The Big A finally got me, anybody else?

[joebuck]

A as in Arthritis .   Of all places my big knuckles in both hands. Do not want to think about the R word yet. But I will strap one on if it will put me back in a tree in Oct. however anybody else dealing with shooting a bow with arthritis?  Does it get worse? Homeopathic?   50 hasn't been to fun for me.

[AZWarts]

im 18 and already have it seasonally:( years of wrestling and wrenching ( ie knucle busting) make my knuckles extremly painful in the winter. cant wait till im old lol.

[joekeith]

Joebuck,
Know how ya feel.  I just got some ointment from my Doc for just this problem.  It's called Voltaren Gel.  Just started using it, hope it helps.  I'll give it a couple of weeks and see if it helps.
It's hell getting old, ain't it?

[ron w]

Welcome to my world, the big "A" has been an issue for me for years and it just never goes away. Plain Aspirin works as good as anything and keep moving.

[owlbait]

Meloxicam(Rx) and Tylenol Extra Strength. Helps a lot. Shoulders, wrists, knees, and now the bones in my hands. Yep, if I knew I was gonna hang around this long(58) I would've taken better care of myself  

[Don Batten]

My advice to you is to Start Drinking Heavily. Won't help your Big A or your other Big A but you'll feel better for a while and then not. LOL

50? Damn , you are getting old, I won't be 50  till Sept 13th.

[beemann]

Getting old aint for wimps but it sure beats the alternative.  ha ha My seventy pound bows bows feel like ninety.

[Jedimaster]

I was nearly crippled for a couple of years while my (at that time) rheumatologist allowed the arthritis to progress - and was very happy to do so. Finally I took charge and got a new doc. Now I take an injection of Humira once every two weeks and am pain free. Mostly back to normal except the damage that was done while I saw the 1st doc is irrepairable.

There are a lot of new meds out there which can help the pain/swelling and possibly stop the progression of arthritis. Osteo is different than rheumatoid & I wouldn't pretend to know what all your options are

My word of advice is don't be satisfied with a timid  doctor that will allow you to grow ever more miserable without offering you all options. For an active outdoorsman, arthritis can not only limit you physically but erode you mentally. There is hope my brother - get you a double scoop and a good doctor. May October find you back in high cotton!

[cahaba]

joebuckI am 54 and have Osteo A. I also have to take spinal epidurals for my back degenration. I have found that shootin light 50 lbs. or so bows actually helps my OA in my upper body as long as I don't shoot long sessions. That and moderate stretching and general exercize. If I get inactive I get stiff as a 6x6 piece of hickory. Getting old ain't for sissies huh? Do you know what kind of A you have? Hang in there joebuck and keep on fightin!

[Pat B.]

I'm 58 and have had arthritis in my hands for the last 5 or 6 years.. Big knuckles and the first knuckle of my first two fingers on my string hand.. Sometimes my release is NOT textbook!!!

For some reason my system doesn't tolerate meds well.. May be a blessing.

Good luck!

[SportHunter]

I had severe arthritis symtoms in my early 30s that was a result of a strep infection not being cleared up fully and getting into my bloodstream. 6 months of penicillin cleared up that and all arthritic symptoms went away thankfully. It took 3-4 different doctors to find the cause, not just treat the symptoms.

[sunny hill archer]

Originally posted by Don Batten:
My advice to you is to Start Drinking Heavily. Won't help your Big A or your other Big A but you'll feel better for a while and then not. LOL

50? Damn , you are getting old, I won't be 50  till Sept 13th.

X2

Platform shoes so your knuckles don't drag the ground might help some too....  

Seriously. Smaller grip maybe??? Just guessing.

[bawana bowman]

I've had it in the knees and shoulders for 4 years now according to the VA. Other than occasional pain in the left shoulder (an old sky diving injury), I found that keeping your parts moving is the best way to have long term relief. Pain was so bad in my knees for 2 years I was actually thinking about becoming one of the Electric cart folks at Walmart. Couldn't believe I was even considering it. Did the extreme, got P90X DVD and forced myself to work through the pain and move. Haven't had any knee pain now for almost 3 years.
Have no idea if this would work on knuckles, seems they get plenty of movement and workout from daily use. This did work for me on large joints, and meds did nothing, just thought I'd throw it out there.

[TroutGuide]

Try rubbing with caster oil every night before bed. Cover your hands with cotton gloves to keep it on and avoid mess. No guarantees but I have seen it work for several people. Seems to work on any bad joint. After it starts working just use occasionally after hard use or when pain returns. What can it hurt to try?

[GRINCH]

I'm 58 and have had it for years in my hands,I have good days and bad all I can tell you is live with it and stay active.

[Bear Heart]

Let me know if you find the magic bullet.  I am 30 and have it in my hands, back and knees.  My hands seem to hurt the most when driving.

[RonD]

At 69 years of age and severe cervical spinal canal stenosis I find that a continuous regimen of daily exercise helps tremendously. Arthritis medications have to be taken with caution as they can have secondary effects that complicate the disease. At the present time I am shooting 44#@25" even though it is painful, but pain is a matter of mind over matter part of the time. The day may not be far off when I will have to drop in poundage to around 37# or 38#, but that isn't going to stop me from shooting my bow. As many have said in previous posts you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and continue with life.

[Roger Norris]

I think I can feel the beginnings of it in my hands, knees, and elbows. I try and keep moving, that helps.

[Jeff Roark]

I think you should look into 99% DMSO. I have it in my fingers a bit from years of very heavy lifting and this does the trick. You can get it at some natural health food stores and it lasts forever.

http://www.yournaturalremedy.com/DMSO.html

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I remember and older gentleman telling me when I was Young and dumb " if I knew I was going to last this long I would taken better care of myself" at the age of 47 I now know what he was talking about. Like Doc Dow told me use it or lose it.