Is it all downhill after 70?

How funny Lisagran, no I'm not 35, I'm 65! I was thinking of the 60s as a decade that I was halfway through. Thanks for picking that up, I can see it looks peculiar.

One of the things that stands out in the posts is that we all seem to take longer to get over things. At least we DO get over them for the moment.

Certainly things have changed for me since I hit 70 two years ago. Mainly joint pain, latest one in my hip. Going to have a steroid injection in it in couple of weeks in hope that it settles down and let’s me get on with life again. But compared to a lot of people I know I’m relatively healthy, very happy and looking forward to another grandchild.

I hope not! I'll be 70 this year and cannot believe it myself, not really different from when I was 30. But my DH says otherwise, he reckons it's all downhill after 50! So I guess it's your own genes, illnesses, circumstances and personal luck!

This is something that I was going to ask about so this thread is a coincidence to me. I am 73 with asthma, bronchiectasis and have been treated with three antibiotics every day for 18 months until recently. I am now 'stable'. While I was so poorly, partly due to the side effects of the pills, my husband did the bed changing and heavier cleaning. He was out bowling yesterday and I changed the bed and became very breathless.

I wonder if I will be able to regain some of my old strength?

The real challenge - how to keep strong and cheerful in spite of the buggeration. You manage it if you keep smiling. And then you tell yourself that you're no sissy.

I’m 70 this year. So far this year I’ve had a nasty skin cancer taken off my face leaving a five inch scar, appendicitis and been diagnosed with cataracts and macular degeneration. On the other hand, I’m only two belts off my first dan black belt in kickboxing. I’m not going down without kicking and punching!

Mentally I don’t feel 70 but just wish I had new knees and new ears. Yet I am aware that I am now slightly older than my sister was when she passed away from cancer and both our parents died in their 70’s. So live for today is my mantra and I try to keep as active as possible. Having a dog and grandchildren helps!

I’m 76 & blessed with good health for which I am mega grateful
No medications either Sometimes take homeopathy for minor complaints or a herbal tea
I’ve been a great fan of preventive medicine since being in my early 40’s And also a 90% vegetarian for many years No vaccinations since a child Travelled around India & Russia without jabs
Perhaps all the cranial & Physiospect sessions are paying off
Long may it continue

In my head I am nowhere near my 71 years but osteoporosis, a dud arm and mysterious aches and pains tell me otherwise. Could I ask what is Physiospect?

no, I am 82, ( I think,, need more fingers!)

had good health, then couple of years back, in hospital with some infection for 10 days, isolation, that finished me,, well so I thought, I tend to be claustrophobic anyway, but try to avoid situations,,, being in that dark hospital room was not good for me.
my beloved Sheltie died whilst I was in hospital, husbands health has detriorated,, but I have been trying hard these last couple of years, joined local church, that has helped enormously,,

so I think circumstances.. health hazards,, I was quite spry till my health attack! still I get about..

It’s definitely all downhill from 70onwards,

I am 73 and fairly healthy, but oh the tiredness I just can’t seem to shake of is awful. Probably because of poor sleep.

I lack the enthusiasm I used to have for socialising, although I do make myself go out and meet friends. Occasionally.

My hair is greying, which makes me feel depressed.
I have a difficult Dd who is fairly demanding and a dear gs.
I am very reluctant to look after him as I tire very easily.
Of course I do look after him as Dd has problems herself, but I don’t enjoy it too much as I suffer after he’s gone home,
Yes, unfortunately it feels all downhill from now on.
Maybe I’m just having a bad day: too many me thinks,

The other way of looking at it is how lucky if you've got to the age of 70 without lots of health issues. Just saying. Mom lived to 90 and often said, despite her health issues, it was better than the alternative .

I don't think it's helped by the fact that we are plagued with so much "keeping healthy" advice. All this "thirty minutes a day of brisk exercise" and 'don't eat this and don't eat that'.

We are no longer allowed to settle quietly into a later life of our own choosing. Or if we do, there is always the nagging voice in the back of our minds, making us anxious.

I wonder if it does more harm than it does good.

Hi people Ive just turned 71 but in January I decided this was going to be my year catching up with all those job you said it can wait till tomorrow Ive been in the garden since early January replaced most of the fence panels which led to digging the boards planted loads of roses bushes and trailers keep the garden safe from thieving garden hoppers planted loads of bedding plants . All this meant I had to do a bit more planning more trips to the garden centres . Like most of us oldies Ive got my pains and aches as the kids would say Just get over it and take a little of the appropriate medicine so keep going just keep busy

It's difficult to generalise, everyone's different. But I'm 81 now and still alive and kicking. I've got 2 knee replacements, have a chronically bad back (arthritic spine), had a mini-stroke recently, and have intermittent depression, but in spite of that on some days I feel fine.
I still go out and about regularly, but sadly many of my friends are either dead or ill or caring for sick husbands.
I'm determined to keep going as long as I can, but it's not easy sometimes. However, it's still a beautiful planet and I'm determined to make the most of life.
Every morning I put some lively music on and do half an hour of exercise. It helps.

Logically different bits of us must wear out or not function too well; I too would love 20/20 vision (I've never had it!) ears that work and don't leave me feeling silly in social situations when I make the wrong remark, the ability to run, no veins and age spots on the backs of my hands, oh the list is endless. but I'm still here, I can still dance round the kitchen, my grandchildren bring me so much joy, and although I was morbidly convinced I would die in my sixties, like my parents - I haven't. Life currently holds a lot of sadness but I try hard to be grateful for having a life. Not easy though, is it?

Yes Gonegirl, I feel guilty if I sit down for an hour. To ease the guilt, I get up from my comfy arm chair, go to the kitchen, make myself a cuppa and return to my armchair. Time starts now ?

I get really frustrated at things I find harder to do than I did before. My body tells me I’m 63 next birthday but my head insists I’m still 35 and should expect my body to follow suit . After 3 run ins with cancer I suspect that I am truly asking a lot of the old bod. It’s amazing really

Like the comment about looking down at the daisies!
I have an Orthostatic Tremor which basically means that I can’t stand for more than a minute. Makes life challenging. Also small spaces affect my balance so even public loos cause problems. Breathing problems too. Am fortunate to have an understanding husband who does all of the shopping and much more. We soldier on and adjust.
Don’t know how I will cope without him but that’s a bridge to cross later. In the meantime I am fortunate to be pain free and am aware that there are many people who are worse off. We all just have to soldier on!
Good luck to all.

I remember my late GP telling me many, many, many years ago that "it is all downhill after the age of 30!!" Not what I wanted to hear.

Nowadays I tell people I am young in spirit, it is just the body that is old and has had 2 hips replaced. I am a 'robot' grandma to my grandchildren.

Pubar I had 2 steroid injections in my hip recently, fir th one fine, second one could hardly walk for 3 days so painful. Since then, I've had 6 acupuncture treatment s which was wonderful, pain went. It's o.arthritis, try it, well worth the money, very good Chinese lady.

Oh poor you Luckylegs .... you must be a bit miserable. I had an eye operation four weeks ago and literally by the time I’d got home from the hospital (5 hours) I had the most horrendous sinus infection. Went to docs two days later as breathing was proving a problem, and no sleep at night as soon as I laid down my head ‘filled up’, I’ve now had three weeks of antibiotics to no avail. Just pondering whether to take another trip to surgery! The eye op has healed nicely, but the sinus probs go on and on. I’ve had to stop swimming , and walking is a struggle.... and yes I’ve piled on weight. So I know how miserable it feels to think you’ll never get better. Keep seeing your doctor... and keep the faith that you will improve... it’s just a bad patch. Keep us informed.

Sorry, I mis spelt your name earlier.

GOSH! I feel so sorry for most of you. I am 78 and was so ill with asthma at the age of 5 that doctors told my parents that I would not get to 10. I still have asthma but - I have been so lucky to have lived all this time. Main problem is a bad knee, and bad digestion which means Rennies after dinner, Nevertheless I have just booked a holiday to Egypt at the end of the month. Hope to survive that too!
Good luck to all us oldies. We live much longer than our Victorian ancestors.

I am sorry to hear alll the health problems of the 70 year olds. I had no problems until I was 75. On holiday in Italy when my knee seized up and was painful. Arthritis. Coped with it. When I was 80 had bowel cancer. Cured by operation. Didn’t stop me from going on holiday and visiting relatives abroad but when I was 85 decided to give up because arthritis so bad I was asking for too much help. Last year had anal cancer but now in remission. Attheage of 96 still living alone with just an hour or so help with the chores because of pain of arthritis in both hips and knees.
A glass of Guiness a day keeps me going.