Dealing with Arthritis

[Gizmot]

I have arthritis pretty bad and I’m nearly 75, so I’m learning that Father Time is undefeated. What I’ve learned is that changing diet can help and there are some medications that provide relief, but what I keep learning is to keep using your hands and fingers. Movement and range of motion is important.

 

[enricogaletta]

It’s never easy when physical limitations affect your ability to play your instrument. But there are different ways to approach this kind of situation. One thing is for sure: the passion we feel for this instrument can push us to find creative ways around the obstacle.
A great example is Victor Wooten. A few years ago he was diagnosed with focal dystonia, which caused serious muscular issues. He had to completely relearn how to approach the bass and play it differently, because certain movements were no longer possible. And we’re talking about a master, someone who used every single centimeter of his fingers.
Of course, arthritis can be really painful. I know quite a few musicians dealing with it. I’m sorry to hear you couldn’t pass that funk/disco audition, but remember, there are many ways to play funk. Funk can be deep and groovy even with just a few notes. It’s not about complexity, it’s about creativity, approach and note choice. Even with fewer movements, you can still make it feel great.
Try to work around the obstacle. Slow down the technical side if needed, but find a way to enjoy putting down the groove again. That’s what it’s all about in the end.
Let’s Groove. Enrico

 

[roccobass]

Good luck and sending good vibes for at least a future relatively pain free playing experience. This is all good info from all of you.

Fractured my left middle finger in early September and am just now being able to play. My orthopedist already gave me the obvious that I have arthritis in last knuckle in said digit. That and along with trigger finger in the second knuckle. She won’t give me a cortisone shot until the break has fully healed. Argh!

 

[Petethebassman]

Thanks. I thought acetaminophen was something different but it's same drug as paracetamol in UK.

I take 1000 mg paracetamol about 30 minutes before a gig or a long rehearsal, here it’s sold under brand name Panadol. I have mild arthritis in my left hand middle finger and pains in other left hand fingers unless I premedicate with paracetamol. (I play left-handed)

 

[Polfuste]

I'm 53 and suffer from calcifying tendinopathy at right shoulder. Plus i'm starting to feel what seems to be osteo-arthritis in hands. (my mother suffers a lot from that in her hands) and i've the same body .. ) So to adapt to my right shoulder pain, i've stopped to play my acoustic bass and guitars; as body thickness is the enemy. And i've switched to short scale bass: that is a revelation. Everything is easier to play, less weight on shoulders, less force to use with hands,.. My Sire U5 is now my #1.

Since few years, i've re-shaped my right hand technic inspired by a mix of Anthony Jackson (RIP Masetro) and Mark Knopfler technic, with a floating thumb one. I play with my thumb, index, middle finger and a lot less anchoring thumb on pickup or thumb rest. As a result, my right hand is more relax and my wirst straight: hand alined with arm. This has stopped my dawning small pains in hands so far.

And to finish, one more voice for less sugar. Sugar is one of the main body ennemies. 7 years ago i've suffered for a stroke (hopefully a minor one); and subsequently followed a program explaining in details what i've run through, and what was my options to avoid any reissue. And one of the main advice was to reduce sugar (and alcool which is sugar too) at minimum, cause it's the main cause of atheroma in veins; which lead to strokes and heart failure.
And i can say that since i've followed this track, my entire body feels better as a whole.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Due to a pinched nerve and resulting tendonitis, using my fingers is unreliable as sometimes my fingertips go numb and I can't feel how I'm playing when using fingers. But that also means I have a VERY difficult time holding a pick tight enough to keep it from turning or even dropping it.

So I resorted to thin Black Mountain Thumbpicks.

They come in different thicknesses and you can order a variety pack to find what works for you. They are spring loaded and one of the best investments I've made to be able to continue playing. I don't even have to actually "hold" the pick between my thumb and fingers as it stays on and in place on my thumb alone, which means I can easily play in a very relaxed way.

I use more of a rhythmic strumming motion (ala Bobby Vega) utilizing ghost notes, muting, etc. which allows me to use more of my entire arm for motion instead of just my wrist, hand or fingers. Which means less muscle strain in any one area. These picks are absolutely amazing and keep me playing relatively pain free,

 

[bassdude51]

Suck it up?

Don't smoke and only have a few beers once a week.

Ha! There's the issue right there! Gotta increase the beer intake! Joking of course.

Suck it up? Yeah, as we age, we have to suck it up whether we want to or not. I'm wrestling with age 74. Besides bass, there's many other things that I either can't do or can't do as good as I used to.

You've heard the old expression..........."necessity is the mother of invention". As we develop limitations, we have to resort to other ways of doing things, including playing the bass.

I'm sorry that you didn't pass the audition. There are many other types of music that might be easier for you to play as you battle with arthritis!

I guess that we just have to do what we can do! And try to be content with that.

(Many aging pop and rock stars can no longer sing those high notes. Either have to do the song in a lower key or avoid singing high. I read about Geddy Lee dealing with this issue.)

We do what we can.

Good luck.

https://www.google.com/search?sca_e...PiyjuOQAxXXmWoFHdpbCNQQyNoBKAB6BAgXEAA&ictx=1

 

[crazycloud]

Get off crap processed foods and on to single or few ingredient foods where I can identify every one of the ingredients used and I don't have to look up the code for them. My general rule is that my Grandmother should know what they all are.

I did this 2ya, and have lost >100lb (about 40% of my original body weight), am off my blood pressure meds and most importantly for this thread, all the inflammation has gone from my joints. No more anti-infalammatory drugs like voltaren and no more pain killers.

My work is very active, so I'm on the move a lot of the time (so much for semi-retirement) and once I get over my recent injury, I'll be back on my pushbike every day and back to pilates and the gym. And I have a rucking plate and vest on order.

I expect all sorts of comments, but this has worked for me, and continues to, so whilst my (almost 100%) carnivore diet, regular intermittent and extended fasting may not be for everyone, maybe it will get some to try something different beyond what has become the default diet in most of the West. Because what I'm seeing from the people in my community (lots of retirees here) is that whilst they're living a long time on average, for many the last decade is miserable.

For most of my life I lived poorly, and have a whole host of old injuries so I'm coming from a fairly damaged base, but I feel pretty good these days.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Get off crap processed foods and on to single or few ingredient foods where I can identify every one of the ingredients used and I don't have to look up the code for them. My general rule is that my Grandmother should know what they all are.

I did this 2ya, and have lost >100lb (about 40% of my original body weight), am off my blood pressure meds and most importantly for this thread, all the inflammation has gone from my joints. No more anti-infalammatory drugs like voltaren and no more pain killers.

My work is very active, so I'm on the move a lot of the time (so much for semi-retirement) and once I get over my recent injury, I'll be back on my pushbike every day and back to pilates and the gym. And I have a rucking plate and vest on order.

I expect all sorts of comments, but this has worked for me, and continues to, so whilst my (almost 100%) carnivore diet, regular intermittent and extended fasting may not be for everyone, maybe it will get some to try something different beyond what has become the default diet in most of the West. Because what I'm seeing from the people in my community (lots of retirees here) is that whilst they're living a long time on average, for many the last decade is miserable.

For most of my life I lived poorly, and have a whole host of old injuries so I'm coming from a fairly damaged base, but I feel pretty good these days.

I've been on a healthy diet (organic and no processed foods at all) for almost a decade now. Intermittent fasting is my norm. I couldn't even tell you what is down the aisles of a grocery store anymore as we eat nothing from those aisles (it's not even food!). If you have to read an ingredients label, just stay away from it. Real food doesn't need or have a label. HINT: Real food is it's own singular ingredient.

We have absolutely no drugs in our house, not even aspirin. I don't have arthritis, but I do have lingering nerve issues from injuries that I am resolving via physical therapy. Three separate falls resulted in...pinched nerve in my neck, two separated collar bones (one was also fractured), partially torn rotator cuff, fractured tooth and jaw, and a concussion so bad I had temporary amnesia. Some part of my issues are from my brain not communicating with my body in the right way. It's a slow process to full recovery (which gets slower as we age...fact, not opinion) but I am not going to let it stop me.

I found out via blood tests that I'm anemic with stage 2 kidney disease and receive a weekly megadose of B12 (plus other vitamins and minerals) injections because I couldn't possibly eat enough food containing them or even additional supplements. Huge difference in my energy level and how my body processes food (even healthy food). It also got rid of my neuropathy entirely.

I am a work in progress. I'm of the mindset that I can correct things and I am driven to get my entire body back (or better than) "normal". I stay as active as I can. I'm careful about what I eat, I exercise as much as I am able to.

Sitting around complaining is only going to give me more to complain about. I can completely understand why people give up. Dealing with pain and other problems is highly stressful and depressing, which can only lead to more of the same or even get worse. Old habits die hard and creating new healthy habits is even harder the older we get, but that is our choice.

I'm going to get back on a stage on a more regular basis after I retire early next year. You are right, the last years of our life should be enjoyed to the fullest, but that's only going to happen if we put the effort into making it happen.