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Hi Friends, Has anyone any advice regarding the above problem?
In 2010 I had a brain stem stroke on Halloween....it affected mainly the middle of my body, including my diaphragm......had to learn to walk and sing again. It also affected my fine spatial positioning................I had to re-learn playing bass runs on the guitar.....changed my Les Paul for a Strat......and a Martin acoustic.
I created a series of excercises to help myself.....I was back playing in the Edinburgh International Jazz Fest 2012 & 2013......that is when the cramps became real problem!....I can play for hours at home without cramping, but with the stress of concert performance, I began to cramp up after 30 mins. I have to do "2x50 min spots.
In 2013, I changed the running order......I normally do 12 items in each spot....so I played all my 8 Banjo Solos in the first half....then sang with my backing musos. Second half I could not play much....so I adapted...more band & vocals.
My doctor says stress.......out of my "comfort zone".....which I can accept.Lacking potassium? Not sure!
I know that there are many of you guys who are a lot worse off than me!.....but has anyone been through similar? Advice from anyone will be welcome! I want to look forward to playing next year at the Jazz Fest!
Sorry for the 'long post'.....it was difficult to explain my feelings regarding musical technique....my son Scott (a pro musician) reckons I'm back to 99% of my previous abilities,......if I can get some help with the cramping, 2014 will be happier! Thanks Joe G.
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Lacking potassium? Not sure!
Making sure that your body has the key electrolytes and minerals that can prevent cramps certainly wouldn't hurt. I started getting cramps occasionally after the fiasco with the flesh-eating bacteria and the hospital and operations several or more years back now, and found that to be the case for me. However, I also found that it is a situation where I have to keep up on the supplements - without overdoing it - daily in order not to have them appear at innopurtune times such as the stresses encountered in performance.
Causes of Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps are usually caused by dietary deficiencies of vitamins and minerals, particularly of calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins D and B6, or the body's inability to assimilate these nutrients from the diet. They may also result from oxygen deficiency in the tissues. Other causes of muscle cramps are mental stress, nervous irritability and other psychic factors.
The contributory underlying causes of muscle cramps associated with old age, where there has been adequate dietary calcium supply, are the lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid in the stomach, lack of dietary magnesium or Vitamin D, without which calcium cannot be properly utilized. Other causes include uraemia, peripheral vascular disease and neurological disability.
--Mac
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Thanks mac! I've been hospitalised 5 times in the last two years......adverse reactions to some of my meds! I suppose I should take a long look at what I have.....and how they affect me! Thanks, Joe G.
Last edited by Joe Gordon; 12/17/13 05:36 PM.
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I have the same thing.
My problem all started after leukemia and the treatment of chemo and a bone marrow transplant.
My ongoing issue is Graft vs. Host disease.
For a couple years I couldn't go a night without my foot cramping and often cramps elsewhere (I thought the ones I got by my shinbone were the worst). I too could only play for a little while before my fretting hand would cramp up.
I'm not having as much of a problem recently. Two of the meds I was on have been eliminated (Norvasc and Protonix). For me my best guess is that it was these meds or a combination of the meds I was on.
I can only suggest you read up in all the side effects of your meds and ask your Dr. If you could experiment with some alternatives.
And btw, my Dr. has me on magnesium, vit D and calcium.
Last edited by Frankp; 12/17/13 03:36 PM.
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Frank, Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Very interesting....... you having a similar problem. I'll make a point of checking all my meds. Regards, Joe G.
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Joe, I have no medical advice to give - only praise and encouragement to you for your efforts to get back in the saddle. Here in the US, our version of Football seems to take many by storm in the fall and early winter months. I've never had much interest, but this year, there's a relative miracle playing quarterback/on field coach named Peyton Manning. I don't worship sports folks like some. However, his story on getting back to a professional level and being at the top of the game, after very debilitating neck surgeries is quite inspiring. He could hardly even toss a football with his throwing arm about 2 and a half years ago. Today, he is setting scoring records as one of the older quarterbacks in the NFL. He had to re-learn how to throw, etc. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/sports...l?smid=pl-shareKeep in mind this article was written in September of 2012, a year before this record setting season. Perhaps you can take some inspiration from this. I hope so. -Scott
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Joe, I'm sorry to read of your troubles. I always enjoy your posts here.
Although I'm social security age, I still play pretty good competitive tennis, often with guys my children's age. I take potassium tablets to prevent cramps in my hands and legs after playing. This isn't medical advice obviously, but it works for me.
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Thanks Scott, A really inspiring article! I'll keep on doing what I'm doing...only more so! Regards, Joe G
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Hello my friend Matt, Thanks for your reply. Funny thing about the potassium...........that may be one thing I'll have to check on!
Since the stroke, I've had all sorts of problems with strange reactions to medication..........hospitalised 5 times in the last 2 years........stomach bleeds.....bowel blockages......night time low blood pressure...all emergency "call-outs".....(my wife is on first name terms with the para-medics!!).
I think that a close look at ALL my meds....(and reactions to them)....is called for. I'm already starting to prepare for next year!
Regards, Joe G.
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Joe,
I too am sorry about all your medical issues, I can only hope that you have a better 2014. Sounds like you are well on your way with the medication evaluation process.
I will only add that is it guys like you and your never say quit attitudes that has inspired me all of my life.
Merry Christmas to you and Family,
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Thanks Danny.......a plectrum Banjoist is not allowed to quit!!
"A Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year" to you.....and ALL my forum friends.
Kind regards from Scotland.Joe G.
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Relaxing during the playing is crucial. If you can do it at home but not in front of an audience, you are not relaxed in the stage scenario.
You must be keeping those muscles rigid as you play and even when you're not....
I found it useful, when I first started playing in front of people, to let go of the neck between songs and even in the middle of songs where you have even a one or two second opportunity to do so such as a held note by a singer...... letting go of the neck and even shaking the hand out, relaxes those muscles. If you hold the neck you may be subconsciously squeezing the neck and that keeps those muscles tight..... you don't want that. Let go of the neck and open and close your fist, extending the fingers fully several times and then grab that neck and go for the next section of the song.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Relaxing during the playing is crucial. If you can do it at home but not in front of an audience, you are not relaxed in the stage scenario.
You must be keeping those muscles rigid as you play and even when you're not....
I don't think that's relevant in Joe's case. He's an Old Trooper with more than his fair share of Performance, to include many a live TV presentation. It was not a case of being too tense in my particular instance either, the cramps showed up only after that life-threatening experience with the flesh-munching bacteria, a month of surgical followed by several months of rehab. On top of all that, gotta consider the effect of the IV antibiotics, oral antibiotics, pain killers, and other meds. Something changed in the body. And, in my case, the cramps did not just show up when performance was the issue, there were quite a few times when a leg cramp would just show up at some time or other, sleeping, driving, just sittin' somewhere in a chair and suddenly that thing that takes ALL of yer attention... Happy to report that a bit more walking exercise, drinking lots of good pure water, about one cup every hour, plus intake of the aforementioned minerals and electrolytes put the issue to rest for me. Before finding and implementing the above solutions, could just be seated behind the piano at a casual jazz gig or jam session - and suddenly, with no rhyme or reason, LEG CRAMP. "Why be da pianist jumpin' up like dat?"  Ah'm walkin' it off, man, walkin' it off. --Mac
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Joe, bananas are loaded with potassium. Here's a list of other good sources of potassium:
Which Foods are High in Potassium?
Nutrition FAQ
By Shereen Jegtvig, MS
Updated December 20, 2013
Reviewed by a board-certified health professional. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
See More About
potassium
hyperkalemia
basic nutrition
hypokalemia
"istockphoto.com"
Bananas are a great source of potassium.
Ewa Walicka "Potatoes are good for your heart."
Potatoes are rich in potassium that is good for your heart.
Ewa Walicka
See More About
potassium
hyperkalemia
basic nutrition
hypokalemia
Potassium is found in many different foods, especially fruits and vegetables, so you may be getting plenty of potassium in your diet right now. If not, here's a list of foods that contain potassium.
Foods High in Potassium
Raisins
Prunes
Potatoes
Apricots
Dates
Strawberries
Bananas
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Citrus fruits
Beets
Greens
Spinach
Tomatoes
Mushrooms
Soy and soy foods
Many veggie burgers
Peas
Beans
Turkey
Beef
Salmon
Cod
A caveat: You can have too much potassium so don't over do it.
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Implying that just one of the four key electrolytes and not mentioning the key minerals involved is also "overdoing" things a bit.
All things in moderation, I have found that it takes just enough of each to be available for the body when it needs whichever.
--Mac
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Hi Joe,
You have lots of information to take to your Doctor. Prior to a liver transplant, I had sporadic and frequent cramps at any given time on any given part of the body.
In my case, I was and am on several medications. All were required and very little adjustment was allowed.
Another liver patient asked me if I had lots of cramps as she did as well.
"Tonic Water" with "Quinine" was the answer for her and as it turns out for me as well. Seems to help prevent leg cramps at night as well. Just a few sips prior to going on, and possibly during a break may help you.
Of course, clear it with your doctor, and you may want to leave out the Gin, but its something that has helped with cramps for several people that I've shared it with.
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Thanks Scott, A really inspiring article! I'll keep on doing what I'm doing...only more so! Regards, Joe G Joe, For what it's worth to continue the inspiration I hope you find in Peyton Manning's record setting year - yesterday, he eclipsed the old, and set a new single season record for touchdown passes for the NFL. Again, this is from a guy who technically shouldn't even be able to throw the ball. And the regular season is not yet over. -Scott
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