Musicians with Dystonia Bulletin Board

It may be a bit mis-leading to say I've had FD for 20 years. It began over 20 years ago with what can be called "task specific dystonia" - that being writer's cramp. I eventually found it easier to learn to write left handed than to deal with the distonic distortions. Doctors at that time had no idea what it was. I tried things like biofeedback therapy, hypnotherapy but to no avail.

Other functions were'nt affected until about 10 years ago. I had been out of drumming since the mid 90's and resumed both jazz and pipe band around the year 2000. This was the first time I noticed any problems with my drumming. I saw a doctor who sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with FD. At that time there was no treatment as such, as there still isn't it seems - just Botox which I was going to try but another specialist said it wouldn't do me much good as my arm muscles were normal except when doing specific tasks - now writing and drumming - so I didn't pursue that. I'm not sure that advice was accurate.

I've been following some of the advice on this forum and elsewhere, attempting to re-train the neural networks by simple concentration and relaxtion of the muscles. My writing is still a disaster, but the drumming problems have improved albeit slightly.

It seems we're the only ones on this thread so perhaps you could email me at desaphillips@yahoo.com.au - I'll then give you another email address which I check daily. I live in Adelaide, South Australia. What part of the world to you live ?