DrumDoug
Senior Member
There's been a topic I have wanted to bring up for a while. The reason I haven't is because I thought it would just sound like I was whining and making excuses. A couple of years ago I started having problems not being able to move my right foot and losing strength in my hands. It would happen for a little while and go away. After the last time it happened I ended up taking a lot of tests at the doctor. It's long story, but after seeing multiple neurologists, and taking a genetic test, It turns out I have a rare genetic condition called HNPP. Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsies. I have a defect in my PMP22 gene which affects my ability to make myelin. The myelin sheath around my nerves is breaking down and my body doesn't replace it correctly. It's causing my nerves to become susceptible to damage and my muscles to weaken.
OK. Bad enough. But as I was reading about myelin and its role in learning, I came across an article about mice who had been given drugs to stop their myelin production. They were unable to learn new skills. After the drug wore off, they were able to learn new skills again. Which bring me to the sounds like an excuse part. HNPP usually kicks in in your early 20s. Im 47. I feel like my drumming skills have been stalled for decades. No matter how much I practice, I feel like I never get any better. My hand speed and foot speed have been the same for 20 years. It's not like I'm trying too play super fast. I'm talking about the faster end of pop and country tunes for my cover band. It's why I obsess over hand technique. I feel like if I could just find there right technique, I would have a breakthrough. Now I'm thinking it's something else. What if I'm not capable of getting any better? If myelin is required to learn new skills, and I can't make myelin anymore, does that mean I'm never going to get any better. Am I just stuck at the skill level I was in my 20s when myelin production stopped? I know this is not a medical forum. I doubt anyone has any advise to give me. This is a rare disease. There is not much information out there about it. I haven't found anything about how it affects your ability to learn. When does an excuse become a reason? From what I read, skills you already have do not deterioate it you keep up practice, I just might not be able to ever get any better.
OK. Bad enough. But as I was reading about myelin and its role in learning, I came across an article about mice who had been given drugs to stop their myelin production. They were unable to learn new skills. After the drug wore off, they were able to learn new skills again. Which bring me to the sounds like an excuse part. HNPP usually kicks in in your early 20s. Im 47. I feel like my drumming skills have been stalled for decades. No matter how much I practice, I feel like I never get any better. My hand speed and foot speed have been the same for 20 years. It's not like I'm trying too play super fast. I'm talking about the faster end of pop and country tunes for my cover band. It's why I obsess over hand technique. I feel like if I could just find there right technique, I would have a breakthrough. Now I'm thinking it's something else. What if I'm not capable of getting any better? If myelin is required to learn new skills, and I can't make myelin anymore, does that mean I'm never going to get any better. Am I just stuck at the skill level I was in my 20s when myelin production stopped? I know this is not a medical forum. I doubt anyone has any advise to give me. This is a rare disease. There is not much information out there about it. I haven't found anything about how it affects your ability to learn. When does an excuse become a reason? From what I read, skills you already have do not deterioate it you keep up practice, I just might not be able to ever get any better.