sixstringer7

TML, Sorry for the delay in responding, I only saw your post today. Thanks to my current treatment regimen, I no longer have pain in my hands. What I do have is joint damage and loss of range of motion from years ago, when the arthritis was not well-controlled. On my left (fretting) hand, most of my fingers are OK, but my little (pinky) finger is totally destroyed. I found out quickly how limiting it is to play guitar without a little finger (at least, the kind of music I like to play). So, I switched to bass. Obviously, I can't observe the one-finger per-fret rule; I need to move my hand much more than is recommended. But, I make it work as best I can. My right (plucking) hand suffered more extensive damage, but I am able to play with a pick, or fingerpick with my index and middle fingers (with some difficulty). You said that you currently have pain in the joints of your hand, so I would recommend that you get the pain sorted out before you pursue guitar, bass, or drums. Which brings me to..... I would be very skeptical of any rheumatologist who isn't concerned about the pain in your hands. Without knowing anything about your particular case, it's certainly possible that other joints may be more concerning if they affect your mobility, but there's no reason I can think of that your doctor can't address all of your issues at once. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition affecting the entire body, unlike osteoarthritis, which affects certain joints as a result of overuse or neglect. RA is caused when your immune system goes haywire and attacks the linings of your joints as if they were a foreign body. This causes inflammation; it is this inflammation that causes the pain in your hands. The fact that you still have good range of motion in your hands is a positive, but that can change in a hurry if the inflammation goes untreated. If you haven't already, I would strongly recommend that you educate yourself on your condition, so you can be an effective advocate in dealing with your doctor. Back when I was diagnosed in the 1980s, the standard treatment protocol for rheumatologists was to prescribe the mildest drugs first, gradually going up the ladder to stronger drugs over time as needed. While this protocol reduced the frequency and severity of side effects, it also increased the likelihood of permanent joint damage by delaying the use of the most effective treatments. About ten years ago, this protocol was changed. Now, rheumatologists tend to prescribe the most effective drugs first (while closely monitoring for side effects). The reason I bring this up is that you mentioned your doctor advised you to begin taking turmeric. Turmeric is one of a number of homeopathic-type treatments (fish oil is another) that arthritis sufferers often try. Some people find that they help, other people don't. However, there are a whole range of drugs that have proven success in treating RA. You and your doctor should be discussing these treatment options before settling on turmeric as your first treatment option. I hope this was helpful. Keep us posted on your progress, and best of luck.

I began playing guitar at age 11 (I'm 62 now). In my teens and twenties I played in a lot of bands. At age 31, I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Over the next fifteen years, the arthritis caused extensive joint damage in both hands and wrists, making it difficult or impossible to play the guitar the way that I wanted to. So, in my mid-forties, I stopped playing guitar entirely, and switched to bass. In my fifties, I decided to learn to play the drums. I took lessons for about 18 months, learning basic rock beats and fills, and a few rudiments. Then I took a long hiatus from drums until a year ago, when I began taking lessons again. I have a great teacher, and have made a lot of progress in my playing, The damage in my hands and wrists limits my range of motion, and I know I'll never be Jojo Mayer, but that's okay; I'm having a lot of fun, and I'm very motivated to keep learning and improving. Here's my advice: 1. You don't say if you're seeing a rheumatologist. If not, make an appointment TODAY. Every day that you delay increases the risk that you will suffer irreversible joint damage that may make daily functioning, walking, eating, dressing, etc., difficult, let alone playing a musical instrument. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. A good rheumatologist will assess you and prescribe the best treatments for your particular form of arthritis, including drugs, PT, homeopathic treatments, diet modification, exercise, etc. Biologic drugs (Enbrel, Humira) were the only thing that stopped my arthritis in its tracks, but they came along fifteen years after I was diagnosed. Today there are many more treatment options available to you. 2. Find a good teacher who emphasizes tension-free hand technique. If you start out with improper hand technique, you can do more harm than good. If you can't find anyone locally, look into Skype lessons with Bill Bachman at drumworkout.com. Hope this helps. Good luck and welcome to drumming.