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Well, I've had a bit of bad luck and am having some issues with my knees. Just last night I wound up in the Emergency Room again to have my knee drained. The swelling and pain are limiting my activities significantly. So much so, that I've had to miss out on IDPA completely this last year and its forced me to rethink my carry setups.

I now carry a folder type holster with a Beretta PX4 .45 in it and an extra mag. I picked up a Sig 238 to replace the Kahr CW9 because it's smaller and easily concealed anywhere (including my leg brace). I use my belly band allot more because I need to wear baggy shorts for the doctors appointments. Overall, the most important thing I've realized is that I am now more of a potential victim. I cannot run away and appear more helpless due to a significant limp and slow moving speed. Tactically, I'm at a major disadvantage. It's been a great excuse to buy a few more carry guns, but when I'm on the pain meds I can't carry because frankly, they're pretty strong so I only use them at home.

So, if I am NOT taking medication, can I carry? I would still have the medication in my system and last night I was given Morphine and Norco. I'm sure that would stay in my system for a few days at least. Just adds another issue to my carry plans!

age_ranger wrote:...the most important thing I've realized is that I am now more of a potential victim. I cannot run away and appear more helpless due to a significant limp and slow moving speed.

Mobility is down, awareness way up! That is what I have had to do. Even changed my carry weapon. It is just part of the process (aging).

"The older you get the stronger the wind gets - and it's always in your face." -- Pablo Picasso

age_ranger wrote:So, if I am NOT taking medication, can I carry? I would still have the medication in my system and last night I was given Morphine and Norco.

I guess it comes down to whether you feel the effects of the medication and trust your reactions etc. If you stripe your leg because you forgot the safety or put a weapon in the holster with your finger on the trigger, and the narcotics show up in your blood draw - could be a problem. I'd make sure I am 'clean' and sober first - but that is just me. I don't take tylenol because it makes me want a nap -- course that could be just my age...

age_ranger wrote:So, if I am NOT taking medication, can I carry? I would still have the medication in my system and last night I was given Morphine and Norco. I'm sure that would stay in my system for a few days at least. Just adds another issue to my carry plans!

We are kinda in the same boat. Ruptured a disc in my back a couple months ago, had surgery, and still taking some pretty significant drugs.

I have really struggled with this, but I have finally decided that, if I feel competent to drive, then I am probably OK to carry. IANAL, but that's my take on it.

Crossfire wrote:

age_ranger wrote:So, if I am NOT taking medication, can I carry? I would still have the medication in my system and last night I was given Morphine and Norco. I'm sure that would stay in my system for a few days at least. Just adds another issue to my carry plans!

We are kinda in the same boat. Ruptured a disc in my back a couple months ago, had surgery, and still taking some pretty significant drugs.

I have really struggled with this, but I have finally decided that, if I feel competent to drive, then I am probably OK to carry. IANAL, but that's my take on it.

I've never been in a situation like that, but I'd think that if you don't feel mentally impaired, (and you have to be completely honest with yourself) carrying would be acceptable.

I'm not sure if the blood test would show the strength of the drugs in my system (they ARE narcotics) which would tell them the last time I took the meds. When I know I'll be out of the house, I ensure that I'm capable of carrying and carry accordingly. One problem is that I'm sure my proficiency has dropped as a result of not competing in IDPA, but I am VERY familiar with my firearm as it's the same one I've competed with for the past 6yrs and have carried it for 5yrs on top of that. It's just the range time that's suffering...........I just renewed my BT membership since it's the closest range to me. Hopefully, that will help me get some lead downrange soon.

If it was me I would not carry while using the medications. It's like alcohol I would guess, "Zero" tolerance. One thing you might consider is a cane from Canemasters. I got the cane and a DVD on its use for those times when my back is really bothering me and I am very pleased. And, you can carry the cane anywhere.

thanks, and good luck,
George

Finally, I can buy the canes i've always wanted!

shotgun cane
flask cane
sword cane

I wish you a speedy recovery ...

gfmun wrote:If it was me I would not carry while using the medications. It's like alcohol I would guess, "Zero" tolerance. One thing you might consider is a cane from Canemasters. I got the cane and a DVD on its use for those times when my back is really bothering me and I am very pleased. And, you can carry the cane anywhere.

thanks, and good luck,
George

George - I heard you were having back trouble too. Hope you are improving! Where did you find the cane and DVD?

Crossfire wrote:

gfmun wrote:If it was me I would not carry while using the medications. It's like alcohol I would guess, "Zero" tolerance. One thing you might consider is a cane from Canemasters. I got the cane and a DVD on its use for those times when my back is really bothering me and I am very pleased. And, you can carry the cane anywhere.

thanks, and good luck,
George

George - I heard you were having back trouble too. Hope you are improving! Where did you find the cane and DVD?

Same question here ...
I'm looking at
bottom of page "FREE Tech. of the Bokane DVD"
http://www.canemasters.com/master-bokane-p-118.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
or cheaper
http://www.canemasters.com/standard-bok ... p-120.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

but those are 5-footers, I am not seeing a dvd for standard canes

Well, things went south QUICK.

Here's the Readers Digest condensed version (I know you guys will appreciate it!)

14Sept10 - Knee begins swelling, some pain - kept off it as much as possible
15Sept10 - Things get better and the swelling and pain decrease
16Sept10 - Looks like I cheated death and my knee is feeling great
17Sept10 - Holy cow, my knee is big as a football. Major pain and swelling
18Sept10 - I give up. Pain is excruciating, Wife, take me to the ER!! We arrive and they drain 55cc fluid from my knee. Anti-inflammatories and pain meds and i'm on my way
19sept10 - on mt back all day
20Sept10 - on my back all day same as yesterday followed docs orders to the letter
21Sept10 - Boss calls, it's time to get back to work. Off I go due to no work excuse and the pain begins from step one. By late afternoon, I am writhing in pain. Miraculously, I drive all the way to the PrimaCare for a workmans comp visit. They immediately reject me and advise me to go to the ER. I arrive at Centennial Hospital ER and they admit me overnight. Thank God for Morphine.
22Sept10 - Doc was supposed to be in last night....shows up around 3pm. My knee is septic and requires surgery. See him after dinner for surgery. Surgery goes well.....over 100cc's of fluid drained.......slept like a baby

23Sept10 - The day from hell

I wake up from surgery and all is well. Good news from the nurse and pain seems minimal. Doc checks it out and there's nothing in the drain so they remove it. Physical therapy comes in and we stretch and work the knee a bit. Not bad.......until later. The knee swells again and by 2230hrs I'm writhing in pain. I hit the nurse call button and after a minute it goes off, so I hit it again. I wait for an HOUR AND A HALF.....I'm about to call 911 from my room and decide "that's it.....". I get up out of my bed and walk to the bathroom to go. Then, I figure I'm irritated AND up....might as well go down the hall. Nobody around. So, I get back to my bed. Pain is taking over and I black out. When I come to, I press the nurse call button again and she shows up 10min later like nothing is going on. When I asked where she had been, she told me she had increased my morphine dose and before I could complain, she puts it in my IV. Out go the lights......

The next morning I told one of the technicians who takes my BP and she took care of me immediately. She brought in the charge nurse who took the time to listen to me. By the time I was done, she had a tear in her eye and told me she would handle it personally. I had another 60cc drained the next morning and today I've been great. I'm still on the fence about making a formal complaint. At least I know they've got one great technician there..........

Now I'm looking for other carry methods I can use with crutches and a backpack style system.

gfmun wrote:If it was me I would not carry while using the medications. It's like alcohol I would guess, "Zero" tolerance.

I personally agree with Crossfire that if I'm ok to drive I would be ok to carry. The medication may be detectable in a drug test, but that doesn't mean your impaired at the time. There is no "Zero" tolerance for alcohol while carrying. The law says you can't be "intoxicated", which to me indicates it's some amount more than none.

age_ranger wrote: Now I'm looking for other carry methods I can use with crutches.

maybe a "crutch pouch/pocket/bag" ?
Just a couple examples below:

http://handipockets.com/crutches.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.1800wheelchair.com/asp/view- ... ct_id=1385" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Brief Wilderness Safepacker Review :
Or, a Wilderness Safepacker Concealment Holster on your belt/wheelchair arm/walker crossbar in front? But, a Safepacker won't do crutches as well, unless you modify it some/add combiners/Velcro straps through the rings on the top corners etc. You could have two loops of double-sided Velcro sewn on/or looped through the two rings at the two top corners maybe. or get the/make a Shoulder strap or runners pack or other options http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinna ... t=171&pg=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; They have backpacks etc. too http://www.thewilderness.com/storepinnacle/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a Safepacker for church, looks like a black nylon Bible cover, carries a PT-92 and spare mag, plus whatever I put in the flap pocket. They come in different sizes, match size to your gun model.

I like my Safepacker because I hand carry to the car, leaving it in the car, go inside say a Courthouse/post office/other forbidden area, and after done at Courthouse, put it on my belt to go to WalMart or wherever. Much easier than putting my plastic garbage bag over my side and disarming my IWB holsters in the car at the courthouse etc. because the Velcro belt strap in the back works without un-concealing anything, since top flap is closed.... less risky.

No one seemed to notice my Safepacker at WalMart/HEB etc when belt carried nor at Church hand carried. I stick an ink pen under the front Velcro strap, so I suppose people think it's a PDA/tablet PC./toolkit/first aid kit/ whatever, no one has ever asked nor mentioned it so I don't know what they think... I doubt they ever noticed.

Notice the 2 rings at top corners by the "handle"
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=VJK4n1z29ag[/youtube]

age-ranger

I went through the same thing with my right knee back in '07. Swelling, pain, and stiffness went to the doc he sent me to an orthopedic doc. After X-rays, cat scan etc. it was decided my knee was ready for another tune up. I went in for surgery and the doctor noticed the fluid coming out of my knee was in medical terms "yucky" so he sent a sample to the lab. I had a Mega Infection of my knee. I spent a week in the hospital on IV antibiotics and pain meds. I was sent home with orders to stay off my knee and hooking my self up four times a day to an IV for six weeks. The knee is still a little stiff and a painful at times.

They never found the source of the infection. The orthopedic doctor said if it had gone much farther I may have lost my leg. Please be careful and make sure the medics check everything out.

I was so doped up and restricted to home so carry wasn't a concern.