pawprint
Halfnote
Posts: 77
Formerly Known As: pawprint
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Post by pawprint on May 15, 2020 15:36:46 GMT -5
Hi folks,
As I've entered geezerhood with a bang (back surgery, knee surgery, cardiac procedure - you know the drill), it's clear that I've got arthritis in a few places that have served to limit me - in my thumbs (!), knees, elbows, lower back, and yes - my left big toe. I've spoken to my long-standing doctor about it, but usually when I'm in for other matters, and my yearly physical. He's clearly unconcerned with it.
But the fact is that it has affected me. I walk like Frankenstein. Getting off from the ground, I must look like I'm 80...Have any of you been dealing with these things, any words of wisdom, any things that have worked for you in the past, and eased the aches and pains of it? Thanks in advance...
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Post by Taildragger on May 15, 2020 15:45:54 GMT -5
At 71, I have it bad in both thumbs.
"Grin and bear it" has been my way of dealing with the pain so far.
I pretty much have switched from playing guitar to playing bass exclusively on account of it.
Still noodle a bit on a student-sized (23" scale length) nylon-string guitar, but that's about the only guitar that doesn't cause me significant pain anymore. Not sure why bass isn't as bad, but I'll take whatever I can get and be grateful at this point.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on May 15, 2020 16:07:07 GMT -5
I feel pretty decrepit at 60. I was told half a lifetime ago that I have degenerative disc disease. Back, left shoulder, neck, hips and lately hands (the big knuckle on my left index finger-ouch!). My knees have been giving it to me too. I gotta avoid NSAIDs because of gut bleeds, so usually nothing or some arthritis strength Tylenol. Doesn't do much for me. I try to balance my whining with the philosophical (things could be worse).
I haven't been the shining example of treating the body like a temple. But I also think I got some bonus eastern European premature aging genes. Thanks a lot, mom. Lol.
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ECS-3
Wholenote
Posts: 170
Formerly Known As: ECS-3
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Post by ECS-3 on May 15, 2020 16:16:29 GMT -5
I don’t have arthritis but a related condition called Polymyalgia rheumatica. It’s an autoimmune system disorder that attacks your joints. So the net result is the same, lots of joint pain, limited range of motion, etc. Prednisone helps a lot though.
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Post by budg on May 15, 2020 16:44:49 GMT -5
I’m almost 62 and have degenerative disc disease in my neck. I do some mobility movements to keep it at bay . I usually take 3 ibuprofen in am and another 2-3 in the evening. It does take the edge off the pain ,but that’s it. I would see an arthritis specialist and see if mobility exercises would help.
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Post by Mfitz804 on May 15, 2020 16:52:37 GMT -5
I’ve had it since my 20’s. I’ve never had specific treatment for it, going to see a rheumatologist is something I always say I’m going to do and I never do.
My left knee has something going on right now, I’ve been limping around all week. 99% sure I managed to tear the meniscus. A visit to a surgeon will be on my list of things to do once quarantine is over. So the rheumatologist will be put off again.
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Post by rickyguitar on May 15, 2020 18:03:28 GMT -5
Just turned 66, inflammatory arthritis is knees, ankles. Heels(?). Yeah, no fun.
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Post by Ragtop on May 15, 2020 18:06:53 GMT -5
Yep, in my thumbs, where the thumb meets the wrist.
Went to a rheumatologist, he said that's the usual starting point for osteoarthritis. Not much to be done about it.
And yes, it affects my guitar playing. I've found that big fat necks help very much; they seem to cause things to stretch out.
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Post by LTB on May 15, 2020 18:50:14 GMT -5
Have Arthrytis in my neck, left shoulder, Have had it in hands at times. Now my lower back where I had disk fusion where lumbar connects pelvic bone in 2014. 2015 MRI's showed I have Arthrytis and a spur the doctor said could cause problem in future. Well it has reared it's ugly head and the pandemic is keeping me from being able to have something done just yet. 3 months and now very debilitating (use wheeled walker, crutches, back brace and pain meds) is driving me crazy.
My dad, sister and brother as well as me all have arthrytis. Dads was so bad his fingers are notted and twisted. (degenerative for years).
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Post by rangercaster on May 15, 2020 19:09:30 GMT -5
I last pitched in a baseball game in 73-74 ... my right arm still has issues ...
But I have no regrets at all ...
Dang, those were fun days ...
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Post by rok-a-bill-e on May 15, 2020 20:12:21 GMT -5
Yeah, I hurt. It comes and goes. Sometimes knees, sometimes hips, sometimes finger joints, sometimes every damn thing. No advice or tips. I ignore it during the day and take aspirin, and a beer, before bed.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 15, 2020 20:16:32 GMT -5
70. Only have a little bit in my right pinky. Big deal, huh? The finger is a bit deformed and it hurts when I jam it too fast into a glove, or somehow stub it up against something. I never take drugs, so this thing is way down the list. I'm still at the same weight (exceedingly trim) and fitness I was when I registered for the draft well over 50 years ago. So I would imagine that has contributed to not giving the joints too much to deal with. Ski every day in the winter, so I guess it's working OK. For occasional lower back, hip, glute stuff, I stay on a daily yoga and stretching program. Seems to keep me out of trouble. Definitely grateful. The stuff you guys have doesn't sound like fun.
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Post by HenryJ on May 15, 2020 20:24:57 GMT -5
Nearly 72. Base of my left thumb. My PCP says the pain is from arthritis.
Sometimes it hurts when I play guitar, but usually the act of making music sends some substance such as endorphins or something in my blood that either dulls the pain or makes me forget about it. Another reason to love music.
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Post by Ragtop on May 16, 2020 6:07:36 GMT -5
I last pitched in a baseball game in 73-74 ... my right arm still has issues ... I remember being able to throw.
Vaguely.
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Shoes
Wholenote
Posts: 162
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Post by Shoes on May 16, 2020 6:44:21 GMT -5
I have it in my thumbs as well. I had a procedure a couple of years ago that removed the bone from the base of my thumb on my left hand. Worked great, while the thumb is still not 100% it's way better than it was prior. I'm considering having the right one done next.
As for the rest of me, left knee replaced 6 years ago, right knee is bone on bone. My feet are terrible and cause me lots of pain. It hurts to think about it.
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Post by LTB on May 16, 2020 13:28:02 GMT -5
I last pitched in a baseball game in 73-74 ... my right arm still has issues ... But I have no regrets at all ... Dang, those were fun days ... Who did you play for? |
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Post by Taildragger on May 16, 2020 15:02:30 GMT -5
I have it in my thumbs as well. I had a procedure a couple of years ago that removed the bone from the base of my thumb on my left hand. Worked great, while the thumb is still not 100% it's way better than it was prior. I'm considering having the right one done next. What was the diagnosis before surgery? |
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Shoes
Wholenote
Posts: 162
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Post by Shoes on May 16, 2020 16:59:37 GMT -5
Diagnosis was arthritis, procedure is called LRTI. They cut the arthritic bone out then tie the tendon in a not to take the place of the bone. I highly recommend it, recovery was a breeze, outpatient surgery. www.healthline.com/health/lrti-surgery |
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Post by stratcowboy on May 16, 2020 19:08:18 GMT -5
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Post by Opie on May 17, 2020 6:22:17 GMT -5
I was 29 when I was diagnosed with Reiter's Syndrome, which is an inflammatory type with some other nastiness. Lived with it my entire career until it morphed into a seronegative rheumatoid arthritis . Two years ago my back got so bad I had to take early retirement.(lost three inches in height) Long story short, I opted to have co-flex implants rather than a fusion at L4-5 and L4-3. Best thing I ever did. I still have the usual aches and pains, but nothing like before. Doc's have me on methotrexate instead of nsad's and my hands are to the point where I'm playing 90% as well as I used to.It's a lifetime struggle, but for now at least I'm in a good place.
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Shoes
Wholenote
Posts: 162
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Post by Shoes on May 17, 2020 6:31:48 GMT -5
Seriously, the recovery was the easiest of any surgery I've had. I had a thumb brace for the first week, then PT. My first PT session I already had full range of motion and it was just simple exercises after that. YMMV.
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Post by stratcowboy on May 17, 2020 9:03:10 GMT -5
Wow. That just seems amazing. But great news, indeed.
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