Health

[SJan3]

I'm 67 yrs old, not too old but certainly not young. I'm being sidelined by my health.
I retired and have suffered the worst last 2 years. Triple sinus surgeries, COVID, a heart stent, shoulder rotator cuff and now arthritis in my spine.
In short, most everything hurts and I can't, at this point, continue on stage.
It's taking the life out of me. I've backed out of my last two gigs due to health. I'm trying to put it in perspective but it's emotionally painful.
Is there hope for a musical future or do I resign myself to being shelved by ill health?
Anyone else going through this? Any advice??

 

[Lee Moses]

Sorry to hear about your situation. No, I have not personally gone through what you are experiencing, so I don't have any pearls of wisdom for you. But I do wish you the best, whether it be finding a way to continue to enjoy playing music, or whether new pursuits open up in your life.

 

[Sam Reese]

Hey @SJan3 ...first, pain ain't helping you. My empathy goes to you dealing with this unseen nemesis. Your musical future is how you handle it. I am exploring my iPad as a musical instrument sending the audio via bluetooth to a powered speaker. Creatively, it is a complete reboot from how I function as a bassist, but hope to make this touchscreen GUI a viable musical outlet in my world. As for "can't continue on stage," this is where you're going to have to find peace and another means to satisfy your musical muse. I don't know you, but I reckon you've played out a lot. Me too. If I get to the point where I can't play out, I'll probably still keep my muse thru gentler methods of creativity. I wish you only the best and peace on your life's path.
Afterthought edit: my wrist has been sore lately. Tonight at rehearsal I played a fretless bass with low action and sat down a lot to keep the weight off my back. It was a very light touch to play and there was not much compression on my back. This bass guitar is heavy! I know this is the upright bass side of TB's forums, but OP has a bass guitar in his avatar...

 

[SJan3]

Sorry to hear about your situation. No, I have not personally gone through what you are experiencing, so I don't have any pearls of wisdom for you. But I do wish you the best, whether it be finding a way to continue to enjoy playing music, or whether new pursuits open up in your life.

Very much appreciated! Thank you.

 

[SJan3]

Hey @SJan3 ...first, pain ain't helping you. My empathy goes to you dealing with this unseen nemesis. Your musical future is how you handle it. I am exploring my iPad as a musical instrument sending the audio via bluetooth to a powered speaker. Creatively, it is a complete reboot from how I function as a bassist, but hope to make this touchscreen GUI a viable musical outlet in my world. As for "can't continue on stage," this is where you're going to have to find peace and another means to satisfy your musical muse. I don't know you, but I reckon you've played out a lot. Me too. If I get to the point where I can't play out, I'll probably still keep my muse thru gentler methods of creativity. I wish you only the best and peace on your life's path.
Afterthought edit: my wrist has been sore lately. Tonight at rehearsal I played a fretless bass with low action and sat down a lot to keep the weight off my back. It was a very light touch to play and there was not much compression on my back. This bass guitar is heavy! I know this is the upright bass side of TB's forums, but OP has a bass guitar in his avatar...

Oh, I didn't realize I'm in the wrong forum.
Apologies.. but, yea, when I do play sitting as much as possible to take the pressure off of my back. But my right hand goes numb after a while. I had rotator cuff surgery and it's never been the same.
Maybe my gripes are inappropriate. I have played over 50 years. I am thankful for the time I've had. My goal is to try and recover as much health as possible. Weight loss will be at the top of the list as it will minimize strain on my back and other joints.
I feel your wrist strain too. Good idea to use a comfortable action to minimize stress.
Thank you for your kind wishes and I wish the same for you!

 

[Nathan Eskridge]

Starting Strength

I'm 22, but early in college I was sidelined by lower back pain from practicing, and in high school I similarly had rotator cuff issues would would flare up every 5-6 months or so. Since starting weight training and getting stronger, all of these issues have subsided, and I feel great playing. I can't recommend enough to start strength training as soon as possible in your life, especially playing such a physically demanding instrument such as double bass.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Be super careful not to get into painkillers too much.
Too many get seriously messed up from pills, unexpectedly.

I am 67 as well. Getting old sucks. The mods can move this thread to the bg side if you want more responses, just report it to them. Best of luck to you.

 

[CallMeAl]

Sorry to hear you’re going through that brother. Wishing you the best.

Other than finding a gentle movement program that works for you (tai chi, yoga, walking, etc.) I recommend looking into the work of Dr Joel Fuhrman.

(if you’re interested in this stuff, hit me up I have more resources I can share.)

 

[Razman]

Sorry to hear this my fellow TB'er - I heard of a book that might be helpful called "Younger Next Year" - haven't read it myself yet, but at a spry and active 48 I probably don't need to right now. Hope you can find some improved quality of life my friend.

Eric

 

[Gary Poe]

Sorry to hear youre having such a struggle and i pray it gets better. Im a month from being 70 and dont have all the issues you have but did go thru covid and have to have colonoscopys every year because i have a big risk they say. I have pain and swelling in legs and im overweight . I keep saying ill lose it and feel better but i guess its bad habits and i just wanna keep going anyway. I do still play out but pretty much local and use a stool and lighter weight cabs and basses and lighter gauge strings and action. I still work 40 hrs a week as a clinic property mgr and my wife has had severe health issues so thats another reason i dont play too far away so i can be close to her. Besides playing 2 or 3 saturdays a month with country or rock or a blues band I enjoy playing at church twice a week where i have 2 basses and an amp always at the ready. Ive felt embarrased by not helping bandmates with their egipment like i used to but i think they understand or i hope they do. I suppose over the years ive played since 1966 there hasnt been a day or maybe 2 that ive not picked up or played a guitar or bass. Its a big part of who i am . Never been big time but for me just playing and especially sharing music with others has been like therapy for me. I hope that your situation gets better and that you can continue in music and enjoy it in any way youre able to because it sounds like it means as much to you as to me. All the best and may God bless you!

 

[Jay Corwin]

I'm in my 40's, but I have chronic health problems that challenge me physically quite a bit for my entire life - getting worse as I age. While it's not the same as what you are dealing with, the one bit of advice I can give that has been helpful to me is to first to focus on your health and wellness, and second - adjust your expectations physically on what you are capable of as a musician. It can be a hard pill to swallow, and admittedly I am not always great at the second part. It does frustrate me.

There are parts of my skill level that have already diminished, mostly because I can't practice as much. I try to focus on knowing what I'm still good at, and sticking to it - although my brain sometimes tells me to go for things! My body does not always comply. Also learn to say no to!

Good luck.

 

[Killing Floor]

Wishing the best. That’s a lot going on.
How is your mobility? Could a daily walk or yoga or similar non-impact exercise pay off in time? Asking, not telling. Maybe have this conversation with your doctor. Hoping for better days.

 

[SJan3]

Sorry to hear you’re going through that brother. Wishing you the best.

Other than finding a gentle movement program that works for you (tai chi, yoga, walking, etc.) I recommend looking into the work of Dr Joel Fuhrman.

(if you’re interested in this stuff, hit me up I have more resources I can share.)

Thanks, Al. I'm considering yoga. I've been so sedentary since the heart issue and I really need to step it up. Thanks for the tip in Dr. Fuhrman. I'll check that out.

 

[SJan3]

Wishing the best. That’s a lot going on.
How is your mobility? Could a daily walk or yoga or similar non-impact exercise pay off in time? Asking, not telling. Maybe have this conversation with your doctor. Hoping for better days.

I'm mobile enough to walk and I do when my back isn't acting up. Ironically I'm on my way for spinal injections this AM. Hoping for good results!

 

[Barton Lee]

Your gripes are not inappropriate and I'm sorry to hear about the many challenges you're facing. I'm 60 and have faced significant physical challenges to gigging since 2004, when a motorcycle accident that I was lucky to survive left me with a paralyzed right leg and badly damaged right arm.

I had to give up the double bass, which I'd been gigging frequently until the accident and need a stool to sit on when I perform. My gear is light enough that I can move it myself but it's very hard for me and I gratefully accept help from fellow musicians. I've encountered stages where simply getting on and off them is a nightmare, and living in a northern climate where winters are long with ice and snow, just getting to the gig can be perilous. The ongoing pain from the injury to my spinal column (the nerves in my lumbar region which run to my right leg are extruded and floating around in there) is omnipresent and too often excruciating.

Reading your story reminds me how important the ability to still play bass with great musicians at meaningful gigs means to me and my well-being. Despite my challenges, my playing has never been better and the gigs are frequent enough to feel like I'm part of something; I'm also blessed with musician friends who accept my limitations.

All one can do is address the things you can fix and adjust to those you can't. My health is sound otherwise and I don't mean to compare us, just saying that your writing says to me that you love playing bass in public just as much as I do and that I encourage you to focus on a path toward sustaining that passion. Best of luck!

 

[SJan3]

TBrs, I'm on my way for some spinal injections so I don't want anyone to think I'm ignoring their post. I'll get back to you later!

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I'm 67 yrs old, not too old but certainly not young. I'm being sidelined by my health.
I retired and have suffered the worst last 2 years. Triple sinus surgeries, COVID, a heart stent, shoulder rotator cuff and now arthritis in my spine.
In short, most everything hurts and I can't, at this point, continue on stage.
It's taking the life out of me. I've backed out of my last two gigs due to health. I'm trying to put it in perspective but it's emotionally painful.
Is there hope for a musical future or do I resign myself to being shelved by ill health?
Anyone else going through this? Any advice??

That is rough. I hope things will improve for you.
Maybe if you try to compartmentalize each issue and address, or even just think about them individually, it won't seem as overwhelming. I know that isn't easy to do, as I'm dealing with some new medical issues myself, on top of some issues that have been with me most of my life.
Be very mindful of depression creeping in as a result of it all. Hopefully you have someone in your life who can kind of monitor that for you. We often don't recognize our own symptoms. You just don't need that on top of everything else.
Here's wishing you all the best.

 

[portpc]

One of the acts I've worked with has a guitarist/singer who is 74,. He doesn't see well, has a stent and despite the trials of getting older still enjoys performing.
I generally only book him for (1) hr shows nowadays. The crowds this band plays for are in his age bracket & it's a win/win.

We play at Veterans homes - Assisted Living homes & Senior Birthday Parties mainly. There are alot of folks of that generation who are starved for live music.
The #1 comment is how they haven't heard a song in ages and they were transported back to a better time.. To be part of that is quite humbling.

Maybe take it easy on yourself - Assess where you are at right now & stress the positives. If you still wish to gig you may need to simply adjust the road you are on? I hope so!

 

[Bass Momma]

Adjusting to old age is tough. I'm 70, and while I can't haul heavy gear any more, I'm still physically OK to play. Five of us, same demographic, get together each week to play jazz, and we've been planning small gigs. BUT our keys player, and "BL" (more of a musical director) had a bad heart attack a month ago. Two stents later, he's doing cardiac rehab. He also has other health problems. So gigs are off the table, and at some point I think our weekly sessions will end.

So how do we go out and find another group to play with when that day comes? We're not exactly the young gunslingers in town. Do we just play at home for our own pleasure? Hard to improve in isolation. Maybe small retirement home type gigs as a duo?

Adjusting to old age is tough! Good luck and good health to you.

 

[turf3]

OP, I don't want to sound like an authority but it sounds like the things that are really limiting your playing (skeletal issues) could be mitigated to some extent by working on playing position and instrument setup. Short scale bass with light gauge stings and low action; adjustments of your holding position; sitting down vs standing (depending on the spinal issue, some people will be more comfortable standing and some sitting). I know a classical guitarist who uses a foot rest (as most of them do), but he also has a light weight plastic frame that sits on his thighs - and then the guitar sits on it - and it establishes the proper playing angle for the guitar. I"m thinking that if you were sitting and you had a mechanical aid that would raise the neck of a short scale bass to a more vertical position, it might be helpful for left hand and shoulder issues. At least it seems worth a try. If I were you I'd be ready to accept looking a bit goofy in order to keep playing.

How are your keyboard skills? Keyboard bass would have a completely different ergonomic profile.