61 years ago today: May 11, 1955

[FTG-05]

And what in the world are you other +60 year old types using for the daily, apparently-never-ending aches and pains???

Ibuprofen isn't cutting it anymore.

Thanks!

 

[CalG]

exercise!

 

[turnkey4099]

At 81 I'm still out there cutting/splitting/stacking firewood. Surprising myself dthat I am still able to sling around a chainsaw with a 32" bar!. Started working with Mike (mid 70s) a year ago. both of us go to same doc. Mike has some problems with a shoulder (injured in HS). doc said he could send him to Physical Therapy but what he is doing with me is far, far better.

As one gets oldeer the "Use it or lose it" comes into play.

Harry K

 

[PHPaul]

At 81 I'm still out there cutting/splitting/stacking firewood. Surprising myself dthat I am still able to sling around a chainsaw with a 32" bar!. Started working with Mike (mid 70s) a year ago. both of us go to same doc. Mike has some problems with a shoulder (injured in HS). doc said he could send him to Physical Therapy but what he is doing with me is far, far better.

As one gets oldeer the "Use it or lose it" comes into play.

Harry K

Bingo! I'm retired @ 65 but still very active. Sure, lots of stuff aches that didn't 20 (or even 10) years ago, but if you sit, it goes from achy to locked up. The Wife and I take a morning walk of at least 2 miles every morning, active outdoors most of the day. I also do stretching exercises to keep the hamstrings and the back limber. I can still bring my knees to my chest.

At the same time, be aware that your joints ARE wearing out and go easy on them. My main concessions to getting older are high density foam kneeling pads and a gardening kneeler with pads and handles to heave my wrinkled old arse back to my feet.

Also, any extra weight makes it just that much harder on your joints and feet, not to mention what it does to your BP. I'm currently working on losing the extra I put on over the Winter.

So far, Tylenol and Ibuprofen are covering those times when the discomfort gets to be too much.

 

[oosik]

At my age - 74 - its my hands that hurt in the morning, and my shoulder some times also a knee now and then. A hot shower helps a lot - getting out and doing things helps too. If the pain get really bad I always have hydrocodone, which I will use 2-3 times per year. I "fall down" a couple of times each year. Step on a small rock that twists and down I go. I think this is what keeps the shoulder pains active.

Getting old is the pits but its a lot worse if you just sit around. Keep busy - keeps the joints more mobile and takes the mind off any pain.

I can still do just about everything I always did - it just takes longer.

 

[Qapla]

I still work on a daily basis installing/repairing irrigation. I spent 20+ years installing carpet/flooring and have a number of aches and pains. To the largest extent, I just use use work to keep things mobile like others have said (I am 63+) and have a bad right hip, shoulder problems and the remnants of carpel tunnel in my hands. Everything does not work as good as it used to, but it still works

When I do need it, I take aspirin or Naproxen - Ibuprofen is not compatible with one of mt BP meds so I cannot take that for pain - I just had a change in one of my meds so I need to check and see if Naproxen is still OK so, in the mean time, I will stick to aspirin if I need something.

 

[Gary Fowler]

What others have said about exercise is true. I have arthritis bad in my neck, hands, shoulders and knees(just about my whole body) and my hip joints will need replacement when the pain gets to where I cant stand it any longer (this according to my orthopedic doctor). Celebrex used to work pretty good for the pain, but my doctor no longer prescribes it. I have taken Advil, Tylenol, and currently take 2 Naproxen in the morning and 1 at night (maximum dosage of 3). All of this can upset your stomach and liver but one has to take his chances with pain or side effects of pain reliever some time. This works well when I am outside working and keeping limber, but on a rainy day when I cant get outside to work and keep my joints mobile, I get stiff all over.

A few days ago I was setting around with my neighbors, 2 of which are same age as me (66) and one couple is 80&85 and still active. We were talking about our ailments as old folks do when they get together and Mike, the across the street neighbor lady, said she has no ailments, no pains completely healthy. Don't you just hate old folks like that? She does all the yard work and is constantly doing something which is good. She is my work buddy and anytime I don't have any work around my place, I go over and help her just so I can keep active because if I don't, then I am stove up and hurt all over till I can get outside and move around.

Today might be one of those stove up days- It is supposed to rain all day. Changing weather affects me also, whether storm front or clearing, it makes my joints stiffen up for a day or so during and after the change.

 

[Looking4new]

I use naproxen when my 69+ old joints complain. Arthritus in both hands, bursitus in one shoulder and rotator cuff damage in the other one. Both knees have had it and when it gets bad I have a blackthorn cane I use. I still drive truck and am going back to my summer job hauling asphalt cement tomorrow.

 

[CobyRupert]

Getting old is the pits but its a lot worse if you just sit around.

I thought you were going to say: "Getting old is the pits but it beats the alternative!"

 

[Egon]

The old saying "use it or lose it" may be a little deceptive. In some cases it may be "use it and wear it out"
Or perhaps "use it while you can before your genes catch up"