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Post subject: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 4:45 pm
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After what now is 3 years,I finally got a conclusive diagnosis as to what's causing most of the problems.The proper diagnosis even eluded the "rheumatology specialist" that I have been seeing all this time.I really owe a huge vote of thanks and deep gratitude to one of the forum's elder statesmen-not in age but in the length of time he has been a member- our very own ZZDoc.It was over a year ago that Doc mentioned that all my symptoms looked like the symptoms of Raynauds and the reports came back from my cold water immersion tests today and confirmed that it is in fact Raynaud's Syndrome but is by and far about the most severe case that they ever seen.After just 30 seconds in the cold water my hands "shut down" so completely that they couldn't get enough nerve activity to get a reading and that apparently is exceedingly rare and hardly ever seen.Ever since I was in my teens my hands were very susceptible to the cold and even when I was in my 20s and gigging in the winter I would often have to go into the venue's washroom and fill a sink with very warm water to get my hands "thawed out" enough for playing.

It wasn't until Doc had mentioned Raynaud's and I mentioned to the neurologist that anything was done to investigate that aspect of it and even then it was my family doctor who took the initiative to book the cold water immersion tests.As far as I know the neurologist is still "getting around to" making an appointment for the test that he should have had performed 3 years ago.Due to our near 3rd world health care-the term "health care" has become an oxymoron in our province-I would have to wait at least 2 years to see another rheumatologist but I'm going to have to go that route because most times having a poor physician is much worse than not having one at all.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 5:57 pm
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Guitslinger, a proper diagnosis, good for you man.
Is it a degenerative illness?
How does diet affect it?
What meds and remedies do you take?

Living with a permanent hand injury myself, damp cold breaks me down.
May I suggest the videos on Iron Shirt Chi Kung, by Mantak Chia.
Best wishes, any tips appreciated.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 6:43 pm
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Thanks Mike,I'll make a note of these videos.I believe that Raynauds can get progressively worse and there's no real cure as such but there are meds that exascerbate the condition such as beta blockers-I'm on a powerful one because of my Atrial Fibrulation but I'm willing to drop them if it means being able to play again.There are meds that can reduce the symptoms such as Viagra-which would be doubly good for an old guy like me...lol.Anyway I'm booked to have surgery on my right hand too because besides the Raynauds they have found Carpal Tunnel and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome plus they have suspicions that there may be other neuro muscular issues involved besides the Raynauds etc. Time will tell.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 6:47 pm
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If it were me so afflicted I'd spend less money on gear that I might not ever be able to play again and more money on arranging to see an osteopathic/orthopedic specialist in the United States and paying for the treatment out of my own pocket.

Toys don't mean squat if you aren't able to play with them.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 4:33 am
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Guitslinger, I remember seeing your previous posts on your health issues and I'm glad to hear you are finally getting to the root of the problem. Best wishes to you in your treatment -- I'm hoping you get back to where you need to be to play again!

Steve


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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 5:47 am
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guitslinger wrote:
...After just 30 seconds in the cold water my hands "shut down" so completely that they couldn't get enough nerve activity to get a reading and that apparently is exceedingly rare and hardly ever seen.Ever since I was in my teens my hands were very susceptible to the cold and even when I was in my 20s and gigging in the winter I would often have to go into the venue's washroom and fill a sink with very warm water to get my hands "thawed out" enough for playing...

Hi Derek: hmm, interesting. A diagnosis is certainly a good start.

So from what you say, does getting your hands very warm at least help? I remember years ago seeing a TV program about the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould: apparently, before playing he would emerse his hands in water so hot other people couldn't even touch it and keep them there till they looked like cooked lobsters. I don't know if that was because he had Raynaud's, but it seemed to help his playing.

Maybe there's things you can do to improve matters while you're waiting for that appointment?

Good luck - C

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 6:24 am
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This is great news Derek! I'm so glad that at least now your have a clear path forward.

At the risk of hi-jacking your wonderful news I tend to agree with Arjay's comment.
I needed an MRI some time ago. Alberta Health put me on a wait list and I was told to expect 4 to 5 months. After 6 months I asked for an updated schedule and was told another 4 to 5 months. I spoke to some neighbors who had also struggled to get treatment and they told me that was the standard reply. They don't want to treat people until they pony up. When I found out the MRI was about $700 I chose to pay for my own MRI and I was sliding into the scanner the very next day.

We can blame Mr. Harper for sinking us to a new low in our health care crisis in Canada. The Conservatives are bound and determined to bring in two tiered health care and the route they've chosen is to continually degrade our once excellent and near perfect system until it is SO bad that Canadians will eventually have to agree to any option presented. He is a royal A$S and living proof the only reason some people are alive is because it's illegal to shoot them.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 6:37 am
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There's a certain relief in knowing what the problem is. Sorry to hear your hands of all things are giving you trouble though. :(

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Thu May 16, 2013 11:24 pm
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I regularly put my hands in a bucket of water as hot as I can bear it and it helps my hands immensely.My accupuncturist recommended an infrared heating pad that was covered with polished jade stones to concentrate the heat and it really helps me.The one that I have cost $150 US but by the time I paid for customs,shipping and the exchange rate it cost me over $180 but it was well worth it because it really gets the old mitts limbered up.The pad that I have is about 21" X 30" and I can put both hands and forearms in it at the same time.It has 9 heat levels and can have heat cycles lasting up to 1 hr. The pad is called the Therasage and you can get all the info here: http://www.therasage.com/ It works well for me and the heat penetrates much deeper than other regular heating pads-it's the infrared that really makes the difference.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 1:40 am
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Wish you the best man.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 6:59 am
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Good to at least have a diagnosis! I'm sure you've been reading up on treatments, but thought I'd throw you this link as it also points out things to avoid taking that you might not know about Guitslinger. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/raynauds-disease/DS00433/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Look forward to you getting your successful treatment plan!


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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 1:58 pm
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Wishing you all the best for treatment. Hang tough!

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 5:27 pm
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Thanks all,Hi Brother Dave,I have been on the Mayo site several times and that's where I found out that Metoprolol,a beta-blocker that I'm on for Atrial Fibrulation,is really bad for exascerbating Raynauds Syndrome.My doctor is going to contact my cardiologist to see if there's a med that could be substituted that doesn't worsen Raynauds but I've stopped taking it anyway because I told her that the guitar is the single most important thing in my life and nothing else trumps it.

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 5:49 pm
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It's awesome that you are no longer dealing with a mystery here. I'm hoping it leads to some relief for you and I'm sending some extra mojo your way for good measure. :D I will also play my guitar an extra half hour tonight on your behalf. 8)

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Post subject: Re: I finally know what the problem is with my hands
Posted: Fri May 17, 2013 7:22 pm
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In the 3 years since I developed this problem my playing skill and especially dexterity and speed have deteriorated by up to 90% when it was at its very worst and even now it's probably only 30% as good as it used to be when I was gigging and playing regularly. They say that every cloud has a silver lining and the silver lining in my case is that I've had to completely change my approach to playing and concentrate more on technique and refining my bending,hand vibrato and other dynamics involved in my playing style. Now even though my digital dexterity and speed are still nowhere up to what they used to be when I was doing what I've always been told was a very decent job of Hendrix covers(though I was never satisfied with it) I have refined the precision with which I hit notes and do bends,hammer-ons,behind the nut bends and pinch harmonics. I hope that if my speed and dexterity come back to the level that they used to be,I'll be able to hang on to the disciplined precision that I've been trying to incorporate into my playing to compensate for it when my hands were really bad.Then I'll be able to go back to gigging like I did in my younger days when I'd be set upon by hordes of adoring fans.....lol.

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