As it says, I’ve not been here for a while, I’ve not forgotten about you all but had other things on my mind.
To put things as simply as possible I haven’t been very well, physically and mentally, my medications are no longer helping me to feel better. The problem is that I have become tolerant of them and have no suitable alternatives anymore.
I don’t see myself at the moment being able to play guitar very much if at all and have started to look at a synthesiser App on my iPad, basically for keeping music creation on my radar.
First of all I shall not give up dropping in on the odd occasion but it’s going to be very limited compared with what it used to be, my concentration is very limited and tiring.
Secondly I really don’t want any sympathy from you because I have had a good life and know that I’m in my twilight years. I am in no immediate danger of anything life threatening, it’s just 24/7/365 pain from my Fibromyalgia, and as there’s nothing left to dull it other than distraction or meditation, listening to music and so on. I have just this weekend given most of my other social media up for the reason that my GP was telling me that the problem is that it can cause anxiety which has been the case.
I feel that it was only fair that I explain my absence and future being less involved as I was.
I want to say to everyone who has communicated with me and probably some who have not that I miss you all but at the moment it’s the only option for me.
I will be back again and try to keep in touch with what’s going on via my emails that I get - often daily 
Darrel Have you ever tried Acupuncture? I have severe tendonitis in my right shoulder to the point I could barely lift my arm. Physio got my mobility back but the pain didn’t go away.
I get Acupuncture treatments to relive the pain and it works better than I thought it would.
No problem whatsoever. You do what you can and when you feel like it.
Stop by whenever you feel the need. We’ll be right here.
Oh, and you’re absolutely right about dropping your social media. I dropped that poison years ago…
All the best and hopefully we’ll see you dropping by from time to time.
Good luck!
Darrel,
I’m very sorry to hear that. I’ve always enjoyed your posts. It’s a difficult disease to manage but it can get better.
I wish you all the best and hope you will still post from time to time. This is a very supportive community.
Best, Ian
Good luck Darrell.
The music is in you, no reason why it can’t come out through a synthesiser. Can’t give you any tips though, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
Hi Darrell,
Sorry to read…I already had a suspicion that you were not doing well…you were missed. 
I wish you all the best as possible and hope to hear from you from time to time in one way or another 
Greetings from the Dutchlands 
… 
Thank you for writing your note, keeps us from guessing! And all the best to you, I hope you can keep playing guitar, even if it’s just a little bit and less than you might want to.
I wish you all the best Darrel.
Sorry to hear that Darrell, I wish you all the best. Drop by whenever you can!
Hi Darrell,
once, it’s good to see you again. It’s also nice to see that music is still a part of your life and that you keep nurturing the creativity inside of you. I always enjoyed your contributions. Take it easy on here, you will always be welcome. 
All the best for you!
Hello Darrell,
Very sorry to hear of your troubles mate. I hope you find a positive way forward.
I’ve always enjoyed your presence here on the forums. Hopefully it can continue in whatever capacity suits you.
Checking out your gut microbiome may be something that can help you, if you have yet to go down that path. So called ‘modern’ medicine is finally catching up to this significant aspect of the body’s functioning.
All the best
Cheers, Shane
Cheers, Shane
Good to see you dropping in Darrell, given how things were panning out a while back.
You’ve given so much here over the years, so limited access as a when you can or want ain’t an issue. I’ve been through a lean patch myself the last year, due to the missus having some health issues. Dropping Soc Med is a good move, there is so much 
out there that can wind you up and/or stress you out. Have done the same of many YToob channels I followed as it was making me a grumpier old man than I was to start with and that was already way down the road of grumpy !!
Explanations of absence unneeded, as those that know you, knew where you were heading a few post backs before you expectedly went AWOL, so no problem.
Look after yourself as best you can and visit as and when and contribute as you see fit. Like I say, good to see you back. Be cool.
Hey Darrell, thanks for the update, keep smiling. You are cool
Hi Darrell,
I’m very sorry to read about your health struggles and the ongoing pain situation caused by Fibromyalgia.
I always appreciated your contributions on the forum and already missed them.
I hope so much, that at a point, you can get control again of the torturing pain (my mother in law suffers since decades from Fibromyalgia, it’s been a constant circle of ups and downs, the downs very often close to intolerability, but she regained a better over all situation again, so maybe there might be at least some hope for you).
I keep my fingers crossed you will find your way back to all the good things in life and I’m sending you my best wishes!
Yeah, well, Darrell… That’s simply not good enough! 
I had become accustomed to you being one of the most positive commentators on my ‘musical contributions’ and just leaving me high and dry without a by-your-leave is just thoughtless.
You can do better 
Oh, yes, apologies for not getting in touch via pm- there are a couple of other ‘mad’ folk out there in similar categories, but life is short and I always assume everyone knows I love them.
Take care, my friend 
Thank you for updating us Darrell. My thoughts and best wishes are with you. Richard
So sorry to hear you are not doing well. Are you still able to do your other hobbies, i.e., painting, etc? Either way, look forward to you still stopping in every once in a while. Hope you can find relief. Maybe take Rick’s @stitch advice on acupuncture (even though I have never tried that).
Dear Darrel,
I am wishing you all the best!
As often we feel a bit better and worse in phases, I sincerely hope you’ll get better phases again! 
hope you get better soon Darrel
I did try acupuncture, but all it did for me was reveal the symptoms more and didn’t really affect the cause. I didn’t cheapskate, I went to a highly recommended practitioner, they were honest about it in the first place that in their experience it could go one way or the other; it was just unfortunate that it went the way it did.