Shooting with rheumatoid arthritis?

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mtelkhntr

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Boy it's been a crappy year already healthwise. It started out with a prostate biopsy Jan. 2 that came back showing cancer so I had radical prostatectomy surgery late February. The surgery went great and recovery was well on track but I develped joint/muscle pain in my ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck and fingers. I pushed my G.P. to find the source and after a bunch of blood tests and such, they called and said it looks like R.A.

I go see a rheumatologist Wednesday for the final determination and hopefully to get some assistance for the pain and all. With this coming on fast and furious, there are days I can't hardly hold the newspaper which makes me curious what other R.A. sufferers have done to keep shooting pistols and revolvers.

I'll be damned if I'll let this stuff keep my from doing what I love but if I can't handle the recoil maybe there's a brace or something. Any input from other's on this?
 
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My wife has was diagnosed with RA about 10 years ago. The only gun that I have that she can soot is my Walther .22. She cannot use her weak arm for support. Hopefully you have a good Rheumatologist and your doctor treats it aggressively. She has bad days and days that are not as bad, but not many good days. Good luck.
 
My wife had to give up her piano playing because of arthritis 10 years ago. I still insisted on her getting a CCW 2 years ago. The only handgun and ammo combination she can handle is a semi-auto and 9mm. The vibration from the recoil is still rough on her. We limit practice sessions to 20 to 30 rounds. She found out recently that my 17-3 recoil isn't bad, but the DA trigger pull is still hard on he index finger joints and cocking the hammer for SA is hard on her thumbs. So I have a older 422 6", I'm getting a magazine for it, then she can extend her shooting sessions. Hope you get to feeling comfortable shooting again. Ivan
 
mtelkhntr, I like your fighting spirit. Good on you. Hope the rheumatologist has some powerful weapons in his MD bag. Good luck.
 
I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about eight years ago. The treatments are pretty much the same as R.A. Your rheumatologist will most likely start you with prednisone and an anti-inflammatory. I've been on Methatrexate since day one. I've been on Remicade for about six years. I had problems with my wrists up until the Remicade. And a couple of years ago had problems with my Achilles tendons. They are no longer inflamed, but the damage is done. I can't really run any longer. But, you will adapt. I did. I still shoot IDPA, 2-gun and 3-gun. I'm not fast on my feet, but I do the best I can and will do so as long as I can. Every day I can shoot is a gift. Best wishes and best of luck.
 
My wife has had it for about 14 years now. Semi-autos are out of the question for her due inability to rack the slides even on the lighter ones. Her EDC is a Model 36 square butt and she manages okay in DA with double trigger finger assist from her left hand. You just have to learn to adapt to what is.
 
I am on 10 tabs of Methotrexate per week. That keeps it under
control for the most part. If I get a really bad spell and I beg my rheumatologist real hard I might get a shot of Kenalog which works miracles and usually lasts for several weeks. It's a steroid and he's very reluctant to administer it.
 
I have tried for years to shoot double action but it is so difficult, I can't shoot accurately at all. I have not found a solution, so I shoot single action, and practice as much as I can. I shoot 32 longs usually, and I am fairly accurate. I know it is not universally accepted as an effective round, but I do my best.
 
I fear too that my days of using my favorite round 338WM for big game are limited or over. Have to blow the dust of a 270 or 250Sav to keep up with the boys.
 
Been dealing with sever RA for 22 years. First and foremost: there is a ton of meds out there that work wonders. The first year I was stricken with it was pure hell. Nothing really relieved any of the pain or stiffness and we tried many things. Then, my doc consulted with other more specialized doctors and put me on methotrexate....can you say miracle drug? It worked great for fifteen years, then the effects began to wane. Started having flare ups again and wrists were swollen almost all the time..Doctor put me on Enbrel with the methotrexate and I'm doing quite well now. By that I mean working ten hour days in a factory and keeping up our acreage and playing with grandkids.
During this whole time, I have refused to give up shooting.
I do have to be choosy when buying hand guns; my crooked trigger finger tend to rest toward the bottom of the trigger on many semi autos; dragging across the trigger guard as the trigger is pulled and released. Just a few rounds have the inside of my finger feeling raw and almost blistered. I still enjoy trap and skeet shooting.
I sincerely hope you can find something that will put the RA into remission.
 
Just Another 22 shooter,

Thanks so much for the words of encouragement. Tomorrows meeting with the rheumatologist can't come quick enough. I'm extremely hopeful and the first order of the day will be to be able to walk my daughter down the aisle in a little over a month. I don't want to look this way on her special day.
 
At 75 I can't shoot my 357s' with one hand any longer. I can still shoot the magnums with either hand but it now takes both hands to get the job done. Last time I tried one of my 14.5 gr 2400 357 mag loads it shot pain plum up to my shoulder and almost dropped my 28-2 in the dirt. Gotta shoot with both hands on the wheel these days. Dumb and bullheaded I suppose but damn if I'm going to give up my 357 for a cap gun. My take on it folks!
 
I have no idea if these work or not, but like you I refuse to stop shooting. Interesting concept...just might work:

What is it?

Has a built-in brace that provides support, along with the padding and grip material. May be worth a shot :cool:
 
I have RA too. I can relate to barely being able to hold a newspaper only too well. When I first came down with the symptoms around five years ago, I couldn't hold a coffee cup and needed a cane just to get up from a chair. I'd been healthy and active all my life, and it was a very sudden shock, both physically and mentally.

Your rheumatologist will be able to help you. There are a lot of medications that may help, with more coming out every year. In my case, methotrexate took me from barely walking and hardly being able to pick anything up back to shooting. I had to give up bowling, can't stay on my feet all day anymore, and still have flare ups but for the most part I'm okay now. If I'm not hurting too bad, people would never know I have it.

As far as shooting, my biggest problem isn't pain (I pretty much ignore it and have a fairly high tolerance). My problem is finger joint flexibility. Sometimes I just can't bend my index finger enough to curl it around the trigger, though thankfully that doesn't happen too often. If my finger's working, I still shoot everything I own. For me the joy of shooting outweighs any discomfort (unless I'm having a flare up - then I stay home and pout).

Your doctor should get you on meds immediately, and don't be afraid to try different things and combinations to see what works. For me, the methotrexate controls the RA and the Celebrex/aspirin keeps the pain down. It took about a year for me to get things back under control, trying different dosages and whatnot. I figure someday what I take now will lose it's effectiveness. When it does, I'll try other things until I find something else that works.

Hang tough.
 
Went to the rehumatologist this morning
Blood test CCP came in at over 250 where normal is less than 16.

Started me on Methotrexate, Meloxicam and Folic Acid.

After cancer surgery I was down to one prescribed pill a day and now I'm taking more than ever. I'll do whatever it takes to maintain some quality of life and to continue to enjoy what I have up to this point.

Go back and see him in a month to see where we're at.
 
The Methotrexate, Meloxicam and Folic Acid are pretty standard operating procedure for this point in the game. Your rheumatologist will want to up the Methotrexate over time to see how much you can handle. Some folks can handle more that others. Best of luck with it and I sincerely say that because of my past few years.
 
sipowicz said:
There are some natural things you can also try...

Turmeric Works Better than Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

apple cider vinegar is supposed to help also...
Click to expand...

A friend of mine has owned the Green Street Natural Food Store located in Melrose MA for the past 34 years.

A mixture of apple cider and honey has been suggested for arthritis. You can't lose by at least giving it a shot.

Just do a little research on line.
 
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