How has arthritis affected your casting and loading?

[tomme boy]

I have been having a rough few years of ailments and injuries. It seems that my latest with my hands after having multiple surgeries for trigger finger releases on both hands. I am down to having one more on my left hand index finger. It is locking up in the closed position.

The other 3 fingers they did the release on are not locking up anymore, but arthritis seems to be setting in hard. They are hurting really bad and in the mornings they will barely bend at all.

This has really affected the amount of casting and loading that I am able to do. Last night I tried to cast some bullets for my Mosin. I was using a 4 cavity NOE mold and was able to get a little less than 100 bullets before I had to stop. Now today I set out to neck size some brass for the Mosin. I was able to do about 300 pieces before I had to quit.

I have tons of reloading to do before summer gets here. I have at least 5K 223 that needs loaded and that much or more of 9mm. I am thinking I need to teach the old lady how to load! Or I am just going to have to buy my ammo and shoot less.

So I know there all kinds of old farts here. So what do you do?

[Artful]

Ok, probably not as hurting as you, but my issue is my thumbs - grip is going. For reloading I have changed from some of the presses that were more factory - (cue ball on Lee, Dillon, pipe on RCBS) and put pipe insulation and L or Shovel handles that work with palms more. Also I'm using my Buchanan and Huntington hand press in the Den instead of marathon sessions at reloading bench.

[Greg S]

Not so much the hands as the back. Can shoot prone if I had to but after that I'm done.

[tomme boy]

Well the other thing is neuropathy in the fingers that makes it so you have no sense of touch. So you drop things CONSTANTLY!

[Artful]

Well the other thing is neuropathy in the fingers that makes it so you have no sense of touch. So you drop things CONSTANTLY!

Yeah, I quit working for my friend before it got too bad but working on a garage door/openner over someone's supercar was getting scary.

[shoot-n-lead]

I probably do not have it like you guys...but I definitely have to deal with it as a result of years of repetitive motion in my job. I have worn out a lot of cartilage causing osteoarthritis in my neck, hands and lower back. My job was not difficult, but I did the same motions over and over for more than 30yrs...that is the reason that I retired last year at 56. Had it not been for this, I would have continued working...but, I decided I was only doing myself more harm and I was past my eligibility to retire...so, I did it and soon realized that I should have done it a couple of years earlier, when I became eligible. I manage pretty well if I respect my thumbs, neck and lower back...I can still do pretty much what I want to...I just have to do it for shorter sessions than I used to. Also, I take a lot of fish oil, drink fruit smoothies, use ice and aspercreme...to keep the inflammation down...it doesn't swell badly, but a slight amount of inflammation goes a long way toward making it painful and limiting the range of motion. I have been retired for 10mos and it has gotten a lot better during that time, but it will never be back to what it was 15yrs ago...the damage is done...now, I just limit the aggravation to the areas.

[Taylor]

Mostly back,so I alternate from standing to sitting.Of course when I sit on a stool,my left leg goes numb.But hands are still good other than a little stiffness.

Old injuries and getting old ain't for sissies.

[6bg6ga]

Still working one more year till 65 :D Having problems with my shoulders and casting and or any other activity that requires repetition. My right hand swells up and my middle finger will neither straighten up all the way or retract. Can't make a fist without the possibility of the finger sticking which makes it snap and hurts like heck. Adding my machine is a Ballisti-cast Mark IV which makes life easier than hand casting when one gets older.

So, very few days when I really feel like casting or loading but when I do I make hay while the sun shines. Its a bear to get old.

And I didn't even touch on my knees :D

[Hickory]

I can only do two cavity moulds, and only for 20-25 minutes at a time.

[Hogtamer]

Me too, a lot of the above. On the bright side I guess what's pretty amazing is how we learn to adapt, to be content with what we CAN do, and be thankful for that. "To every thing there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." More and more I realize it's grandpa season for me, and all that entails....observing, teaching, encouraging. Time to be the best I can be.

[Taylor]

I've been dealing with my injuries and miseries for a long time.Yes we learn to adapt,parts have been hurting for so long,I guess you get use to it and learn to work with it.

[CastingFool]

I'm beginning to have problems with my hands, particularly my right hand. Started experiencing a trigger finger on my ring finger. that seems to have gone away, but I have lost a lot of flexibility, as I cannot make a good tight fist. If I try, the ring finger sticks out slightly. Also grip strength is not what it used to be. Certain movements with the hand can be painful.

[gon2shoot]

Yep, shorter casting sessions and I keep tweezers or needle nose pliers handy to pick stuff up.

[skeet1]

It's my thumbs, The thumb joint that is up near the wrist is effected most and has me shooting smaller hand guns with smaller calibers. The .45 ACP is about the most powerful cartridge I can handle and it has to be loaded lite with 200 gr, bullets or I will suffer the consequences.

Ken

[randyrat]

I had Trigger finger on my right hand Thumb, dang thing would lock bent and hurt like hell to open. Same thing with my left ring finger.
I started taking the the Fulvic minerals (trace minerals) and some Curcumin/Boswellia, Mangosteen (anti inflammatory) and the Thumb stuff went away after about 6 months same with my left hand fingers.. I get a little symptoms in my left hand but is getting better..
It is not like taking a pill from the doctor, this stuff takes a long time to help you, but I am a believer now in that stuff now..By taking the Fulvic minerals and natural anti inflammatory stuff it is way more effective and cheaper than Doctor proscribed anti inflammation drugs or surgery..You have to work at your nutrition and trace mineral intake, everyone's body has different needs. Your body won't get what it needs from WalMart multi vitamins either

I bet I was in pain for 6-12 months or more with my hands, I lost track who wants to remember suffering. I almost went to the doctor to ask for help, but decided to give the natural way a try first and it worked.

I know about 6 guys who went into surgery for this.
No wonder the doctors drive expensive cares and go to Europe for vacation every year.

NUTRITION!

Oh BTW I still eat red meat, I like fatty foods, drink a little whiskey, some bear, spray round up on the yard, get a little on me also.

[RogerDat]

Lower back mostly, shoulder that had bone spurs removed is getting to be a problem again. Knees haven't had much cushion left for 20 years. I cast sitting on a stool. My sessions tend to be shorter, smelting and pouring ingots is what I really pay for. Hands are a bit less nimble but not too bad, for that I am lucky.

That is the thing, I can do anything I ever did (up to a point) but the cost is higher and the duration I can do it is lower. Heck I could still hump a pack... long as the trip wasn't much longer than... to the mailbox. And ended with a hot tub after the "trip".

I am sort of planning ahead. Getting back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve (recognize the left leg numb symptom, numb for me is relief from the pain). Intend to cast a large supply of bread and butter bullets. PC a good number, prep a lot of brass. The goal is to build up a reserve, I'll do what I can, for as long as I can but as ability falls I can dip into my reserve for a long time to maintain any shooting activities I struggle to keep up with at the loading bench.

Steadily buying those $5 plastic ammo boxes, filling with loose ammo, steadily filling real 30 cal. ammo cans with cast output.

I'll lose at least a month post surgery for recovery, after that I may well start making more of my lead stash into ready to use alloy instead of in bulk 10# ingots of raw materials. Not all of it mind you but enough to provide a supply of ready to cast ingots. Doing 100 pound batches of alloy "for the season" is becoming painful. Seems like it might be wise to do some extras while the cost in pain is not too high, doubt cost is going to go lower in the next 5 or 10 years.

[Thin Man]

Arthritis got into my right thumb so bad it would wake me up at night. Trying to use that thumb for anything was a challenge, especially if a strong (or any) grip was required. When I asked the osteo doctor about a correction to it, he said it can't be done. I explained further how I needed that thumb to work, so I could work, so I could eat. He grumbled a bit and scheduled me for out-patient surgery. Recovery from that surgery was slower than predicted, but now I am 9 years out and have zero pain and full use of the thumb. So, now the left thumb is feeling slighted and starting to act up. In time it will get some attention too.

The thumbs are the easy part. Left shoulder has an angry rotator cuff, doing physical rehab at present, hope (big time) to avoid surgery there. Lower back has compressed discs that throw fits at my right leg. Left foot has either a broken (but set and healed) bone on the outside, could be a bone spur. This only troubles me when wearing boots and moving through the woods hunting. These last 2 will not get cut and patched, I will just wear them out before they wear me out. (That last comment sounds like the answer on how to deal with a cold.)

Did someone out there say that getting old ain't for sissies?

[Handloader109]

Mine is ok, my last job had me in a -40 degree freezer a lot. Even as the manager there wasnt a day I didnt spend a few minutes in that thin, and many days it was hours. My fingers slowly lost grip an would start freezing up motion in the joints. In the 6 months I have been gone, 90 % better. Rhumatoid arthritis runs in the family, mom has it bad. So its coming. I do things like some of you have suggested, eliminate grips when possible, get rid of knob on my Dillon, get bullet feeder, and a bunch of tubes. Maybe go back to buying bullets if casting is toi difficult. But I'd keep trying!

[GRUMPA]

Well.......don't know how to put it. After reading some of the posts I'm kinda feeling relieved in a way and in others not so much. Both of my hands developed Peripheral Neuropathy which feels like a persons leg falling asleep. When my hands fall asleep and I try to continue I get those needle like jabs all throughout my hands and have to wait a bit before I can continue on. Oh I try and shake them and move my wrists which helps to a point, but not always.

Casting in itself has gotten more and more difficult, my lower back just aches after 1/2hr and I try standing for a while, then sitting. But when I sit my left leg falls asleep a lot and scoot my rear just over the edge of the seat. Seems I'm restricting the flow of blood traveling through my legs if I don't which seems to be causing it. Running the lathe for more than a couple of hours has the same effect since I have a stool right there, sit for a bit then stand seems to help.

I worked in earospace for 27yrs as a precision grinder, very repetitive and fast paced since it's all production work with small pieces. You had to be behind the machine and you weren't even allowed to move much since you were not producing when you weren't working the controls. Leaned against the table with your rear end and you could be fired for being to lazy, which is how it is in the production aspect of machining.

Even doing case conversions takes its toll on me. I've had my shoulder get literally locked-up for weeks doing conversions. I go to the Dr. and he wants to give me a shot, which I wont do, I just wanted to know if it was something serious or not. That's the main reason I stopped doing the 300BO conversions, there's a lot of hand work involved and nothing I do is considered automatic in any way.

So now when I do conversions I take my time and take lots of breaks. I've had to slow down a lot just so I wont be in pain all the time. And even though I take breaks all the time I still have this issue of pushing myself to get things done, which isn't easy.

[Geezer in NH]

Hot wax therapy helps my hands work and stop the pain. Nothing works for the Peripheral Neuropathy from the diabetes however.

[bubba.50]

since the only ca'tridge guns I own at the time are a .22lr, .22mag, and an old Mossberg 12ga I use at the VFW meat shoots it hasn't affected my reloadin' much. [smilie=l:

and I've stocked up on muzzler bullets buyin' up ones folks were gettin' rid of for bargain prices so, hasn't been much affect on castin' either. but the hands are gettin' stiffer by the day it seems so that when I shoot the muzzlers I don't much like foolin' with anything smaller than a .45cal & really prefer .50 & over to keep from bein' so fumble-fingered.

as far as the back, with all the deteriorated disks & pinched nerves can't do much of anything for an extended length of time. even settin' upright in a chair for long kills it. so it seems I spend most of my time kicked back in the recliner. like I really needed any reason to be lazy :groner:

[jim 44-40]

One good day of casting and shooting, with walk in woods = 2 bad days .when I feel better right back at it

[lightman]

For me, it not arthritis, it MS. Of all the MS symptoms, mine are leg weakness, balance problems and lack of stamina. I've always cast from a stool and casting is not a problem. But smelting wears me out! I have at least 2 large batches sorted and ready for the pot. Where I used to enjoy this, now I'm dreading it. Waiting on a time when a couple of buddies can come over to help. And yes, we do find ways to do these things. Often slower, or for shorter duration, or even trading our gang molds for smaller cavity molds.

[RichBaxter]

I had to retire due to rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately I had my time in, but did not want to quit working at 58. I get an IV every 5 weeks, a shot every week, and take a number of pills each day.

The best thing I have found to help with casting was getting a Master Caster. I rely on it for most of my casting cores now. It is easy for me to pull that handle and not have to hold the weight of the mold.

I feel everyone's pain and can only say that you just keep going as best you can.

Rich

[mold maker]

Had arthritis long before retiring and just put up with it. Now it's to the point I can't stand for more than a minute at a time. Most every thing I do is seated. My hands aren't too bad yet, but starting to loose grip. Considering the abuse my back and legs have withstood, I'm happy to not be worse off. At 3/4 of a century, life is still an amazing experience
, even with the concessions I have to make.
I still have everything I came with, except 1/2" of my left thumb, hair, and my tonsils. I didn't come with teeth and am about back to that point.
Pain is a constant and lets me know it's still alive. This body has served me well, and I'll put up with the aches and pain till I get the next one.

[tygar]

LOL old guys & their ailments!

Well mine are mostly self inflicted, except for VN where I got blown out of a 6by & got 1 of my 3 major injuries to back.

Riding bucking horses, breaking & training them, competing & coaching until I was 40+ in wrestling, sombo, judo, & power lifting, teaching unarmed combat skills & doing various other stupidly harmful things to ones body.

So, after 2 broken necks, 17 other breaks, all neck vertebrae herniated, fused or roto-rootered, 4 in lumbar, DJD in spine, shoulders, hands, hips, cruciate & miniscus in knees, etc, ad nauseum, it's kinda difficult sometimes to do "stuff". So I just do it until it's no longer fun.

But...my trigger finger is still fine.

Just yesterday walked some of my property with a guy doing site work, clearing etc, & after up & down the little hills & draws & walking a mile or so, my knees were both hurting & siatica(sp) was acting up + back & hips. Took some meds, & then did some reloading of my new 338-06 & prepped some brass.

Feel OK today. Now to shoot the 338-06, 6.5 RM & 454 rifle & revolver that I have loaded up & ready to go. So then, the bad neck will be tweeked & will need some more "meds".

Just do it, stop when it hurts to bad, start again when it's better. Yep, the "Golden Years", arn't so golden!

[kootne]

I got real seized up in the hands about 8 or 9 years ago. Thought maybe I had carpal tunnel syndrome. After a bunch of tests the Doc says, "No, you got arthritis, ". Told me a bunch of possible medical treatments and then said, "before you do any thing, I can't tell you this as a Doctor, so I, Bert, am telling you, Dennis, as one friend to another, try taking some Tart Cherry Extract, a lot of people say it helps."
It was miraculous for me, a couple days and it was like I was never afflicted. It does not work for everyone, maybe 25% of folks I have given some to get better. But if you are in that group, it's way way cheaper than Doctor visits.
Here is the link to where I get it;
http://tasteatreat.com/
They offer several products, hunt around till you find the extract.
Hope this helps at least one person.
Dennis

[dverna]

It is difficult for me to cast with the larger molds for any period of time. I have a number of new molds that I may never use.

I am lucky to have a stockpile of about 30,000 bullets but I am looking for a Master Caster.

I am not the type who enjoys any aspect of producing bullets and ammunition except the production of rifle ammunition that is better than I can purchase. So, when I cast or reload, I wish to produce a lot at a time. Get in the groove, stay in the groove and get it done. I do not believe I have ever cast or reloaded bulk ammunition for less than two hours.

I have an Auto-drive for the PW800+ as I go through thousands of rounds of 12 ga. I made the mistake of selling the Hydro-drive on the Spolar....but my buddy needed it more than I did, and I do not shoot enough of the smaller gauges.

Old age is showing its affects and it will not get better. We will all face it....hopefully. My advice to those reading this thread is to invest in equipment that can keep you shooting longer as soon as you can. It will reduce the damage of repetitive type stresses and you will need it eventually anyway. Why not enjoy the benefits now of making the job easier.

[johnson1942]

take bee pollen 3 capsuals in the morning, 3 at noon and 3 in the evening. give it 2 weeks for the perfect results and keep doing it every day from then on and you will get relief. some way more than other but there will be relief.

[quilbilly]

I traded off my semi auto pistols because it became such a struggle to rack the slide. Revolvers are more fun anyway and easier to clean. The arthritis in my ankles and knees have not yet stopped me from getting a deer out of the woods by myself and a couple Aleves let me walk a couple miles on logging roads for hunting. My mountain bike lets me cover more ground these days and get my aerobic exercise.
All this being said, I only whine a little bit these days.

[Teddy (punchie)]

I hate winter every year I get something going on in my back. This year its a herniated disc, not a crush disc or out but talk about pain. Liken to be shocked by a fencer when it flared up. 4 to 6 hours of pure hell , told wife hear your chance to take me in the field like an old horse, and finish me off. Better yet cut the whole darn thing off, hurts too bad. We have all hit our thumps and fingers with a hammer, not even in the same class. God Bless !! anyone that has to go through this. I have had bad migraines and this would compare to a bad 9.8 as a 10 takes weeks for me to get over, the feeling and all of side effects. This is taking it good old time but from all I read and hear if I watch and strengthen I should be okay. I'll do what I can when is the way I look at things now. NO Arthritis as of yet so at almost 50 not too bad, no high blood pressure, no sugar, joins ache from time to time, feet ache, I just work on one thing at a time. We are going to have to stop all of the extra odd heavy labor work started to see just no time and wearing us all out.


I can tell you all this eat as best you can, stay away from too much of any one food or type, eat more vegetables and fruits, and lean meats, oily fish from cold water.


Watch how much wheat and ""gluten"" you eat.


Watch your weight.


Your only as old as you feel. Some days I feel 80, some 70 some 50 and only a few good days I feel like a kiddo excited about life and looking forward to a day of fun.


from Jan 4th till now hip and back are doing better still not right. Stand for more the 15 minute better move, sit in chair, better not be there for more then 15 minutes or so with out moving or lock out when I stand up left leg is achy and feels like it is going to maybe fail. Standing it feel like I have a cell phone on low vibrate and like my foot is cool like its just starting to get cold. Dr. say its the nerves healing, resetting it should get better. Pain is middle back to low back so so most days 5-8 meds working ?? just not the way I think they should.


God Bless !!! stay moving any way you can.

[Idaho45guy]

I used to scoff at threads like these and move on, thinking I had a lot of years before age caught up with me.

It has caught up...

I'm only 48 and am constantly surprised at what activity makes me sore or is difficult to do. Went to the doctor last week due to prostate issues.

No arthritis yet, thank God, but I'm sure it's coming. I now read these threads to be aware of what's coming next and to get some tips and tricks for dealing with it...

[Mtnfolk75]

After 24.5 years of fighting drunks & handwriting reports I was forced to retire at 47 years old. I'm now 63 and walk with a cane due to balance issues, have bad hips from the Sam Brown and a bum right shoulder from a MC wreck. My hands are just about useless, they are numb and cramp quite a bit. I still ride ATV's, shoot, cast & reload. Have been using 2 cavity Aluminum Moulds and a Single Stage Rock Chucker for the last 6-7 years, mostly shoot .38/9mm revolvers. Have downsized to a .270 Winchester for a Big Game Rifle. I am putting a .243 together for my 14 year old Grandson and I may have to downsize further for myself. This winter we have had a lot more rain than normal ( 38+" since New Years ) so the joints have been stiffer as well .....But I'm ALIVE and plan on staying that way ......... [smilie=s: Old Age is NOT for Sissies for sure.

[tomme boy]

I'm 45 and have to use a cane too. It is for balance and to lean on after walking for less than 50 yds. That is about my max I can walk right now. This is going to really hurt my extra $ as I will not be able to sell off all my extra brass I used to pick up. I have not been to the range all winter to pick up brass. I went to shoot 2 times and was not able to pick up anything. The brass I pick up helps me to pay for trips to the Dr's that are 90 miles away from here. And when I used to get lots of brass it payed me to keep shooting by buying my powder and primers.

I have some lidocaine 5% that seems to help a little on my hands. But it is sooo greasy. The not being able to go out in the woods for a walk and build a fire for lunch or dinner is what is really killing me. This is what has kept me sane and centered for many years. It was my way of reflecting. I can't do this now and it has really affected my mental state.

[Char-Gar]

I have had arthritis since my mid-40s, but it is not near as bad as some of you guys. I am now 74.7 years old.

I suspect that some of you have rheumatoid arthritis, which is much worse than osteoarthritis.

I have pain in my lower back, hips and knees. I walk with a cane, do most of my loading sitting down and shooting handguns, will have my hand hurting the next day, but I get along. Best to take it all in stride and not spend time complaining about what I can't do, but delight in what I can do. Life is much better than way.

"Arthur always was the worse one of those Ritis boys."

[fatelk]

Just this year I've been really feeling it in my toes. Sometimes I wonder about my hands and knees, but it's real minor at this point and doesn't slow me down much. I was getting some weird pain in my hands and wrists last winter that had me worried, but it went away and hasn't returned. My wife has me taking an assortment of vitamins and supplements so maybe that helps.

I really can't complain for myself. My son has been dealing with arthritis since he was three. That's no fun at all.

[opos]

Almost 80....lots of things busted, replaced and messed up over the years..doing many things is tough but what else can a man do? If I sit it hurts..if I walk it hurts..if I shoot it hurts and when I sleep I hurt...so I just do what I can, when I can and don't worry about any schedule or pre planned deals...I been doing taxes this morning..going to the garage and pick up some stuff that is scattererd and play with a couple of toy steam engines..then take the wife to a bit of lunch at Denny's and then who knows what for later..maybe a nap...maybe more internet...maybe play with the cat..just never know. Better than being in the ground.

[pjames32]

I'm still doing pretty well as I approach 70. I'm left handed and most of my problems are on the left side....shoulder, elbow and hand. I had to quit golf and limit shooting high recoil pistols. Reloading and casting I'm now doing the repetitive motions with my right arm. If you are right handed you might try to do more with your left side. I do dose with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen before and after my sessions....please take them with food. I do sit whenever possible and take regular walk around breaks. Casting I'll do 10-20lb pot then quit for the day and have purchased some aluminum molds. Good luck on finding some relief.

[tomme boy]

Mine all started when I was 16. I was riding my motorcycle and a girl that was not paying attention decided to run me over.

[Mytmousemalibu]

My back is my weakest link.

I have:
3 herniated disks, lumber is ruptured
Degenerative disk disease
Moderate scoliosis
Arthritis
Neuropathy/sciatica
And a few other issues.

Here's the kicker... Im 35, been goin downhill since my mid-teens. I love casting but i have to sit to do it and even then im doing pretty good to make it and hour or so. If its heavy molds even less. I can sit at the press for longer but its hard on me too.

[popper]

I am now 74.7 years old.
I don't keep that close a track of age.

[Blanket]

I have given up and sold my 17 Ackley hornet and 17 M4,s because of my hands not working right. 35 W much easier

[44deerslayer]

Yes pain it sucks iv had 7 back surgeries and lost the top part of my head . I have bad days and worst days

[Elkins45]

I can't handle a MP brass 4 cavity for much more than a potful before my hands really start to ache. The aluminum NOE and Lee multi-cavity molds are a lot more comfortable these days.

Swapping brass in and out of a shellholder makes my fingers hurt worse than casting, and nothing makes them hurt more than using the Lee case trimmer on a drill.

[tomme boy]

Took me 2.5 hours last night to FL size 200 223 cases last night. I have slowed way down!

[GhostHawk]

I am lucky, mostly mine is in my hips and my shoulders. Lots of hot water in the shower every morning keeps it at bay mostly. When it does not, well there are raisins soaked in gin and pain killers. Seems like I spend a day or 2 curled up with a heating pad 2-4 times a year. Yet I consider myself lucky compared to many. It has not moved into my hands, elbows, etc.

I did set myself up with a table at a comfortable height, that I can use from my computer chair. Knees there to brace wrists/elbows on so I don't have to hold much weight for long.

My wife has wonderfully small delicate wrists and hands, but she has knobs like big hazelnuts at each joint, and although she does not say it I know her hands hurt.

I am lucky, and I praise the Lord for it. Thank you for all you have given me Lord.

[KingRat]

At 40 I got diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. Had 29/36 joints inflamed. It wasn't much fun waking up in the morning.
Now 6 months later I have close to no pain. I'm slower than I was a year ago and way more careful with my joints.
Early treatment is important with arthritis as permanent damage can be prevented. An aggressive medical approach and taking a Turmeric/ginger/Cayenne pepper and lemon tea first thing in the morning is what worked for me. I am also taking more vitamins and minerals than prescribed pills.

[375supermag]

Hi...
Arthritis is starting to cause a lot of pain in my wife's right hand when she re-sizes rifle cases. She always talks about things we can do together so I taught her to re-size cases. Now she complains that it is too painful for her to do.

I guess I could give her a break now and then, by taking over the yard work for her but she seems to enjoy driving the tractor after she washes and waxes my car. FWIW, I do walk out in the garden and remind her that she needs to start dinner if she gets too engrossed in weeding around the tomato plants.

That reminds me that instead of typing on this forum, I should go interrupt her doing the dishes and remind her to do the laundry and vacuuming before she starts making my lunch. I sure don't need her running the vacuum while I am taking my nap after lunch, besides she needs to walk the dogs then.

[blackthorn]

Hi...
Arthritis is starting to cause a lot of pain in my wife's right hand when she re-sizes rifle cases. She always talks about things we can do together so I taught her to re-size cases. Now she complains that it is too painful for her to do.

I guess I could give her a break now and then, by taking over the yard work for her but she seems to enjoy driving the tractor after she washes and waxes my car. FWIW, I do walk out in the garden and remind her that she needs to start dinner if she gets too engrossed in weeding around the tomato plants.

That reminds me that instead of typing on this forum, I should go interrupt her doing the dishes and remind her to do the laundry and vacuuming before she starts making my lunch. I sure don't need her running the vacuum while I am taking my nap after lunch, besides she needs to walk the dogs then.

Just remember----you gotta sleep sometime---- Just saying---nice knowing ya!

[Big Boomer]

Having had polio when I was 8 or 9 years old, it has left me with what is termed post-polio syndrome. Nerves, muscles and discs in my spine have deteriorated and are painful. At the age of 77 my doctors are amazed that I can still do 100 belly crunches, ride a stationary bike for 10 miles per day and walk on a treadmill over two miles per day at level 3.5 (total of 35 minutes). I am 6' 2 1/2" and weight 200 lbs. My biggest problem is smelting - really hurts my back. I have over 20 gallons of clip-on wheel weights and 10 large coffee cans of stick on wheel weights waiting to be processed. I have kept at it all these years collecting wheel weights and smelting them into ingots and have 12 5-gallon buckets of ingots. Don't know what the total weight of it all is but I keep at it. I cast for calibers .223/5.56, .243, .30-06, .380, 9mm, .38 Spl., .357 Mag., .41 Mag., .45 Colt and .45 ACP. Don't shoot as much as I used to but I keep the family (son, daughter-in-law, brother and his daughters' families) supplied with the boolits I cast and lube. Too, I can't hold as still as in former years. Just the price one pays for God granting a good, long life. My doctors think I will still be around for a while yet, though I have fought 3 cancer battles (thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, and prostate cancer). No heart problems and my cholesterol is 124 - genetically protected one doctor told me. However, I became a diabetic about 5 years ago but I control it with my diet and take no meds for it. I am a retired Minister with Churches of Christ/Christian Churches. Don't smoke or use/abuse any drugs. God has been good to me - but, of course, He is good to everyone if they only have the ability to discern it. Big Boomer

[Mk42gunner]

I have slowed way down, too the point I haven't even heated a pot of lead in several months. Sometime in 2009 I tore my right MCL and threw my back out, probably at the same time, along with osteoarthritis in (mainly) my left hip.

The KC VA was not much help, they mainly pushed a lot of pills my way and then wanted to burn some nerves in my back. When I told them no, because I wasn't convinced that would help, they lost interest.

I fixed the back myself after about two years one day when I was breaking ice so the daughter's horse could get a drink. The floor scraper, think straight garden hoe, bounced back and the handle hit my jaw, a brief flash of pain and I immediately felt better.

I went to a real civilian doctor in 2012; he grabbed my leg, (which absolutely none of the VA personnel ever did) moved my knee and said "You have a torn ACL, Let's get you an MRI."

Still dealing with the hip pain, it has gotten to where I can work for an hour or two and suffer for the next two days. At least after the knee surgery I can somewhat walk again, just not nearly as far or as fast as I used to be able to. I can't ride in a car for much more than forty five miles, it also hurts to stand for more than about thirty minutes at a time.

If I had known I was going to last this long, I would have taken better care of myself when I was younger.

Robert

[375supermag]

Just remember----you gotta sleep sometime---- Just saying---nice knowing ya!

Worry not... I usually sleep when she is at work or shopping at the grocery store, although I usually take a nap while she changes the oil in my car or puts new brake pads on it.
Probably be pretty quiet around here next Tuesday...They are calling for a "snow event", so she will be busy a few hours running the snow blower and shoveling snow. Unfortunate...Might have to interrupt her a couple times to have her make me some hot chocolate. I can't be expected to watch all that snow fall without something hot to drink.

[bob33809]

I became disabled at age 53, 2 ruptured, 3 bulging discs, facet disease in lower back, left knee severe osteoarthritis, torn ACL stretched MCL left knee, torn labrum and arthritis in left hip, torn rotator cuffs in both shoulders. 14 burnt nerves in my back and I'm moving fine for an 80 year old man, only problem is I'm only 61. I move slow and have limited movement but it beats the alternative.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[TheCelt]

I'm 64 and have had RA for 10 years. I can cast a for awhile (hour or two) if I'm on my stool and use the ointment Voltarin. It is a topical anti-inflammatory that works well for me. If I don't use it I can't stay on my feet for much over 15 minutes and my hands swell till their damned near useless. Voltarin Gel is about the best solution I've found.

[Kraschenbirn]

72 with osteoarthritis of the spine (L2, L3, L4, L5 and still spreading). So far, just means that I can't spend too much time sitting at my reloading/casting bench. If I stay seated too long, I have trouble getting up and, once I'm up, the first three or four steps can be pretty painful. Got an MRI scheduled for next week and, after that, possible treatment.

Bill