Is arthritis affecting your handgun shooting?
- Thread starter Dr Raoul Duke
- Start date
Sportscreme. My shoulders, wrists and hands hurt more in cold weather. I keep a tube of Sportscreme in my truck door. I've stopped shooting and rubbed this into my hands and shoulders. I also stick the chemical hand warmers that I get from WalMart into the backs of my gloves. Every little bit helps.
The answer is yes. With upper/lower back issue`s coupled with a few pins and screws in legs/ankle`s, arthritis is a given. I just look at the bright side and feel fortunate I don`t need a weather forecastor to predict barometric pressure change. Helps in my hunting/fishing plans
. Also the dailey pain is also eased with the thought that there`s many around me in worse shape than myself. A brother, who`s very active in shooting and outdoor activities has macular degeneration and can be blind within the year
. Hopefully his regiment of eye treatments will stop/postpone the disease`s progress. We keep our fingers crossed.
. Also the dailey pain is also eased with the thought that there`s many around me in worse shape than myself. A brother, who`s very active in shooting and outdoor activities has macular degeneration and can be blind within the year. Hopefully his regiment of eye treatments will stop/postpone the disease`s progress. We keep our fingers crossed.Compared to what some have posted, I must still be enjoying the bloom of youth at age 70. Nevertheless, starting a couple of years ago, I began to notice some discomfort in my hand, elbow, and arm when shooting full power .44 Mag loads in S&W 629's and switched to shooting .45 ACP 1911's instead. After cataract surgery in both eyes this summer, I am eager to see what changes it might make in my pistol scores. Beyond 3 feet I don't require glasses now but do need them for reading and for seeing pistol sights sharply.
Getting old really IS a bitch!
Our notes are similar. I've had four surgeries on my spine in the last fifteen years, the last this past Dec. and a decompression/fusion at L5 that is looming in the future. I only have about 15% use of my left hand and virtually no use of my left thumb. That's what gets in my way the most. I've learned to compensate and still enjoy shooting though. Everything now just seems to take longer.
Our notes are similar. I've had four surgeries on my spine in the last fifteen years, the last this past Dec. and a decompression/fusion at L5 that is looming in the future. I only have about 15% use of my left hand and virtually no use of my left thumb. That's what gets in my way the most. I've learned to compensate and still enjoy shooting though. Everything now just seems to take longer.
Stevie-Ray
New member
Doctor,
For you and the others that have been diagnosed with RA, you have my sympathy and prayers. My wife is an RA patient and has been for 29 years. We didn't even get in 5 good years of marriage when she was struck down. As you might imagine, she has already had 9 replacement surgeries, including both knees, both hips, and both hands, due to the debilitating process of this horrendous disease. Unfortunately, she has never been able to share in my hobby of guns, and cannot even defend herself due to her destroyed hands. She's run the gamut of therapy including gold shots, chemotherapy, about all of the NSAIDS, cortisone, and even hormonal immune system boosters. Unfortunately, she has never seen remission, and remains in pain and in an extremely frail state. She makes do with Celebrex and nothing else at this point for inflammation, and of course painkillers.
For myself, I broke my wrist in six places when I was 14, and was told then I would suffer from arthritis in this area when I got older. Well, here it is and it is agonizing, though 1, it is my non-dominant hand, and 2, luckily it is the osteo garden variety type we ALL experience as we age. Actually, at 53, I consider myself lucky to just be affected by it now. But when I shoot a hard-kicker, especially, it lets me know it's there. I also suffer from scoliosis and work to strengthen my back at every workout. Both of my knees are shot, also, but need arthroscopy (torn Meniscus) rather than replacement. I don't need to tell you what the success rate of that is, so I wait. Most of my pain is resolved by generic Naproxen Sodium once a day. When it gets really bad, I'll take it twice, but I hate to take pills and loathe the day I'll need something stronger. I've already forsaken the Ibuprofen for this which seems to work better with far fewer pills. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a shot. (Though I'm sure with 10 years of RA under your belt, you have) The normal NSAIDS seem to work best if you change them up every once in a while.
For you and the others that have been diagnosed with RA, you have my sympathy and prayers. My wife is an RA patient and has been for 29 years. We didn't even get in 5 good years of marriage when she was struck down. As you might imagine, she has already had 9 replacement surgeries, including both knees, both hips, and both hands, due to the debilitating process of this horrendous disease. Unfortunately, she has never been able to share in my hobby of guns, and cannot even defend herself due to her destroyed hands. She's run the gamut of therapy including gold shots, chemotherapy, about all of the NSAIDS, cortisone, and even hormonal immune system boosters. Unfortunately, she has never seen remission, and remains in pain and in an extremely frail state. She makes do with Celebrex and nothing else at this point for inflammation, and of course painkillers.
For myself, I broke my wrist in six places when I was 14, and was told then I would suffer from arthritis in this area when I got older. Well, here it is and it is agonizing, though 1, it is my non-dominant hand, and 2, luckily it is the osteo garden variety type we ALL experience as we age. Actually, at 53, I consider myself lucky to just be affected by it now. But when I shoot a hard-kicker, especially, it lets me know it's there. I also suffer from scoliosis and work to strengthen my back at every workout. Both of my knees are shot, also, but need arthroscopy (torn Meniscus) rather than replacement. I don't need to tell you what the success rate of that is, so I wait. Most of my pain is resolved by generic Naproxen Sodium once a day. When it gets really bad, I'll take it twice, but I hate to take pills and loathe the day I'll need something stronger. I've already forsaken the Ibuprofen for this which seems to work better with far fewer pills. If you haven't tried it yet, give it a shot. (Though I'm sure with 10 years of RA under your belt, you have) The normal NSAIDS seem to work best if you change them up every once in a while.
carprivershooter
New member
10 years with RA
I am 61 and have been dealing with RA for 10 years. I take the Humaira injection and the Metotrexate shot every 2 weeks. I have pain in my hands and wrists feet and knees. I am not going to stop shooting. I have gone away from my XDs to 1911s and 357s the weight helps with recoil. I work my hands daily and dry fire daily. I try to push through the pain. gloves help. wrist wraps and bands on the forearms anything to make shooting more comfortable. You guys hang in there enjoy each day and hold on to what you have and don't stop.
3 ea 1911 45acp, 2ea 357 cal. 4in SW686 51/2 " Taurs, 45 long colt, 2 XD9 1ea XD45 1ea XD40.
I am 61 and have been dealing with RA for 10 years. I take the Humaira injection and the Metotrexate shot every 2 weeks. I have pain in my hands and wrists feet and knees. I am not going to stop shooting. I have gone away from my XDs to 1911s and 357s the weight helps with recoil. I work my hands daily and dry fire daily. I try to push through the pain. gloves help. wrist wraps and bands on the forearms anything to make shooting more comfortable. You guys hang in there enjoy each day and hold on to what you have and don't stop.
3 ea 1911 45acp, 2ea 357 cal. 4in SW686 51/2 " Taurs, 45 long colt, 2 XD9 1ea XD45 1ea XD40.
N.H. Yankee
New member
I have to say at times it does, when its humid or raining for a period of time I have all I can do to close my hand, matter of fact getting out of bed and standing up straight is a battle some days. I take Mobic daily for arthritus and have a mild rheumatoid condition. I had taken a steroid ( prednisone ) Horrible stuff and only take it when absolutely can't function.
I recently traded my CCW DAO pistol for a S/A because on bad days I had all I could do to squeeze the 12lb trigger. Also didn't help that it was a Keltec and the trigger was small. I ended up with an XD subcompact and couldn't be happier with the guns performance. I still shoot very well, its just heavy triggers can send lightening bolts down the fingers. If I were the tinman, I'd need a 55 gallon drum of Slick 50, not that stupid little squirt can!
I recently traded my CCW DAO pistol for a S/A because on bad days I had all I could do to squeeze the 12lb trigger. Also didn't help that it was a Keltec and the trigger was small. I ended up with an XD subcompact and couldn't be happier with the guns performance. I still shoot very well, its just heavy triggers can send lightening bolts down the fingers. If I were the tinman, I'd need a 55 gallon drum of Slick 50, not that stupid little squirt can!
Shotwave, I work for the Division of the Blind services down here in FLA. I'm by no means a doctor but from I hear and understand about you buddies problems, all they can do is somewhat slow it down a little. From what the people have told me that have the same problem no cure is available at this time. There is a wet and a dry degeneration and one is worse than the other. Hopefully he will keep his eyesite for a long time.
beating the alternative
I shoot mostly 9x19 now; I shoot reduced loads I make; I still shoot.
Just hurts more.
I continue to downsize my 'collection', but in chamberings....except I'm keeping the all-custom Caspian in 45 ACP, and the 5.5" 44 Redhawk. The rest may go, so I can turn the money into more 9x19-chambered choices.
I shoot mostly 9x19 now; I shoot reduced loads I make; I still shoot.
Just hurts more.
I continue to downsize my 'collection', but in chamberings....except I'm keeping the all-custom Caspian in 45 ACP, and the 5.5" 44 Redhawk. The rest may go, so I can turn the money into more 9x19-chambered choices.
Blue Grass
New member
I'm 55 and don't have any joint,muscle, movement problems yet. I can still split firewood and do a days work on the farm but I hurt for the next few days. My problem is diabetes. Some days my eyesight is 20/20 and other days it's variable. Getting old sucks but it beats the hell out of the alternitive.
Michael The Disciple
Inactive
I had a Glock 30 45 Caliber a while back. I loved it! Most accurate gun I ever fired. But usually the next day my wrist and lower forearm hurt pretty bad. I shortly traded it for a Glock 23 and purchased a 357 Sig barrel. No pain and also accurate. I dont shoot it as a 40 Cal. much. 56 years old.
Thanks for the info Don P. Its my brother with the mac. degeneration. Woke up one day and while driving to work, couldn`t make out the freeway signs. No past eye problems, didn`t even wear glasses . Hit him overnight literally. So far eyes have been responding to meds. and diet. He goes to Univ. of Michigan`s eye clinic which specilizes in this field. Suppose to be ranked #1 in the US. Hope docs. can at least slow things down. Makes my dailey aches and pains seem small. Getin old ain`t for sissy`s.
.americal1828
Inactive
Cervical Injury and Handgun
In 1991 I was injured while making an arrest and had C-5, C-6, and C-7 fused with a plate. Returned to work full duty in 2003 with no problems. On june 6th of 2009 a drunk driver ran a red light and struck my squad car, now I am back to square 1. Being treated with Cervical Epidurals and Facet Block Injections. I have tried several times to get the nerve to fire my duty weapon a S&W MP40 cal. Along with not being able to get a good sight allingment, I am nervous about firing the weapon, and what the recoil might produce in the way of sharp pains in my neck. Anyone ever had this type of expierence?
In 1991 I was injured while making an arrest and had C-5, C-6, and C-7 fused with a plate. Returned to work full duty in 2003 with no problems. On june 6th of 2009 a drunk driver ran a red light and struck my squad car, now I am back to square 1. Being treated with Cervical Epidurals and Facet Block Injections. I have tried several times to get the nerve to fire my duty weapon a S&W MP40 cal. Along with not being able to get a good sight allingment, I am nervous about firing the weapon, and what the recoil might produce in the way of sharp pains in my neck. Anyone ever had this type of expierence?
Yes and its why I am on permanent disability, no surgical repairs for various reasons involving 2 major nerves and my diabetes. Took 5 years before I could shoot the big stuff but in the meantime I went through a million rounds of 22 from the bench with rifle and off hand with pistol. I can shoot anything again but not for as long before my legs give out on me. You adapt, you keep doing your core muscle exercises, walk as much as you are able to and keep on trucking. Only thing I had to give up completely was shooting from the sitting position and kneeling position. Partly back and partly arthritis.
cougar gt-e
New member
Hands, elbows and shoulders just sort of throb at times. Able to put up with it, but the eyes are really P-ing me O. I can either use reading glasses and see the front sight clearly and a blob for the target or regular glasses and see the target but a blob for the sights.
It stinks.
It stinks.