A discussion for people over 60: Let's focus on what we can do

Posted by nanette2022 @nanette2022, Feb 18, 2022

Is is possible to start a new discussion for over 60?

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

@sueinmn

My doc is recommending stents in both eyes when my cataracts are done in the Spring.
She feels it is a good long-term option.
Sue

Jump to this post

I have not heard about stents so cannot comment on that. I also had cataracts but the laser was done before. In fact my cataracts were not removed until 2005.
Anyway, good luck with your procedures.

REPLY
@victorkach

Happy Birthday, Pumpkin1!

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
@thisismarilynb

I have not heard about stents so cannot comment on that. I also had cataracts but the laser was done before. In fact my cataracts were not removed until 2005.
Anyway, good luck with your procedures.

Jump to this post

I’d say NEVER fear getting second & third opinions when it comes to your eyes. I have a blister in the cornea of my eye right now. I’m not calling my doctor or going to one. I put on a hot compress & wait, pause! Why am I talking =acronym, let nature take over. Sometimes that’s all we need to do. Doctors are just people like us. 🙏‼️

REPLY
@pumpkin1

I will be 82 on Christmas Day. I have all my senses intact (though some may dispute that🤪). Each year brings new physical challenges and yet I am so thankful for having led a life full of pleasure and, yes, even some pain and strain. No life is without it. In these years I have come to realize how important relationships are. If you are alone, though, you don’t have to be lonely. Reach out to others. Do something good for someone else. Say a heartfelt prayer for someone in need if you believe in the value of prayer. Clean the clutter, nature your plants. Call a friend who may be lonely. Treat yourself. Make an old holiday family recipe that you love, if you’re able. At the end of the day, relax, reflect on all the positive things you have experienced in your life, grab a good book, or watch your favorite holiday movie, and simply be thankful for what you do have.

Jump to this post

Happy Belated Birthday. My first child was born on Christmas. You guys are special!😊

REPLY
@loribmt

Nannette, of course you’re not the only person over 60 who is feeling the loss of what we were able to do in our 20s and every decade forward. But the ability to change and adapt is a gift we’re given.
Accept, adapt and move on, has been a motto of mine since my mid-30s. I’m now 68, been through a battle with leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant almost 3 years ago. I’ve lost most of my family members and a couple of really close friends. Covid has messed up the ability to physically interact with people but I stay connected and active.

My life has changed but I embrace every single day. I mourned for maybe 10 minutes over some of the things I can no longer do. I don’t dwell on the past or what I can’t do. I focus on what I can do and want to do! Then make it happen.

Heck, I was a gymnast, but at 68 I don’t lament that fact that I can’t do the iron cross on the free rings anymore or that I can’t flip effortlessly on the parallel bars, no backflips or cartwheels…unless it’s on the winter ice! 😅

But what I can do is walk 8 miles a day, or grab my paints or read or sew, or ride my bike. I have no limits. I don’t rely on others for my happiness. The only two things over which we have any control are our attitude and our effort.

Sometimes our fear of failure is what holds us back. What is it that you want to start but can’t?

Jump to this post

Love your attitude- just turned 65. Had 3 operations in 1 1/2 full knee replacement- went very well. Was looking forward to biking, walking & kayaking… then my low back started acting up. Forward… DX with spinal stenosis, have chronic sciatic. Started to feel so defeated, my attitude has always been positive, not so right now. I’m not ready for a fusion L3 L4
I go today to my first PT I’m hoping this will help.
I do like to read, I craft. Not feeling up to it now. I want my old attitude back!
Everything you said is true.

REPLY
@melc65

Love your attitude- just turned 65. Had 3 operations in 1 1/2 full knee replacement- went very well. Was looking forward to biking, walking & kayaking… then my low back started acting up. Forward… DX with spinal stenosis, have chronic sciatic. Started to feel so defeated, my attitude has always been positive, not so right now. I’m not ready for a fusion L3 L4
I go today to my first PT I’m hoping this will help.
I do like to read, I craft. Not feeling up to it now. I want my old attitude back!
Everything you said is true.

Jump to this post

Hi @melc65. I’m so sorry to hear about your hiccup in the return to full action with biking, walking and kayaking after your operations and knee surgery! Those are some of my favorites too…except the kayaking. I admit, my one fear is water! I like to be near it but not over or in it! LOL. Frankly the thought of 3 mm of plastic between me and certain death has my feet planted on the shore! 😂 I digress…

I can sure appreciate your frustration, with after all the effort it took to recover from knee surgery, that now you’re faced with sciatic back pain. It’s agonizing and impacts everything you do! I experienced some sciatic issues for a while after having a year of mostly physical inactivity recovering from medical drama. PT helped me immensely by increasing my core strength which took the onus off the back muscles to hold me up. The other thing that helped was to have sessions with my massage therapist. Her zeroing in on the areas most affected really eased the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Just tossing that out there for you to visit with a licensed massage therapist as an adjunct to your PT.

By the way, welcome to Connect! I hope you take time to peruse the site. There are 70+ support groups with tons of discussions veering off in every direction. But we’re all here to offer support, information, or hope to each other. So don’t hesitate to pop into any conversation!

It’s ok to have a pity party when you’re feeling crumby! Just don’t be the last guest to leave that party! LOL. You obviously have a positive attitude and that’s already propelling your forward with seeking out a fix as opposed to just sitting on the couch whining! So I wish you well with your PT today and hope it starts you on the new path to recovery.
What brought you to Mayo Connect?

REPLY
@melc65

Love your attitude- just turned 65. Had 3 operations in 1 1/2 full knee replacement- went very well. Was looking forward to biking, walking & kayaking… then my low back started acting up. Forward… DX with spinal stenosis, have chronic sciatic. Started to feel so defeated, my attitude has always been positive, not so right now. I’m not ready for a fusion L3 L4
I go today to my first PT I’m hoping this will help.
I do like to read, I craft. Not feeling up to it now. I want my old attitude back!
Everything you said is true.

Jump to this post

Hi @melc65 - I will echo @loribmt comments about the benefits of PT. I recently finished many months of chemotherapy and additional recovery time for blood cancer treatments. I struggled to exercise regularly during these treatments due to complications after chemotherapy each time.

I was finally excited and ready to ramp up my walking and strength training routines a few months ago and was quickly sidelined by sciatica which felt like my leg was going to fall off the pain was so intense. It was difficult to stand or walk for any length of time due to the severe pain. After X-ray and other scans to ensure no other issues, my doctor referred me to PT.

I am amazed at how quickly the exercises for core and lower body strengthening have helped. I was given exercise bands to increase strength and am impressed at how well they work (compared to my light free weights that I was trying to use). Just wanted to add positive comment for the potential benefits of PT since I was initially not sure if it would help.
Wishing you a good recovery and return to an active lifestyle.

REPLY

Exercise and weight management have been my best friends, I just turned 70 in October, and I'm so grateful that I can exercise for an hour to 2 hours a day. I have always struggled with my weight and this has been a big help in managing it. I have strengthened my core which has allowed me to control my balance (I've had issues with it in the past). I walk, work with stretch bands (which are amazing), ride a stationary bike, and work with weight machines. I have fibromyalgia and acute asthma, and it's helped me to control any flareups.

REPLY
@barbfe

Exercise and weight management have been my best friends, I just turned 70 in October, and I'm so grateful that I can exercise for an hour to 2 hours a day. I have always struggled with my weight and this has been a big help in managing it. I have strengthened my core which has allowed me to control my balance (I've had issues with it in the past). I walk, work with stretch bands (which are amazing), ride a stationary bike, and work with weight machines. I have fibromyalgia and acute asthma, and it's helped me to control any flareups.

Jump to this post

Hello barbfe
I completely agree with you. I, too, turned 70 this year (in April) and I also exercise each and everyday. I also use an stationary exercise bike and resistance bands as well some Pilates and some repetitive exercises like curls, squats and hinges. If I didn't do stretching exercises each day I would be stiff as a board.
I am a type 2 diabetic, have hypothyroidism, sleep apnea and Dilated Cardiomyopathy with LBBB resulting in stage 4 CHF. I also have a biventricular pacemaker, complete with a defibrillator since I am at risk of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
None the less, I have found regular exercise has not only improved my overall quality of life but it also gives me a sense of achievement; a sense of still having control over my life. I pay attention to my heart rate while exercising so as not to "push the envelope" with the defibrillator. 😉
Even though I have heart failure, it is important to keep my cardiac system as healthy as I can and exercise, along with diet and sufficient good quality sleep, help me achieve that goal. It is my wish to remain as physically - not to mention, mentally - independent for as long as I can.
Wishing you good health.

REPLY
@j0318

Hi @melc65 - I will echo @loribmt comments about the benefits of PT. I recently finished many months of chemotherapy and additional recovery time for blood cancer treatments. I struggled to exercise regularly during these treatments due to complications after chemotherapy each time.

I was finally excited and ready to ramp up my walking and strength training routines a few months ago and was quickly sidelined by sciatica which felt like my leg was going to fall off the pain was so intense. It was difficult to stand or walk for any length of time due to the severe pain. After X-ray and other scans to ensure no other issues, my doctor referred me to PT.

I am amazed at how quickly the exercises for core and lower body strengthening have helped. I was given exercise bands to increase strength and am impressed at how well they work (compared to my light free weights that I was trying to use). Just wanted to add positive comment for the potential benefits of PT since I was initially not sure if it would help.
Wishing you a good recovery and return to an active lifestyle.

Jump to this post

I went to PT and feel more hopeful. I got a very through exam and was sent home with 3 exercises to start with.
I am feeling g so much more hopeful. Thank you for your input!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.