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Arthritis!!!

Spyders

Spyders

Oct 29, 2013
15
46
Allen, TX
#1
Hey Men (and the occasional Lady)

I'm about to turn 60 and some of my fingers are beginning the downhill slide into arthritis. It is beginning to become slightly painful to play

I told Obamacare where to stick it but I'd be interested in hearing how some of you other "victims" of mother nature cope with this issue.

Spyders

(Up next - plucking with the prostate)
 
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#3
I've been taking glucosamine/chondroitin and boswellia (herbal anti-inflammatory) for years, and as I approach 60 my hands have starting getting pain on cold days and even not-so-cold days. I found that turmeric capsules help but I have to take six/day for them to work and they're expensive, so I buy bulk organic turmeric and fill my own capsules with a device I bought on eBay like a drug dealer, LOL. So far so good.
 
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#4
I have a bit of arthritis in my hands and a pinched nerve in my neck that causes my hands to go numb. It's a challenge, but I am playing more than ever. The key for me has been a light touch and low action. I moved my plucking hand closer to the bridge so that I can better feel the tension of the strings and that seems to help quite a bit. In fact it has improved my tone. However, my style is for clarity and articulation - doesn't work if your style is a banger.

And I've heard many favourable reports about using turmeric, though I haven't tried it. Love the flavour.
 
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#5
A couple of years after I started playing I noticed the knuckle of my middle finger popped every time I closed my hand to into a fist. I have no idea what it is but it's not painful at all. It's just a small pop but it is concerning.
 
#7
(Just turned 65) So far I only have it in one toe joint, ok for bass playing but a bummer as I do a lot of hiking.

+1 on staying hydrated and keeping the joint warm.
I haven't tried any form of meds yet, I will consult my son in law who is a health professional and deals with such things on a daily basis before I go to see my doctor.
 
#11
ddnidd1 said:
Try Glcosamine with MSM.
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I take a Glucosamine / Chondritin / MSM combo that seems to help. SAM-e too, fwiw. Not so much in my hands yet, but my knees are getting really bad. I was told 20 years ago that I had an "arthritic condition" in both knees, pretty sure it's full-blown arthritis now. I can tell when there's a storm-a-comin', got a built in barometer.
 
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#12
bholder said:
I take a Glucosamine / Chondritin / MSM combo that seems to help. SAM-e too, fwiw. Not so much in my hands yet, but my knees are getting really bad. I was told 20 years ago that I had an "arthritic condition" in both knees, pretty sure it's full-blown arthritis now. I can tell when there's a storm-a-comin', got a built in barometer.
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Same here. My knees are much worse off than my hands. Years of being an ice hockey goalie and work have taken their toll.
 
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#13
bobcruz said:
I've been taking Glucosamine/Chorndroitin and boswellia (herbal anti-inflammatory) for years, and as I approach 60 my hands have starting getting pain on cold days and even not-so-cold days. I found that turmeric capsules help but I have to take six/day for them to work and they're expensive, so I buy bulk organic turmeric and fill my own capsules with a device I bought on eBay like a drug dealer, LOL. So far so good.
Click to expand...
Turmeric doesn't absorb very well without the addition of black pepper, so you may want to look into mixing that into your stash! My whole body seems shot. Knees,ankles, back, etc... And I agree with bobcruz to use a good turmeric supplement, as well as lots of vitamin D3, a few grams of fish oil capsules through the day, plus Glucosamine with MSM. I like Wellesse brand liquid the best. My fingers can get pretty stiff too. Aleve can help with all that but I prefer top stay with natural stuff as much as possible. Kratom can help with the pain as well, but it has some addiction potential, so if you have issues along that line you may consider avoiding that, that is up to the individual however. Heat can help stiff arthritic fingers also. Maybe consider a shorter scale bass at some point. I play a Ubass sometimes and the thing is a blast and sounds great! Very easy on the fingers!
 
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#14
at 59 , ... and starting on piano at age 6 , bass/gtr at 12 ...

i started fiddling with herbs and such a couple decades ago ... without much relief ,... unless you would remove All the other inflammatory foods ...

the ACA ( best known as Romneycare ) is helping very much, paying for some meds that actually help me .

Celebrex ( generic ) Tramadol ... and crap loads of vits ...

for me , a small soft exercise ball used in the morning , helps also ... along with some other Hand Arthritis exercises ... the pain /swelling does seem to follow the barometer ..!

seems worse in the AM ... as it should be, after not moving and over night dehydration . my morning pills get taken with lots o water .. !
 
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#15
Whatever you think about doing for it, research it well. Don't waste any time or hope on pseudoscience medicine.

The only other thing I can think to recommend is possible change your playing position to maybe remove some stress from that joint. Maybe try the bass a bit higher or lower or at a different angle ... hope you can overcome this!
 
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#16
Gluvhand said:
I have absolutely no idea what Obamacare has to do with your arthritis nor do I care but I've got a touch as well. Work related. I find playing regularly helps as well as the tips from everyone. Good luck and hope it doesn't progress.
Click to expand...

Ah, insurance. I used to get health coverage for my whole family through the AFM, but that's near impossible these days. And my wife has a pre-existing so I thought we were outta luck(Rheumatoid Arthritis actually). Thankfully we can get it through Obamacare at a fraction of what we were paying on our own.

Anyhow, at 56 I have arthritis in various places--knees, wrists, elbows, shoulders sometimes. It comes and goes. I have found acupuncture to be very helpful. But most helpful of all is variety of movement--I do lots of sports and the more different type of motions I do from day to day, the better off I am. Oh, and not drinking too much either is a big one--really increases inflammation.
 
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#18
My left thumb is where I feel it the most @66. I stopped playing laying down with the bass on my belly b/c the tension it put on that joint.

My gf pushes Tumeric caps at me but I do regular 200 mg doses of ibuprofen. As needed, not everyday.

When I am gigging, studioing and practicing I could play up to 5 hours a day. Seemed to hurt less then, go figure.

My knees hurt worse than my hands. Jumping off a 3 foot stage is a feat nowadays. Just missed a gig because I couldn't do the dance moves.

It sucks getting old...
 
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