I'm falling apart

[tulip]

Oh honey, sad to say it gets worse as we get older.

[soapbox]

I don't buy that wholesale. This is not about the OP now, but about aging in general. I think alot of people (no one here, mind you) stop taking proper care of themselves through diet and exercise, experience pains and aches and such, and blame it on "getting old." In fact, they are getting fat and lazy and not taking care of themselves!

My mother is approaching 70. She does yoga and rides her bike and keeps lean. She takes no meds (well, I take that back, she takes lithium--and thank goodness for that!), and has no "aches and pains." Friggin almost 70!!

Have I experienced aches and pains? Absolutely. A few years ago I developed very bad back problems--ack, it's because I'm getting old! My doctor wanted to give me pain relievers. I said no way, take me to the source so I can fix the problem that started this. I did that, and yes I have to pay special attention to my back and keep my weight down and pay particular attention to my core strength. But I'm not taking any meds and my back is much better...as is the rest of me because I'm taking care of the whole thing. A friend of mine, on the other hand, just takes the pills, gains weight, and complains about both the pain and her weight, says she's getting old! Go figure.

Take the best care of yourself as possible. Yes, of course, some people will have medical issues that are beyond their control and that have to be addressed and that's fine. But don't wither away in a pity party of aging!

Thank you.

[/soapbox]

[Zen]

How old are you, Tulip?

[IFjane]

[soapbox]


My mother is approaching 70. She does yoga and rides her bike and keeps lean.

Have I experienced aches and pains? Absolutely.
Take the best care of yourself as possible. Yes, of course, some people will have medical issues that are beyond their control and that have to be addressed and that's fine. But don't wither away in a pity party of aging!

Thank you.

[/soapbox]

What Tulip said!

And I will add - my mother is 86, will be 87 in March. She is still active, though slowing down a bit. Four years ago my son and I had her riding a bike in Keystone, CO. She had not been on a bike in many years but as they say, you don't forget. She had a ball! She has lots of aches and pains but pushes past them and keeps active. I only hope to be that way when I "grow up".

I, too, have many aches and pains but I will be darned if I am going to let them stop me. I am determined to fight age every step of the way!

[ACG]

Thanks for the responses. The doctor who told me to cut back on the cycling got dumped. I found a chiro who is working on the pinched nerve and I am now (after several bouts of bronchitis) taking my allergy meds. I hate taking drugs. I am concentrating on loosing weight. I'm about 30lbs overweight.

My blood pressure was at my last doctor visit 68/98, pretty good I think. I am going to get blood work as soon as this UTI clears up, but last time, everything was at good levels.

I am always the person who tells everyone to look at the glass as half full. You are the only group I've expressed this negative feeling to. When I read your posts I realize my glass is 1/2 full and I'm not going to stop being active for anything. Thanks again.

I love hearing about people's mom's being so active, that's the kind of mom I want to be.

[mizzbananie]

My auntie is 80 & hikes, fishes, camps.. She is so alive and active! I hope to be like her. Every time I see a peer or older on the bike path I feel more convinced that I have a good chance at staying 'young' and actve myself. I'm 52 & perimenipausal. Hear us roar, huh?

[Bike Chick]

Tulip, I agree with a lot of what you have to say, but would also like to know how old you are. I'm twice as active as I was at 30 and take much better care of myself but since I passed 50, I've noticed a big change in how fast I recover and in how my fast my body is changing. The best thing I can do for me is to stay active and hope I set a good example for my children and grandchildren. Are you over 50?

[OakLeaf]

Okay, I hope this isn't too grim for you.

I'm not falling apart. I only just turned 50. Yeah, I have more skeletal aches and pains than I did at 28, but I'm a lot better equipped to take care of myself, and I have a whole lot fewer problems of other kinds.

I also know that every single person I know over 75, intimately enough to have such a conversation with - including those who are now deceased whom I knew while I was an adult - every one with the sole exception of my mother, who, God bless her, could find something to enjoy in Hell - every one has told me, "Don't get old."

I'm at the age to think about taking that advice. It's a very serious component of my living will, medical POA, and current medical planning.

[tulip]

As I said, it's a soapbox. You have to let me have my say when I'm on it.

I am 42. I just can't hold my liquor like I used to...

[tulip]

BTW, in response to what Oakleaf said...I want to live until I die. None of this in-between stuff.

[katluvr]

[QUOTE

I am 42. I just can't hold my liquor like I used to...[/QUOTE]

yeah, that sucks!

I, too, am in "better shape" than my "younger days". I have a hard time dealing with the "NUMBER" (age). I, do, feel like I have more aches and pains. I am also having a LOT of lower back pain. I think alot is related to my very tight hamstrings and yes I need to work on core. I suspect I will encouter more and more of these aches I did not have before. I think that goes with aging. But just think if we did not try and be active like we are. And it is a mind set. (IMO).

My Womans Tour in Moab this past Oct. About 1/2 of us were in the 40-early 50 range. Various shapes and sizes. The other 1/2 were all in there 70's. And they road the same darn hills I did...maybe a bit slower. But they did it. (not sure where I am going here).

I, agree, it is the "recovery" that is tougher and just a few other things I have to deal with. But I will not let it stop me from moving.
I also agree with other posts, look for a medical professional that will work WITH you and not just blame it on age or tell you to stop what you love.
Good luck and hope everyone here fells great today.
(I myself am very sore--very tight--too many lunges with personal trainer yesterday AM. Now when I get out of my office chair I really do walk like an old OLD lady!)
K

[PamNY]

[soapbox]

I don't buy that wholesale. This is not about the OP now, but about aging in general. I think alot of people (no one here, mind you) stop taking proper care of themselves through diet and exercise, experience pains and aches and such, and blame it on "getting old." In fact, they are getting fat and lazy and not taking care of themselves!

My mother is approaching 70. She does yoga and rides her bike and keeps lean. She takes no meds (well, I take that back, she takes lithium--and thank goodness for that!), and has no "aches and pains." Friggin almost 70!!

Have I experienced aches and pains? Absolutely. A few years ago I developed very bad back problems--ack, it's because I'm getting old! My doctor wanted to give me pain relievers. I said no way, take me to the source so I can fix the problem that started this. I did that, and yes I have to pay special attention to my back and keep my weight down and pay particular attention to my core strength. But I'm not taking any meds and my back is much better...as is the rest of me because I'm taking care of the whole thing. A friend of mine, on the other hand, just takes the pills, gains weight, and complains about both the pain and her weight, says she's getting old! Go figure.

Take the best care of yourself as possible. Yes, of course, some people will have medical issues that are beyond their control and that have to be addressed and that's fine. But don't wither away in a pity party of aging!

Thank you.

[/soapbox]

Tulip, I agree with you completely. I am 59, by the way.

To the OP, my sympathies -- having a lot of stuff go wrong at once is awful, but it can happen at any age. I would encourage you to avoid anticipating problems related to menopause; everything I've ever heard was a total crock.

Pam

[Zen]

I will say this much. Five years ago one of my doctors told me i had reached the five year survivor mark. I was stunned. I never considered dying, the thought had never crossed my mind. I only considered doing what I had to do and moving on.
So I deal with it and do what I can and no,it doesn't get any easier as I get older.