 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-05-23 23:37
Hey everybody,
This is more of a general music question, but I figured I'd start here: I've just been diagnosed, at 19, with some form of arthritis (what form exactly hasn't been determined yet.) Of course, this would happen the year I'm going to have a jury in December and a recital with 45 minutes of music to play. ;-) Anyway, I wanted to hear from anybody who has had this experience before, so I have some idea what to expect. I know you can't really predict what will happen, but I'd like to find out from people how they dealt with the problem, so any comments (or referrals to another person who's had this experience) would be great. THanks in advance.
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Author: steve
Date: 1999-05-24 17:34
I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I am not a doctor, but I suspect your arthritis is of the rheumatoid flavor, as opposed to the osteo flavor....you're a bit too young for osteoarthritis
My advice is to get to a highly respected rheumatology/autoimmune disease specialist at a major teaching hospital _immediately_ and see what he can offer you....there are some approaches to mitigate the symptoms of arthritis, and more are being developed ewvery day.
You are right...its hard to predict what can happen with diseases like this. Since our hands are second only to our heart as body parts required to play music on the clarinet, it's scary. Sometimes, the diseases go into remission for long periods. Sometimes drug or immunotherapy coupled with physical therapy does wonders. Sometimes, as in my case, bad things can happen. I can no longer play the clarinet due to a very rare disease that may be auto-immune in nature. But you can't dwell on the bad things....a bus could hit you on the way to rehearsal...we don't avoid crossing the street to get to the gig...
you have to concentrate on positive things, consult doctors, evaluate their advice, and take an active part in the maintenance of your health. Your goal should is to be a superb musician no matter what gets in your way. you have the gift of music. we need you...
steve
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-05-24 18:41
Thanks very much for your inspirational response, Steve. I'm sorry to hear that a similar problem has prevented you from being able to continue playing. Fortunately for me, the University of Western Ontario teaching hospital is one of the most respected in this whole area, so much so that people will even cross the border from the States to come here, and I'm currently under the care of a very well respected rheumatologist there. He's already put me on one of the milder anti-inflammatories; he wants to be conservative, since the drugs lose effectiveness over time, and I'm clearly in for a long haul. Fortunately, he's also being very helpful in terms of my career as a professional musician; I just had an appointment with him, at which he concluded that he needed to up my dosage because, while I was okay for day-to-day stuff, my hands were stiff while playing. This has been a great help, because I'm sure some doctors would say, "What, you can type, open jars, etc., what are you complaining about?" In all, I've been very comforted by how he's been dealing with this.
In response to the rest of your letter, I have been trying to keep positive, and I haven't stopped playing because of the problem...in fact, this summer, I'm probably doing more playing-related activities than ever before. I guess my major fear is that if it's interfering somewhat already, it's not likely to get better over time...
In any case, I very much appreciate your comments. It's great to get to hear from someone who's had a similar thing happen...at least that way I know I'm not alone. Thanks again.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-05-24 22:21
Think of Mozart, Van Gogh, Itzak Pearlman. They will always come first in people's minds as the ultimate best performers in their art. They all had (or have) challenges to overcome. They are also the world's very best. So, use your challenge as a tool to be even better than your peers. You can do it. I personally believe that you will do it.
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Author: Clarence Wilkinson
Date: 1999-05-25 00:22
Katherine: The postings by Steve and Paul offer good advice. I could not offer more along those lines. As one of age 85 who has arthritis which slowly worsened over a long period of time, perhaps I can give you some advice for the long haul. I found that arthritis in the hands did not cause pain from light usage, such as playing my clarinet. Also, I learned that the muscles which actuate the fingers in playing are more in the forearm than in the hand. However, about two years ago a curvature developed in my index fingers, especially in the left hand. I started to get an occasional squeek. I soon found that my fingers just did not cover the hole completely. Playing became a chore rather than pleasure. I finally quit playing the clarinet altogether for over a year. I learned about clarinets built in the PLATEAU SYSTEM (uses pads like closed hole flutes and saxophones) from a friend, and, after checking on the Internet, I found that Leblanc makes such instruments. I bought one, a Vito, and am back on clarinet. The sound is not like my Buffets, but its heaven to be able to play again. Katherine,even if your arthritis get progressively worse, I think you will have many years of playing ahead. Good luck!
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-05-25 17:56
My congrats, Clarence, on finding a solution so as to keep playing. I'm nearly 80 and play at every opportunity, comm. band, church orch. and small-college "learning" band, occasional musicals and symp. orch invites. I branched out to alto and bass [once to Basset Horn!], its all good fun. Kath., I, so far, have had few arthritus problems [except an "osteo" knee from lugging around a heavy bari sax for a musical!] but have occasional stiffness in both index fingers, which I attribute to too-much trill exercise! Most of the arth.-related sites on the net seem to recommend exercises and to beware of the "NASIDS" which were like poison to me, briefly! Hang in there, Don
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Author: LMH
Date: 1999-06-11 11:22
I am a professional musician, age 31. I have just been diagnosed with TMJ, more specifically an osteo-arthritis of the jaw. Any tips on how to continue playing when the pain is SOOO bad? If anyone has info on TMJ in relation to the clarinet, please let me know. Thanks.
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