My grandmother had this something horrible and I think I may be developing it too. I have it in my shoulder and wake up sometimes with it burning so bad I can't sleep. I had to switch from keeping a shotgun handy to my old trusty M4.
Anyway, PT is a MUST if you want to keep mobility. On good days, you need to use those bad joints as much as possible, and keep 'em lubed on bad days with light exercise. Like was mentioned, recoil gloves might help, but what may also be helpful is a leather splint. Like the ones you get for fractures and such. It has a metal strip that runs the length and ends in the palm to keep the wrist stable, laces up, is padded, and doesn't interfere with the fingers. May take time to get used to it. Go to a medical supply store and check 'em out, also ask them as they may have something better/newer.
For racking the slide: if it is just for range use (or if you have lax carry laws or just open carry) then you could use a hook. Like they use in open competition, or similar to the way an M4 is racked. Then you could snare it with you other hand, finger, whatever. They make them I know for the 1911 and the Glock. The Glock is just a simple switch of the rear plate.
Good luck. I really feel for you, when your body turns on you it just plain sucks. I don't know if you've tried it (I'm sure you have though) but naproxen, or Aleve, works well for me regarding the NSAID class of drugs. I take two in morn., two at night, double the dose but that is close to the prescription dose. I also have meloxicam, or Mobic, and it works okay I think but I prefer the naproxen. This works really well for the swelling and some for the pain, but that is about it.
Believe it or not, you can also try cherries. 100% cherry juice or fresh cherries. You have to eat a lot, but they can help with swelling. They help some folks with gouty arthritis too. Try it, it can't hurt, if you don't get some noticeable relief after trying if for a few days or a week, it probably won't help you past getting more fruit in your diet.