I never knew the full story but man that's tragic! I used cortisone for ezcema as a kid but it was only my hands for most part. Never had it all over which I understand can be crippling. I wonder how far we have come since then... my guess, not very far as my daughter has a bit of eczema and when it flares up, cortisone is the go to. Poor guy.
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Health and death[edit]
Lane had
psoriasis throughout his life. After age twelve, he also suffered from
psoriatic arthritis, which caused stiffness in his joints and after 2000 was affecting his ability to play guitar (Lane stated that with proper rest he could still play live gigs, etc.).
[1] Lane had treated his psoriasis with
hydrocortisone for many years, which caused his weight to increase, further loading his joints. The required usage of cortisone over time resulted in him having
Cushing's syndrome. Consequently, he backed off taking cortisone, but then the psoriasis would flare up, and he would need prescription pain killers to deal with the unremitting pain.
[1] The symptoms of his condition and the side effects of the medications created a vicious circle. Complicating matters, for many years Lane did not have medical insurance coverage.
[1] In 2003 he started having difficulty breathing and was told that he would have to remain on
medical oxygen for the rest of his life.
[5]
Lane died in a hospital in Memphis on September 26, 2003 of lung-related illnesses.
[2][6] His body was buried at the
Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis.
[7]