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]

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-...-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.