Getting Old Ain't For Sissies!!!
By alaskanray
@alaskanray (4636)
United States
June 22, 2010 4:26pm CST
A few years ago my right knee started hurting. I saw my doctor who ordered an MRI only to discover that I had virtually no cartilage left in that knee. For several years I went through getting shots of Kenalog in that knee. Soon my left knee was following suit and so I was getting shots in both knees for a long time. After a while, however, the shots quit working. Oddly enough, it was my left knee, not my right that wore down to bone-on-bone first. It was like they were having a race.
Last July I got my left knee replaced. One thing I learned from that experience was that when it comes time to get the right knee done, I will NOT be having the surgery in summertime. Why? Simple - I like to swim during the summer and when you have a knee replacement you can plan on spending a good three months or more NOT swimming. 
My new knee feels great these days and I can hardly tell they ever broke the bones to put it in. Only now I'm at a point where my right knee is bothering me so I'm looking at possibly getting that one done this fall.
In the meantime my back has started tweaking on me and my tailbone will not let me sit for any length of time. I remember when I was young and my mother was hurting like I am now, how I could never understand why she couldn't walk very far and why she was always yelping out in pain. Boy, do I understand now! My bones creak, my muscles are inflamed and it's all I can do to get my shopping done with the help of a motor cart that the store provides.
What are the things you're noticing about getting older? I always expected the gray hair and wrinkles but the disabling pain is more than I ever thought I'd experience. What has surprised you that you weren't expecting when you got older? Please, unless you are 50+ years old, I don't consider you "older". 
My new knee feels great these days and I can hardly tell they ever broke the bones to put it in. Only now I'm at a point where my right knee is bothering me so I'm looking at possibly getting that one done this fall.
In the meantime my back has started tweaking on me and my tailbone will not let me sit for any length of time. I remember when I was young and my mother was hurting like I am now, how I could never understand why she couldn't walk very far and why she was always yelping out in pain. Boy, do I understand now! My bones creak, my muscles are inflamed and it's all I can do to get my shopping done with the help of a motor cart that the store provides.
What are the things you're noticing about getting older? I always expected the gray hair and wrinkles but the disabling pain is more than I ever thought I'd experience. What has surprised you that you weren't expecting when you got older? Please, unless you are 50+ years old, I don't consider you "older". 3 responses
@sallyj (1225)
• United States
23 Jun 10
Boy isn't that the truth. I have RA and OA, so we try to keep the swelling of RA down without going to far and make the OA worse.
I have had the knuckle joints replaced two times and found that fall or spring is the best. The hand get up to hold the fingers in traction for most of the day gets hot and causes pressure sores.
Along with you, my knees are getting bad. The shots do not last very long. Guess that will be soon. Oh well.
1 person likes this
@sallyj (1225)
• United States
23 Jun 10
That was my 40th birthday present (the doctor's office called).
I am 57. Yes the knuckles swell, the tendons tear away from the joints and they pull sideways. When they replace the joint, they reattach the connective tissue and realign the fingers. The joint is not strong enough to do some jobs without breaking.
The pain is similar. No fun.
As far as i know, i am the only one in my family with RA, but it is a familiar tendency, and i sure worry about my granddaughters.
And they say age is only in your mind. Bull, i think young but am to old to act that way. 
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
1 Jan 11
I hear you loud and clear there, Sally! I often think I'm too young to be this old! Inside I'm still young and vital and often forget that I'm limited in what I can do...until I try to do it! Ouchies!
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
23 Jun 10
Yeh, I don't have RA but definitely OA. I feel for you. I knew a lady whose RA was so bad, her fingers actually laid sideways against her knuckles. RA doesn't run in my family and I understand that it is hereditary.
May I ask how old you are? I always feel like I'm too young to be this old. 
@ElicBxn (63233)
• United States
22 Jun 10
I discovered about 10 yrs ago that I have something called fibromyalgia, and causes some just incredible amount of pain. The kicker is, that until my mom's 4th or 5th stroke, she was healthier than I was!
Yeah, she had a bout of tennis elbow, and some arthritis in a few fingers, but she never had the problems I have had.
Heck, the worst injury she ever sustained was a sprained ankle! and that wasn't until she was in her late 60's!
I'm now in my mid-50's and I can promise you, I hurt worse than she did at my age...
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
22 Jun 10
I, too, have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I KNOW the pain! For me it is coupled with crippling fatigue so I spend a lot of time bedridden. I cannot maintain an exercise program for a number of reasons and every time I try to exercise, instead of increased mobility and stamina, my stamina actually decreases! Go figure, eh? I'm just 52, myself. It's amazing what some folks have to deal with at such a relatively young age, isn't it? 
1 person likes this
@jojosantos (6)
•
23 Jun 10
That's natural for a person of over 50 to have those problems. Perhaps, one reason is the lifestyle, how you take care of your health, diet, less exercise, etc. That's why when I reached forty, I immediately programmed myself to healthy lifestyle. I assumed myself to be in my 20's. I don't bother going with young people, cause being with them feels younger. Taking exercise seriously lessens the pain in my body. I don't mind some changes like white hair, wrinkles and slower body movements. What I feel is that I'm not getting older. It's all in the mind. Right?
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
23 Jun 10
LOL...well, that may be part of it. Some is also genetics. I am genetically prone to things like diabetes and obesity. I was never someone who could exercise just for the sake of exercise. My most fit times in life were when I was using my legs and bike to get around. I remember when riding 13 miles on my bike to visit my friend was nothing...I just did it. But when I moved and those things were no longer available to me, it was harder to get any exercise. A lot depends on the personality and social circle that a person finds himself in. Not everyone is able to make the kind of permanent changes you have because not everyone is as self-determined as you are.
I know with me, I don't feel better when I exercise. It doesn't build stamina or strength in me, contrary to most folks and popular belief. All exercise does is wear me out.
