The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #111394   Message #2345696
Posted By: HuwG
20-May-08 - 09:27 PM
Thread Name: Playing Guitar with Gout
Subject: RE: Playing Guitar with Gout
Cracking name for a group. Do they need a drummer or bass player ...

I have also suffered from the condition, which came on when I was 44. I would maintain that I did not have a lifestyle of pate and port, although my GP did once point out that real ale which has not been left to mature for long enough contains several compounds which can greatly exacerbate gout. After one or two nasty attacks, I went on the wagon. The local pub closed down. (I exaggerate, as usual.)

I was prescribed diclopheniac sodium, which brings the swelling and pain down after a day of cold sweat and pounding headache. A friend who dabbles in homeopathy and herbal medicines has recommended colchisime, which I believe can be a deadly poison, so I'll pass that invitation, thank you.

I have never used a wah-wah or other rocker-type pedal, though I can well imagine how painful it must be to try and use one with a swollen toe. Perhaps you and the drummer could adapt a kick pedal so that stamping with the heel only depresses the front end of the wah-wah, although the arrangement would look like an orthopaedic surgeon's nightmare on stage.