arthritis in fretting hand

[oldtelefart]

I've lately developed pain in the middle joint of my first finger. Typically when playing an open position A chord using first finger, also fretting two or three strings with first finger while playing leads. That flattened finger position hurts like hell. It is also a big part of my playing technique. When I change to a more classical hand angle it's fine, but there are a lot of licks that don't work with that hand position.
Some people have reported improvement with a capsaicin cream. Anybody with the same problem have any helpful info?

[halorealm7]

I have the same problem and it hurts so bad that I have all but quit. I've tried creams and OTC pills but nothing works.

[Don A]

See a doc. It might not be arthritis (my pain isn't). If it is, it needs to be treated to put off long term damage.

[TNO]

Arthritis can be caused by food allergies. First try cutting all artificial sweeteners out for a couple of weeks. If that doesn't help try eliminating nightshade vegetables. What I was sure was overuse was diet-related.

[halorealm7]

Originally Posted by Don A

See a doc. It might not be arthritis (my pain isn't). If it is, it needs to be treated to put off long term damage.

I'm afraid mine may be hereditary (if that's possible) my poor mother's hands look terrible and she is only 64.

[90wreck]

I have it pretty bad.
Glucosamine(sp?) and fish noil have helped a lot the last few months.
Our lead singer asked if I had been practicing.....lol
I told him that I had some of my old chops back that I could do years ago because of the supplements.
It works for me......others, it doesn't.
Plus, my other joints are feeling better, like shoulder pain that I had sleeping.

[CyberFerret]

Hey oldtelefart - I used "Zen Herbal Tincture" which is like Deep Heat or Tiger Balm only doesn't smell as bad.

I had joint pain in my first two fingers of my left hand a few months back, and I was terrified it was the onset of arthritis. A combination of this tincture and reduced playing time meant it was all good to go in about 4 weeks. Still slightly tender, but nowhere near as bad as it was.

I posted about it when it first happened - a lot of people recommended Ibuprofen but I didn't try that. Good luck with that - I know how you feel!

[macmeda]

Originally Posted by TNO

Arthritis can be caused by food allergies. First try cutting all artificial sweeteners out for a couple of weeks. If that doesn't help try eliminating nightshade vegetables. What I was sure was overuse was diet-related.

i suffered 26 years with what was diagnosed as "Ulcerative Colitis". Quit night shade vegetables 3 years ago and all symptoms are gone. Arthritis symptoms are much more common allergic reaction to nightshades.

[oldtelefart]

Thanks all, will look into your suggestions. The thought of not being able to play is terrifying.

[oldtelefart]

So, nightshade vegetables include potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and tobacco, all of which I love and consume daily. Time to try quitting smoking again. Life without tatties and tomato seems almost as bad as life without music.

Getting old really sucks!

[macmeda]

Originally Posted by oldtelefart

So, nightshade vegetables include potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and tobacco, all of which I love and consume daily. Time to try quitting smoking again. Life without tatties and tomato seems almost as bad as life without music.

Getting old really sucks!

Eggplant and sweet potatoes but not yams.

[Phospheros]

If it truly is arthritis you might want to look into minocycline therapy for it. Its a lot kinder than the rest of the drugs they use for arthritis. If its used in pulsed dosing (e.g. every other day) it will often clear it up, but it will get a little worse before it gets better. You can get an idea if it will work for you by taking it continuously for a week. If the arthritis lets up by the end of the week, its likely it will work for you. This is not a short term therapy, its not like battling step throat where a month later you are done. This is into years to get it to go away, and not come back. Its also not 100% effective on its own for everyone.

One of the problems I had when I got sick with neurosarcoidosis was a very rheumatoid like arthritis, and it made playing miserable for years. This was one of the more helpful things I found.

See your doc, but keep in mind most of the drugs they have for arthritis (especially RA) are far more toxic, and far harder on your than minocycline is. The nightshade thing is true to a point, but the food sensitivities often clear up when you go after the source of the problem. The leading edge of research into both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis points to infectious causes.

[Dr Git]

Get used to it...kidding, but i have it too, as well as carpel tunnel in both wrists

[macmeda]

Originally Posted by Phospheros

If The leading edge of research into both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis points to infectious causes.

Can you lead me to some reading on this?

[Vince]

Originally Posted by fitzo

I have a familial autoimmune disease which has many of the symptoms of RA, but is seronegative for RF. Nowadays it is treated with salsalate, hydroxychloroquine, and an a-TNF inhibitor monoclonal antibody (Humira). They have proven quite effective at slowing down what was a frighteningly rapid progression of the disease. Being able to return to some limited guitar playing has been a significant boon to my life.

HLA B27?