Feeling my age

Vito

Sewingpruso

I have arthritis in both knees and one hip; I have to go upstairs on my hands and knees. Saw the doc, who said I can't have an op as I'm too old - I'm 80.

Bloody hell, that's terrible. I would insist on a second opinion. My father had a hip replacement in his late 70s, digging his allotment 6 weeks later. I hope you get the help you need and deserve 🤗

...and don't forget about physiotherapy thereafter.

My mother had a hip replacement operation back along and cue for a work colleague I was friendly with saying "When I had one = I had physiotherapy afterwards". On asking my mother - no-one had made any plans for physio for her at all!

Cue for I booked her in with a suitable physiotherapist and paid for a course of physio for her - to make sure she got it.

Nexus

Sewingpruso

I have arthritis in both knees and one hip; I have to go upstairs on my hands and knees. Saw the doc, who said I can't have an op as I'm too old - I'm 80.

Bloody hell, that's terrible. I would insist on a second opinion. My father had a hip replacement in his late 70s, digging his allotment 6 weeks later. I hope you get the help you need and deserve 🤗

Yes! Feeling a bit stiff and walking slower but I don’t think this cold weather helps.
Also, some days I’m more lively than others, I suppose depending on how well I’ve slept.
I still walk my dog around the park every day, no matter the weather, which is “something” but I know I will be walking faster and further come Spring.
Some days if I’m feeling particularly stiff, I’ll have a little dance to Absolute radio, especially if it’s a song from when I was young, such as Junior Walker and the All Stars and Smokey Robinson, takes me right back.
My motto to myself is Just Keep Going.

How do other people deal with multiple ailments if applicable?

I've been trying to work my way through getting rid of them one at a time - but it feels like it could be a very lengthy process that way. It took not far short of 2 years just to deal with my feet - by the time I'd had a bad podiatrist dealing with one ingrown toenail, had to swop through a couple of others to find a decent one and it landed up being 3 ingrown toenails needing sorting. That's finally done - whew - and no pain from my feet any more. Ticked one item off the list - but there's about 10 items still on there currently - it's taking a while currently to get rid of acid reflux and two more mini items have popped up in the last week or two (hoping they won't have to have attention and/or money paid to them to get rid of them...but they'll just be temporary/take themselves off).

How do other people find is the best way to deal with getting rid of multiple ailments at once - one at a time or just make a list of them all and work on them everyday until they're gone?

I've got myself a mini trampoline (a rebounder). I do 10-15 minutes walking on it and some very low bouncing, my feet staying in contact with the trampoline bed. I have a balance bar with it that I hold on to throughout. There are various YouTube videos but I mostly do my own little routine. It's helped strengthen my legs and glutes and even my core. I'm standing straighter which is great. This won't suit everyone I know, but it's certainly made a big difference to me. I'm 71.

Hello 👋 Mazgg, I am currently attending an NHS fitness class called Strength and Balance at my local sports centre. I was referred by the Physiotherapist after I fell up my outdoor stairs. I've been on statins since lockdown when I was found to have very high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I do feel quite stiff and achy, and I've asked about coming off the statins but because of family history or heart disease/ stroke I've been strongly advised to stay on them.

I've been allocated 20 sessions, each one lasts a full hour and we do lots of repetitive movements on or around a chair, e.g. marching on the spot, getting up and down from the chair 10 times without using hands, heel to toe walking ( forwards and backwards), balancing on one leg at a time, holding back of chair if required, then seated exercises for arms and legs with resistance bands. The instructor is very thorough, knows everyone by name, ( 15 in class) observes and adjusts the activities if necessary e.g. for recovering stroke patients.

Perhaps ask your GP practice if you can be referred for something similar in your area. I'm sure you would find it helpful.

DM (92) was reluctant to join a class , as she felt that she couldn't keep up, but we contacted the lady that ran one near to her, and arranged for her to come to the house to do 1-2-1 sessions with DM. It was 20-30 mins of age appropriate exercise and was enough to get mum going again after losing her confidence due to dizzy spells. (She didn't continue with this unfortunately as she thought it was too expensive. For anyone used to paying for classes or a gym membership, it would have seemed good value!)

She is back to doing solo short works around her village. She also has a 'revitaliser' machine which she thinks is very beneficial. DB stayed with her for a couple of months over the summer and walked with her every day and the there was a noticeable improvement in her gait and stride length. Can you find a 'walking buddy' to go out with regularly?

I think this shows that it is never too late to work on improving your fitness - little and often seems to be the key.

Aqua aerobics ! Its kept me sane (usually!) and mobile for about 30 years .

Check if your local Age UK runs any suitable exercise classes.

Mazgg Where I live there a a group called Norfolk Health Care. They offer 6 free sessions in your own home of exercises designed to strengthen your legs and thus hopefully prevent falls. I have had a stroke and decided to sign up for the 6 sessions. I found them very helpful and after my free sessions I decided to carry on privately with the very helpful young lady. Dont know whether they offer anything similar where you live but its worth a look. Good luck

Me and hubby have joined the Active Wellness Suite at our local YMCA. All power assisted circuit machines. Hubby has mobility issues and I walk with a stick. We are both 75.

We’ve been going since August. Feel so much better for going. The changes are very subtle and all positive.

Im the same- at 53

I heartily recommend Qi Jong exercises which are quite gentle and incredibly beneficial. There are many free videos on YouTube. My partner, who is 76 and basically was on the point of having to use a wheelchair because he couldn't walk, started doing the exercises, and within a few months he improved immensely. His specialist has been amazed by his recovery generally over the last five years or so. Also the Japanese exercises for older people (also available on YouTube) are great too.

Here in Dundee the nhs has a falls group plus some charities may offer classes etc. Also local gyms or swimming centres.

Mazzg I know where you are coming from, I am 82 and am told I don’t act my age (I have never grown up)! I am still caring for my 3 with Down Syndrome, live in a ten roomed three storey house. I do ache especially knees and hips and I find doing 10 minutes on the exercise bike each day set low does help and I feel so pleased with myself .
Good luck and keep going.

T’ai chi is marvellous for balance and general mobility.
Find a class which allows you to sit when you feel wobbly.
My late DH was quite arthritic but delighted by his increased flexibility once he agreed to do the exercises. We’d do 10 minutes or so every morning.
Go for it

Try chair yoga classes. Or dance and exercise class.

All suitable for us older women.

There’s a series of mobility exercises that I do every morning that are designed to keep everything working smoothly as we age. You can find them on YouTube: youtu.be/28uv39x-hs8?si=TMujOql4qTD5l8nP

butterand jam
I started getting terrific leg cramps at night which really disrupted my sleep like you. I'd been on statins for just over a year at the time. I had phone appt with GP after reducing statin dose by half for 4/5 weeks by which time leg cramps had reduced by incidence and pain. After phone consult. I stopped taking them altogether and within very short time leg cramps stopped altogether - might be worth trying this with GP's knowledge of course.

Whilst I do think it’s great to remain as active as possible, both physically and mentally, it is inevitable that we will slow down at some point.

I’m only 67 with widespread arthritis and a couple of other debilitating conditions and I’d give anything just to feel I was slowing up a bit!

However you do and don’t cope, it’s great to make the very most of everything we can still manage.

Sewingpruso

I have arthritis in both knees and one hip; I have to go upstairs on my hands and knees. Saw the doc, who said I can't have an op as I'm too old - I'm 80.

..and the doc knows you're not going to live on up to 100 how???

You could have years to go yet....

Pilates, yoga and Thai chi are all gentle exercise and will make a noticeable difference.

Chair pilates and yoga are a great idea. Tai Chi concentrates on breathing and balance. Maybe try 45 minutes instead of hour to start off with.

It’s well known that statins affect certain people badly, causing muscle weakness and pain.