Hunting with Arthritis

Brainiac · Post by **Brainiac** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:32 am

Anyone have any tips on hunting with Arthritis...

B-Logger · Post by **B-Logger** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:55 am

Tip #1: Get used to it. It won't get better.

Tip #2: Use ThermaCare pads.

Tip #3: If walking bothers, have someone drop you off using an atv or other vehicle.

Tip #4: Learn to cuss at Arthur very softly so as not to bother the deer.

Cossack · Post by **Cossack** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:19 pm

I've found that a 220 mg Naproxen Sodium (aka Aleve) tablet, taken prolifically first thing in the AM, does wonders to minimize pain while I hunt.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:41 pm

I've got a buggered knee from skiing and the doctor recommended to take Aleve/Naprosen/Anaprox - a NSAID - regularly and preventatively. It helps! Once the joints swell they get more irritated, once they are more irritated, they swell more.... a NSAID will help break that cycle.

B-Logger · Post by **B-Logger** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:58 pm

I will only caution everyone on taking naproxen or anaprox. That stuff is a real danger to the stomach. Be sure you take it with food or at least with milk.

I used to take anaprox (prescription) a lot but had to get off of it when I lost 75% of my stomach! My wife has taken the naproxen for too long but suffers badly with arthritis so keeps on, but we really worry about her stomach. She just recently had to reduce the dosage because of her stomach...and of course, arthritis loves this as it is going wild. She can't take Celebrex or we'd switch her to that. It is an awful choice sometimes; suffer terribly from pain or suffer from the side effects of the medicine.

mtbyak · Post by **mtbyak** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:00 pm

I also make sure the long johns & t-shirts are on even in the weather that we are having right now.

Keeping warm & dry seems to help immensly.

Shoot Straight
Kirk

stump · Post by **stump** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:18 pm

Don't know where your arthritis is but the general rule of thumb is to ice down any swelling, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off; and use an extended-wear brace if the arthritis is in your knee, elbow, or wrist.
An anti-inflamatory works, but prolonged usage can lead to side affects, such as deterioration of the stomache wall.

Brainiac · Post by **Brainiac** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:29 pm

I had some major work done on my back..Two 12"L 1/2"W rods in it and Arthritis set in...This is why I cant shot a long gun, due to the recoil.

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:41 pm

I hunt with Arthur and when I get older I hear his cousin AL-Zheimers will come along too

flbuckmaster · Post by **flbuckmaster** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:03 pm

saxman wrote:I hunt with Arthur and when I get older I hear his cousin AL-Zheimers will come along too

I hear you are taking tips from smiling Bob as well.
jay