Have you tried copper bracelets?
I don't have RA, But for years I've suffered from Cold injuries in my hands Wrists & Feet, (Military Service) plus Many Broken bones (Many Motorcycle accidents!)
My be a shot in the dark, but I've worn one (copper bracelet) for over a year now and most of my Aches & Pains I've forgotten!
Jim,
Sorry of hear of the RA. I have old man's arthritis of the hands and a not so strong back. You are welcome to what ever of this information that might help you. I will be 70 in March, carry my gear in the following and hike 8-12 miles a week with two Labrador Retrievers. My doctor and their vet say motion is the best lotion. When I think that won't work both the 12 year old dog and I take Tramadol Hydrochloride 50 mg twenty minutes before a hike. Ask your doctor if this would help you. Your pain may be too strong for this because it is pretty mild. I posted the following on the LF Forum in a thread about old folks and baby joggers. Hope there is something here that will make easier.
http://babyjogger.com/perf_jogger_lp.aspx the Performance single by BabyJogger
It has 20 inch wheels and 100 pound shocks. The larger wheels help you over uneven terrain, offer less rolling resistance and the shocks make the ride smoother on your gear. I bought mine second hand on eBay three (now five) years ago. That vintage only had a front brake. There is not much weight on the front, so the parking brake doesnt do much for you. The current model has a parking brake that locks the rear wheels. Lacking that I usually just wedge it up against a tree, rock, or fence.
Today I carried seven 7x17 film holders in a bag on the bottom rails; a 12 x 12 x 10 cooler bag full of lenses, meter, loupe in the seat, and a 7x17 RH Phillips mounted on a big Ries. The tripod spikes go through two holes cut in the foot rest. The tripod leans on the cooler bag and is bungied to the shocks and axle. When I stop, the camera, tripod and tripod head are all connected for instant set up.
I have used this jogger for 4x5, 8x10 and 7x17. The only modification was drilling two holes for the tripod spikes in the foot rest. I also carry 60 feet of ¼ line and a water bottle. I added a bicycle handlebar compass to tell what time to return if the light is not what I need now. A hand held compass would be as good, if not better. The rig allows me to go out two miles from the car on trails. I can usually find a parking space closer then that.
My MF is a Mamiya RZ67 so it weighs about the same as my 4x5 or my 8x10 and would be a good candidate for this. I just prefer a bigger negative now.
John
Jim: Your disability is one that you can overcome. Indeed, it sounds as if you have made a good start, and are able to do almost everything that is necessary. Some of the obvious steps to take would include making your set up on the tripod as easy as possible, using a camera of relatively light weight, mastering the use of one lens for most of your work, etc. A suggestion that might not have occurred to you: Canham cameras are made here in the USA, and the maker and "founder" of the camera company is easily accessible, and extremely helpful and pleasant. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he might be able to modify one of his cameras to make such easier for you to use, i.e. knobs and controlls that are larger and easy to grasp and turn and a back ( bail back? ) that might be easier to use as well. Why don't you consider giving him a call, and telling him of your problems and asking him about some possible solutions? His site is easily located. Also, the suggestions about using a cart to roll your equipment sounds great. Mr. Canham might be able to make your camera ready for instant use similar to what has been detailed above. Hopefully you will not have that much trouble loading film holders, because unfortunately, ready holders are no longer available for many films. As far as developing....well, a Jobo would appear to offer great advantages. The tanks are easy to load, and once loaded the process is very simple except for the need to raise and lower the lift, and pour in solutions. One would hope that using the enlarger is still possible. However, if not, contact prints of your large negatives is definitely possible, and relatively easy on your hands and muscles. You can probably sit down during the entire process. Alistair Ingliss makes a front loading contact frame that is very much easier to use than the back loading frame, and no hard effort is necessary to close and secure the frame. Finally, try to standardize on chemicals that are easy to mix from either powder or liquid. In your case is might be easier than weighing out individual components. Feel free to PM me for more details. I am a retired MD...not a rheumatologist, but nevertheless, perhaps I can help you with some of the practical aspects.
Jim,
I am sorry to hear about the RA. While I don't have arthritis (either kind) I did have problems with my knees a few years ago. I second what Rick said about avoiding pain meds as long as you can. Any pain medication will have a tendency to be less effective the longer you take it. I hope that you have more good days than bad. You are in my prayers.
Dave
You don't need another sob story. The Vietnamese put me in a wheelchair some years back which medicare turned into an electric scooter a couple of years ago and I now work with a Rollei SL66, Bronics SQ's, a Bronica GS1 but mostly with a bunch of Rollei TLR's. The TLR's are light especially reliable and of super quality; easy to use and just great. I am going on a trip to Monument Valley in the Spring and all that stuff is getting to go. The TLR's will probably carry most of the load. I have an old Tele Rollei (135mm Distagon) and a .7 Mutar making a 75mm Tessar into A 52.5mm.... I love the SL66, but it weighs a ton. The SQ is super but again, weighs a ton. Get light stuff. Rolleis are best above all else. Use Trix or Plus X and you'll never be sorry.
Logan.... see you guys out on the road somewhere...... '73 and still kickin
I have to look into a Jobo too, right now I'm looking at Unicolor rollers but it would be nice to have the Jobo's convenience. Jim
Hi All,
I'm looking to see what those of you that suffer from arthritis of the hands and wrists use and find that works well for you from an equipment standpoint.
Yes I'm young (33) but I have what's known as Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA, it's an auto-immune arthritis, not your run of the mill old folks arthritis.
It affects several fingers on each of my hands and also both thumbs and my left wrist.
What gear works well for you? What type of accessories have made it easier for you to photograph? What hasn't worked?
I shoot 35, MF, and LF, and some digi so any and all advice or opinions are welcome.
MoparGuy, another point on the meds, that doctors wont tell you, is that "nsaids" impair healing. Studies show that large doses block or prevent specific healing factors from being used by the body. This is a [catch-22] problem, as the drugs mask the pain and relieve the inflamation, but slow or even prevent healing. Then there in the effect on the heart itself! I can live with pain, dont want the heart attack!! I do take pain-killers on a maintainance basis- i dose a specific narcotic in low-dose form three times daily. The problem with that is building a tollerance and needing increase adjustment from time to time. I guess being slightly stoned all the time works(for now), but major corrective surgery is looming in the near future.Jim,
I am sorry to hear about the RA. While I don't have arthritis (either kind) I did have problems with my knees a few years ago. I second what Rick said about avoiding pain meds as long as you can. Any pain medication will have a tendency to be less effective the longer you take it. I hope that you have more good days than bad. You are in my prayers.
Dave
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