Carpal Tunnel And handguns

[Bazoo]

This might be a little preemptive. I have carpal tunnel, although I've not discussed it with doctors yet, I know I do. My mom has it, and because I have worked with my hands as a carpenter most of my life, I have the unmistakable symptoms. Hands going numb at night and aching, sometimes tingling. Hands going numb and tingling when working doing certain things that aggrivate them.

Well i have a super blackhawk that i've been tinking with. And It never occurred to me that it might be a problem with my hands. I can fire other less recoiling guns without a problem. So I was shooting it the other day... working on getting them groups down and getting real comfortable with it.... and afterwards.. my wrists and hands were bothering me. I only fired a half a box. They were not horribly bothering me, but they were bothering me enough I put my brace on.

Im thinking about giving up on the sbh 44 magnum and getting a 45 colt blackhawk instead. Ive never fired a 45 colt, but with 44 specials im okay, and with 45 auto and 357 im okay. I know I could fire specials out of the magnum... but I aint gonna. If i have the power im gonna use it... and pay for it. If I had a 45 colt, i might make a few +P loads but not 44 mag levels. Im not going to swap tomorrow (most likely). But im thinking on it.

Also im thinking about talking to the doctor about it before I do anything rash, and maybe surgery? I dont know though.

Anybody out there that could offer me and advice or knowledge or experience, i'd preciate it.

Bazoo

[waksupi]

I have the same problem. I just load the .44 down to pleasant levels, and enjoy it.

[Bzcraig]

The only thing I can offer is my wife recently had the surgery with a great outcome and no more symptoms now for 3 months. In her other hand she got a cortisone shot that has all but eliminated symptoms in that hand. I wouldn't give up on the 44 yet, but wouldn't blame you for adding a 45 to the stable.

[XDROB]

I was working in a car dealership in the parts dept. Computer work, 25 years worth. I wore the braces at night for years. The pain like holding my hands in fire would wake me up. (Don't wait for that.) If doc says he'll do the surgery then Do it! I had both wrists done. 10 years ago. Have been totally pain free since then. Like the saying says, Just Do It. You won't regret it.

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[blackthorn]

Now, I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Also, I did not sleep at a Holiday inn last night. I have, however in my last job before retirement, had considerable exposure to individuals with CTS (amongst other ailments) and have come to the conclusion that CTS has a congenital base. The sheath (tube) in which the carpal nerve runs is, in some individuals, narrow and certain repetitive wrist movements cause the nerve to swell and become inflamed as a consequence. Aggravate it enough times and the condition becomes chronic and requires surgery to correct. Be guided by the advice of your Dr. Also, be aware that some folks have a better outcome from surgery that do others. My son has had both wrists done and he did not get total relief. His outcome was however certainly better than before the surgery.

[Kraschenbirn]

Much the same story as the OP...restoration/renovation contractor for 22 years (and a competitive shooter for a lot longer than that). Pain and numbness are (naturally!) worse in my right hand than my left but I've found that I can control the effects to a great degree by adjusting my sleeping position. For me, it was pretty much trial and error...wake up with pain or numbness, try a different position. Kept experimenting until I found something that worked. Since I've retired, and the right hand/arm don't receive the same daily exertions, problems have all but disappeared.

Bill

[woodbutcher]

[smilie=b: Had the same problems years ago.Would wake up and my right arm to the elbow felt like it was on fire.Had the surgery on both wrists about a year apart.Zero problems since.Don`t delay the surgery too long,as permanent damage to the nerves can occur.Then no amount of surgery will fix it and it just goes downhill from there..And it`s the sheath that swells and pinches the nerves in the wrist.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[Bazoo]

Thanks for all the replies, and encouragement. I have heard varying degrees of success with the surgery. As I said, iI havent talked to my doctor about it yet. Its just been an annoyance until now.. but its getting worse.

[trapper9260]

What I did is get some weight liften gloves and they work and have no problems with shooting any of the handguns includen 44mag RH. this is the ones that works for me here is the link
http://www.scheels.com/shop/scheels-catalog/GLOVE-PRO-SBLK-096506-114310
I have told my Doc about them and she will let her other ones she see about them also.They also work when the was prune the fruite tree this year .I try it with out them at first and had problems, then I went in the house and put them on and no more problems.

[XDROB]

Do not wait any more
I did for a year. As I said in my earlier post. It just got to the point i couldn't take it any longer. Started to hurt during the day. On the success of the surgery, I myself havent heard any bad results. Even the doctor who did mine had it done. DON'T WAIT , talk to your doc.

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[smoked turkey]

As woodbutcher and others said, don't wait. The longer you wait the less chance for satisfactory outcome from the surgery. I waited too long and as a result my hands are numb quite a lot. In fact I am having more symptoms and think I will mention it to my primary doctor when I go in for my annual check up.

[Bazoo]

I've had problems with it for 5 or 6 years. Mostly when I sand a lot at once setting. Never had a problem with the shooting before. I have an appointment next month for refills, i'll talk to the doc about it when I go.

[David2011]

It wasn't CTS but another recoil caused problem. Many years ago I had an adverse reaction to heavy recoil but it was in my elbow rather than the wrist and hand. In the early '80s it seemed like every handgun magazine had a new sooper-dooper Ruger and Contender only "Load of the Month" for the .45 Colt. Boolit weights went up to around 300 grains and of course my buddy and I had to try them all. Back at his house after one of these hot load range sessions I realized my elbow was very tender while handling a rifle. I had to lay off of handgun shooting for about 6 months to heal from the heavy loads and didn't shoot another Ruger/Contender only load for many years. I can shoot them now but choose to only use them in hunting situations.

[RU shooter]

I have it in both of my wrists too many years (30)of repetitive motion feeding steel into various machines . Yes shooting a lower recoiling round helps (me at least ) for me though I have another issue when I shoot anything more than a 22 or 32 for more than 20 rds. My hands start to shake and I can't hit anything unless I'm up real close . With my carry pistol a Kahr 45 I can get through a mag full and that's about it .pretty much have given up shooting handgun for enjoyment . Sucks but it is what it is for me Will you the best and hope it don't get worse .

Tim

[Connelly47]

I had carpal tunnel release surgery on both hands at 30 and at 50. It took about six months before I could shoot big cailbers again.

[Bazoo]

I have been having other problems getting tense in the shoulders while shooting the 44, but its unrelated. Last time I shot it, I was pretty comfortable, and did better than i'd ever done before. Wasnt tense or anything, But I had done a lot of sanding the day (i think) before, and my hands were already bothering me. It didnt bother me while shooting, but after I got done, I noticed I was hurting some and I though huh.. that aint good.

[Alstep]

I had surgery maybe 20+ years ago. Worked in the trades. Had all the symptoms mentioned above. Dr. said the nerve was so hour-glass shaped and restricted I would have lost the use of my hand if I let it go any longer. Took 3 or 4 months of rehab to get my strength and use of my hand back. Worked out good for me, am 100%. Get it taken care of before it's too late.

[Bazoo]

My mom is bad with her hands, which is one thing that is prompting me to do something about it now instead of living with it until it gets worse.

[40-82 hiker]

Said a prayer of guidance for you. My advice, is to see a specialist in such ASAP. PT may be a try to lengthen and thin the nerve and ligaments, but you will not know until you see the doc. Nerves do not take being strangulated beyond a certain point. Please heed all advice previously given, and I'd get to someone who specializes in Carpal Tunnel ASAP.

Also, it seems to me a reduced load .44 mag can be pretty much the same as a reduced load .45 LC BH. Call them target loads or what, but I really can't see how the case capacities and boolet weights can be that much different from a practical standpoint.

JMHO, but I'd keep the .44 and seek something in the neighborhood of a very mild target load with boolets of an appropriate weight.

[Bazoo]

Thanks for the prayer and advice 40-82 hiker.

[Boolit_Head]

I suffered from ulnar tunnel in both hands for quite a while. Happened to be during a time when I did not have insurance. After reading a bit got some wrist braces that held my wrists straight and would wear them at night while I slept. That relieved it a lot, I suppose keeping the wrists straight at night allowed some down time for healing. It took a few months but I noticed that the problem went away finally. Keeping the braces tight also felt better on my wrists as well.

Try it it is worth a shot. I picked up the braces from a place that sold motocross equipment. These are what I used and they are specific to a side.

https://www.sixsixone.com/store/products/4755/WRISTWRAP-LFT-BLACK

[rondog]

I've had CTS for many years, both wrists, pretty bad. Can't say it adversely affects my shooting, but otherwise it sucks large. Now, the arthritis in my thumbs is another story. I can barely open a bottle of water.

[facetious]

I have arthritis in both hands and the right one is the worst. And ya i'm right handed.

I have found that the Hogue grips helped me alot. I had them on my Security Six first. I got them in the early 90's and thy fit me like thy were costom made for me.

I had Pachmayr's on my Black hawk .357 and thy woud get me at the base of the thumb and may fingers would get tingly afther a while. After the knuckles started hurting the Pachmayer's did't fit my hand any more, not that thy were ever that great a fit in the first place. I had kind of stoped shooting it for a few years and and then when I did it didn't take long to find that thy made my hands hurt more the next day. I got a set of Hogue's for it and the fit was like night and day. Thy were a little fuller in my hand and shaped so you can use your whole hand to grip it with and it point's more naturaly.

Last fall I took it to the range and shot over a 100 rounds. Alot of odds and end stuff from light to more top end stuff and it felt great, my hands didn't hurt the next day and the recoil felt like less with the same loads.

[54bore]

I have the same problem. I just load the .44 down to pleasant levels, and enjoy it.

Here is what to do ^^^ No reason to get rid of your SBH, Carapal tunnel is fixable, i had both hands done 12 years or more ago, i will warn that the area the surgery is performed will be tender for a LONG time, They are splitting open a sheath that the nerves etc. run through to relieve it. Smack the rear palm of your hand on something by accident for a couple years after the surgery and you might Piss yourself! You have to work on toughening the area back up. I am a Logger/Timber faller, i have ran a chainsaw most of my life so i was able to toughen mine back up fairly quickly, i have heard of guys that have never gotten the durability back

[mold maker]

I was once young and bullet proof. Had to have near max loads for my 7.5" SRH and 300 gr boolits. It soon became apparent that my elbow wouldn't stand for the punishment. I also had a much lighter weight 44 that I no longer shot at all.
Since I was mostly shooting paper there was absolutely no need endure the pain involved. Now I thoroughly enjoy a 200 gr at 1300 fps and the elbow is happy.
Let your body tell you what not to do. If the pain persists see the Dr.

[Duckiller]

GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!! You may be doing permanent damage that he/she can't correct. It won't get better without treatment and can definately get worse. Why live in pain and not have full use of your hands? Good luck with any treatment you get.

[XDROB]

As I said earlier. I suffered for two years wearing braces on both wrists. Pain at night was so bad it would wake me up with no resolution. Had one done and 6 months later had other done. 10 years ago. No pain, full use of hands since. NOT WORTH WAITING. Don't wait till permanent damage is done.

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[abunaitoo]

Funny story
A good friend had the operation to correct it.
A few days after the surgery, he got the dressing off.
At home he noticed a string sticking out.
He thought either the doctor forgot to remove it, or it would just fall out.
A week later when it was still there, he pulled it out.
When he went in for a fallow up, doctor asked him what happened to the suture.
He told him that he pulled it out.
Had to go through another surgery to put it back.
Doctor was not happy.
I found out that my friend, is the type of person, that if he sees a string hanging from the ceiling, he will pull on it.
He's all good now. Said hand has lost some motion, but no pain and numbness.

[woodbutcher]

;) One thing that I forgot to mention,is that some to most people will lose some grip strength in their hand/hands.Myself,my recouperation period was very short compared to what some here have had.Was able to get back to harvesting firewood in about two weeks,with my Drs approval.Was the same after my triple by pass.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[KCSO]

We live by the Missouri River and I also love to bow fish for the bic carp we call Buffalo. One of my favourite spots is where a large tunnel goes under the road from the swamp to the river. As the river goes up and down the fish all swim back and forth through the culvert and follow the water and you can stand on the end of the tube and shoot carp all day long. Now as a primitive fellow I shot a long bow that pulls 45 or more pounds and the repeated stress of pulling the bow was making my wrists hurt, that and od age I guess. Well to make a long story short I went to the Doctor and he checked me out...

Yep I got it... Carp hole tunnel syndrome!

[Safeshot]

Just my opinion: Get thoroughly "checked out" (tested with electrical impulses) you might also have elbow nerve or shoulder problems. I had right and left Carpal Tunnel Procedures done and left elbow procedure done years ago. All went well with good recovery. No problems with a .44 Mag Ruger Redhawk and full loads. Don't wait any longer than necessary to scheduel the procedures. A friend of mind waited "too long" and did not have "good results".

[randyrat]

Oh I suffered for years with CTS and had surgery a couple years ago..BEST thing I have ever experienced, immediate relief, yeah I waited too long and had some permanent damage.

My CTS would wake me at 2 AM with throbbing pain every night, even with braces on.

Heavy recoiling hand guns will just IRRITATE the heck out of CTS and you will suffer more

[Bazoo]

I talked to the doctor monday, and they referred me to a hand specialist. Sposedly the best hand dr around. They gave me gabapentin for the pain temporary until I can see the specialist and get it resolved. Makes me tired, but not doped up. Lord willing, i'll have a permanent solution, relief, and regaining of hand strength soon.

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone.

[243winxb]

Mag-Na-Port

[10-x]

Get the surgery before the nerves are damaged. Had right done in late 70's, left in the 90's. Just follow Drs orders and all will be ok. BTW, it can come back even after surgery. The " arthur" in my wrist caused me to sell off the .44 Mags., keep my RBH in .45 Colt with Houge grips loaded down to painless level. Good luck.

[Bazoo]

Thanks 10x.

I never considered magnaporting it. Thanks for the suggestion 243winxb.

[Geezer in NH]

I may be on Medi-Care but I am not in the dark ages.

See a Dr. or specialist get fixed why suffer life is good.

[Bazoo]

Going to see the specialist in september geezer.

[poppy42]

I've had multiple surgeries on my right wrist (catalog tunnel release along with multiple tendon repairs) along with pretty much destroying my left hand and wrist. I shattered the distal radius in multiple places requireing surgery, plates & screws, I had a 3/16 drill bit puncture my left thumb and I've also had carpal tunnel release on my left wrist. Due to the break and subsequent surgery I have limited feelings in 3 fingers and my thumb on my left hand. I'm telling you all this because my nephew has a 45 colt after carpal tunnel release I can fire that colt one handed (my right hand) all day long. A little discomfort in my thumb due to the tendon repair ( and I do mean very little discomfort). Before surgery I couldn't hold a coffee cup without it suddenly falling out of my hand! Look into surgery. I know every body heels differently but it's certainly worth looking into. With my left hand as bad as it is the simple surgery on my right hand saved me from a possible life without shooting! What ever you decide, I truly wish you the best of luck

[Lloyd Smale]

I had both hands done about 15 years ago. I'm sure it was caused by work and shooting combined. Three months after surgery I was shooting full power 500 linebaugh loads with no problem what so ever. Its never bothered me again. Only thing I regret was not having it done sooner.

[kbstenberg]

Both of my hands have been done. But wrists are still not very good. I have trouble with semi auto pistols. When working the action by hand. I can only cycle my Shield a few times (maybe 8) and I have to take a break. I had an XD45 and I could only cycle that one about 3 times I couldn't do it any more.

[Land Owner]

I take multiple prescription (scripts) for blood pressure control. Some of the side effects include:
•numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
•numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
•numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

Who is to say that these scripts in combination don't increase the symptoms? I too have that "tingling" and numbness often (I think) associated with CTS. I am pretty certain that mine is an induced side effect.

[Bazoo]

Thanks poppy for the kind words, and everyone. I have noticed I sometimes drop things suddenly. I want relief thats for sure. And I dont want a life without shooting! Lord willing, i'll have it fixed and be good to go, like so many reports here.

[Bazoo]

I went to the hand doctor, and I got shots in both wrists. I dont like the shots. They dont hurt so much as they cause me to feel like I have constant irritation that is worse than I normally feel. The doctors said I do have mild carpal tunnel syndrome. They say that insurance companies wont let them do surgery until they try the shots and such first.

[MaryB]

Yup you will have to try shots and physical therapy first before going to surgery. I had it done twice on my right hand, first time work related, second time when I jammed my wrist in the car accident(I bent the shifter forward an inch) causing everything to swell bad enough doc said I would lose hand function if I didn't fix it. They opened it up for 3 inches, cleaned out scar tissue, made sure the tendon had space to slide and sewed me back up. That was 3 years ago and unless I do something really stupid like run a nail gun for 4 hours it no longer bothers me.

[Beagle333]

I got carpal release surgery last year. All is fixed! He sent me over for some electro-probe testing and that showed that I wasn't getting full nerve transmission all the way through the carpal tunnel and I went right to surgery two weeks later without trying the therapy or shots. Blue Cross/Blue Shield paid for it too. Wrist is great now, I actually wish I hadn't waited so long, because I could have been feeling better a few years ago.

edit: My electro probe testing was painless. He simply clipped some sensors on my fingers and touched a metal probe to different places on my arm to see which fingers twitched. It wasn't a powerful shock at all. Much less than an electric fence or spark plug.

[XDROB]

Things must have changed since my experience with carpal tunnel. About 12 years ago I wore braces overnight. The pain was unbelievable. Had both wrist done with surgery a month apart. All is good now. No mention of shots or therapy.

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[Pipefitter]

I had my right hand CTS surgery about a month ago. Alternating between pain and numbness in my hand, sometimes shooting up to my elbow. Doc sent me for the electrode test (one of the most painful things I have ever experienced) and told me he could try shots but they usually dont work. We both agreed to skip the shots and go straight to the surgery. I was told to expect to be off work for 4 to 6 weeks.

The surgical procedure was quick, only lasted about 15 minutes, I was awake but "loopy" and talked to the Doc and surgical staff for the whole time. Wore a brace/splint for a week, then at two weeks had the stitches removed. Doc came in and took a look at the hand and said "Are you ready to go back to work? You are all good to go." I still have a little bit of weakness in my hand, but it is improving every day.

[jsizemore]

Off-road bike gloves have gel pads in the right spot for shooting. There's a choice of gloves that makes it more comfortable to wear when it's hot or cold. I keep a pair of mesh backs in my sander tool box.

[winchester85]

How much does it cost?
My wrists are bad enough that I do a house for 4 to 6 weeks and then I need a few months off.
Skinning my first elk this year I pulled pretty hard and several weeks later they still hurt.