paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings

Subject: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 01:17 PM

Three nuisances have been spoiling my practice sessions (on mountain dulcimer) of late. I wonder if any Catters know of remedies:
Tinnitus (mild, but annoying).
Tiny splinter from a briar near tip of right index finger. Have removed it, but it still has effect similar to paper cuts in the past.
Unison strings (.12 gauge) went sour. Solved by removing one, but wondering if there's some special care, or a particular brand of string that might balance better.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: MMario
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 01:47 PM

tinnitus can be difficult - can be due to nerve damage - in which case there isn't much that can be done; or high blood pressure; or low blood pressure - I suspect you would know if you have either; various medications can cause it as well - and probably other things I haven't a clue about.

Some people with tinnitus find a "white noise generator" helps.

the wound from the briar - pretty much have to wait for it to heal.

have no ida re: strings

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: DancingMom
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 02:12 PM

Tinnitus- take a look at the meds you take. High aspirin doses can cause this problem, and as MMario said, blood pressure problems. Try an ice cube to the fingertip for a minute before you play, until it heals. Sharon

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 02:15 PM

Well while you rest the finger tip to let it heal, you could experiment with playing the dulcimer using a short length of dowelling (just a couple of inches) held so it just projects over the side of the neck enough to fret the string. Then you slide it up and down, and so forth, a bit like palying a slide guitar.

It's a traditional technique of playing - maybe because this kind of thing must have happened to fingers quite a lot up in the mountains, what with thorns, and knives, and needles and sewing to be done, and that.

It can sound pretty good.

As for the tinnitus, I've got it, it comes and goes, and if I think about something else, it tends to go.There is lots of stuff about it on the net. Total silence brings it on worst, people seem to find. A bit of background noise like a fridge or a computer masks it out pretty effectively most times.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: GUEST,g'chik, grinning
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 02:16 PM

Gee, I thought you were comparing the three......Bactine is the wonder drug for paper cuts. Spray a little on, and it kills the sting.

Good luck with the probs. ;-)

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Gypsy
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 06:37 PM

Cynacrylate glue works wonders on wee cuts, paper and othewise. Also gives great instant calluses, for soft fingered folk. Have had tinnutus nonstop for about 20 years. The only thing that has helped is Bowen therapy. Has cleared it up entirely in ONE ear. But not both, sigh. Someday, there will be a cure.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 10:23 PM

Unison strings seem to me just hard to keep exactly right. On the dulcimer, I just took the double melody string off and play it 3 stringed. On the tendonitis front, there's a book called Stretch and Bend which has some forearm exercises that may help.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Gypsy
Date: 02 Aug 01 - 10:34 PM

Sound the same, but Tinnitus is in the ear, not the forearm

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 12:22 AM

Does that ringing in my ears bother you? Gypsy ... what's "Bowen Therapy? CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: alison
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 12:51 AM

tinnitus can be caused by a build up of pressure in the fluid in the ears...... cut down your salt intake... it reduces the pressure... I didn't get tinnitis but I got dizziness..... cutting out salt has helped a lot...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Gypsy
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 11:13 AM

Bowen therapy is a trip. The closest i can say, is it is like massage, but it ain't massage. It is like accupressure, but not. Each treatment takes about an hour. Firm pressure is used on various points of the body. For being in a prone position, it left me exhausted after each treatment. Took about 12 treatments to clear up my left ear, and it has been totally clear for going on two years now. Still have constant ringing in my right ear. So sit to my left if you play a quiet instrument!

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Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 02:03 PM

Thanks all.
Will try some white noise and cut back on salt for the tinnitus. Not taking any meds. Anyone have experience with nyacin? I hear it can reduce tinnitus, but is known to cause something like hot flashes.
Is there a brand name for Cynacrylate glue? Seems like it, and bactine, belong in the first aid kit.
I've been using the noting stick quite a bit lately; love the sound. My first dulcimer has a very stiff action and that was the only way I could play it for a number of years. Took the noter out this summer after watching Jean Ritchie use one while playing a fast fiddle tune ("Love Somebody Yes I Do," set to "Soldier's Joy.") Lots of fun.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: MMario
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 02:14 PM

Naicin - it's one of the b vitamins - and yes, it can cause "hot flashes" the glue is "Superglue"

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Burke
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 05:45 PM

Gypsy, I'm facinated by the Bowen therapy. Did you know to reason for your tinnitus? Do you think that made a difference for the why it worked in one ear & not the other?

I'm asking because I have tinnitus that is not disabling in any particular way mostly bothersome. It's source was a crack to the head with subsequent nerve damage so I'm not sure if that kind of treatment would work for me.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Gareth
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 06:49 PM

One of the reasons I enjoy the Mudcat is that I suffer from Tinninus (however you spell it). I can enjoy Folk Songs and Chat, without my comprehension being Llareggub'd by a whine in my ears, and in a crowded pub it can be difficult to listen intelligently.

Unfortunately for Medical Reasons I can not stop taking the tablets - otherwise one less Mudcatter.

Gareth

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: GUEST,Max Ebb
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 04:13 AM

I picked up a dose of tinnitus in the artillery 40 years ago, and I've just had to learn to live with it. Drove me crazy until I figured out that I just needed to identify the tone with my Sony tuner and then tune my banjer to match it. No I can tune my banjer by ear. Watch out for that niacin. The slightest overdose will give you alopeceia areota, i.e. yer hair falls out in patches. It also don't fix the tinnitus.

Subject: RE: paper cut/tinnitus/unison strings
From: Gypsy
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 10:58 PM

Well, B vitamins do afford some relief for me....i can certainly tell when i discontinue them! Burke, I would imagine that there is a Bowen site out there, comes for Australia (i think) originally, and is becoming quite popular here in Northern CA, and Hawaii. Tinnitis can be caused by a variety of factors, in my case, overdosing on aspirin (high stress job) and heredity. It is a common affliction, in there with RLS. There is no ONE cure, you gotta experiment. I remember when it was sporadic, with nostalgia. But at least it is only one ear now. Me who used to love quiet, really needs white noise to sleep. Alcohol, caffiene, aspirin, any cold remedy, will exacerbate your condition. Sleeping pills also will make the noise louder. Feel free to PM me, if you really wanna talk about it. Ciao for niao