beorc Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 (edited) Hello community, I just registered and this is my first post =). Well, let's get straight to the point. Whenever I play fast songs (like coffee shop - rhcp, and so on...) My right hand turns purple after a while, and I get less accurate and slowed down. And my hand feels tense. I have Raynaud's syndrome. -My first question: is it really Raynaud's? I mean, my right hand turns purple in warm environments too, when playing fast songs. -Any tips? What should I do about it? - Will it limit my playing a lot? I kinda love playing the bass, it's kinda part of my life :s. - Should I just take another instrument ( like guitar ). Thanks for reading, Me Edited January 16, 2011 by beorc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 [quote name='beorc' post='1091422' date='Jan 16 2011, 02:57 PM']Hello community, I just registered and this is my first post =). Well, let's get straight to the point. Whenever I play fast songs (like coffee shop - rhcp, and so on...) My right hand turns purple after a while, and I get less accurate and slowed down. And my hand feels tense. I have Raynaud's syndrome. -My first question: is it really Raynaud's? I mean, my right hand turns purple in warm environments too, when playing fast songs. -Any tips? What should I do about it? - Will it limit my playing a lot? I kinda love playing the bass, it's kinda part of my life :s. - Should I just take another instrument ( like guitar ). Thanks for reading, Me[/quote] It's an obvious answer I guess but go and see your doctor. I think you need to establish exactly what this is before it gets worse, and your doctor should be the first point of call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I'm not a doctor, nor have I played one on TV... however... A quick Google of Raynaud's suggests that it can also be stress related. Could that be it? There are two forms of stress - the negative one we all know & hate, but also 'positive stress' a.k.a 'excitement'. So... [b]If[/b] you do have Raynaud's, maybe you need to get to grips with some relaxation techniques. I'd badger your GP if I were you. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I thought Raynaud's syndrome was something triggered in sufferers during exposure to cold conditions rather than warm? Whatever it is, your first port of call needs to be your GP - don't worry about the music part until you know what the problem is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 +1 on going to see your doctor. Best wishes for a recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beorc Posted January 16, 2011 Author Share Posted January 16, 2011 Thanks for the replies . I went to a doctor and he said that I had Raynaud's. But still, I'm worried about the fact that the problem with my right hand has little to do with the temperature of the environment, anyways, I'm going back again soon. Cheers, Me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 My doctor told me I'd got asthma, but subsequent tests proved I haven't. I'm not saying your doctor is wrong but a second opinion is sometimes worth a try. Anything you can do to relax your hands before, during and after playing would be good. There's plenty of advice here on technique, thumb position on the back of the neck, etc. which may help avoid the problem but if you're in pain you need to get it checked out. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 I've never heard of Raynaud's getting worse with exercise, the opposite usually. Get your GP to refer you to a specialist? Goes without saying that you have to be careful not to have a sharply angled wrist when you play, but this doesn't sound like the usual problem you get from that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 My younger sister has Reynauds, the condition restricts the flow of blood to certain areas of the body (this isn't just caused by cold weather either, it can also be caused by certain foods you eat I believe). You should see a doctor. The muscles in the hands are just like any other muscles in that when you exercise, you need optimum blood flow to supply oxygen to the blood vessels around your hand etc. Muscles don't work well when they're cold, and unfortunately this will be especially true for you. Never fear, consult your doctor and perhaps after the advice you take away from them you can optimise the flow of blood to your hands with good technique and good warming up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jam Posted January 16, 2011 Share Posted January 16, 2011 Do you play fingerstyle or with a pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beorc Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 [quote name='Jam' post='1091783' date='Jan 16 2011, 09:35 PM']Do you play fingerstyle or with a pic?[/quote] I play fingerstyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 My wife suffers from Raynauds. What I understand is that it's a circulatory condition, which flares up under extreme temperatures (she suffers from it in cold weather). I see no reason why this should stop you from playing bass - i.e. you should be able to adapt by keeping your hands warm (or cool) whilst playing, or before a gig, etc. But then, I'm not a doctor! Good luck with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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