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Health

Is it all downhill after 70?

(122 Posts)
Luckylegs Fri 10-May-19 12:45:56

I’m feeling very miserable and down after what seems like a long line of illnesses, petty and otherwise recently.

I was feeling good because I was going to Zumba and line dancing as well as walking the dogs daily but suddenly I was struck down with labrynthitis which has led to other problems and inactivity for six weeks which has come now to weight gain and misery for me - and my poor husband!

I realise lots of you have much worse to deal with but please tell me it’s not all downhill now! It must improve, surely?

Buntybunny21 Sat 11-May-19 11:53:39

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.

tiggers Sat 11-May-19 11:28:54

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.

Rwbaby Sat 11-May-19 11:01:11

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.

Nograndsyet Sat 11-May-19 10:56:32

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 grin. After 3 run ins with cancer I suspect that I am truly asking a lot of the old bod. It’s amazing really smile

crazyH Sat 11-May-19 10:38:00

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 ?

Rosina Sat 11-May-19 10:36:55

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?

henetha Sat 11-May-19 10:36:24

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.

Bonnibiker795 Sat 11-May-19 10:35:40

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

Gonegirl Sat 11-May-19 10:30:30

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.

CrazyGrandma2 Sat 11-May-19 10:24:09

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 smile.

Greciangirl Sat 11-May-19 10:15:07

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,

polnan Sat 11-May-19 10:13:20

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..

luluaugust Sat 11-May-19 10:12:15

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?

Tamayra Sat 11-May-19 10:07:14

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 smile

Funnygran Sat 11-May-19 10:03:36

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!

grannytotwins Sat 11-May-19 10:01:24

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!

Margaux Sat 11-May-19 09:57:26

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.

Liz46 Sat 11-May-19 09:53:27

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?

BlueSky Sat 11-May-19 09:52:53

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!

Poobar Sat 11-May-19 09:42:13

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.

notentirelyallhere Sat 11-May-19 09:09:41

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. smile

Lisagran Sat 11-May-19 08:57:00

Are you only 35 notentirelyallhere?

I’m 70 and fairly healthy, but find I take much longer to recover from colds, etc

notentirelyallhere Sat 11-May-19 08:47:36

I'm only half way to 70 but am disappointed to find, having looked after my health, that things just start to go wrong, injuries take longer to heal, joints grow stiff, digestion doesn't work so well, sleep becomes problematic.

Last year I was diagnosed with a potentially serious immune disorder, I've always caught every virus going and I suspect I now know why. I have osteoarthritis, painful knees, elbows, thumb joint. If I don't starve myself, the weight piles on and then I get awful heartburn. I have to take serious hold of myself or depression kicks in. Still, I'll be fortunate if things don't get worse, too many around going down with serious illness or dying. Whoever expects to live forever!

sodapop Sat 11-May-19 08:33:36

I'm with your husband midgey still looking down at the daisies although with some problems. Hearing some of the stories on GN makes me so grateful I am relatively fit.
My thoughts and sympathy to all Gransnetters who have health and family problems.

EllanVannin Sat 11-May-19 08:13:41

I'm happy being a " creaking gate !"