I've had to set my guitar aside, among other things, since the beginning of the year b/c out of no where i developed some aches/pain in my right thumb (especially when I was picking). So i decided to pick up my bass in the meantime fiquring i could avoid using my thumb. Unfortunately the fingers in my fretting hand gave me the same trouble so I just stopped. I went to see some people one said it was probably over-exertion and should go away in a couple weeks, nope. I also had an arthritis work-up which was negative. It seems to have mellowed out in the past week or so, but stirs up now and again.
Has anyone had any similar trouble? Or still play w/ arthritis? I've been playing virtually everday for 3-4 years so it may very well be improper technique. Anyone else have setbacks from that?

Surf in Seattle?

ehutch...any stiffness or swelling associated with this pain?

I had a really strange problem a few years ago with very acute pain in two fingers on each hand. There was a lot of swelling involved and it got to the point where I couldn't bend those fingers at all. The episode lasted about two years, long enough for me to sell all my gear in total frustration.

There are over 100 identified different types of arthritis that fall into three groups: rheumatoid, osteo.., and psoriatic. They ruled out the first two for me and declared mine to be psoriatic. I took (and sometimes still take) an anti-inflammatory (can't remember the name right now). Anyway, it gradually went away and now only aches mildly on occasion. I'm back to playing again.

Don

Thanks for the help here, and despite living in seattle i'm not a coffee fan... Color me crazy. I dont actually have any swelling. Since this started, my joints in my hands have been popping, just like if you crack your knuckles. It's not painful by any means, just feels a little stiff before it happens.
I'll look more into the diet changes and see what the concensous is. That's wild about the cheese. Hopefully i won't have to sell off my gear, it may get a little dusty though.
In the meantime Bill I think you should stick to the dog paddle or his pointer gun behind the head trick.

Surf in Seattle?

poppoing joints, no swelling, thumb problems ... that just screams RSI to me.

eitherway, finger pain? as much as I think t's a good idea to discuss it here adn dont want to bring this thread to a grinding halt, in the end you should really not get the advice of a bunch of surfcrazy internet loonies, but of a physician

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

stop getting old!

I dont know about dislocation, that might happen too, but commonly, popping joints comes from tendons being overstressed/irritated, hence a tad swollen and they pop inside the shaft on edges and stuff.

at least that's how my physician explained it. Ive had fysiotherapy for 6 months now and it makes a difference. Im telling you, without saying the advice above is bad (it's probably all good and i'll actually follow some of it myself), if it's reoccuring trouble, go to a doctor.

PS, DGG, is that in your fingers or somewhere else? just curious.

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

DGG
Yeah, it's in the fretting hand. It kills like a mother and doesn't let you apply grip strength UNTIL you twist and cracks/pops. I know it's bizarre but it works.

allright, never heard of that. well, just goes to show, every body is different, we were all custom built

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

Thanks for all the helpful advice, true the internet is not the best place for a diagnosis, but I thought i'd throw out the Q for some ideas I did get a referral for a therapist so I'll see how that goes, but now that my guitar is forbidden fruit for the meantime it's calling my name twice as much. hopefully i won't have to do the twist and pop, that just sounds bad. Maybe with all my new free time I'll work on that not getting any older business.

Surf in Seattle?

Just so happens, I had fluid removed from my index finger yesterday, hopefully it will give me back full use. The official medical explanation "s*** happens" when you get older. I also get muscle cramping after about the third set of the night. My doctor suggested quinine, you can't buy it, but it comes in tonic water. I drink about a liter a week and it works real well.

www.cutbacksurfband.com

surfer
Just so happens, I had fluid removed from my index finger yesterday, hopefully it will give me back full use. The official medical explanation "s*** happens" when you get older. I also get muscle cramping after about the third set of the night. My doctor suggested quinine, you can't buy it, but it comes in tonic water. I drink about a liter a week and it works real well.

i like tonic water/quinine for cramps too...especially in the summer time...

-dp