Finger numbness freezing cold, repetetive strain???

[Arfsg1000]

I didnt know whether to post this here or not, but I have a really serious problem when playing guitar now. Ive been playing 8 years and especially in the last year, every time i play guitar, my fingers go bone cold. I litrelly sometimes cant feel the fingerboard with my fingers and my hands are warm. Im wondering whether its something to do with repetetive strain or circulation problems. Its really effecting my playing, its got harder to play and im only 17. When I stand up its worse than ever, or when im nervous before a performance. Im really concerned because my playing has suffered and its all the time now. I didnt want to sound desperate, but you guys probably know what its like and how frustrating these things are. Im wondering does anyone else have the same problem, or even a imilar problem, and could someone give me some much needed advice.

It would greatly help
thanks

Chris

 

[MrMusashi]

id go to the doc immideately to have it checked out. the first doc you see prolly wont know jack about it, but he will ship ya to a specialist which can look further into it. a drummer i played with had a tendon that was pitched and he had to do surgery to fix it..
he also experienced numbness.. now he is functioning very well and actually taking up percussion at the local music school (at university level.. dunno what its called over there)
and dont let the specialist take a 5 min look at ya and tell ya take 4 of these pills and dont come back.. they most likely can find the cause..

hth

MrM

 

[Big Poppa]

This is a medical issue that you should attend to soon. It could be nothing but I would not seek advice on this from this motley crew!

 

[KennethB]

Yes, go to a doctor right away! I've had tendinitis and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, in very light forms, in the past (over ten years ago). With CTS I experienced a bit of numbness and "cold" as you describe. I had physical therapy and recovered completely. It took a while to find the right treatment, though. I was not 100% there for about 4 months I think so patience is also required.

 

[SharonG]

Hi - I am a doctor. If you are 17 and are having this problem, you should absolutely get checked out by a doc. No ifs ands or buts. If your regular doc is not sure, a sports medicine specialist can almost certainly help. (Bet you never thought of guitar as a sport?!) Good Luck!!

 

[Big Poppa]

And that is from Doctor Bongo! Thanks!

 

[Ponch]

i suggest you to check your warming routine before playing, don't just ripping off the fretboard without a lil bit warm up.. it's pretty simple..but people tend to underestimate the benefit of the warming up. And about you having nervous on stage, actually it's normal though..try to think positive and feel the stage atmosphere what i mean is try to check out the stage and hang around there a bit, so you can feel the place and feel comfortable/familiar.. that's why we need like a sound check and lil bit rehearsal before we giggin'. but please see a doctor as everybody suggested before just to make sure everything is ok with your fingers. i wish you all the best my friend.

 

[Arfsg1000]

Thanks so much, im sorry it seems like im wasting time, its just i was wondering whether anyone else had experienced anything similar, and i have. Thanks guys and thanks Doc!! Ill make an appointment.

Thanks again

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Have you been yet? How did you get on?