit you when your young. I have a relative who was hit with it before she went to college. That is why you need to see a doctor. I am not trying to be an a@@hole to you, but I really just want you to get realy help for this. Keep us posted.

RicPlaya · #4 10-23-2009, 12:31 PM

Yeah it sucks, my hands ache right now! It's rainy right now...and my hands ache, not good! I'll try the glucuscomine, I do think that helps to some degree. I take an advil before I play to get by. But after this upcomming gig time to see a doc I guess. Does this sound like arthritis? Man this sucks!!!!!

Fergie Fulton · #5 10-23-2009, 12:43 PM

Many conditions share these symptoms, get them checked by your doctor now. If in pain do something about it, before it does something to you.

Mudcat35 · #6 10-23-2009, 12:52 PM

Definitely go see your doctor. I have a degenerative joint disease that is starting to affect my hands, but I am OK for now because I am under the care of a rheumatologist who has properly diagnosed the condition and provided medication to deal with it. I have one med that I take every day, another to add when I start feeling an "attack", and the final level is to take a bunch of steroids to deal with the swelling if I don't get ahead of the attack in time. My advice is to find out for sure what's wrong, and deal with it as you need to. From my experience, ice and ibuprofen won't work, at least not to the degree you're looking for.

RicPlaya · #7 10-23-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudcat35

Definitely go see your doctor. I have a degenerative joint disease that is starting to affect my hands, but I am OK for now because I am under the care of a rheumatologist who has properly diagnosed the condition and provided medication to deal with it. I have one med that I take every day, another to add when I start feeling an "attack", and the final level is to take a bunch of steroids to deal with the swelling if I don't get ahead of the attack in time. My advice is to find out for sure what's wrong, and deal with it as you need to. From my experience, ice and ibuprofen won't work, at least not to the degree you're looking for.

Still manage to play your bass? I hope so!

Fergie Fulton · #8 10-23-2009, 01:06 PM

Heres some links from what i have and a very latest study on copper/mag. bracelets. Plus the last one should convince you see a doctor.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8310792.stm
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Arthrit...roduction.aspx
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/l...s-1922907.html

simonsaysred · #9 10-23-2009, 01:14 PM

A thought about arthritis:

My wife has arthritis. She uses glucosamine, and it helps, but the biggest thing that helped her was changing her diet. She stopped eating potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, all the nightshade plants. It made a HUGE difference. She can feel pain within minutes of eating a few french fries, it's crazy.

And a thought about technique:

I was playing a song in my band that had me droning back and forth on a low F to a low G. A long time ago I learned about the "one finger per fret" deal, so I was doing it with my first and third fingers. It HURT after a couple run-throughs, even with my strings set low. I told a bass player friend about it, and he said, "Well, why not just play with your first and fourth fingers?"

Oh...... Right.

So I substitute my fourth finger for my third all the time, even as high as putting my fourth on the B of the E string.