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Well, the fat lady has sang......

M

millsbass5

Dec 7, 2008
5,214
234
59
Logan,W.V.(not up some holler)
#1
Well, after 30+ years + (my 10th grade year. 22+ years, same band), I'M DONE with gigging. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't anywhere near to bein' done. But SEVERE back issues (NEVER ANY issues prior!!!), have stopped normal life, as I know it. I've had to resort to morphine & oxycodone, forcefully, to manage to deal with the pain. And, that's coming from a person that's NEVER indulged in that stuff (just weed, on occasion. (So what? I'll debate that 'til the VERY END of time, AND W-I-N, SON!).
Now,I'm bein' advised (STRONGLY), to file for FULL disability (an it takes 40k cut per year outta my my pay.) Which means no feedin' my Jones' for for fast, German cars, dammit!!)
 
#7
I've had 3 vertebrae fused a couple of years ago after years of severe back pain. My pain is gone, my life is 100 times better and I regularly gig again. I don't use my 10+ pound Stingray 5 for gigs like I used to, but that's ok. I wish you all the luck in the world and be careful with those meds. Believe it or not, getting off the prescription pain meds was the worst part of the whole surgery and pain ordeal. Stick with "herbal" meds. Like the previous poster said, don't sell your gear. PM me if you want to talk.
 
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#8
Sorry to hear about it. I have a bad back on my own and I know it's going to end sooner that normal for me... I'm still young though so for now I can get away with not thinking about it. Good luck on your recovery. Try sticking with weed if possible, but if you do need the opiates try not to quit cold turkey.
 
#9
Hi Mr. millsbass5,

It pains me to hear this about you, or anyone. All I can do is pray for a miracle and hope the doctors can treat you effectively. I'm so sorry to hear of your condition.

There is no one in your band who will keep one of your amps at his house and schlep it around for you? Even if your days of playing out have pretty much ended, consider staying involved and giving bass lessons to those who show promise. This can be very rewarding.

Perhaps this is the start of another chapter in your life. Hopefully it will be a good and rewarding adventure. I wish you all the best.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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#10
I don't know who is advising you to file for full disability, but be advised, if it is private LTD insurance through work you are talking about, even if you are approved you will be dropped after two years whether you are still disabled or not. Disability through your employer is basically a scam. If it is social security disability you are talking about, that is another matter. Good luck.
 
#11
Sorry to hear about your pain. I've been going down a similar road now for a few years. The surgeries were unsuccessful, and not only that one actually made me much worse. I've since had a spinal stimulator and an intrathecal pain pump put in and both have help tremendously. I'm not pain free and I am still on disability, but I have been able to at least play every once in a while at church where I can sit down and all the gear is already there, so there are still ways to play and enjoy. Music is really my only hobby I have left since I got hurt so don't give it up. Good luck to you and I hope they can figure out a way to help you out.
 
#12
mills,

You need a second opinion ASAP. If you don't like the second then get a third. Back issues do NOT have to stop your life Which would be better, file for disability and live in pain, or seek treatment and neutralize the pain through whatever therapy/surgery works for you?
 
#15
I hate to hear that.:(
A reminder to enjoy it while we can.
Do you play upright?

I've started to notice the un-even weight of an electric bass strap is starting to bug my bad back again. Ten years ago I switched from fenders to a light ibanez for this very reason, and it's happening again.

When my back does periodically go out, (usually due to neglect, on my part) I'll play upright only, and have a bandmate carry my gear. But, too much upright makes my arthritic hands act up, but I can still carry gear, if my back is OK. So I sort of alternate, or mix it up as much as possible.
 
#16
Dug2 said:
that sux bro, my back is pretty bad (not as bad as it could be thankfully) and im a tradesman.
wat do u do for a living if i may ask? i wish you the best of luck
Click to expand...


I'm the safety coordinator for a natural gas drilling company. So, basically I spend 10-12 hours a day either driving a 4-wheel drive truck through the mountains (with an ATV in the back to get to locations my truck won't reach). Prior to that, I was a welder for years. So, needless to say, it's a very physically demanding job that has me gone at least 16 hours a day, on average, when I include my travel time to/from the job sites.
 
#17
Good luck with your path to "normal ness" as far as dealing with pain goes.
Be careful of pain killers esp. vicodin. 4 years on motorcycle accident recovery(40 years ago) let me understand how pro sports folks can become addicts.
I have met one bassist with a formerly-famous country act with issues similar to yours except not as severe. His bandmates moved his GK(head & 1 cabinet) and he sat on a stool to perform with the band.
A strong second for not selling all of your gear. Been there, done that to move family from Louisiana to Texas in 1989.....not a nice memory.
 
#18
Sorry to hear your hurting. Me too, pinched nerve going on two years. It's tough hoping for the right healthcare provider to get you right again. I have mostly younger bandmates not long on compassion. I'm still getting through my gigs, but I have to admit it is affecting my performance. That issue is more the opiates than the pain. Thank God I own some chops or I'd be on the outside looking in. Too stubborn to give up.
 
#19
Man, life can just suck, sometimes!
I always think of Les Paul, whose right elbow was shattered in a car crash. The doctors wanted to amputate, but Les directed them to fuse it instead, "point it at my navel," and went on to have 12 #1 hits.
Sure, it hurts, but we can't let that stop us...
 

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