Jinasc linked to this research yesterday within a post. Given that a few new members have joined since Xmas, I thought I would post the research article as it helped me when I read it and it usually hits the spot with members.... Bear with me.
You can go to the article... It is just an abstract or overview initially but if you scroll down you can see a box that allows you to download the research as a pdf file. It's easy to read and worth it....
At the age of about 52, I remember saying to my GP I felt about 90 - what would I feel like when I was 60? And in January this year, having a flare, I admitted that, for the first time, I really felt old. That flare does seem to be fading - different sort of old now.
I'm never really sure what "old" feels like these days! Is it PMR, is it arthritis, is it "just" old age? One thing I know none of it is likely to improve!!😏
I miss my dance classes. Argentine Tango was my favorite but only as a lead. I went from 2 different classes a week and dance on weekends to zip nada no more moving for me. I actually miss me.... at 62 I had 4 or 5 kayaks ....go out on the bay crabbing to.... being on crutches and hurting all over...
I will be 69 this month and I feel old...I walk old....but I don’t look old yet...oh yeah another fun thing to wait for...
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You go in a double and get them to paddle. 😊😉
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.....but unless I just fell in it won’t be happening. Thanks for the thought.💃
You have a long way to catch up with me...........................probably by that time, I will be pushing up the daisies or in the alternative scenario still hounding you🤷
Yes totally agree with you, feeling ill and this back pain I really feel so old, infact for the first time my son said I am very negative, I just feel so low this time too....is it because of being older now, hmmm.....😏
I was 55 at diagnosis and yes feeling 90 was a perfect description. My sister kept telling me I wasn't old but I kept buckling mentally and physically for about a year to 18monthd before I finally realised it was more than a fibro flare. I was oblivious to pmr and gca, though my friends late husband had TA and I knew he took pred. 4 hours after my first dose of 15mg my neck moved to both sides for the first time in months. 59 in a month or 2 and i still feel like I have aged in terms of my biological age. But in my head I am 32....which for some reason was the age I always wanted to be and I loved it. I think I am on my 3rd or fourth flare despite tapering very slowly (stayed at 6mg for a year) . but this seems to be a mini flare that only nerds 0.5mg increase.
Hope your flare disappears soon! I’ve been decorating the past few days...ceiling in kitchen. Find I can only do five hours a day, I’m slower and by 3 o’clock I’m crackered, and that’s it for the day! TV and, if I’m lucky a little crochet. Blanket wrapped round sciatica suffering legs & yes, about 90! But lucky to be able to do it!! S x
You are doing 5 hours a day on a ceiling 😱. My arms and shoulders would be snapping at me. Definitely an afternoon rest earned.
I was much quicker to jump on this one and blasted it a couple of weeks ago. It was complicated as I was also breaking in a new med. Each day is a bit better now.
I'm my head I have redecorated every room in the house. I dream I did it and am sorely disappointed when the once sunshine yellow on my stairs and landing is still there, when I am sure I spent 2 dreams doing it! In my 20s I was a bit of a drinker and woke one morning and had replastered the ceiling on the stairs. I was covered in plaster but the job was better than I could have done sober/awake. If only my body would do that now!!! 😂🤣😂
Brilliant reply! Glad you’re improving. My flat mate once decided to go her room in black and red gloss. The landlord saw it....whoops and other unprintable words! It’s very painful work but rewarding and my husband is helping with furniture moving and deep cleaning! S x
It is easier if someone else doi g the heavy lifting. My problem is that despite day stretches I can't hold my arms above my head for more that a minute or too. Really I should get it all cleaned and prepared then buut cling film for flyers and brushes to do it over weeks instead of a day as I used to. My roller pole broke... That helps because if its a good enough pole you can stand back and roll walls with your arms at the waist..
I gave up the rollers cos I made a lot of mess and had to cover everything! Our cottage is old and ceilings very low! I get vertigo and balance issues up ladders these days, which is hilarious as I used to be a hot air balloon pilot!! S x
When I was younger I would have a beer then do my housework it did make it funner.. alas don’t think my liver is up to more than one drink on occasion.
Ohohoh my son gave me some money n Costco card n I went and bought vodka, coconut rum, tequila, and one other. The lines were huge and people all stand in a daze. 3 yrs ago..
I said to the people in front of me...... I have just been to my doctors ..I thought I was only allowed 3 drinks a week...found outI get to have 7 drinks a week...well I have some catching up to do....
It actually was very funny how I said it and a bunch of people laughed.
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😂🤣😂 I am not sure I am even out yet numbers wise.. Will have to wait at least another 5 years, 🙄
I'd struggle at 5 minutes on a ceiling!!!! But I dropped home decorating about 20 years ago after slipping on a stepladder while papering in the bathroom. OH was in a nearby room, couldn't possibly have missed the crash and language but didn't even shout to ask if I was OK. That was it. Never again.
I fall a lot anyway. Broke my toe in a fall two weeks ago. But its rewarding. Day off today. We are going for a walk in the forest and a picnic lunch (in the car)! S x
When I falls David shouts out ‘have you damaged the furniture..is the house OK etc etc’. We learned it’s better to joke, even if we do then set out for A&E! S x
After this one, the answer is ‘no’. We took over an old cottage to renovate 7 years ago, when all I had was Fibromyalgia! Then my health crashed quite a lot, & this is my first decorating in 4 years. I’d already bought the paint before I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia in December, and my OH’s eyesight is not good enough to do it. I’m not good at ‘rest’, to me that’s a four letter word! And no, ceilings definitely don’t need painting. S x
Gesat idea..I would love it if that works... Maybe hide I will give it to a friend and forget Its building but ... I have tried doing that for Xmas extra then something happens to ghe dog or the house and my. Monthly money doesn't stretch so the jar gets emptied for food. I may be able to put it away once I get access to my pensions.
My husband has been putting very shiny new pound coins in a container for a while, unknown to me. Counted last week as container full. £400. That’s a result! S xx
That’s the plan! We have a husband and wife team in our area now. Set up two years ago. Great references and trustworthy. They are happy to come here and deep clean every now and then as I don’t want somebody in weekly, I’m allergic to dust, you see! They are happy to come in and blitz while we are away. I only need to do the lounge and then we are ready...downstairs! Could have a weekly cleaner, always did when I worked, but just don’t want one!! S x
I couldn't do without mine. Our places have never been so clean. I've had a number in life but this one beats the lot. I used to have to "do" the corners or the odd spider's web when they'd gone.
Kitchen total so far is 11 spiders. They are something I do regularly and I kicked them outside only last week. The perils of living in an old cottage! But I love it! Right paintbrush here I come again! S x
Um...I probably should have said that I struggle to do it,,.that in the fifth hour I’m nearky in tears of pain, & that it wipes me out for days after decorating a room. But it doesn’t seem to do any ‘lasting’ damage...after a few days my PMR is back to ‘normal’! First time kitchen has been painted in 7 years. S xx
Bless. Don't hurt yourself pleeeese. And with ceilings... Spent a few days cutting... Big range cutting... Then the long stick and roller sitting on a stool works. Too late now. My staircase desperate after 22years but I can't afford decorator and cant do it yet but I am working on it in my head 😊
Over here we are very lucky. We have "seniors helping seniors". Retired decorators, carpenters, accountants, domestic help etc etc who help others (for a very tiny bit of pocket money).😍
Oh we afforded a decorator last year! He did staircase and landing and bathroom. He was recommended but before he had a minor stroke. Long story short...he used no cloths to cover bath sink toilet, and made a dreadful job of painting the black beams up staircase and there were white spots all over the black stairs! It took me a month to do all the staircase again and clear all the paint splashed and tiny drops everywhere in bathroom. Now back to DIY after that experience!! S x
We're rather off piste here but I hope the moderators will forgive us.
We try to help others, with our own experiences, in coping with life with this/these pesky illnesses.
We have stopped visiting people. Unfortunately most of our really dear friends have passed away. What we are left with talk non stop about their illnesses and 'difficult' lives.
When people ask me I say "I'm coping". "Oh you are soooo lucky" they answer.😬 "I can't do ANYTHING" one says "I have arthritis in both hands and I think it is starting in one of my feet" da da da! (I have PMR, Polyarthritis (7 joints) and Gout.
I need this forum to keep me sane. We get told to "buck up" "it'll improve" etc etc.
It's not off piste at all in my view. As you say it's about passing on and learning new ways of living with chronic illnesses and how invisible our issues may be to those aging without the shovelling on on add ons as well as pmrgca
I suppose it is a plus of never having lived anywhere for more than 10 years - short-term friends like that are very fickle once you are out of their life! Day to day contact with all friends and family is digital and often sporadic although when we do meet in person we catch up big time. But it limits the reminiscing about poor health somewhat! And you can "visit" even when coughing and sneezing without any repercussions
Unfortunately, it's the old friends we miss sooo much. And, don't forget, we have been here nearly 50 years. Our best friends over here have also hit the dust. We have two remaining friends but one of the pair is one of the terribly "ill" (she thinks)! Non stop moaning.☹️
The "joys" of living to be older than your cherished friends.
Stop being stupid, Constance. Be happy we are both alive and kicking. 💥💥
Oh yes - we are very unusual, the longest we have lived anywhere was where we were born! Left home at 18, both of us, for uni, and been on the move since although we did spend a long time around Dundee but first as students, then went back for his PhD and made some friends but then came Germany and we lost touch. We still are in contact with the friends there we made because of children but not former colleagues who were a large part of our social circle then. I suppose it is a fault with scientists - we move around a lot!
Same here - except we married (I was 18 - D22). D had to live in Germany for six months as part of his studies. In those days you DID NOT go abroad with someone who wasn't your husband . What a good choice we made.💥💥
Yes!!!!!!! Couldn’t have put it better! With Fibro it was all very tough sometimes and painful but didn’t have any long term implications. This could be different now, but don’t forget I’m only in month 4 and still learning!! Muscle pain rules OK! S x
Oh my goodness me, you youngsters have youth on your side ...all of you.
I’m smiling away to myself, firstly because I believe any illness, even a common cold can make us feel “old”...or older...🥱
I’m 77 years old in another month, and I can honestly say, that I have always put the age thing on the “back burner”..well I really do try, and I find it works for me. 👍
I think the fact that PMR symptoms, and the medication treatment, causes , in an awful lot of people, not only a physical, but also a psychological illness (which obviously, can be caused just by the name of the prescribed medications)
Elderly folks, walking sticks, and wheelchairs come to mind so quickly. Making one feel old..
Obviously experiencing the debilitating inability to sometimes walk, get out of bed etc etc..frightens many. Thus believing that old age is stepping in.
It is really just a “set back” and not forever.. those of you who do feel the “the old age syndrome “ please, you must remember. It’s just a short setback.
We are so blessed to have the assistance of good medical facilities, medications and good doctors, who help get us on our feet.
Not forgetting our mod gals and admin who are always on hand.
When I wasn't having a bit of a flare I felt better and like you seem to I enjoy life. Its the nature of chronic illness that you have ups and downs. It's lovely once you realise there are more ups than downs. And the mind is a wonderful thing it allows me to cram the memory and experience of pain etc into a little part of my year and brain. That means the rest of the year I feel better. I have had 20yrs of chronic health issues and know that being positive is 95% of feeling good. 💥🌻
"walking sticks, wheelchairs"..... rollators, mobility scooter - I've got all those (I could start a second-hand shop)😂. They don't make me feel "old" they make my very glad I am still mobile.😂
"Old age is just a setback"?? Is it? Can it be cured?
Keep on moving, that’s the secret! We went to a wedding last weekend, but find we attend more funerals than weddings...a sign of ageing! Plus those Christmas cards that just stop’arriving’. But the one comment that gets me every time ‘but you look so well’ if I try & explain why I don’t want a hug, I can’t go to a gathering etc etc!! Sending you some virtual hugs! We’ve lived in many places since marriage, 40 years ago. My husband served 27 years in the Royal Navy & I had four years in the WRNS. You get used to moving every 18 months to 2 years then! S x
Thanks for the hugs! Need them today. Happy, but stuck in (weather)! I spend hours on the computer on days like this - not enough movement.😂 Good job there are a lot of stairs in our building. There's a lift too but it MUST be a stair day today. Sighs!
I understand! We’ve only been out three days in four weeks now, we self isolate every winter because I was so ill throughout two & my consultant said it was the only thing to try! We did sneak away for 3 weeks warmth & outdoor fun in the sun in January, but didn’t expect such a bad weather February! We are starting to get on each other’s nerves now at home! When weather is good we go out walking, then picnic in the car, then sit watching the animals. I’m learning to crochet & David loves Soduku! We live in the New Forest, always something to watch. Drizzling again today, so I’ve more decorating to do & cooking keto diet recipes for next few days. Supermarket delivery pm. What usually keeps me sane is researching & booking the year’s holidays & motorhome trips...but that’s not much fun when I can’t make the bookings & go!! Chin up, & here’s a hug for tomorrow, as the next sunny day looks like it’s not until Monday! S xx
Mine says "you've booked far more holidays than have ever been able to go on". True - I live in hope, but never book anything if I can't cancel free of charge.
Luckily I live in a Spa Town here in Germany and all our windows look out into the beautifully kept gardens, so I look out from my bed and think "tomorrow I will go out whatever the weather"!! Uhm!
Ah! Sie sind in Deutschland! Ich liebe Deutschland. Wo wohnen Sie, bitte? Excuse me my written German doesn’t match my spoken. I used to travel to Frankfurt on business a lot and on to the town of Dreieich. Just finished more painting...hour off to crochet now. More hugs, S x
I have completely revised my opinion of ageing. Everyone on here seems young and very bright, a club I want to be part of. Full of enquiring minds and time for others. Quite an amazing cross section. The common denominator- a rotten lousy disease - it doesn’t compute, but it’s a fact.
I agree totally. I really couldn't guess someone's age from their posts.... Like you say enquiring minds. Curiosity keeps you young when it kills the cat 🙀.... don't worry... Satisfaction brought it back. 😸
I was playing splash in a puddle with my crutch last week and 2 blokes were laughing asking how old I was. I always smash icy puddles with it too. You have to mix childhood things into older life.
We always ‘muck about’ in the streams in the forest...clearing stuff so water goes faster, playing Pooh sticks, breaking ice...best uses for a walking stick!! Keep young, I say! S x
My favourite thing in autumn is clearing the leaves and unblocking streams at pinch points. Saddo I am I was excited when a path was flooding due to leaves. I must have spent a good 30mins messing with it. My walking friend and dog werent best pleased.
I too was surprised how quickly I felt"old" I was 60 at the time. Was listening to an 80 year friend at church list her health concerns and could completely commiserate. I felt old when I couldn't walk very far. That has gotten much better and I feel stronger so I am feeling more my age. When someone my age complains about what they can't do I am a bit surprised as I blame so much on PMR. We will see how it all lays out in the end. In my head I am always 45. Difficult when my son just turned 37 😁
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