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Musicians- those who lost finger dexterity/control, did you ever get it back?

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Posted 8/12/2018 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
The simplest things gave me carpel tunnel during my decades of lyme. Needed to avoid jobs with a lot of computer work. Could never play a guitar right.

*So I basically tried to live my life as usual since Drs could not find a cause 25-30 years ago. Living my life doing the physical things I wanted and needed to do (hobbies, sport, and job) made this worse.*

So now i'm better, but I probably have a lot of scar tissue on my tendons where they go through other soft tissue. Scar tissue doesn't just correct itself- scarring is how the body heals, that is its correction.

I could have the carple tunnel in my wrists scraped away, but I dont get numb anymore, just slower movement than most people. Plus this procedure doesn't always alleviate issues in non-limies 100% of the time.

Id love to play correctly, but I dont have a light and fast touch with finger movements. Its one or the other, never both. Even though I had terrible anxiety with lyme, I always had a little of it anyway- enough that makes "natural" music composition difficult. Id be a good drummer, but I like string instruments and you dont need a whole band for that.

Im just wondering how many others were affected like this.

Maybe some are just made this way. I was always good at expelling large amounts of energy at long duration (combo of endurance/strength sports), but not lighter amounts in a mellow way.

Never had the desire to play metal, but I certainly listened to a lot of it and wondered how these more energetic musicians were able to be so light and fast with there fingers while tromping around on stage (example Young brothers of AC/DC)(obviously drugs is part of this for many, but not all). Of course the more elite guitar heroes amaze everyone, most people cannot ever do that.

As far as doing my own stuff at home, I like "unplugged" anything from around the world with the exception of plugged in electric slide....and get frustrated that I cant do what I want to. Coming to the conclusion that I never will. I maybe could have in my youth though - didnt try till I had lyme in my 20's- nothing to compare to.

I have plenty of other hobbies I can do again, but as i get older music is more on my mind.
Posted 8/12/2018 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'm not a guitar player - but I do play piano.


My finger joints were stiff and sore but not swollen....but for me the more I used them, the better they felt.
So, I was able to continue playing the piano...and luckily that part of my brain was okay...as I had good recall...and able to play songs I used to play many, many years ago... - a little slower with a few mistakes...but not too bad.


i have been listening to some unplugged music lately.

Here's an older song of a Canadian band:

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M

Turn the volume UP

You just need 4 more peeps to join you....lol.
Posted 8/12/2018 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Bvt has me playing pain free...i never thought i would when i couldnt squeeze or grip.....not as strong and bp need to be up but ya starting a band soon...lugging gear is still challenging
Posted 8/12/2018 6:17 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
Well I'm not a guitar player - but I do play piano.


My finger joints were stiff and sore but not swollen....but for me the more I used them, the better they felt.
So, I was able to continue playing the piano...and luckily that part of my brain was okay...as I had good recall...and able to play songs I used to play many, many years ago... - a little slower with a few mistakes...but not too bad.


i have been listening to some unplugged music lately.

Here's an older song of a Canadian band:

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M

Turn the volume UP

You just need 4 more peeps to join you....lol.

Thats a close knit band ha ha..

Yep, theres plenty of awesome unplugged stringed players, many on you tube, a great outlet for them. Top 40 was never about talent, its about money. Eddie Vetter of Seattle's Pearl Jam, had a whole solo Ukulele album not long ago to many's surprise. Its actually realy good too. Who would have thought?

Post Edited (astroman) : 8/18/2018 8:10:59 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/12/2018 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Pearl Jam is my cousins favorite band.
She loves Eddie Vedder.

“Just Breathe” is one of my fave PJ songs - chose it to play at my fathers funeral service.


So did you take guitar lessons ... or learn on your own, Astro?
Posted 8/12/2018 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Astro, have you looked into physical therapy? It's been helping me with some of my more physical issues (not finger ones, but maybe they could help with that).
Posted 8/12/2018 9:23 PM (GMT 0)

Noah2112 said...
Astro, have you looked into physical therapy? It's been helping me with some of my more physical issues (not finger ones, but maybe they could help with that).

Has Astro looked into physical therapy? oh yah....he has done a lot...and is very knowledgeable in the muscle/tendon rehab department.
But, I'll let him explain....
Posted 8/12/2018 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
On my own and friends. Tried lessons once (I sucked even more trying the "right way"). Ive had to do things a little different from finger/wrist limitations. Might be a waste if time and money for lessons again, unless the instructor is experienced in "adaptive" ways. There's more than one way to skin a cat and more than one way to pick. Oh sorry, you have cats ha ha.....

Electric requires less finger pressure. Im not so sure electric acoustic does or not, never tried it. Same acoustic sound but maybe with less finger pressure (i'd think/hope).
Posted 8/18/2018 12:43 AM (GMT 0)

bluelyme said...
Bvt has me playing pain free...i never thought i would when i couldnt squeeze or grip.....not as strong and bp need to be up but ya starting a band soon...lugging gear is still challenging

How lomg have you been on bee venom therapy?
Posted 8/18/2018 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Coming up on year 3....
When i first tried bv creme on my hands and that drilling feeling stopped i said i need way more of that !
At one point i kept biting my tounge and cheek when motor skills were being impaired. ..now i am blowing the clarinet and harmonica again...
Scary when the ducs said id be on a cpap by now
Posted 8/18/2018 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
From all the good I read about BVT, I would think it would not take so long. Three years of getting stung has got to be hard and confusing to the immune system itself.
Posted 8/18/2018 2:21 PM (GMT 0)

sandyfeet said...
Astro,

When I was younger I studied piano quite seriously. My teacher was well versed in physiological mechanics and taught me a lot about how to most efficiently use the body when playing the piano. I never fully appreciated how important this teaching was until now. I'm currently dealing with a lot of arthritis in my hands to the point that it's painful to hold a book or shuffle a deck of cards but when I sit down to play the piano I really notice the difference between pieces like Bach where my technique was correct vs pieces where I was really just using brute force. It's such a freeing feeling to be able to play fluidly and forget all of the stiffness and pain. . smile

I think piano is closest to hand help string instuments in variety of motion/dexterity needed. Yes, fluidly vs forced is a good way to describe it. I have all kinds of strength, but lack the fluid / relaxed control needed. A lot of that can be neck/shoulder/upper back tension. At one point I drooped my tooth brush every time, and could hardly write. I might ask around sometime seeking an instructor who knows body mechanics. Before Glen Frey passed you could see his pain and struggles on lead guitar from RA in his live performances on you tube ect.
Posted 8/18/2018 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
4 sessions and a shockwave therapy and my chiro can use his hands again...maybe temp relief but hey
Also i could not hold a gallon of water at my worst
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