arthritis?

[timbermoose]

just got home from a doctor appointment. that quack says i have arthritis in my left hand/wrist.
back-story; 15 years ago while working for a shipyard, a 3 ton chainfall fell on my hand and wrist, nothing broke but hand was out of commission for a few months but healed.
started shooting left handed a couple years ago with ELB's cause when calling bear and coyotes, from the ground, they seamed to come from my right half the time. so i began shooting both handed.
last few months, i have had a serious "ripping" feeling pain in the back of my left hand. like the bones are being pulled out by the string. even with my 45# elb. so i gave it a break, but now when i shoot right handed, I'm getting pain in my wrist after about 10-15 shots no matter what bow I'm shooting.

what are your thoughts? lately only been shooting about 5-6hrs a week. maybe 6-700 arrows. can't draw any of my bows over 70#. that no good, cityboy doc suggested that i not shoot for minimum 3 months, 6 months would be better and drop below 50# when i do start shooting again....

uh......

[Bladepeek]

Welcome to the club. When we were living in Germany we used to get letters from my Mom that usually ended with "Well, I have to stop writing now. My fingers are getting too sore". I just figured she had nothing left to say. Now I'm 74 with severe arthritis and understand that she meant exactly what she wrote. My pain is in my wrists and rear of my thumb, so it really doesn't hamper my shooting except for my bow hand/wrist getting sore once in a while. Thank goodness for keyboards, though, as I can hardly hold a pen.

[timbermoose]

suppose i should mention, i just turned 38 this month.

[Bladepeek]

Originally posted by timbermoose:
suppose i should mention, i just turned 38 this month.

Oh man. Now you really have my sympathy. If it worsens you may have to see about some surgery. Pain killers can only do so much and really just treat the symptoms. I've been putting off surgery on my hands, but did have a knee replaced and that was a big help - at least with walking; not shooting        

I definitely would back off for a while to see if there is any healing taking place. If you can get your hands on a real light weight bow, you might be able to do some shooting while the problem heals. Notice all the 50# plus bows are gone from my inventory. I'd like to be shooting at least 60# bows, but I spent some time trying to build up to that and decided the pain wasn't worth the gain. If I can get total penetration on a 250# hog with my 43# RER (and I did), then I can certainly live with that weight for deer hunting.

At least you're young enough to build back up again once you get the problem corrected.

[hawkeye n pa]

I also have arthritis and have dropped down in bow weight to 55#  and no way could I shoot 700 arrows a week.   One hundred would be the max and more like 50, except for ETAR.  Then I just rest for a week before and after.

[ron w]

Of all the itises' Arthur is the worst! Hands and knees for me..........getting a new knee in June. Hope you can keep active.......you have to work at it.

[M60gunner]

I have had to stop shooting my Hill style LB. I tried upping the arrow weight, brace height, etc but that thump or hand shock leaves me with a sore hand for two days. I know I have some arthritis in both hands, result of holding a screwdriver for 30 years. On top of that an old index finger injury has been keeping me from using a tab. My excuse is old age, rode hard, put away wet!

[achigan]

Moose, think about it. You are asking the opinion of a bunch of "good old boys" instead of listening to a professional in his field.   :confused:   Search around for an MD who is an archer, he might be able to relate to your needs. My condolences for developing these problem at such a young age. I hope you can find an answer you can live with. A
 

[ron w]

It never hurts to get a second opinion.....on anything.

[katman]

that no good, cityboy doc suggested that i not shoot for minimum 3 months, 6 months would be better and drop below 50# when i do start shooting again....

uh......

Obviously you do not like and or agree with the diagnosis. Love patients who come in for a diagnosis and treatment plan then do want they want anyway, the doc gets as frustrated as you seem to be.

If available consider getting a second opinion from a hand orthopedic specialist. There are other treatments for arthritis other then rest. Good luck.

[SELFBOW19953]

You might also talk to a physical therapist.  Definitely get a second opinion.

[The Whittler]

I can relate, I have in just about all my joints, some worst then others. Also shoot low poundage and I have to be careful the bow has little to no hand shock.

Be careful if they want to put you on meds, read up on what they prescribe for pain. Some of that stuff is worst for you then the arthritis.

[njloco]

O.k., I'll try this one more time, change your DIET, cure what ails you, real simple, try essential oils, try the magnets, 38 ! way to young for this !

Good luck.

[njloco]

O.k., I'll try this one more time, change your DIET, cure what ails you, real simple, try essential oils, try the magnets, 38 ! way to young for this !

Good luck.

[ranger 3]

Glusomine with chondrointon been taking it for years and it works.

[Cwilder]

I have bone spurs in my left shoulder and early stages of arthritis as well the doc says. I'm 39

[elkken]

Arthritis is an insidious disease ... it only gets worse over time so you need to address it now not later. Get a second opinion from a specialist and do you research about ways to mitigate or minimize your condition.

[Whitetail Addict]

I'm sorry to hear that, you're way too young. I can relate. I'm older than you are, and have it all through my body. My knees will be better when I get the replacements, but I can't take any medicine for it, because I have ulcers and the medicine can cause stomach problems in people that don't have them to begin with. That along with some bad discs in my back and neck, and two bad shoulders have really limited the amount of shooting I'm able to do. I agree with the others, get a second opinion, then get another. Try whatever else you can think of within reason too. I wish you the best of luck with it.

Bob

[Mr. fingers]

If you get a 2nd opinion see a rheumatologist. There are many different types of arthriitis.,find out what type you have set up a treatment plan.
Your not too young maybe for a degenerative type such as osteoarthritis. But like I said there are many types I have psoriatic arthritis. Im 47 and have been dealing with it for 15 plus yrs. I was on a biologic drug Enbrel for a few yrs. it was wonderful an injection once a week. So zero stomach issues. Problem is you need great insurance to afford it. I lost my insurance a few yrs.,ago and went cold turkey  was feeling pretty good and took nothing . Bad choice my symptoms returned 10 fold  and I was miserable i could barely hold a cup of coffe I was loosing sleep because may hands would fall asleep and I lost a lot of hand strength. I was getting clinically depressed.
Anyway I have health insurance again and I'm now,taking Methotrexate along with Lodine. And I feel normal again.
You don't have to suffer there are a ton of medications out there .I don't know where you pain level is but I strongly suggest you see  a Rheumatologist I tried all supplements, oils and magnetic, copper wrist bracelets alternatives. They did not work for me.
Best of luck to ya
Tim.

[recurvericky]

I was diagnosed at 21. For many years I was in pain daily. After visiting a rheumatologist and being prescribed medication, I rarely have pain. I have found that most of the home remedies are a waste of money. For those that are not aware, arthritis is due to your amune (spelling) system attacking your joints.