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Thread: Handling Arthritis

  1. #1
    Site Supporter farscott's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    Dunedin, FL, USA

    Handling Arthritis

    I just was informed that I have arthritis in several joints of my right (dominant) hand and a few in my left hand. While it is manageable now, other than moving to an area with a drier climate (which is not going to happen), it is not going to get better. My main symptoms are a bit of pain and a lack of grip strength from time to time. I find that I can power through it, but I suspect that will change. I want to get ahead of it. So how are others handling this?

    My carry is a P30 LEM, I keep current with a Glock 17, and I still shoot Bullseye with a 1911. All are in 9x19. I also shoot about 100 rounds of .22 LR a week out of a 10/22 and Standard-pattern pistol, and I cannot imagine that is causing an issue. Even if it is an issue, I love the rimfires to much to stop shooting them.

  2. #2
    Member Peally's Avatar
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    Mar 2014
    Location
    Wisconsin, USA
    I don't even have arthritis and shooting a 45 hurts my hands after a session, FWIW.
    Semper Gumby, Always Flexible

  3. #3
    Site Supporter farscott's Avatar
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    Dec 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by Peally View Post
    I don't even have arthritis and shooting a 45 hurts my hands after a session, FWIW.
    Yeah, I used to be able to shoot 700 rounds of .45 ACP in a day. Now, not so much. Fifty rounds is all.

  4. #4
    I have gone to .45 Minor with reductions in powder charge and recoil spring, just to keep my .45 guns and Dillon in use.
    I shot one USPSA match at Major and it just wasn't worth the aches.
    Code Name: JET STREAM

  5. #5
    Site Supporter
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    Jul 2015
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    The Keystone State
    farscott - I have significant arthritis throughout my body, including my hands. I recently rediscovered a device called the GRIPMASTER. There was a thread on pf about items just like it. It has not only restored a great deal of dexterity in my hands, it has also restored a great deal of strength. I strongly recommend you try either the GRIPMASTER or a similar tool.

  6. #6
    Another one with bad arthritis in the hands. It’s getting worse each year, too. My passion for shooting is such that, at the moment the shooting is OK, but I pay for it afterwards (I guess when the adrenaline subsides). It’s my fear I’ll have to cut back at some point.

  7. #7
    Hillbilly Elitist Malamute's Avatar
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    Oct 2013
    Location
    Northern Rockies
    For those that currently have problems shooting because of arthritis, are 4" K frames with 38 wadcutters problematic? How about something like a Ruger 22 auto target pistol?

  8. #8
    Welcome to the club. Have a seat over there by the fireplace and don't worry about getting up. Chester always comes around every so often to help us out of our chairs. In the meantime he'll bring you a bourbon. I can see you're wincing. May I offer you the institutional knowledge given to me back when I was a new member? It doesn't always work, but it seems to work more often than not.

    01: Daily, whether you "need" it or not: Glucosamine with Chondroitin. Take as directed. I get mine at Costco. There's a bunch of us who meet at the Glucosamine rack and tell each other our complaints. No, it doesn't make any difference that they've been hearing the same complaints for years: nobody remembers. After "social hour" we visit the sample-ladies on our way to the bathroom.
    02: Daily, for chronic pain: cocktail of 400 mg ibuprofen and 1000 mg acetaminophen. Follow maximum dosage guidance on the labels.
    03: A topical cream for acute flare ups, particularly useful after saying, "Sure, I can do that. Used to do it all the time!": Voltaren Gel. Follow the directions.
    Last edited by Duces Tecum; 05-07-2018 at 09:03 PM. Reason: Speling

  9. #9
    Site Supporter
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    Jul 2017
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    Texas
    The arthritic knows that there is no such thing as one joint arthritis. The disease has greatly affected what guns I can shoot and how often. I will address shooting handguns. As recoil increases so does discomfort. With the same load, a lighter handgun will generate more discomfort than a heavier handgun. So we have two variables to manipulate: weight of gun and the load itself. Malamute may find that firing lightly loaded wadcutters through his 4 inch K frame remains pleasant. Using shooting gloves should allow him to extend shooting sessions. Grip choice is a consideration too. Using lighter than standard projectiles is another strategy. So we are searching for a combination that hits us with less apparent recoil. Apparent is the key term.

    My strong opinion is that a full size 9mm 1911 is the softest shooting center fire handgun. The remark addresses out of the box pistols, but 1911 mechanics allow further adjustment. In the revolver world, the single action is a softly shooting handgun. A high bore axis in relation to grip produces a rolling motion as the barrel moves upward with recoil. The result is that some of the recoil force is deflected from straight line backwards movement. So, one combination selected for shooting comfort would be a Ruger Blackhawk using standard pressure .38 Spl ammo.

    To the op and others I suggest taking glucosamine supplements which may alleviate some discomfort. Specialists recommended these many years ago. The widely advertised Joint Juice contains this chemical. The prescription drug Celebrex was a godsend at one time but lost its effectiveness. Ice helps. Inflammation causes arthritic pain. Medicines--even over the counter ones for pain--can have serious side effects and require physician supervision.
    Last edited by willie; 05-07-2018 at 09:14 PM.

  10. #10
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    West Virginia
    Quote Originally Posted by willie View Post
    The prescription drug Celebrex was a godsend at one time but lost its effectiveness. Ice helps. Inflammation causes arthritic pain. Medicines--even over the counter ones for pain--can have serious side effects and require physician supervision.
    I don't have arthritis but I do have some jacked up joints. Fish oil helped the inflammation and I was able to get off of Celebrex except when I'm having a particularly bad flareup.

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