Who's a Member of the Arthritis Club

I have it has a result of my crohns. It just started getting bad in the last couple years. It's in my hands, feet and back. I has made life a bit harder than before.
 
I don't have it yet, but my FIL does. In addition to cherry and apple juice and Vitamin D, try gin-soaked raisins. Soak raisins in Gin and let gin evaporate out. Then eat 7-9 raisins twice a day. There is science behind it. a chemical in the sloe berries (gin) and one in raisins combine to combat arthritis. Of course, this may not help much with the major injury forms of arthritis.
 
egor20 said:
I hunt mostly on horseback, and having arthritis its a bitch at time's
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Don't want to go too far off topic, but I hear you. Mounting a 16 hand horse isn't a picnic when you can't stretch far enough to get your boot in the stirrup.
 
Hi guys,

I developed a pain on the top of my shoulder about 20 years ago while lifting weights. It got so painful, I stopped my weight lifting program. As the years passed by, it slowly became worse until it hurt just to raise my shoulder, put on a t-shirt or roll over in bed. I had enough. I talked to one of my old friends and he suggested a local remedy he and his wife used. It's well known to stop arthritis, cat's claw or known locally as Uña de Gato. You can still by the vine cuttings here in the market and boil them down and make a tea, but with progress, companies are making the stuff in capsules. I bought the brand my friend recommended in town and took it as he suggested. I don't believe in miracles, but the pain went away and has not returned. I'm going to send my brother a box for Christmas.
 
I was diagnosed with degenerate arthritis in my left knee 2 weeks ago. So far Aleve, moist heat, avoiding stairs, and using a cane from time to time has kept in check. I will be starting P.T. Monday. The hardest part has been learning to sleep not to sleep in my side:mad:

Had a torn left rotator cuff almost two years ago, by the time I realized the problem it was to late for any real treatment except pain reliving drugs. This for the most part has cleared up until it gets cold or I overuse.

So far I’ve been lucky, none of the above has adversely effected my life style including shooting.

P.s. I have a great set of moist heat pads, these are heated in microwave then placed on any spot that hurts, and these normally work wonders to ease pain. If anyone is interested please send me a PM and I will send you the link they can be ordered from. I HAVE NO involvement with this product except as a very pleased user.
 
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broken ankle in a helicopter crash. ibuprofen, naproxem(aleve) keep the pain level at 6-7 on scale 1-10.

myself and the 4 pax are lucky to have survived so i'm thankful for the pain.
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"Don't want to go too far off topic, but I hear you. Mounting a 16 hand horse isn't a picnic when you can't stretch far enough to get your boot in the stirrup."


I've got a new Friesian mare at 15.2 as soon as my ribs heal (she decided she didn't want to be shod and broke 3) I'll go back to riding her, BTW shooting is out for a bit also, and I just bought a new shotgun :confused::(

I use this for my knees and hands, Dilute it by 1/3 with water, works great.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16198
 
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There and back again.

I had arthritis so bad it put me in bed for a few days. Grandpa and I went on a trip back to Texas and Arkansas to visit friends and family. Last day or two before heading home from Mena Ak, I picked up a tick, which I did not notice until Kingman Az. A week later, I'm in to see the specialist to get treated for Lyme disease.

The thing really got me on the first day back to work. The fatigue set in first, late in the afternoon, and before the sun was down, the arthritis was so bad I was no longer able to walk more than 15yds at a time, and had no grip.

They cured it the first time with antibiotics, and when it came back a month later, I found an herb guru that gave me Astragalus. It has not come back since, but in the time it took to get rid of it, I had to step down from my .45 1911's to 9mm again. Even without the arthritis, I am sticking with the 9mm, just in case. it rears it's ugly head.

BTW, the Astragalus acts as an antibiotic and kills the Lyme disease; it’s not a cure for arthritis. The arthritis only goes away because the Lyme went away.
 
It is easier to name the places that don't hurt because the list of places that hurt is longer.

I am lucky that the pain in my hands is not bad enough to stop me from shooting and getting things done.
 
Guys,

I'm not seeing enough gun-related (or tactics & training-related) content here to really justify keeping this off topic thread open. So let's try a redirect: How has your arthritis affected your ability to practice and enjoy shooting? What techniques do you use to help you stay on the range when you need to?

pax
 
I have it in one knee due to an old accident, or so my doctor says.

Three (3) things helped; weight loss; exercises to make the tendon keep the joint at it's proper spacing; & Syndisk injections. The injections really made the most difference; the knee is at about 90% of the other. There were three (3), about a week apart & have lasted over a year. The first one is easy; the second you feel; & the third you really feel.

My insurance required pre-approval for the injections & the doctor did an excellent job of getting it. He told them that the injections cost about a $1000.00, but a knee replacement would also need to include 2 - 4 weeks of inpatient rehab because I am single. The insurance company approved it the same day.
 
Guys,

I'm not seeing enough gun-related (or tactics & training-related) content here to really justify keeping this off topic thread open. So let's try a redirect: How has your arthritis affected your ability to practice and enjoy shooting? What techniques do you use to help you stay on the range when you need to?

Yes mam :)

I think the major thing that has changed is I cant go for long walks in the woods looking for bambi, so thats why I ride (like I need a reason :D) and when it gets below 40 degrees I have to wear thinsulate lined gloves. A hot bath with epsoms salts also helps a lot.

Don't really have a problem shooting pistols, but rifle and shotguns kill my knees after a 1/2 hour when I'm shooting outside, doesn't bother me when I shoot at an indoor range though, weird:confused:
 
In addition to not being able to stand very long, arthritis (and its evil brethren) make it unbearable to cover the additional unpaved yardage to set and tend pistol targets at the 50yd range. These days my pistol work is usually limited to the close (20-yd) targets and shooting seated.
 
I'll describe the condition first the I'll stay on topic about how I deal with it. So we don't get shut down. (I hope.) I only describe the condition to show that I know what a handicap this stuff can be.

I have severe osteoporsis as well as ostoearthritis. I have broken over 50 bones all over my body since I was about 15 or so. In the past year alone I have fractured my T-9, T-10, and T-11 vertebrea as well as a rib in 3 places just rolling over in bed (I broke the rib in bed I don't know how I fractured the vertebrae). I shattered my left heel and ankle about 4 years ago and have 2 screws about 2.5 inches long screwed up through my heel, holding my ankle together so standing for any lenght of time is difficult at best. And people wonder why I carry a gun for self defense. Dangit, I can't fight anymore. :mad: I see a pain management doctor once a month. And yes I have a regular supply of narcotics that arrives in the mail once a month. I try not to use them unless it just gets unbearable because I saw what they did to my mother, (who also suffered from severe osteoporosis) and I AINT goin' there.

It prevents me from shooting my shotguns very often and I am very careful when shooting any of my magnum handguns. I still shoot my Texas Defender on a regular basis, but I gotta tell ya shooting ANY gun that "kicks" much at all will limit my time practicing. Contrary to popular belief, the Defender doesn't "kick" as much as my XD .45 Service Model. Really it don't. :)

Now how I deal with it while shooting:

I found that most over the counter medical stuff don't really help that much anymore, so I don't take much for it, but I have found ways to deal with it while out shooting. First LEAVE ALL NARCOTICS AT HOME! They'll be at home when you get there if you need them after shooting. Take someone with you to carry the heavy stuff. Shoot in short sessions spread out over 2-4 hours if you can stay out that long. Save the heavy artillery for last. And shoot the lightest loads (powder wise) as much as you can to keep the brutality to a minimum. I also wear a pretty sturdy back brace while shooting to support the vertebrea and help with the shock of recoil. And last but not least SIT DOWN AND REST OFTEN!

It's hell to get old. :barf:

Was that on topic enough?
 
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Chaplain Tom, that sounds more like osteogenesis imperfecta.

Shooting: I have mild arthritis in my wrists and knees, but severe arthritis in my left ankle that got hit by a motorcycle when I was young. Over the years it has gotten worse until I am looking at having the ankle fused.

My favored pistol stance used to be turret, but I can't distribute the weight evenly anymore because of the pain and stiffness in my ankle. I now use a modified Weaver stance. It's not the best SD stance, but it beats falling over. It has given me a better distribution of muscles taking the recoil when shooting full-bull .44 magnums, but I still wish I had the bouncy turret stance of my youth.
 
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