My so called golden years are becoming brown

[Brian41]

Sorry to hear of your issues as I'm 61 and learning of those myself. I've had two back surgeries now and had to retire last year as I couldn't do the job anymore. All those years of thinking myself invincible and not lifting correctly did me in.
Since my last surgery I'm in lots less pain and can do quite a bit and am thankful for that. I am a little concerned though as to what's next to come.

 

[Shooting Padre]

I am 66 years old and have health issues also, the main one right now is a very bad back. But reading many of your posts here shows me how blessed I am with just these issues. Some of you are dealing with so much more than I, and my heart goes out to you. This I can do, is keep all of you in prayer for healing, comfort and better days, that at the minimum, God will see you through these times. We all wear out with age is true. Thanks for sharing your situations, it helps to know we are not alone in our trials. I'm beginning to believe one of the best things in old age is we have more compassion on those who suffer with us. God bless all.

 

[JcMack]

I'm 67 while I don't have back issues, it seems though that I have heart and neuropathy issues. Frankly I don't care anymore. I am however really worried about my little dog that it seems has a torn ACL

 

[1morethan8]

I've been a very lucky man over the years.
I'll be 66 in October, if the good Lord sees fit?

I don't take any prescription medicine...
I've never had surgery or been admitted into a hospital,
or had a broken bone. And I don't remember ever having a cold...
but I did have the "real flu" back in 1972, which was the only time.

I don't put total trust in doctors and prescription medicine is viewed as "borderline poison"! And many times I believe the side effects can be worst than a help or cure.

Many believe herbal medicine isn't much more than snake oil...
Granny was an old school herbalist and Mom knew a great deal about natural medicines. Growing up, I was always afraid to cough or sneeze... no telling what I'd receive!

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man." Psalm 104:14

...maybe Granny was right!?

 

[feralmerril]

Long ago I was told by a female doctor that I was healthier than I deserve to be. I still am trying to figure that one out.
My 17 year younger wife has really been going through it. She injured her back before we met. From a wheelchair to walker and was on canes when we married. Over a year ago she had a foot operation and it went bad and had to be redone. For over a year now she has been pretty much laid up. We bought a RZR (side by side UTV) so she can get out on the trails again. That has restored her will to live. We have been taking beautiful trail rides every 2nd or 3rd day again. Only thing is we will be in big trouble if it brakes down in the middle of nowhere and every ride we get in the middle of nowhere. Point is there is always alternative things we can hope to do.

 

[tops]

I'm 72 crippled and stove up from a life time of doing hard labor and playing silly games. I am not as strong and agile as I once was and it doesn't take much to wear me out but then again I don't want to do as much as I once did. I am happy doing things I couldn't do when I wanted too in my past life. I am on my own schedule. I eat when I am hungry and sleep when I am sleepy. I visit with the farmers, volunteer at church, go to the gun club, eat ice cream, watch tv, waste time on the computer and play with my tractor. I like being old. Larry

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

Wotta coincidence............

I've been looking at canes all week cuz of my disabilities.

If I gotta walk w/a cane, I wanted one that's different from what all the other 'lamers' are using.

So far this is the best site I've found as far as choice and prices go.

Walking Canes, Walking Sticks, and more at Fashionable Walking Canes

Just thought I'd post the site in case any of you other guys need a helper.

I bought the Buffalo horn 'derby' handled model w/a Wenge wood shaft. It's a nice looking and sturdy cane getting used for my youngest daughter's wedding which is coming up in a couple of weeks.

I'm in the process of getting off the 'Percosets'. 6-10mg a day for the last 3 years and I've had my fill.

I enrolled in a 'Pain Clinic' cuz it's getting out of hand.

 

[EQGuy]

I want to thank everyone that replied. It is good to know that I am not alone with these problems. Like I said earlier at least what I have can be corrected. I am still a bit shocked at the news the Doc gave me as I was pretty sure I was not in that bad shape. I trust this doctor but I am going to get a second opinion just to be on the safe side. I guess the good news, if you want to call it that, is I know what to expect as I have been there before.

 

[hanken]

As far as l'm concerned there is nothing pretty about getting old!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[kozmic]

Sounds like a tough few years.

I gotta ask, with all of your upper body and back issues, what did you do for your working career? I'm guessing bull rider!

 

[EQGuy]

Sounds like a tough few years.

I gotta ask, with all of your upper body and back issues, what did you do for your working career? I'm guessing bull rider!

Actually I spent most of the time sitting at a desk working a computer. The rest of the time I was crawling around in buildings, dams and bridges installing instrumentation to record damaging earthquakes. I think it is hereditary as I believe my father suffered the same maladies but I do not think they were as able to address these issues at the time. Now I know what he met when he used to tell me, "Son I'm all stove up!"
Maybe it was not too good of an idea to pack that whole boned out Dall Sheep off the mountain when I was 59.

 

[Kinman]

Getting old ain't for sissies...I have found that you need to stay active and not listen to what most doctors have to say, if you can get up and get moving...Do It...or you are gonna die my friend its really simple...the more active I have become since I retired two years ago the better I feel today, I have one crushed L1 vertabrae, a number of comprimised discs, mangled left foot and leg in a motocycle wreck when I was 22, complete removal of my prostate, knee surgery...I walk on average of 2 miles ever other day and shoot black powder rifles three days a week with a bunch of crotchety old guys...you gotta get up and get with it, and drink more water than you ever have in your life...my goal is 160 ounces a day, I've only made it a couple of times but ever since I started my leg cramps have all but disappeared and I used to get some real killers in the middle of the night...they are gone.

 

[BigBill]

Back in 91 & 93 I had cartridge removed in both knees, I had prostate cancer last year. Now that's in remission. I then found out I have spinal stenosis in 12" of my lower back. The spinal canal is tight on the nerves. I also have a severe case of arthritis in the same area. Yesterday I found out my lower back on both sides is full of knots.

I think my golden years just turned into my cast iron years.

 

[EQGuy]

Getting old ain't for sissies...I have found that you need to stay active and not listen to what most doctors have to say, if you can get up and get moving...Do It...or you are gonna die my friend its really simple...the more active I have become since I retired two years ago the better I feel today, I have one crushed L1 vertabrae, a number of comprimised discs, mangled left foot and leg in a motocycle wreck when I was 22, complete removal of my prostate, knee surgery...I walk on average of 2 miles ever other day and shoot black powder rifles three days a week with a bunch of crotchety old guys...you gotta get up and get with it, and drink more water than you ever have in your life...my goal is 160 ounces a day, I've only made it a couple of times but ever since I started my leg cramps have all but disappeared and I used to get some real killers in the middle of the night...they are gone.

That is some good advice. I did shoot sporting clays yesterday but I only shot 50 shells and used my semi auto 20 ga. I hear what you say about listening to doctors but it is hard to ignore the numbness in my arms. I used to walk about 3 miles every day until I almost got ran over while crossing the road with the green light. I do need to start drinking more water. I enjoy shooting BPCR Silhouette with my original Hepburns but I have switched to shooting high power and small bore silhouette. Luckily I have had a couple of rifles built in light recoiling calibers, 6mmBR and 6.5X47 Lapua because the recoil of my 308 was bothering me post the shoulder surgery. I plan on shooting a benchrest match tomorrow using the 6mmBR. I am not going to give up but I feel like I have a large anvil suspended over my head and the rope is old and weak like me.

 

[skrazo]

Sorry to hear of your situation and experiences. Hope things get better for you soon.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

thank you OP you just saved me a office co pay. I was wondering why my right arm and hand are numb all the time. sometimes I can not even move them.

 

[vigil617]

EQGuy, just want you to know that I think you're pretty courageous to share your situation and thoughts here, especially as it moves others to do the same. There is a kind of relief in knowing we aren't alone in our struggles and challenges, though I'm sure the kind of relief you'd prefer would be for pain and disability to go away and never return.

You and others in similar situations still have a lot to offer this world, as experience of the kinds you've had (and are having) -- not only medical, but others in life too -- can enrich other people. It all helps make us more grateful for the life we have had, and that we have.

Most especially, I pray for you to receive relief from your pain, which has a way of infiltrating so much of the rest of life. For what it's worth, I want you to know that I admire your resilience -- and that of you other folks who have participated in this thread -- and that, for my money, you are tough as nails and extraordinarily brave in the face of adversity.

Godspeed to all.

 

[POPPER]

Old Age

Another one of my books. Sorry! In 1995 I totaled out a PETERBILT when i made love to a drunk driver in east Texas at 1.30 am New Years day who ran a red light and knocked my steering out from under me and I ended up turning over into a GMC parking lot wiping out three new GMC pickups and a marquee sign. Turned over on the driver side. That was a fun ride and took me 8 or 9 months to heal up from that mess not to mention at that time I was told I had conjestive heart failure, punctured lungs, broke ribs, fractured jaw and on and on. Anyway enough of that ****. You learn to deal with it OK? The doctors at Vanderbilt in Nashville were hell bent on doing back surgery on some of the supposedly damaged disc etc. I said no and found a theropist who got me hooked up on a stretching devise that cured all my back problems. Bottom line for me at age 75yrs if Tennessee 90 proof George Dickel sour mash whisky and water won't fix it tough!!!! I don't or won't take any meds. But Hey! that's my deal OK? Don't put much faith in pill pushers! Popper

 

[moosedog]

Take a tour of a children's hospital one day and then ask yourself how you feel?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

They are called golden years because we urinate so much. Thank God for the good years we get and the chance to do what makes sense as we wind down to that last hurrah. Good luck to all of us who have choices to make.