cheddatom Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 I have some sort of repetitive strain which the doctor has told me can't be treated. I can play the drums fine, and use a computer all day long. The only effects of this are some tingling in my hand and tension in my wrist. If I play bass for more than 30 minutes I end up with serious tension and pain in my hand and wrist. So, I play drums in 3 bands but bass in none Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1407105591' post='2517459'] Perhaps if bass playing has become physically difficult there might be something else you are able to play? [/quote] Hey, thanks for the nice post. That's a great idea, sadly it hasn't worked out for me. I tried keyboard but the position causes issues, I tried lap steel but that didn't work out. I am lucky though that I have a lovely old parlour acoustic which is tiny but sounds awesome. I play that in little bursts at times. I think it's amazing when people are able to switch instruments (like the guy who posted about the drums) or playing style. I once knew a guy that learned to play bass left handed due to issues with his hand, I think that's very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1407086418' post='2517197'] That is not good. I started the guitar root when i was 12, and wasn`t too bad at it. At 19 i had arthiritis, and i had to stop. About 6 years a go, i got a great treatment that has made everything so much more managable................. [/quote] Can I ask what the treatment was? I've lost the use of my left hand to arthritis and it seems I'm allergic to the anti-inflammatories I've been prescribed, I swelled up like the Elephant Man and had severe breathing difficulties Basically I'd try anything to get back to a normal life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 [quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1407174195' post='2518065'] Hey, thanks for the nice post. That's a great idea, sadly it hasn't worked out for me. I tried keyboard but the position causes issues, I tried lap steel but that didn't work out. I am lucky though that I have a lovely old parlour acoustic which is tiny but sounds awesome. I play that in little bursts at times. [/quote] Sorry to hear that. There's always less conventional things like programmable synths or very unusual things like theremins that don't require physical touch to operate. I guess it depends on how much you're tied to playing stringed instruments---I know I would find it hard to give up playing bass. All the best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1407229865' post='2518465'] Can I ask what the treatment was? I've lost the use of my left hand to arthritis and it seems I'm allergic to the anti-inflammatories I've been prescribed, I swelled up like the Elephant Man and had severe breathing difficulties Basically I'd try anything to get back to a normal life. [/quote] The treatment is called Anti-TNF. You have to inject it yourself every week. You have it prescribed by a specialist. Etanercept is the one i take. [url="http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/anti-tumour-necrosis-factor-alpha-anti-tnf-alpha"]http://www.patient.c...-anti-tnf-alpha[/url] . Perhaps you should print it out ready for your next doctors appointment, to show him/her. I would urge anyone who has arthiritis to at least let your doctor know all about it,plus your specialist, so hopefully it will help get it in their mind. Apparently it is quite hard to get, as i am told it costs around £1000 a month. Before i had it, i was on the verge of giving up work. Since i have been on it, around 5 years ago, all the swelling in my knees has gone, which was there for around 10 years./ The pain in my neck is not too bad at all, and i can actually pick myself up of the floor now, which was virtually impossible without having something to lean on. It has stopped any more damage so far. I can also play the bass, although badly, which is something i couldn`t even contemplate 6 years ago. I have it for psoriatic arthritis. Edited August 5, 2014 by timmo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Good grief! You lot make my hand and wrist issues sound like a fun day out! I've been seeing an orthopaedic consultant for my troubles, originally diagnosed with carpal tunnel in both wrists and compression of the left ulnar nerve. But following a nerve conduction study, they've retracted that. They have found a several small and one larger cysts deep in my right wrist joint from an MRI scan, but don't seem worried about that. There are several problems including shooting pains up my arms and in both wrists and right index finger, numbness, tingling fingers etc, but they aren't prepared to spend the time and money doing more tests, and have told me I must put up with it. Wonderful! But anyway, yeah, that seems like nothing compared to what you're going through, all the best in getting it sorted. Have you tried a short scale bass? Might be worth a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1407273960' post='2519139'] Good grief! You lot make my hand and wrist issues sound like a fun day out! [/quote] These topics are always interesting. I always think i have problems, but some people have a horrific time in comparison to me. It makes me feel i am lucky in comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1407274371' post='2519142'] These topics are always interesting. I always think i have problems, but some people have a horrific time in comparison to me. It makes me feel i am lucky in comparison. [/quote] Same here! I would have trouble playing in a band these days, but can still play as and when I want to, within reason. Grateful for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1407273168' post='2519126'] The treatment is called Anti-TNF...................... [/quote] Many thanks for the information and link, I'll definitely print that out and show it to my doctor. Looks like heavy duty stuff, I doubt they'll consider it for me yet as it's quite early days and is only affecting my left hand badly and my knees somewhat. But I'll certainly push and see if they'll consider it. [quote name='timmo' timestamp='1407273168' post='2519126'] Before i had it, i was on the verge of giving up work. Since i have been on it, around 5 years ago, all the swelling in my knees has gone, which was there for around 10 years./ The pain in my neck is not too bad at all, and i can actually pick myself up of the floor now, which was virtually impossible without having something to lean on. It has stopped any more damage so far. I can also play the bass, although badly, which is something i couldn`t even contemplate 6 years ago. I have it for psoriatic arthritis. [/quote] Yikes, sounds like you've had a really tough time of it Glad to hear you're playing bass and moving about better, hope the progress continues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1407234097' post='2518524'] Sorry to hear that. There's always less conventional things like programmable synths or very unusual things like theremins that don't require physical touch to operate. I guess it depends on how much you're tied to playing stringed instruments---I know I would find it hard to give up playing bass. All the best! [/quote] Tharamins, good call! Cheers pal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1407273960' post='2519139'] But anyway, yeah, that seems like nothing compared to what you're going through, all the best in getting it sorted. Have you tried a short scale bass? Might be worth a go. [/quote] I always think that pain issues are bad no matter what they are. Some of my friends often say to me "I shouldn't complain, compared to what you've been through" but in all honesty pain is pain, and I'm probably better off than some of them as I've had more time to get used to it! I feel for you that they won't operate on your cysts, that seems completely bizarre to me if that is causing you pain. I would certainly complain to your local authority. I had to react very strongly to my old GP to get the treatment I needed to get me off incapacity benefit, if I hadn't of then I'd most likely be in a real bad way now. When you see your GP next, really play on how this affecting you, I found that if you give them the extreme 'warts and all' stories they finally react. Anyway, you may have already done that, I'm so sorry to hear your condition is being neglected. As for short scales, I used to have a killer 71 Musicmaster which was modded everywhere except for the neck and body. It helped me play for a good 5 year period but I'm now in a place where if I play long or short scale the results are the same. I have a super light P Bass now so that helps. I've been reading the recent short scale thread here on BC, I'm feeling quite nostalgic for my old one! I wish you all the best with your wrist. Edited August 6, 2014 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 (edited) My sympathies go to the OP. Around 4 years ago I had a major (as in Major!) sciatic episode. It has flared up several times since then and these days I live in more or less constant pain to varying degrees. I like to think that I have it under some sort of control (although the recent house move was an interesting experience at times ), and I've been told that if I look after it and get plenty of exercise things shouldn't get any worse; but also will never get better. It put an end to my playing career (which was the primary cause of the problem in the first place - guitar/bass gear + full PA to lug around on a regular basis for many years finally caught up with me and bit me - almost literally - in the arse). My self-confidence also took a major hit, and now I don't think I could ever get properly back into it - although a very good friend has offered me a one-off guitar gig playing dinner Jazz later in the year (I guess I'll see how I feel after that one). I do talk about it with friends & neighbours from time to time though so you never know... @Chiliwailer Hope things turn out for you. Edited August 7, 2014 by leftybassman392 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1407401838' post='2520078'] @Chiliwailer Hope things turn out for you. [/quote] Hello mate, thanks for the kind words. Same back at you my friend, your story is one that feels incredibly familiar so I genuinely sympathise and understand. The self confidence issue is a tough one, I'd love to offer advice or words, but I always feel that it's a personal journey and one which may be best left without judgement from others, please correct me if I'm wrong? Though I can say that for me, acceptance was the biggest hurdle and acceptance covers ALOT of ground. It's great that you have that gig. Do you use pacing in your days/weeks? May be worth putting a plan in place for the days before and after so that you're in a good position to play and recover? Wishing you all the very best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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