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Post by shadfan4 on Dec 5, 2014 11:25:57 GMT
For the last couple of years i have been experiencing pain in my left thumb (I am left Handed} and writing,undoing bottle tops etc have been a bit painful, obviously playing chords for any length of time is becoming a bit of a problem. So I finally went to the quack, and good old NHS within 5 minutes I was up the stairs at my local health centre and had an X-Ray that shows arthritis has set in on the thumb joint (Now I know why Voltarol or anything else I put on it didn't work. And there I was ready to get a dot re-issue es-335 for about £3000......and have now reluctantly put that off unless I get a cure (unlikely). Thoroughly pi**ed off with the result, and was hoping I had torn a muscle or ligament that would be fixable Mike.
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Post by Charlie Hall on Dec 5, 2014 11:48:18 GMT
Hi Mike, Very sorry to hear this news. Have you thought about trying a copper bracelet? A friend wears one on each wrist. He used to go to Australia to work in copper mines and I believe that's how he first realised the apparent benefits of copper. Regards, Charlie
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Post by dragonman on Dec 5, 2014 11:56:23 GMT
Hi Mike
So sorry to hear your news, and I sympathise with your plight as I am also an arthritis sufferer. In my case the finger joints, not the thumb which resulted in my having to give up playing classical guitar. So, I can fully understand how you feel right now, especially the frustration.
Best wishes, and I hope you are not in too much pain. (no pun intended)
Richard
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Post by philc on Dec 5, 2014 12:16:29 GMT
Sorry about the news Mike, but you have probably had this aurthuritus, for some time without actually realising it, so, go ahead, get the 355, your playing days although uncomfortable have not ended since the doc's bad news, if the 355 is the one I have, you will have fun with it and I am sure there will be many posts with it! Phil
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Post by sonovagun on Dec 5, 2014 12:28:48 GMT
Tough luck, its an unwelcome sign of ageing and i am sure most guitar players get some twinges in their fingers as time passes, i know i do and others of my age group that i talk to also. I suppose you have tried taking ibuprofen tablets?, they seem to reduce inflamation for some people.
best
Keith Dodd
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Post by allclaphands on Dec 5, 2014 12:50:57 GMT
Sorry to read of your Arthritis Mike and you have every reason to be thoroughly pi***ed of with it getting old can be a Bu**er Try and make the most of the things you can Mike Pete
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Post by olderek on Dec 5, 2014 12:58:39 GMT
Hi Mike, Very sorry to hear this news. Have you thought about trying a copper bracelet? A friend wears one on each wrist. He used to go to Australia to work in copper mines and I believe that's how he first realised the apparent benefits of copper. Regards, Charlie Hi..... Charlie is correct in what he is saying, a few years ago I had a very bad wrist and could not play guitar, It was the same thing, arthritis , so sadly I sold both my guitars..... It was suggested by a friend to try a copper bracelet, at first I cried it down then I thought I have nothing to lose......I could not believe it, it worked for me and has not returned..........So give a try you may have the same luck and end up with that new guitar...
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Post by shadfan4 on Dec 5, 2014 13:47:13 GMT
Thanks for all the commiserations, I really couldn't believe it when shown the X-Rays. I have been aware of the copper band solution? but nothing to lose by trying I am hoping it isn't going to affect my fingers, but the quack did say I was knocking on a bit so I should not be surprised At least I now know the problem & can work through some of your remedies. I have to back in week to get the official report, so "keep calm & carry on" Mike.
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Post by kipper on Dec 5, 2014 13:52:57 GMT
i was looking at keith richards (rolling stones) playing the other day and his fingers looked in a terrible state dont know how he plays. peter
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Post by istvan on Dec 5, 2014 13:55:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2014 17:08:54 GMT
sorry to hear this news mate and i hope your ok and can work something out richie
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Post by Stu's Dad on Dec 5, 2014 17:33:22 GMT
Mike,
You have all my sympathy, I'm petrified of finding myself with some condition or other that would put a stop to me playing my guitar. If I were you, I'd press on as long as is possible. You may have to stop one day, but with luck that day may still be a long way off. Kipper's right, Keith Richard has chronic arthritis in his hands, but I've seen a report of an interview in which he said he's learned to work around it.
And I don't know if this makes you feel any better, but my son-in-law, who's in his late forties, has an injury to his left hand (he's right handed) that has turned arthritic. He's been a bass player for a number of years, and can still manage to play bass, but his hand makes it difficult to for him to master six string guitar. I've been encouraging him to persevere and today he told me today that his hand is loosening up a bit now after regular practice.
Good luck,
Len
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Post by bor64 on Dec 5, 2014 18:14:04 GMT
Mike, that's a real bummer for you! Hope there is something the doc's or you, can do to lighten the burden or get rid of the %$%^condition. Cheers Rob
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Post by jondonwar on Dec 5, 2014 20:14:08 GMT
Hi , mike don't give up hope yet I suffer from the same and im prescribed NAPROXIN by the doctor its for arthritis works a treat for me give it a try regards john
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Post by philmcg on Dec 10, 2014 19:20:17 GMT
Hi Mike - Some 15 years ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my middle finger right hand. I had a lot of pain for over a year. Someone suggested one of these www.ecomagnets.com/bioflow-elite.htmI bought one and wear it continually day and night. Within a week of wearing it the pain had subsided and I wouldn't be without it now. May not work for everyone but It certainly does for me. Cheers Phil
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Post by Ed Cornish on Dec 10, 2014 20:48:58 GMT
Mike, sorry to read about your affliction. My Mum suffers and it is one of the reasons I took up guitar again. Got to keep those fingers and thumb moving. istvan is right - don't stop playing. Aside from that, my profession as a gardener means that quite a few times a year I get stung by nettles - usually grabbed when pulling weeds. They say the stinging folic acid is good for your joints. Next time you see some .... Ed
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colljaw
Member
The Controller
Posts: 426
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Post by colljaw on Dec 10, 2014 22:50:09 GMT
Hi Mike, sorry to hear this. Buy the guitar and have fun! I have acquired thickening of the tendons and it is becoming sore to play. The doc said that playing was probably intensive physiotherapy. Get the copper on and I hope it works for you!
Regards, Jim.
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Post by shadfan4 on Dec 10, 2014 23:09:07 GMT
Thanks for the "sympathy" posts, I have a crumb of comfort knowing I'm not the only one with similar problems . Looks like a "copper" trial is on the cards, but I get the consultants report/action on Mon so will have to see what the prognosis is. Mike.
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Post by philc on Dec 10, 2014 23:58:53 GMT
Jim, I have thickening of the tendons but not really bad, but a friend had it so it made his fingers curl, he had an injection in them, after a few day the thickening desolved and his fingers straightened, all on the National Health, in fact he also went private and they couldn't do it!
Phil
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Post by istvan on Dec 11, 2014 7:21:46 GMT
Thumb touch the little finger, and than the others!At first maybe you can not do it,but with the time will be better.The magnetic bracelet is very good too! Play every day guitar! Kind regards
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colljaw
Member
The Controller
Posts: 426
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Post by colljaw on Dec 11, 2014 15:52:05 GMT
Jim, I have thickening of the tendons but not really bad, but a friend had it so it made his fingers curl, he had an injection in them, after a few day the thickening desolved and his fingers straightened, all on the National Health, in fact he also went private and they couldn't do it! Phil Hi Phil, I think I also have arthritis as a couple of my joints are sore on the inside. My fingers haven't curled yet, I keep stretching my hand and doing that feels weird. It is only my left hand. It would be fine if I could do a transfer to the right one! Regards, Jim.
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