Quote by: J.A.Stewart
Quote by: DWL
... Then a trapped nerve in the neck (which is still giving me grief) meant I couldn't play guitar and I lost interest in making music. Although I've had a brief contribution to a collab which initially gave me a real boost I haven't done much else musically. ... Cheers
Dick |
Sorry to hear this, Dick. I can feel your pain — literally.
During the past six years I've had a couple of bouts with a pinched nerve from a couple of collapsed discs in my neck (trapped nerve is probably what you call it on your side of the pond). I had horrible pain in my back, which eventually spread down to my left arm, hand and fingers — my chording hand.
An outpatient injection of antibiotics in my neck took away the pain for nearly five years, but I was left with diminished strength, speed and agility in my fingers. I also suffered some minor permanent nerve damage in my pinkie, so intricate jazz chords and R&R full barre chord hammers have become impossible for me. But in my case it took several months (and a barrage of MRIs, X-Rays and scans) for the doctors to figure out the source of my problem.
About a year ago, the pain started returning to my back. A five-day reverse regimen (five doses the first day, four the second, etc.) of Prednisone, as well as a 30-day dosage of Mobic removed the pain quickly. I've been good ever since.
The good news is that when the hospital offered physical therapy to rehab my hand and fingers, I told the doctor I was a musician and asked if playing the guitar might be a more focused therapy. He agreed and so I decided to work solely on acoustic guitar, since it's more difficult to play than electric guitar.
I'm happy to report that exercise has worked out well for me and that I have recovered to about 90% of my previous level before the pinched nerve erupted. Even the pinkie is a little better. At this point I'm just pleased I can play at all. It's a source of relief — and joy.
Best of luck with your challenge, Dick. I hope they find a treatment that works for you and that returns you to your guitar.  |
Thanks matey
Although I hate to think of anyone having the same issue it's good to hear there may be light at the end of the tunnel (as long as it's not a carpal tunnel
)
Mine doesn't sound nearly as bad as yours (and your pain sounds a lot worse). I can at least play a little before it becomes uncomfortable and as yet the docs aren't prescribing anything more than ibuprofen.
I hope your problems continue to abate and you are restored to your former glory.
On a more global point, thanks to all for your best wishes. If I've learnt anything in in my 5 years here it's that this is the the most forgiving and supportive forum I've ever had the pleasure to belong to
Things always slow down in the summer so I wouldn't be too concerned about the number of new song posts. I'm on another forum which is very similar. Summer brings its own demands and family tends to take over.
Once again, thanks for the support and I'll be back in the fold imposing my old rubbish on you at some point
Cheers
Dick
