I got a phone call from my rheumotologists office yesterday to go there and pick up my requisitions for X-Rays and bloodwork as my insurance company has approved me for Remicade.This med is an injectable and the infusion takes a couple of hours every few weeks.The treatment costs about $18,000 a year but the doctors say that it should bring my hands back to normal to the point that I can get out gigging again.I am over the moon at the prospects of getting out there playing in clubs etc.Lately my hands have been so bad that I can hardly touch the guitar so just to be able to pick it up and play as long as I want would be good enough.The only thing that I don't really look forward too though is being set upon by hordes of fans because I can't run that fast any more.lol.

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Great news Derek, and since you gave up smoking, you should be able to escape the crowd in the blink of an eye.
Claude.

That sounds great, I hope it works like magic. There will probably be more than a few of us interested in the results. I wouldn't worry about the fans, they can't run as fast as they used to either. One of our local clubs that hosts a blues jam night, has the nickname of "the wrinkle room".

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Although,
You may regain strength and dexterity, this medication
will lower your immune system.
I'm sure you've weighed the pros and cons.
Man I hope you feel better

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

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What's wrong with your hands? I have a form of dystonia that's causing me problems would it work for that?

Anyway i hope it all works out for you

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George Van Eps.

Good for you Derek, That's wonderful news. But do you really want to run from all those prity Girls? I think I would let one or two catch me anyhow.
----Danny,

Very Cool Derek!! I hope it works for you!

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Good news for Guitslinger for sure!

We played one gig where there were actually people on Rascal scooters and in wheelchairs. I saw the vans pulling in with the motorized ramps and it hit me that maybe we should update our repertoire? We basically play what PBS shows during pledge week!

Derek, a friend of mine had good results with Infliximab (that's the name of the substance).

Be very careful while you take it, your immune system will not be working properly. Don't go to public places, wash your hands often, don't kiss strangers

Cheers

David

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Thanks for the encouraging words guys,I'm currently getting methotrexate injections that affect the immune system so I already am careful about keeping germs at arms length.Gorgon,my condition is somewhat like the one that put Leona Boyd's hands out of commission but the doctors are pretty confident that Remicade will do the trick,I hope so because I have a pile of guitars that need to be played more.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Hi guitslinger: a friend of my mother's did well on Remicade for rheumatoid arthritis, I seem to remember.

Be great to get your fingers back doing their stuff. Let us know how you get on. Best of luck!

Cheers - C

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Hope it all works well for you. i remember before we spoke about this issue and Liona Boyd was mentioned, she has focal dystonia in her picking hand and that's like what i have. I don't play with a flatpick anymore as i feel as if i'm gonna drop it or lose control of it. I use thumpicks and that cures the problem but i'd still like my hand back to where it used to be.

I can't fingerpick hardly at all nowadays because of it, well i can but i can't do anything complex like i used to

Even if that drug worked for me these cheapskates over here would never prescribe it 'cos it costs so much

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

I'm 66yrs old. Over time I have had to give up tennis, then bicycle racing, and finally running. However I now feel much better due to rest of the joints that failed. I did this w/o rushing to surgery. I can now hike and walk much better than I could two years ago. Maybe that's what you need to do and see if time will let you resume, abet at not the same level. It's called aging, we all have to go through, and accept it.

Glad you're going to be getting releif and back to playing again GS, just make sure those laces are tied properly when you have to make a dash for it, nothing worse...........a fleet footed Guitslinger headed out the door " Ah ha ha ha see ya suckers Ssshllluuummmp Ooooofff ARGH be gentle girls".... ooooh nasty

My cousin goes for regular Remicade infusions and I must say the difference now from before she was able to have the infusions is night and day. I hope it works as well for you my friend.

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