My time for building is over....

[bigdaddy]

It seems I am just unable to build anything anymore. All the things I learned about building a good amp I can no longer do because of my back. I just cannot sit or stand long enough nor do i have the concentration needed to do this work anymore. I am in just too much pain and have to take a lot of pain meds which I will now have to increase in dosage. So my amp building days are over.....

It's so frustrating not being able to do something you did a year ago. Fighting your body to do something only to find out how many mistakes you made because of the fact you just cannot do this type of work without a completely clear mind and body.

Neither the Killer Ant not the Webervst Mini mass did the trick. The 6K6GT tube was a good replacement for a 6V6 if your voltage is low enough. But I could not do the work and I feel that investing in new transformers and other parts without being able to do the work would be a waste of money and add to the frustration.

I'm looking into the purchase of  Jeff Bober from Budda amps new 2 watt East amp head. The sound is amazing. I heard other low watt amps but they sound kind of fizzy and not like a full bodied push pull or even SE champ. The issue I raised with Bober was replacing the 12AT7 power tubes with matched sets and biasing the amp. I'm waiting for an email back and if he can provide matched sets and a way to bias them I will purchase this amp and call it a day. I can sit back and wail out without anybody saying it's too loud.

[Dave]

To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I am sorry you can't continue to do this and I hope you find something you CAN do that will bring you as much pleasure.

Dave

[bigdaddy]

Thank you for those very kind words. My only pleasure at this point in my life is a peaceful moment with minimal back pain without having a lot of meds in me.

Sit back and play some guitar, work on my blues rock mandolin playing...LOL...and so on. There's really nothing on TV to keep me interested other then some sports. The only reason I am on the computer is because this is the most comfortable chair I have found.

[flora]

My sister was on 12 percosets a day for almost two years for her extreme lower back pain... simple activities were impossible, like bending to brush her teeth , sitting , or picking something up off the floor. IN May, she FINALLY had a disk removed and two vertebrates fused... and IT WORKED. She can live a normal life with no drugs .

[tubesornothing]

Bigdaddy,   I have had degenerative disc disease for at least 15 years.  It really has limited a lot of things I love to so.  Because I really hate meds and surgery I have tried a lot of alternative stuff.   I did a bunch of chiro, but really had no long term success.  Acupunture did help to releive the pain.  Physio worked very well, but I was going all the time.  Massage helpd to but it requires a lot of treatments.

The thing that really worked for me:  yoga.  Its great.  I have been doing the nazi hot yoga for about 8 months, and it has been great.  My back is getting stronger, and I no longer wake up in pain.  Maybe this might help you too.  No meds at all, no surgery.
 

[bigdaddy]

I had surgery because the disc in L4-5 was so dissected it tore apart. The surgery made things worse. I can't do much of anything anymore. I tried everything. This all started in 1981 but driving a bus for the city made it worse and started the degenerative disc disease. They introduced air seats and the bouncing destroyed my discs. I was doing OK before that and thought if I could just make retirement at 55 I would be OK. Those seats did me in.

It gets worse every year but the problems are increasing monthly now. I am going to have to up the morphine dosage. I have found many people who suffer with back issues. In fact it's one of the untold stories of our society!!! They talk about heart disease, cancer, diabetes but back problems are the non talked about killer. It leads to other medical issues because of the persons inability to be active and the continued use of pain meds. As well as the effect on the brain of pain itself. Studies have shown chronic pain causes the human brain to shrink. If that's the case mine must be the size of a peanut by now....

One issue is the abuse of pain medication. Plus a lot of people have to take more and more pain medication until one day they overdose, this is the unseen killer of back pain. I personally know of 2 people who overdosed by accident and died because of back pain.

[flora]

L4 -L5 ...same location as my sister. How long ago was your surgery ?

[loogie]

Where are you?

[eleventeen]

Sorry to hear about your back pain. I can relate; though 1: I never had it quite that bad/chronic except for 2-3 day periods and 1 qty 1-week period where I thought I was going to be a paraplegic and actually bought a walker; Caused by sleeping on an air mattress.

I have had significant results alleviating the pain. More than significant, practically unbelievable.

If you're interested in the advice of a stranger, I heartily recommend you read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection/dp/0446557684/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278559282&sr=8-1

Used, $6. delivered. No need to read anything else by Sarno, it's all contained in the first book.

My back issues are at least 75% reduced since I read the book. Yup. Just reading it. The guy who turned me onto it was in as bad or worse shape than you.

[bluesbear]

I'm still going on but it may not be long for me, either. I bought a Roc-n-Soc guitar throne about 3 years ago for playing. I built my bench about a foot higher than normal and use a barstool but I still need a long break every couple hours.
I know it sucks and I know it's absolutely no help to say, "You're not alone".... but you're not alone. Do what you can and try to appreciate that you're able to do that. There are worse alternatives!
Good luck... and stick around. Keep your mind in the game. Amp building is 2/3 planning and thinking and only 1/3 actual building, anyway,
Dave

[bnwitt]

Bigdaddy,
Never give up hope for improvement.  Get on the web and seek a better treatment and physician.  Someone out there can improve your life in some way, possibly in a monumental way.  It wasn't that long ago I thought I would die in my 40's and a great doctor gave me back my life.  95% of physicians are just buying shopping centers and 5% are changing lives.  It's hard to sort through the chaff but you can do it.  Don't throw in the towel yet.
Barry

[PRR]

> The thing that really worked for me:  yoga.

The thing that really worked for me:  Walking. And yes, L4-L5 (that's always where sitting-damage is worst).

Also worked for my ex-boss. She was in a car crash. I saw the (healed) damage, she was seriously bent. However when I knew her, she was far from cripple, and credited walking as the main path to wellness.

It depends on your situation. Most folks can walk at any age or condition, but back-surgery is serious tricky stuff so know (or ask) if walking is safe. Or if muggers are around night and day, it may not be wise to gimp around. (Tho in the beginning, walking any long hall is better than sitting.)

Walk until tired. Then a little more. At first, in crisis, this may be 100 baby-steps.... whatever you can do. Then lay down flat for 20 minutes (or whatever allows the back to relax best). Walk a little more whenever you can. There will be good days and bad days (but you know that). As you do better, also focus on lengthening your stride... you want to extend and strengthen the long muscle from buttock to mid-back.

My worst back/leg pain took months to get "normal for me" walking up to 45 minutes a night (closer to 200 feet at first). After a year my back was better than it has been since my Teens. Other stuff cut into my walking, so I made it a point to never call the other office when I could walk over there, not take the nearest parking spot, pace up and down the driveway while thinking (done that while writing this). I average 30 minutes walking a day, albeit in 5-10 minute spurts. Not really enough to get the blood flowing, but better than letting the muscles just lay there.

I have no objection to yoga. Makes perfect sense, just not my thing.

[birt]

PRR is right, walking is a "self regulating mechanism". all your body parts go where they are supposed to. it can be very relaxing and you are still training.

i have one dehydrated disc in my back. i'm having pain for more then 10 years now (i'm 24) but when i keep moving i have less pain. reading a book or sitting and concentrating on anything is really painfull. i train my back and abdominal muscles so there is less pressure on my spine. (but walking and fitness got boring for me, running is no option because of weak knees. therefore i started running around on jumping stilts. i look like a nutcase but i'm having fun and it helps. it may not be for you :-p)

i know a good relaxation exercise for your spine. sit down on a chair with the back of the chair between your legs, so that your hips are in a blocked position. then sit with your back straight and touch your shoulders with your elbows pointing to the side. this makes your chest go forward a bit. now fix your eyes at a point before you and gently wiggle your shoulders so your back makes a torsing movement. don't torse it too far so it gets painfull. just do this for some time and you back will hurt less. i found it even gives me some energy. (i hope my explanation is ok, english isn't my native language :p)

[Danskman]

Im' so sorry you feel so bad... I strongly agree with PRR; I think walking is one of the best medication you can take for a very large scope of diseases and pains. It can help with so much small and hard problems, from head to foot. It can help to weight loss, too (my best friend loss 30pounds in 6 months walking around 45 mn a day... he diminished his alcool consumption, too  ).
Let's start smoothly and regularly.    .    .   .   .  .  . . .  following PRR's method.

I wish you to recover health as soon as possible. I cannot think you will never build another amp in you life  :3some:
My best wishes to you!
Best regards,
Danskman

[bigdaddy]

I did all those things in the past, that's how I lasted this long. I worked out, I walked, I went to a good chiropractor, I meditated, I lived, I worked, I loved, I played music, I built amps and guitars and now I can't. I also suffer from other issues that make things worse. The problem is that I have no disc material left in between my vertebrae from the lowest disc up close to the last disc in my neck. Once it's gone it's gone. Had stem cell experimentation been OKed by now they could have grown new discs for me, of course who would pay for it?

Without discs in your spine there's nothing you can do. I have advanced degenerative disc disease. Every movement is painful. I am also paying for every crazy thing I did as a teenager. Both knees are shot from injuries playing sports and a host of old broken bones and soft tissue damage from car accidents, street fights, weight training, all those injuries add up.

Plus I have severe sleep apnea and diabetes, I always controlled the diabetes by being active and working out. So I can no longer control it, meds and insulin can do just so much. I am basically a lump of flesh and at times my brain function is failing too due to the pain meds and the pain itself. I accept it all and tried to live a full life knowing that this would probably be my fate, but not at only 53. I was hoping I would make 65. I might live to 100 but my quality of life is terrible. Oh well.....one good thing, the jerk upstairs is moving...yay.

I bought a new amp, Jeff Bober's Studio 2watt amp by East amps. That should solve any amp issues.

 

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[bigdaddy]

And I want to thank everybody for their help. I could never have built anything if not for the people here, all of you.

I also want to thank everybody for their kind words and understanding and trying to help with my situation.

It means a lot to me and it makes up for the people who have tried to take advantage of me because of my disability. That has happened a few times with computer repairmen and other clowns who think because I disabled I'm stupid or can't kick their ass with my walker. Not to mention the clown upstairs.

[bnwitt]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8103014031164873333#

[bigdaddy]

They do that in Europe and it has problems. It only lasts a few years as does knee and hip repalcement. Plus they would have to do every disc....LOL....it can't be done. The only way is stem cells and by the time it's available and affordable I'll be long gone.

[zendragon63]

Walking, yoga tai chi, etc. are all proven methods in fighting the inevitable aging battle; the common denominator being movement. And I suppose that it makes a difference as to the number of discs and to what degree each are degenerated. Having diabetes really complicates/hampers the body's natural healing process. God bless you. I am with the group that is over 50 and constantly deal with lower back issues but if nothing else, find as much fulfillment in what you can still do, no matter how insignificant it may seem. You are still making a difference to us with your insights (i.e. Champs). And I suppose that you can decide to stop building amps and playing your 2Watt when they pry your solderng iron or your pick from your cold dead fingers. In the meantime, I certainly hope you can find one of those '5% healers'. Personal regards bigdaddy.

dennis

[bigdaddy]

The amp put me back a few bucks. Once I pay for it there might be some work here for someone who might be willing to take on a project with one of my chassis.

Maybe we can trade some stuff and I can send someone stuff to build me so low wattage amps like the Firefly or some other designs.

I have so much stuff laying around, I have a bunch of Hammond PTs I cannot use now.

[Ritchie200]

Hey Bigdaddy,

Just remember you still have much to contribute.  Your insight, advice, and humor will always be welcome here.  Keep your mind active by helping to solve the silly mistakes we all make!  Hang in there pal!

Jim

[plexi50]

Same here Bigddady. I want to but i will not carry the customers amps in anymore. Every time i do i pay the price. I cant sit or stand for 2-3 days.  Some times longer. The best pain pills do very little for this kind of pain. What i am having a big problem with is my eyes. Too many different pairs of glasses. Bi Foculs suck. I wish your back to get better. Just have to be very careful how you move. And never pick up anything at ground level. Getting old is cool. But it is also starting to piss me off!

[Rev D]

 I'd encourage you to stay involved just to keep the mind working my man. I understand as well as anyone. I have a crushed/compressed disc in my lower back. I've dealt with pain for the last 10 years, the last 1 on heavy narcotics. (no kids not percocet, Oxycodone 150 mg a day and oxycontin 120 mg a day). Trust me not said with pride, addictions are terrible, but I'm working on changing that somewhat soon.

A month a go they did a test of a spinal stimulator which was a failure, it didn't resolve the pain and shocked my lower extremities pretty good. Last week (just got out the hospital three days ago) was a test for a pain pump in the spinal column. That test was amazingly good, lowest pain level in years (down to a 2 on the 1-10 scale they like to use from a normal of 7-8 and about 5 on the narcotics on a good day).

 Yes there was a complication of a spinal puncture (by that I mean anytime you disturb the spinal column pressures) being a migraine for the last three days and vomiting requiring me a trip back to the ER to get Fiorinal, benedryl and caffeine which has helped. Nausea down and dealing with the migraine still but its getting better. The insurance company will ok the pump and move to the internal pump which will require monitoring for infection of the spinal catheter and levels of drugs etc. I'm diabetic as well and as a strange thing also 53 years old.

 I also have a unidentified pain in my left side from a intestinal resection three years ago, it all appears ok on the inside and functions but there is quite the pain in the side which was also helped by the trial. Yes its a risk, but when you get to a certain point life is hard to live and enjoy and I'd rather go out trying that not. Not saying this is the case or possible for everyone so please do think I'm suggesting that.

 I just wanted to put this out here to say I can understand your situation as much as anyone possible can. I have parts here to do a mod on my 18 watter, its been here for two weeks and I can't get comfortable enough to even do them yet. As bad as I have it it sounds like your pain is even worse, I pray not but I know disc to disc is probably one of the most uncomfortable things ever and thats putting it mildly.

 Regardless if I get to a point where I can't build even simple projects I'll hang around even if its just to lurk, I have far less to offer the group than you do, but I do try to run down links for people because as you probably know, time is something I have plenty of and if I have to search for an hour and can help someone I will.

 I just want to encourage you to stay active and maybe even find you an apprentice, a set of hands to put your plans in place if you can. I know I hope to do the same when it gets down the road and worse. But as mentioned in the last post, they'll have to pry my guitar out of my cold fingers and if I wont let go bury me with it cause music means that much to me even if I'm not all that as a player, its what I did and I won't be denied.
 
 I wish you well brother and hope you'll keep up with the forums and offer your skills to us that need them, prayers to you and wish you the best. Sorry for the filibuster here guys.

Regards,

RD.

[Rev D]

Getting old is cool. But it is also starting to piss me off!

  Yeah it ain't for sissies is it? Everytime I play with the grandkids I pay for it for three days, but wow is it worth it.

Regards,

RD

[bigdaddy]

I have a set of grippers in every room. They work great and I've gotten pretty good with them.

I can't bend and I can't twist my body that means guess what. I use something called a bottom buddy and in the shower I use brushes with long handles to get to places I can't reach like my feet and legs among other parts more personal.

I have to use a bottle urinal. If I try to use the toilet I end up making a mess because my body is always spasming. So I use the bottle dump it and clean it. Things that people take for granted are a major issue for me now. Lucky for me I had to renew my drivers license and they took me right away, no waiting. This is NYC and the wait is like an hour or more, plus.

One very good pain medication is chocolate.....works pretty good for a few minutes...

[Rev D]

 Mmmmmm Chocolate... I agree... 

[Shrapnel]

   Chocolate?  :confused2:  Where??? YUMMMMM!!!!   



bigdaddy,

I am sorry to hear your work has to stop, I wish I was closer and could lend you a hand with what mods/fixes/builds you need to finish to be peaceable and happy, but Western Arkansas is quite a ways away from NYC. 

[supro66]

Getting old is cool. But it is also starting to piss me off!

I have to second that

Had a Heart pacemaker put in 02/28/2010 

Have to stay from big Magnets and electrical shocks

Like filter Caps 

[bigdaddy]

I have these little window of about 15 minutes. I used that to mess with the killer ant. Then I have to rest up for a while.

But when I get those longer window I have responsibilities and that is keeping this apartment clean. The US Army taught me real good how to GI things. Make em shine, yes sargent.... So I use my time to keep the bathroom and kitchen clean and whatever else I can do. I cleaned half the kitchen today and hopefully finish the rest tomorrow. The refrigerator needs to be cleaned inside...oh joy.....that should take about 3 days... .

Yeah chocolate does work for a few minutes. Something creamy and chewy is the best, that really takes your mind off it. I can go for a tootsie roll rigth now in fact.

Can you really have the pacemaker stop working from a shock...wow.....I heard you have to stay away from microwaves......that sucks man.

[supro66]

Can you really have the pacemaker stop working from a shock...wow.....I heard you have to stay away from microwaves......that sucks man.

It fires on every heart beat
one side of the heart only
Batteries are good for 8 years

The book says I should not use a gas chain saw

Carry my cell phone in my breast pocket

Stay out of auto junk jards that big maginet they use

I guess I have a better chance of getting hit by lighting while being eaten by a shark
So I was told