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Topic: Physical ailments of olde steel players............ |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 22 Nov 2009 8:30 pm |
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Just wondering if any of you elderly steel players have been afflicted here in your later life with that painful thing called GOUT?
Could it possibly be associated with the repetative
operation of the A & B pedals on the E9th tuning;
or, might it be more related to the multiple pedals on the C6th neck?
If you're one of the unlucky ones, at what age were you when it struck you down?
Which foot/toes were involved?
What did you discover, if anything, to relieve the horrible pain?
Do you still have it? |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 22 Nov 2009 9:33 pm
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You can find out a LOT about,causes,treatments,etc. just google in [gout].and there it is. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 12:44 am
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Ray,
My first bout of gout arrived during the night when I was around 56 years old.I honestly thought I had broken My big toe.
After visiting the local emergency department at the Hospital I was informed that it was gout.
It returns now and again(maybe twice a year)mainly in My right big toe also along the side of My left foot.
Medication helps but the pain still lasts about two days.
It is a build up of uric acid around the joints and is usually caused by diet,be careful of shellfish and beer(Yeast)
Billy |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 4:45 am
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Billy - thank God that you are teetotal.
Ken
_________________
Show Pro D10 - amber (8+6), MSA D10 Legend XL Signature - redburst (9+6), Sho-Bud Pro 111 Custom (8+6), Emmons black Push-Pull D10 (8+5), Zum D10 (8x8), Hudson pedal resonator. Telonics TCA-500, Webb 614-E, |
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 5:25 am
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| Ray, I've been afflicted by gout on and off for the last 10 years. It usually starts by a growing pain on the outside of the large toe (metatarsal joint) and feels like someone is hammering you on the joint with a chisel. It's best to treat it early with NSAIDs (Naproxen and the like) or prednisone if you can't tolerate NSAIDs. My last attack started Sept. 14th. and lasted for about 2 months, just recently abating. Even with lots of prednisone, it took it's sweet time to disappear. I then went to the doc, went on Allopurinal to lower my uric acid level, then promptly had several other gout attacks in my feet and knees. This happens apparently when you first get used to the drug. I'm looking forward to more pain-free days and worry about this rotten problem. Oh ya, I've stopped drinking booze of any kind to help the drug work better. It hasn't affected my playing too badly because it happened on the right foot and leg but I can't imagine the discomfort if it had landed on the other. I've heard of people losing their jobs because of the affliction, but hopefully the drugs will help. Anyone who's having problems, check with their doc and also the website, http://www.gout-pal.com/ Best of luck. |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 5:41 am Gout can be cured by eatng cherries.
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It's an old folk remedy that actually works.
First, get yourself a bottle of cherry juice and drink as much as you can, then go to a store that buy a bag of cherries (dried ones work too) and start scarfing them down.
You can buy cherry extract capsules at health food stores. Take 2 twice a day and you'll never have problems with gout again.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 6:36 am
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You don't have to be old to get gout, I wasn't even 40 when I had it the first time. Too much beer and rich food is often the culprit. It's a special kind of pain alright. I now have about one attack a year but the supply of Napoxen is never far away so that if there's the least twinge I can grab the bottle before it gets too bad. I know several people who take Allopurinol daily as a preventative but they don't recommend that unless you have three or more attacks a year. I have had gout in my left big toe joint and had to play a gig. Part way to the gig I realized I'd never manage with what I was wearing on my feet and had to turn around and go home to change footwear. Even at that I was almost in tears from the pain all evening.
This topic reminds me of a funny gout story. Many years ago a friend of mine was just in agony with gout, sitting out on his deck with his bare feet propped up on the railing waiting for some relief from the meds. Meantime an unsuspecting buddy dropped by for a visit, bounded up the steps and grabbed him by the affected big toe!! You HAVE to have had gout appreciate the gravity of this.  |
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Twayn Williams
From:
Portland, OR
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 9:49 am
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A buddy of mine started having pains in his toes and was told he had gout (at 38!) Turns out after months of false diagnoses that what he really has is Transverse Myelitis 
_________________
Primitive Utility Steel |
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Len Ryder
From:
Penticton B.C.
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 11:24 am
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Ray You Ole Bandit:
I had gout for many years and tried quiting alcohol, red meat, etc. etc. Then my Doc put me on a prescription called "Apo-Allopurinol". I take one pill each morning and have done this for many years. Since starting this routine I've not had any attacks what-so-ever.
Sure beats giving up Scotch. { { {
Len Ryder |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 11:30 am Whew!
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Some well meaning feller informed me a short time back that GOUT was the result of too many..........
of the good things in life.
I was frightened that it was a pay-back for having had so many wives..... Oh well........ Wives come and go. Steel Guitar Music is in your blood to stay. |
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John DeBoalt
From:
Harrisville New York USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 1:03 pm
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Gout sure don't come from playing steel. I've had it over 25 years. The weird thing is, I haven't had a flare up since I started playing pedal steel. The real problem is too much uric acid in your system, which settles in your lower extremeties. This causes swelling in the joints. The primary problem is the the body not handling proteins properly causing the increase in uric acid. A simple allopurinol tablet every day decreases the chances of a flare up. Regards JOhn D.
_________________
Equipment: Carter D10, Zum Stage1,
Wechter Scheernhorn Reso, Deneve Reso, Fender Jazzmaster, Martin D16, Walker Stereo Steel amp, TC Electronics M One effects unit, JBL 15" speaker cabs,Peavey Nashville 1000,Peavey Revoloution 112, Morrell Lap Steel, Boss DD3 delay,others |
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Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 5:13 pm
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Uhhhh what song were we playing.......what key.....how does the melody go..........
Oh you mean physical..........arthritis ....right hand. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 23 Nov 2009 9:06 pm
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john l. ...funny we have to meet this way... i was given allupurinol or whatever for gout potential when i was diagnosed with leukemia years ago. never really had a problem though. say hi to dave wilkie for me. yeehaw!
ps...i've started drinking more to see if it helps. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 24 Nov 2009 12:59 am Not Gout but for me worse.
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| Quote: |
| Physical ailments of olde steel players............ |
Had gout 10 years ago and it was cured and hasn't even threatened to return, BUT, my orthopaedic surgeon has told me that my left thumb may require re-constructive surgery and my left index and little fingers have Carpal Tunnel syndrome, coupled with a build-up of collagen on the tenosynovium causing (stenosing tenovaginosis)
Believe me I know ALL about it..
In most cases the cause is unknown. Usually an Ultrasound guided Cortisone injection can cure it, or in the most drastic of cases corrective surgery. Either way the outcome is good. Although the recovery period for the thumb surgery can be six months or more..
I have a good orthopaedic surgeon, and I mean a GOOD one..
Not treating is an option at first
Simply resting the hand and allowing any inflammation to settle may resolve the problem without the need for treatment.
And at this moment that's what I'm doing, putting on a splint at night to keep the hand and wrist level.
A steroid injection into the tendon sheath is the usual treatment if the condition does not settle. The steroid is combined with a local anaesthetic to make the injection painless. Steroids work by reducing inflammation. A splint may be advised for a few days after the injection to rest the thumb and fingers. This treatment works in about 9 in 10 cases. A second injection may be needed if the first does not work.
Check out this http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00007
And look up "Trigger Finger" (It CAN also apply to the thumb.)
Diagnosing De Quervain's tendinitis:-
The Finkelstein test is conducted by making a fist with the fingers closed over the thumb and the wrist is bent toward the little finger.
Finkelstein test. Arrow indicates location of pain when test is positive.
I'll be able to tell you more after December 10th..when I have the first of the procedures.. 
_________________
Steelies do it without fretting
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 24 Nov 2009 1:09 am
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Funny this should come up now. I am in my 3rd week of a gout attack (my first) in my left big toe. This has got to be the most pain I have ever been in in my life. Of course my bands are busy right now. I can't get through one 4 hour gig before the foot swells in my shoe (fairly wide and well broken in tennis shoes). in the last 3 weeks, I have had to cancel 5 gigs. By the 3rd set, my foot loses the ability to push the pedals completely down or rock back and forth. I am just taking Indocin (pretty useless drug) and Norco for the pain (of course the doctor doesn't know about the Norco). I don't have to play until Saturday, so a week of rest should help alot. I have cut back my beer drinking 1 or 2 at most at a gig, but mainly drink coke. I am taking cherry capsules, but I am not convinced that any of these truly work. Also switched to a vegetarian diet for a few weeks to see if it will help.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Nov 2009 3:01 am
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| I have a nephew that "had" gout battles often. He cured that prolem with diet......but I don't think anyone would like his diet..........sounds gross to me...... His diet also corrected other problems he was having. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 24 Nov 2009 7:49 am
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I've had gout come and go over the last 30 years. It's a dietary complaint caused by too much purine in the diet. The remedy is Colchacine, which usually makes the inflammation go down in a couple of days.
A good friend of mine had to give up playing the lute because of a tendon problem in his right hand.
I was once on a TransAtlantic flight, sitting next to the classical pianist, Julius Drake. He was telling me that tendonitis of various sorts is what most classical pianists fear most. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 25 Nov 2009 1:13 am
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Alan,
I have heard about Colchacine, and am ready to ask the doc to prescribe some. I heard they usually won't prescribe it for your first case of gout (we'll see). I have heard the side effects are pretty bad. What's your experience?
Also, after the gout goes away, there is a drug called alopurinol (sp?) that reduces the level of uric acid in your blood. I'll check with the doc on that too. Over a year ago, I was having problems with a weak immune system. I went through a year of monthly (sometimes weekly) blood and urine tests. One time my doctor told me my kidneys were failing because of some things they look at when they do the tests. One is uric acid. The next tests showed everything was OK, so we didn't do anything. The thing with gout is, that you can have it once and never get it again, thus the reason they don't like to put you on drugs on your first attack. It's a gamble whether to take the drugs and live with the side effects, or chance another attack of gout.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Bill Miller
From:
Gaspe, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 25 Nov 2009 8:09 am
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| Quote: |
| I have heard about Colchacine, and am ready to ask the doc to prescribe some |
Richard, this stuff does what it's supposed to do alright, but you won't want to stray more than about 20 feet from a washroom for a couple of days. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 25 Nov 2009 8:14 am
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Richard: Colchacine is made from saffron seeds. I've never had any adverse effects from it. I've always thought of it as a wonder drug. It takes you from being a cripple to full mobility within a few hours.
I woke up one day and my left foot was like this. The joint on my big toe was inflamed and red, while the whole of my foot had swollen like a barrel, to the extent that I could no longer get my shoe on. Colchicine brought the inflammation down and I could walk again in about two days.  |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 25 Nov 2009 5:12 pm
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Hey Billy I have seen you personally working on that diet you mentioned !!! (Shellfish and beer) !!
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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bob Ousby
From:
Nevada, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2009 6:13 am
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Ray...Excellent thread and responses. I developed a left ankle/foot pain (non-injury) during the summer which my MD labeled as gout. He told me to knock off shellfish, nuts, & cheese and was prescribed Indocin. For me, the Indocin works well and I only take it when there's a flare-up.
A precautiuonary note re taking "too much" NSAID's: I kept up a steady stream of Aleve/Ibuprofen type meds and this caused me to develop a neuropathy/parathesia (that tingling "foot is asleep" sensation) in both feet. It is now much better.
FWIW re the high powered antibiotic Levaquin. This med is not given for gout but for stubborn cases of bronchitis, etc: a newly discovered side effect is the popping (separating) of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and attaches to the heel bone. This will sideline one's psg playing for awhile! |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 26 Nov 2009 7:33 am Re: Not Gout but for me worse.
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| basilh wrote: |
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Wow, Baz, You described my left thumb to a T!
For years my doc has written it off as due to arthritis and untreatable except for painkillers.
Armed with your posting I will take this to show him and get a referral to an expert in the field and see if things can get fixed.
The pain has been persisting for about 4 years now.
It is painful when say I try to start a screw on a nut with my left hand.
Other things I can't do: Barre chords on the guitar, with my thumb pressing on the backside of the neck: Forget it!!
Prolonged bar holding when playing the steel is also starting to get painful.
Thanks for your info!
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/ |
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Clyde Mattocks
From:
Kinston, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2009 10:07 am
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When you start talking Gout, you begin to realize how common an affliction it is. Different people have different levels of severity and respond differently to the drugs available. I am fortunate in that mine responds quite well to Indomethicin if I will take it as soon as I get the hint of an attack. I know certain people whose attacks don't respond to any of the accepted treatments and they are left to tough it out in agony.
Despite the "old steel players" tag in this thread, I know a 30 year old bass player who has Gout attacks.
I am always amazed at what a great source this forum is on all subjects. Thanks for the info.
_________________
LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro |
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