You know you're old when...

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

Just turned 75 earlier this month. I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis in my lower back years ago. Also, left knee pain as a result of an on-the-job injury 15 year ago (meniscus).

So, sucked it up and started walking. Really was uncomfortable at first, but now doing much, much better. I admit that there are days when I really don't want to walk, but I do it anyway. Result is that walking works. I feel much better; legs and balance are much better; I sleep better; losing a few pounds; digestion has improved... and last of all (but not least), I get to hold hands with my wife of 53 years while we walk.

Happy belated 75th birthday!

Yes, walking is great. I go 6 nights a week for a brisk 3 mile walk. I expect to be taking my walks for another 20 years or more.

I'm passing on exercises tonight (because my back's still sore), which I usually do Mon, Wed, and Fri. Will do some stretching instead. But I will be going on my walk. Hoping that it does more good than bad.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dmatre

I hear ya.

I can remember when I thought a self-driven mower was a weakness for the 'others' on the block. I'd push the mower across the lawn and try to set a new time record every weekend.

Now, I'm considering how much longer I'll push this self-drive mower before I hire a lawn service.

Getting old sucks! (But it beats the alternative)

I used to trade services with a local lawn care place. I maintained their computers and they mowed my lawn. No money exchanged. That ended several years ago so I went back to mowing my own lawn. But my yard surface sucks and I was twisting my ankles every other mow. A young couple moved in across the street and I noticed he was mowing some of my neighbors' yards with a huge self-propelled push mower. He charges less than any local lawn care place, so I've been paying him to mow my lawn for a few years now. Don't miss it a bit.

[rwheels]

Originally Posted by 3.0L

You watched Mr. Wizard:

The "modern" Mister Wizard.

[vreihen16]

Speaking of lawns, my DW just ordered several hundred dollars worth of artificial turf for our front lawn. The back yard is mowed by a lawn service these days, since paying them to cut it with a professional ZTR mower is cheaper than doing it ourselves in the long run after factoring in tick-borne illnesses.....

[UncleWede]

I drove 6 hours today, then had to yield to my younger brother. I'm laid out on the back seat to try to stretch out the back. Walked this morning again, but didn't have time for jacuzzi/pool before hitting the road

[M_Six]

Had some flooring done today. The installer brought his two kids to help. They busted their butts all day (about 10 hours) and were still full of energy.

I did a lot of watching and some moving of furniture before and after. Then we went for a walk. I'm dog tired and my feet are killing me. Dr. Jameson to the rescue.

[Nachbar]

… you rather go out for dinner, then having seggs with a tinder date.

Said a friend to me, yesterday at dinner 😁

[sygazelle]

....when you attend cub scout camp as an adult volunteer and you find that you have 4 grand kids participating and that the Scout Master is your son.

[Esteban]

I've had a serious lower back ache now for over a week. I'm starting to feel it in my stomach. Trying not to do any bending or anything that might aggravate it. Don't really think this is a getting old thing. Not sure what I think. Will give it another week to get better, then call my doctor.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I've had a serious lower back ache now for over a week. I'm starting to feel it in my stomach. Trying not to do any bending or anything that might aggravate it. Don't really think this is a getting old thing. Not sure what I think. Will give it another week to get better, then call my doctor.

Why wait? Go now.

What is it with men and doctors?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Why wait? Go now.

What is it with men and doctors?

I'm not like that. I go when it's necessary. This might just be a back ache. I do a lot of chores around the house and in the yard. Another week isn't too long to wait for a back ache to go away.

[M_Six]

When you have to climb 3/4 of the way up a 12ft ladder and it scares the crap out of you.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

What is it with men and doctors?

I'll never understand it. My cardiologist sent me home from the hospital to die in 2016, and we all know how that turned out!

Seriously though, I'd suggest that Esteban get to the doctor now, before something as simple as a bladder infection winds up spreading to his kidneys or something.....

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

I'll never understand it. My cardiologist sent me home from the hospital to die in 2016, and we all know how that turned out!

Seriously though, I'd suggest that Esteban get to the doctor now, before something as simple as a bladder infection winds up spreading to his kidneys or something.....

Appreciate the concern. Already have an appointment today for my semi-annual lab tests. Let's see what shows up there.

[Dino GT]

Originally Posted by Esteban

I've had a serious lower back ache now for over a week. I'm starting to feel it in my stomach. Trying not to do any bending or anything that might aggravate it. Don't really think this is a getting old thing. Not sure what I think. Will give it another week to get better, then call my doctor.

Go see a doctor asap.
It`s probably nothing serious, but I lot of problems start with back pain.

I friend of mine was complaining of back pain a few weeks ago for about a week.
He finally had to go to the emergency, that`s how bad the pain was.
It turned out to be just inflammation from him doing some work around the house.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Dino GT

Go see a doctor asap.
It`s probably nothing serious, but I lot of problems start with back pain.

I friend of mine was complaining of back pain a few weeks ago for about a week.
He finally had to go to the emergency, that`s how bad the pain was.
It turned out to be just inflammation from him doing some work around the house.

That's what I'm thinking about the work around the house. Going to take it easy this week (no chores) and see if that helps. Probably just a little inflammation.

Blood test results will show if there's any kind of infection.

[rwheels]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Appreciate the concern. Already have an appointment today for my semi-annual lab tests. Let's see what shows up there.

Instead of appointments, go to urgent care. It should cost the same as your deductible, but quicker results. I’ve had those pains, but mine turned out to be urinary infections.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Esteban

That's what I'm thinking about the work around the house. Going to take it easy this week (no chores) and see if that helps. Probably just a little inflammation.

Blood test results will show if there's any kind of infection.

A week later and my back is better. Just an overworked back that needed a little rest. Blood tests and urinalysis results are in and are all within normal range. Back to life as usual.

[SpeedBuggy]

Originally Posted by Esteban

A week later and my back is better. Just an overworked back that needed a little rest. Blood tests and urinalysis results are in and are all within normal range. Back to life as usual.

Understand the rest, slow and easy for a bit. Some stretches and exercises but don't overdo.

I like yourself feeling better after a couple of weeks. Mine was bad enough I needed a prescription for steroids. Still using Ibprofen and Tylenol though.
Waiting another week or so to stretches and exercises.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by SpeedBuggy

Understand the rest, slow and easy for a bit. Some stretches and exercises but don't overdo.

I like yourself feeling better after a couple of weeks. Mine was bad enough I needed a prescription for steroids. Still using Ibprofen and Tylenol though.
Waiting another week or so to stretches and exercises.

Tonight will be my first night back to exercises. I always warm up before and stretch after. Been walking for the past couple of days and feeling pretty good again.

Edit: that's actually nights that I walk, not days.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Tonight will be my first night back to exercises. I always warm up before and stretch after. Been walking for the past couple of days and feeling pretty good again.

"Motion is lotion" - my Dr. after my back injury

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by M_Six

When you have to climb 3/4 of the way up a 12ft ladder and it scares the crap out of you.

I stopped doing that 5 or 6 years ago. Since then, I hired window cleaners (here this very moment - 2 story home) and a grounds keeper.

So you ask, why. A good friend fell off his ladder while washing his travel trailer 6 years ago. A few weeks after the surgeons put his broken bones back together, he had a stroke. The blood clot originated from one of the surgery sites. Can't talk, can't walk.

I hired help the next day. I don't climb ladders anymore.