Arthritis looks like it going to force me to do some things I haven't been planning..

[DoubleBoogie]

I think some of you may know that I have a pretty debilitating arthritic condition in my left thumb. It has gotten continually worse over the past year. Last night I was playing guitar and reached out for a chord that I hadn't played in a long time and it felt like I was stabbed with a knife at the base of my left thumb. It hurt like a mother! My hand now shakes badly playing in certain positions and I never know when I am going to do something that is going to hurt very badly. When I consider this and where I am in life and getting close to retirement and downsizing at 62, I am now embracing the fact that it is now time to trim down my collection to a much smaller one. With 24 guitars and 11 amps, I won't have the space to keep these anyway soon. As a result, in the coming weeks I am going to start the process of selling off most of my gear which includes a number of Les Paul Historics, and a few other Gibson's and Fenders along with some of my vintage Marshall and Fender amps and other amps. I want to see that the guys on this forum have a shot at them first. If any of you know of some of my gear that you might be interested in, feel free to email me at fleming_s@bellsouth.net . I haven't put prices to them yet though. I have to get an image hosting site set up and then I will start posting them in the classified section. Its been a blast guys and I will continue to hang out here from time to time and drool over the pictures of some of the finest gear to be seen anywhere. :salude

 

[Xpensive Wino]

Sorry to hear about your trouble.

 

[Texas Blues]

DB.

I feel your pain.

I'm 59.

I too live with arthritis.

My right hand thumb.

Right hand ring finger.

Thats my rhythm section.

It can be devastating and I've gone for weeks and sometimes months without picking up a guitar.

Until last month.

I went to Honolulu for a week.

My second visit there.

I saw and heard so many great musicians playing on the street.

And in the hotels and resorts.

And then I had an epiphany.

Fuck this shit!

I can do this.

And plugged in.

And yes it hurts sometimes.

And often not comfortable.

But I would rather be one of those guys rocking it on Kalakaua...

Rather than sitting at home.

Posting on the internet.


What I'm saying DB is this.


You got this!


As for the downsizing...

Do what makes you happy.

It made you happy to buy them.

Make yourself happy in selling them too.


And one more 'thang.

Its not likely that the planets will align for us to ever meet.

Which is unfortunate.

But not really.

Because we'd only get in a fight.

About who's cooking.

Hell.

I'd cook for those big slobbering 4 legged furry kids of yours!


God bless you and yours DB.


You got this!

 

[Triburst]

Steve, I'm very sorry to hear this. From building that amazing "Gibson" table, to reports on your trips on Blues Cruises, I know you love guitar and music.

From time to time, we hear other guitarists discussing this issue here. For instance, it was on this forum I read that someone says Keith Richards soaks his hands in hot water before going onstage, so it doesn't appear to be something anybody's been able to cure completely at this point. Good luck, my friend.

 

[renderit]

TOTAL.
FRIGGING.
BUMMER.

Fight it if you can!

 

[Zentar]

Be very careful opening pop bottles or any other container.

 

[Cliff Gress]

My best friend has a similar problem with his right hand. Sorry to hear this DB.
Have you tried cannabis?

 

[c_wester]

I always avoid these threads as they pull on my heartstrings.
Can you not go towards slide guitar?
There is alot of music to be had there... (As if you didnt know.... duh)


And to the previous poster hes a musician of course hes tried cannabis.

 

[Big Al]

I understand. I am so sorry to hear this. I have been thinking of selling most of my stuff too, but some pieces I'll keep because I can't bear the thought of selling them.

I do understand and hope you can overcome this disability somehow. There is always hope and we must fight on as best we can.

 

[SpencerD]

I also understand Steve. Dealing with the same condition myself and have been for a while.

It hasn't improved and isn't going away.

 

[J T]

Get a glass slide and work it like the greats, Dwane, Warren, Derek.:biggrin:

 

[fjminor]

Very sorry to hear this Steve. Getting old sucks, I know the pain. You sir have a wonderful collection and I know it will be equally as painful to have to part with any of that. You got to play and enjoy some great guitars and amps, but they are chapters in a life, and on to the next one.
:yah:headbange :frank:

 

[Ace139]

Steve - I hesitate to offer this up - as at times when you try to give advice on the web it goes horribly wrong. So please know this is only intended for Steve and others to read and do with it what you want.

Even though we have never met and at most could have exchanged posts within a thread - I feel like I know you a bit. When I read your post I really felt bad for you and thought some info & resources I am aware of could help.


From my 100% non-medical background, I think Arthritis is an autoimmune condition. Basically inflammation that is produced in the body due to it reacting to something going on in your system.

These programs & Doctors have a ton of info that may be able to help. They all have Podcasts and are all over youtube and the Web.

* Dr Mark Hyman - Director, Cleveland Clinic Center for functional health
* Dr Terry Wahls - Assistant Chief of Staff, Iowa City VA, Clinical professor of medicine @ University of Iowa
* Dr Steven Gundry - Former head of Cardiothoracic Surgery @ Loma Linda University

All of the above have personal experience with Chronic Illness and stories on how they worked and learned to heal. Based on that they have all started on journey / mission to help people thrive.

At times the information and protocol will seem radical and will cause significant lifestyle change.

While I do not have arthritis - prior to fully embracing their info - I was 50lbs overweight, basically type 2 diabetic and was rocking some serious brain fog and taking Meds for depression & anxiety and otc Prilosec for reflux. Now - ALL BETTER lost the weight & no Meds!! BTW Just turned 52.

Hope the above info can help you even if just a small way

Praying for you - ROCK ON ::salude

Steve (ace139)

 

[DoubleBoogie]

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions guys. I sincerely appreciate them. I wanted to be clear in saying I haven't given up playing and will continue to try and play and work through the pain and issues. One thing I have found is that Aleve seems to help me. If I know I am going to play some in the afternoon or evening, I can take two of them and get by with much less pain involved. I have heard CBD will help too, as will a tonic of sorts with Tumeric, Apple Cider Vinegar, and other stuff that sounds too disgusting to drink....but I haven't tried any of that yet. Every time I think of selling my stuff though, I immediately remember when I stupidly sold my near mint '58 ES-225, my near mint '62 ES-335, my '65 Deluxe Reverb, and my 1981 Boogie MKIIB. I always have regretted those things and could kick my own ass for having done it. Oh well. But since my son hasn't shown an interest in playing guitar, it doesn't make much sense to continue to hang on to it all. I just need to come to grips with what I truly want to hang on to and bite the bullet and offer the rest up for sale. Thanks again guys! :salude

 

[Triburst]

If I could offer one more piece of unsolicited advice...

Don't sell your stuff yet.

You mentioned your age and upcoming retirement.

I retired last October (except for a "consulting" job here and there). Your life will change.

Obviously, you'll find you have considerably more time to do things, but what I didn't count on was finding some other retired (or near-retired) musicians. They won't be hard to find (and they may even find you).

You might suddenly find yourself in a band after a jam or two, with like-minded players that are also in it for the fun -- not to try to make money. It's amazing how much fun it is to play the music YOU want, rather than tired stuff designed to quickly get people onto a dance floor.

It's much more fun than it was when I was a teen or twenty-ish player, and back then I was missing other fun stuff for practices or gigs (on date nights).

You do what YOU want. You play IF and WHEN you want to play. Your BS level resets to low.

Hang tight. You might thank me later. If not, your gear should still be worth plenty when you do decide to sell.:salude

 

[c_wester]

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions guys. I sincerely appreciate them. I wanted to be clear in saying I haven't given up playing and will continue to try and play and work through the pain and issues. One thing I have found is that Aleve seems to help me. If I know I am going to play some in the afternoon or evening, I can take two of them and get by with much less pain involved. I have heard CBD will help too, as will a tonic of sorts with Tumeric, Apple Cider Vinegar, and other stuff that sounds too disgusting to drink....but I haven't tried any of that yet. Every time I think of selling my stuff though, I immediately remember when I stupidly sold my near mint '58 ES-225, my near mint '62 ES-335, my '65 Deluxe Reverb, and my 1981 Boogie MKIIB. I always have regretted those things and could kick my own ass for having done it. Oh well. But since my son hasn't shown an interest in playing guitar, it doesn't make much sense to continue to hang on to it all. I just need to come to grips with what I truly want to hang on to and bite the bullet and offer the rest up for sale. Thanks again guys! :salude

Quit all sugar! Sugar fuels inflammation in the body!
You should go Ketogenic that is also known as LCHF.

Read up on it!
Im a mumbo jumbo free person and would never recommende a kiropractor or holistic dude-a-tron.


Sugar is fuel for the inflammation.


Just read up on it! And keep it 100% science based.

 

[garywright]

Steve ..im sure you have good and bad days ..hang onto that gear ...play 'em on the good ...enjoy 'em visually on the not so good

 

[tiller2]

All the best, and I hope you find ways to manage the issue and keep those fingers movin'

 

[Doc Sausage]

Quit all sugar! Sugar fuels inflammation in the body!
You should go Ketogenic that is also known as LCHF.

Read up on it!
Im a mumbo jumbo free person and would never recommende a kiropractor or holistic dude-a-tron.


Sugar is fuel for the inflammation.


Just read up on it! And keep it 100% science based.

Hmm, beer and alcohol have/create sugar. Guess I’m not quitting! :dude:

 

[renderit]

Hmm, beer and alcohol have/create sugar. Guess I’m not quitting! :dude:

MOST of the sugars in beer fuel the yeast and are converted to alcohol. MOST popular beers have 0 grams left! Guinness Drought? 0! Bud, Coors, Munich Dark, Heineken? 0! The beers I brew? Gone before it can be tested/don't care!

DRINK UP ME HEARTIES!