Arthritis and shooting

Paul B. said:
I can still stroll the 100 yards a few times, but I am usually stove up and not getting around for several days. Plus, the young-uns can walk back and forth several times by the time I get to my target.

On another note, I still have the dream of getting an elk. Was stationed in CO and UT for several years. All I did was bow hunt back then and never harvested one. That was in my 30s and I could hike those mountains back then. These days, I could not pull a 100 lb doe out of a field.

Idaho has a special elk hunt for disabled veterans. I am hoping to do that, before I won't be able to anymore.

I've been disabled for a while and it doesn't get any better.Until my last MRI I didn't have too much trouble walking with a cane, but also having Meniere's Disease, a two plus hour session having an MRI done has pretty much made it so I now need to use a walker. Vertigo is a more common name for Meniere's disease.
If you would like to take a cow elk, before I got too badly messed up I would do one every year with an outfitter in New Mexico. A private land hunt for cow elk that favors us not so nimble old fogeys. Basically, you ride around in a pick up truck until you spot the elk. Ypu get out of the truck and shoot. I'm the first to admit it's not my favorite way to hunt but one has to recognize his limitations. It's between you and the guide. If you want to get out and try a stalk you're welcome to do so. I have two bad knees so walking in uneven ground was difficult and I don't like falling down. So, I get out of the truck and use the hood for a rest. I've taken 6 elk off the place and the Good Lord a'willin' maybe if I lick this damn cancer I'll get at least one more hunt before I go. FWIW, I'm 84 years old and I don't give up easy. If you want details on the hunt just PM me and ask.
Paul B.
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I am so sorry about your medical condition. You will be in my prayers, sir. My hat is off to you, at 84 and still getting out and doing what you can and I hope and pray you have a few hunts left. My Dad is 84 as well and he shot the biggest buck of his life last year. With a rifle he had built and his own handloads.

I am only 54, but have really been hard on my body, especially when I was in the military. Being Superman when you are young catches up with you. I am a 90% disabled veteran.

Like you said, you just have to adjust and try to enjoy life the best you can. Because fighting it just wears you out and wastes time. It took me a while, but I finally came to that realization. Many dreams I had won't happen. So, I just adjust and have different dreams. Maybe not as adventurous, but still getting out and enjoying life.

I will certainly PM you. Thank you.
 
That's the thing about triggers, if I move to a revolver, I would have to have something with a lighter trigger. It sucks because I have about 10 different semi-auto pistols and am actually having a 1911 built by my LGS. Started that project before my hands got so bad. So, I need to talk to the gunsmith about the springs.
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Cocking the hammer helps as well as using the "push-pull" method that Pax (Kathy Jackson) used to promote where the gun is held close to the chest and one hand pushes about halfway while the other pulls about halfway
 
I understand the topic of disabilities. I am now in my 70th year and have developed a muscle waisting disease which continues to limit my abilities. As of now I have no grip in my hands and no strength in my fingers to where I cannot even turn a doorknob. I have attached skateboard grip tape to the slides on my autos and use the push/pull method and that kept me shooting for several years. As the disability increased I added optics to some of my autos so I could apply some pressure to the sight while racking the slide. That works but I dislike optics on my carry guns so I would just hope that I would never need to clear a jamb where time was an issue. Now my problem is that I do not have enough strength in my forefinger to pull the trigger even on my 1911. So I have a two-handed way of pulling the trigger by inserting my finger up to the main knuckle and hooking it behind my offhand thumb. I can actually shoot quite well this way but is not real fast for backup shots. So by using this method I have started to limp wrist and every 2-3 rounds I get a FTE. So now I feel I have two choices which are to shoot revolvers with exposed hammers so I can thumb the hammer (my thumbs are strong yet) to achieve a light trigger pull or not carry at all. What is also on my mind is "do I have the strength to stop a gun grab"? The last thing I want is to be shot with my own gun. I have some decisions to make but I can not imagine feeling comfortable leaving the house in my vulnerable situation without some kind of equalizer.
 
kc.38 said:
I understand the topic of disabilities. I am now in my 70th year and have developed a muscle waisting disease which continues to limit my abilities. As of now I have no grip in my hands and no strength in my fingers to where I cannot even turn a doorknob. I have attached skateboard grip tape to the slides on my autos and use the push/pull method and that kept me shooting for several years. As the disability increased I added optics to some of my autos so I could apply some pressure to the sight while racking the slide. That works but I dislike optics on my carry guns so I would just hope that I would never need to clear a jamb where time was an issue. Now my problem is that I do not have enough strength in my forefinger to pull the trigger even on my 1911. So I have a two-handed way of pulling the trigger by inserting my finger up to the main knuckle and hooking it behind my offhand thumb. I can actually shoot quite well this way but is not real fast for backup shots. So by using this method I have started to limp wrist and every 2-3 rounds I get a FTE. So now I feel I have two choices which are to shoot revolvers with exposed hammers so I can thumb the hammer (my thumbs are strong yet) to achieve a light trigger pull or not carry at all. What is also on my mind is "do I have the strength to stop a gun grab"? The last thing I want is to be shot with my own gun. I have some decisions to make but I can not imagine feeling comfortable leaving the house in my vulnerable situation without some kind of equalizer.
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kc.38, thank you for sharing. I am not even sure where I will be, or if I will be, at 70. God's blessings to you for adjusting and trying to work with what you can. It makes me feel like I really should not complain.

These stories do let me know, I need to do the things I would like to while I can.

Again, thank you for sharing. God bless and I will add you to my extremely long prayer list. A lot of folks hurting out there these days.
 
"Before you start messing with changing springs, try a couple of different methods of racking the slide.

As mentioned, cock the hammer first, that alone may be enough.

The other easy thing to try is to not try and pull the slide back.

HOLD the slide, and push the grip forward. That makes a big difference for a lot of people.

Alternately, while it takes a little bit of care, use the edge of a table, (or something similar) to press the pistol against to push the slide back."


What he said.
 
If you can tolerate the pain of the injection, there are things that can bring relief to arthritis pain in the hands. A number of years ago I received a shot into my thumb joiint, and for the most part that thumb is still pain free. Before the injection I could not rack the slide on my semi autos but after the shot, and continued to this day several years later, I have little trouble with the slide being racked. But I will add that the shot itself was quite painful, but only for about 30 seconds.
 
vito said:
If you can tolerate the pain of the injection, there are things that can bring relief to arthritis pain in the hands. A number of years ago I received a shot into my thumb joiint, and for the most part that thumb is still pain free. Before the injection I could not rack the slide on my semi autos but after the shot, and continued to this day several years later, I have little trouble with the slide being racked. But I will add that the shot itself was quite painful, but only for about 30 seconds.
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Thanks, but I am done with injections. They attempted that to get my back and neck arthritis pain under control. Last set of injections before I stopped was the worst pain I have ever felt. Shortly after, it jumped my blood pressure up so high I nearly had a stroke and ended up in the ER. Started blacking out before the ambulance arrived. I told the pain clinic, no more injections for anything.
 
I wanted to wait until I saw where this discussion was going but now I feel it's OK to bring this up. I use a lot of DMSO on my many arthritic joints. It works, it's over the counter and not too expensive. Do a search on it for more info on how to use it and where to buy it.

I had been getting it at a farm store but lately I've found that I can buy it on line for less money. Don't use it in the pure form as it's too hard on the skin. The gelled form is the best way to go. I've been using it off and on for 40+ years and I think it works wonders.

Tony
 
Tony, I would just add that Pharmaceutical grade is safer than industrial grade, which may contain impurities that are absorbed through the skin. DMSO is a powerful solvent and will carry anything on your skin into the bloodstream, providing a potential unwanted reaction. For those who have insurance coverage and want to play it safe, you may want to ask your physician about a prescription for Pennsaid. It contains diclofenac, a member of the Ibuprofen ( Advil) and Naproxen (Aleve) family, in DMSO. It is approved for use on the knees, but I have used it on other joints as well.
 
In preparation for later years, invested in 9mm gas operated sbr. Very easy to shoot, very mild recoil, cheap (relatively) rounds and accurate enough to enjoy. But can't cc it.

If it gets to that point, will content myself with a 22 semi auto. When younger gravitated towards smaller/powerful, now am getting preparing with larger/less powerful. Physics can work for you.

Really gave up on the hunting dreams, as walking any distance, sitting or cold gets painful.
 
Arthritis in my 77 year old hands dictated a caliber downsizing for me.
Gifted my big bore handguns (.44 magnums, .45acp) to my sons and now am limited to 9mm & .38 Special, and tamer loads of .327.
 
Bottom Gun said:
I recently heard about Near Infrared therapy for arthritis and other ailments.
Has anyone tried it?
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Never herd of it. I did, however, have a breakthrough with my pain specialist. They are going to do dry needle therapy. Basically, localized acupuncture. Had initial shots in the office and I cannot tell you how much relief I got. This is my neck and spine. No help for hands, but that is the worst pain I have.
 
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