Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Any pianists out there?

AtHomeNow
AtHomeNow
I'm going down this lovely (not) RA path. I am also church pianist/organist. I enjoy playing ragtime too. My fingers hurt. I've been wearing the fingerless compression gloves which help, but certain pieces have arpeggios etc that I just can't manage with the gloves. I'm not concert hall stuff, but I sure do like to play in church. Anyone else?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes I have the same issue. I don't play piano for people just myself, I also play some other instruments (banjo, ukulele, guitar) And I find the same issue your having. The gloves help but you just can't do it all with them. I have a pair I cut the finger tips off of so on bad days I can play my other instruments but I can't play long anymore. I use to play all day and night and now I'm lucky to play 2 or 3 songs. I do use those bags of bean like things that go in the microwave I heat it up and before I play and after I play I use them it sort of helps but still aches. Wished they made a magic cure :-/ I'd give anything to be able to play more. Let me know if you find anything :-D
WaterLily14
WaterLily14
Wow, playing ragtime - I'm impressed -I love it! Since being on MTX it really helped so I don't have the pain you're experiencing, but I do have short fingers and small hands. So if there are chords, arpeggios, etc. that I can't reach, I just change it to something that works with the rest of the piece and works for my hands. As long as it sounds good, who's going to know (or care). I also play in church - so far no one has complained LOL!
deleted_user
deleted_user
that is a great idea about switching it to something similar! Why didn't I think of that thanks :-)
FieryPrincess
FieryPrincess
Yup. I accompany a lot. I also can't play nearly as much or as vigorously (or as well, darn it) as I used to, I earned a degree as a concert pianist and although I never toured or anything, I play a lot for others as an accompanist and at church and such.

I soak in epsom salts before and don't wear the gloves while I am actually playing.

Then I soak them again and have my daughter help "iron" everything back out with gentle massage. I can't put too many of those days back to back anymore.

Strangely, doing the dishes in hot water is helpful, but don't tell my family! No one else will ever do them again!
AtHomeNow
AtHomeNow
Thank you folks! It's so good to know that I'm not alone- fewer and fewer people play these days. These cold days are particularly challenging. I have already modified the big chords down to octaves (sniff sniff). I also purchased hand warmers (http://www.amazon.com/P3-P8420-BLUE-Rechargeable-Hand-Warmer/dp/B00AA46BEK/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1389807570&sr=8-20&keywords=hand+warmers) you folks may like them too. Gotta remember to charge them! And you have to remember to grab them as you go out the door.
deleted_user
deleted_user
that is awesome I love that it is rechargeable!