1. < Aging Well
Profile picture for grahmilou

How to deal with aging anxiety?

Posted by grahmilou @grahmilou, Dec 30, 2025

The last few years have been hard with multiple surgeries, now recovered, but ongoing pain. The loss of friends recently as they passed and the worrying about how the road feels like it’s getting so much shorter. constantly worrying about the process of dying. trying to stay grateful for today but sometimes the anxiety feels overwhelming especially as I see our country chance for worse and worry about the world for my grandchildren.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Profile picture for pml
pml | @pml | 3 days ago
In reply to @reemylove "I also talk with God. I am alone and in constant pain from shingles plus GI..." + (show)
Profile picture for reemylove @reemylove

I also talk with God. I am alone and in constant pain from shingles plus GI issues and kidney issues but no doctor will get the root causes they just say its aging getting old.
They di not like to give referrals to help. I dont know what else to do

Jump to this post

@reemylove
I'm so sorry that you are in such pain and the doctors aren't helping! Maybe you should find a new doctor. The fact that you talk to God is good! Keep talking to him and he'll fix everything for you. I talk to God all the time and sometimes answers are slow in coming but they get there. God does everything in his time but he does answer prayers. I'll say a prayer for you.
I wish you the best.
PML

REPLY
Profile picture for cecilyl
cecilyl | @cecilyl | 3 days ago
In reply to @bobweller "I am going on 71 and had 2 organ transplants the past 26 years. I find..." + (show)
Profile picture for bobweller @bobweller

I am going on 71 and had 2 organ transplants the past 26 years. I find today, I fear death more today than when I had my first transplant and my son was going into 4th grade. Our government is getting worse and worse now. Its sad and scary. I thought I was for sure, going to die when I was waiting on my second transplant 9 years ago. According to my many doctors things seem to be going fine. I am surprised but happy im many ways. However, after brushing up against death 3 times in my life time, you would think my mind would have accepted the end could be right around the corner. One big thing that has help me deal daily is my dog. I know not everybody likes or can be around animals. But he has been a blessing each day. He takes my mind off things and causes me to focus on him. When I feel sad, I can hugh and kiss him. He is a Golden Retriever.

Jump to this post

@bobweller Wow, that is a lot and a kind of hell in itself.
You're lucky the transplants worked.
I think animals are wonderful whether or not they are therapy animals. They ARE therapy animals even if not officially.
I like dogs although I have two cats. They like to be with me and contrary to the stereotype of felines, cats are affectionate albeit in a different way.
They also need affection and play or they become depressed.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for kjoed53
kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | 2 days ago
In reply to @reemylove "I also talk with God. I am alone and in constant pain from shingles plus GI..." + (show)
Profile picture for reemylove @reemylove

I also talk with God. I am alone and in constant pain from shingles plus GI issues and kidney issues but no doctor will get the root causes they just say its aging getting old.
They di not like to give referrals to help. I dont know what else to do

Jump to this post

@reemylove
I'm sorry your doctor is dismissing your pain. Have you considered changing doctors?

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for gracierose
gracierose | @gracierose | 2 days ago

I understand what you are saying! I also get upset when things I used to do for myself have now gotten so hard! I want to age gracefully, but seems like you need to be a warrior to keep going! My garden used to be my savior-but now I feel like I have to hire someone to dig a hole for a new plant or trim an overgrown one! This is so hard to adapt to-but I’m trying! I’m working hard to be grateful for everyday, but I do miss the spontaneity and fearlessness I used to feel…

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for greengold
greengold | @greengold | 2 days ago
In reply to @gracierose "I understand what you are saying! I also get upset when things I used to do..." + (show)
Profile picture for gracierose @gracierose

I understand what you are saying! I also get upset when things I used to do for myself have now gotten so hard! I want to age gracefully, but seems like you need to be a warrior to keep going! My garden used to be my savior-but now I feel like I have to hire someone to dig a hole for a new plant or trim an overgrown one! This is so hard to adapt to-but I’m trying! I’m working hard to be grateful for everyday, but I do miss the spontaneity and fearlessness I used to feel…

Jump to this post

@gracierose
I hear you. I used to be fearless, but now that I'm 86, I think twice about the adventures I still would like to have!
And also if I want to plant a fruit tree, I'm looking for someone to dig the hole.
And I think as we get older and we are still working things out to stay active and healthy, we are "warriors".
Maybe we are "Life Warriors" or "Warriors to the End" or "Intrepid Warriors". What do you think..we could coin a new phrase for us?

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for gracierose
gracierose | @gracierose | 2 days ago
In reply to @greengold "@gracierose I hear you. I used to be fearless, but now that I'm 86, I think..." + (show)
Profile picture for greengold @greengold

@gracierose
I hear you. I used to be fearless, but now that I'm 86, I think twice about the adventures I still would like to have!
And also if I want to plant a fruit tree, I'm looking for someone to dig the hole.
And I think as we get older and we are still working things out to stay active and healthy, we are "warriors".
Maybe we are "Life Warriors" or "Warriors to the End" or "Intrepid Warriors". What do you think..we could coin a new phrase for us?

Jump to this post

@greengold
Thank you so much! A new term is appropriate, I think! I love Life Warriors! Continue the fight…

REPLY
Profile picture for reemylove
reemylove | @reemylove | 2 days ago
In reply to @gravity3 "@reemylove I'm sorry you are having such difficulties. I have to say that I would not..." + (show)
Profile picture for gravity3 @gravity3

@reemylove

I'm sorry you are having such difficulties. I have to say that I would not appreciate a thoughtless answer like your doctor's. It feels lazy to simply say it has to do with aging. May I ask how old you are?

Jump to this post

I am 79@gravity3

REPLY
Profile picture for reemylove
reemylove | @reemylove | 2 days ago
In reply to @kjoed53 "@reemylove I'm sorry your doctor is dismissing your pain. Have you considered changing doctors?" + (show)
Profile picture for kjoed53 @kjoed53

@reemylove
I'm sorry your doctor is dismissing your pain. Have you considered changing doctors?

Jump to this post

kjoed53
Yes i am in the process of changing doctors

REPLY
Profile picture for reemylove
reemylove | @reemylove | 2 days ago
In reply to @kjoed53 "@reemylove I'm sorry your doctor is dismissing your pain. Have you considered changing doctors?" + (show)
Profile picture for kjoed53 @kjoed53

@reemylove
I'm sorry your doctor is dismissing your pain. Have you considered changing doctors?

Jump to this post

@kjoed53
Yes i need to change doctors

REPLY
Profile picture for reemylove
reemylove | @reemylove | 2 days ago
In reply to @dederickve "@reemylove I have never had such pain as Shingles pain ! It cannot be described, if..." + (show)
Profile picture for dederickve @dederickve

@reemylove I have never had such pain as Shingles pain ! It cannot be described, if one has a severe case. No, it is not from getting old ! What in the world ? !

Jump to this post

@dederickve
Shingle pain is debilitating it is very painful and pain pills are awful but its your only relief. I went thru about 3 injections didn't help but there was a surgery I could have gotten but doctors are slow to give you a referral for some reason. The always say aging but that's a cop out. It's really a medical monopoly

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.