Topic: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

Hi there, everyone. I hope some of you out there can offer some advice for me. I chose my "Name," pulpfriction, for a reason. You see, here's my strange problem in a nutshell: I'm 60 years old, a professional guitarist, and I play electric, acoustic steel string, and nylon string guitar. In the past couple years I lost over 100 lbs.,  as I needed to get healthy, all under the supervision of a doctor who is a weight loss specialist. All good, right? Not exactly. A weird side effect to this rapid weight loss, is that I lost the "pulp padding in the fingertips" of my left hand. Thus, when I fret the guitar, I experience great pain, as,  basically, there's no cushioning, if you will, in my fingertips, and the pressure on the tiny nerve endings in the fingertips is extremely painful. It's similar to what someone suffering from diabetes and dealing with peripheral neuropathy would experience.
  I have seen a neurologist, a pain specialist, two hand surgeons (one whose specialty is working with musician performance injuries), and am taking oral neuropathy medication, as well as applying a topical medication, augmenting my diet with nutritional supplements as per recommended - you name it. I have also consulted with the string expert at one of the major guitar string manufacturers to get their advice on customizing string sets, i.e., gauges, types of metal alloys that would best accommodate my situation, etc. But I still have pain - even after following the hand specialists' practice regimen on how to slowly work my way back, following a long period of rest.
  Basically, my question is this: HAS ANYONE EVER EXPERIENCED THIS, OR HEARD OF ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS? OR HAVE ANY ADVICE THAT PERHAPS I HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF? MAYBE A LEAD ON A RESOURCE SOMEWHERE, WHERE I CAN SEEK ADDITIONAL MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE? I would greatly appreciate it. And thanks for listening.

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

Hi pulpfriction, welcome to Chordie. Great opening question. The only thoughts I can offer that might help; there used to be a product called plastic skin here in the UK for small cuts etc, it's basically super glue or crazy glue in the US. Obviously only a temporary fix but might help if you're gigging?

Don't forget to come keep us company.

Phill

Ask not what Chordie can do for you, but what you can do for Chordie.

3 (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-08-25 00:29:53)

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

Hi Pulp, and welcome to Chordie!

We've all had sore fingers before, while learning or after an extended spell of not playing. But I've never heard of nor seen anything as intense as your experiencing. I really feel for ya, man ... that's rough. Sounds like you've been very thorough in exploring a remedy, and I don't know of anything else. Hopefully, even without the padding, your fingertips will callus up enough over time, that your pain will reduce or subside. You might also try playing a classical or flamenco guitar for a while, with nylon strings.

Again, you're in a tough spot, and I sincerely hope you find a work-a-round so you can keep playing and enjoy it.

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

In my years of  teaching I have seen it once and it turns out  that he was using both too much pressure and was using two high a tension. My suggestion if you want to play well is to use the lightest tension on your guitar so it will not buzz when you play. Also use the lightest touch when playing that get a clean sound. Start playing for 10 minutes and add 10 minutes a week. If you hit your notes in the center between two frets it will take less pressure for a clean sound. Play a little each day.

Music is what feelings sound like.
Music is life, that why our hearts have beats.

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

I played flamingo guitar once. smile



https://beta-static.photobucket.com/images/ff71/Drummerboy49/s0/c5289fc0-8eb1-4d53-b984-7ac094dcd0d8-original.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds


Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

That is a keeper. Only my grand daughter would want me to teach her to play it.

Music is what feelings sound like.
Music is life, that why our hearts have beats.

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

Not to make light of Pulp's situation, Bill, but that's frickin' hilarious. I love the feathers at the end of the pick guard. big_smile

8 (edited by Strummerboy Bill 2018-08-27 17:23:00)

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

My problem with the padding on the fingers is the same only different. I have arthritic/gouty fingers which hurt when I press down on the strings. I looked up bassist's gloves on the internet and found some. When I got them, I threw them away. They helped some, but made my hand sweat. Maybe they'll help you, pulpfriction?

Keep us in the loop as to how it goes, okay, because I'm very interested. Got anything on YouTube?

Bill
PS: A long time ago, someone told me about alum helping to form callouses on my fingertips. I've never tried it, but just now did a search and came up with this site. Maybe there's something here which may help. http://www.guitartips.addr.com/tip67.html

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

Phill Williams wrote:

Hi pulpfriction, welcome to Chordie. Great opening question. The only thoughts I can offer that might help; there used to be a product called plastic skin here in the UK for small cuts etc, it's basically super glue or crazy glue in the US. Obviously only a temporary fix but might help if you're gigging?

Don't forget to come keep us company.

Phill

Hi Phill this sounds like a  possible solution the plastic skin would prevent any pressure on the tender areas smile

"Growing old is not for sissies"

Re: Anyone else ever encounter this problem I'm having playing guitar?

Hi pulpfriction, welcome to Chordie. Great opening question. The only thoughts I can offer that might help; there used to be a product called plastic skin here in the UK for small cuts etc, it's basically super glue or crazy glue in the US. Obviously only a temporary fix but might help if you're gigging?

Don't forget to come keep us company.

Thanks very much for the suggestion. We have a similar product here in the U.S., and I have not tried it, for, as you say, it's a temporary fix - so yes, it would be helpful if I had a gig I had to play, and I'll keep that in mind. I'm hoping to find some long-term solution to this perplexing, and apparently, very rare occurrence.