If you're over 50 and it doesn't hurt... It doesn't work!

Simply another one of life's cruel jokes. Just when we're finally reaching the prime of our lives when it comes to earnings and wisdom, the body begins failing.

You got it!!

Puh-leeze.

Fibromyalgia is not a problem associated with aging. And rather than bother your physician with constant complaints, get up and get moving. Check the research - the most effective method to combat the symptoms of fibromyalgia is exercise. Get up, get moving and progressively increase your activity. And quit making your fibro the center of every conversation.

I am also disheartened that fibro wasn't mentioned.

John in NW PA: Some people with fibro can't exercise like you would like them to - they have what is called Post-Exertional Malaise. Please look it up before you tell people they must exercise - some people are unable to do so.

RICK MOTOWN: I hope you never get fibro or chronic fatigue. People that don't have these illnesses just do not understand what it is like to experience them. They are debilitating.

I was not disappointed Fibro wasn't mentioned as it IS NOT usually acquired as a result of or due to aging. Also, rather than doing meaningful tests a doctor may classify you with Fribro and send you on your happy little way if you demand that type of test.

Some people with fibro can't exercise like you would like them to - they have what is called Post-Exertional Malaise. Please look it up before you tell people they must exercise - some people are unable to do so.

RICK MOTOWN: I hope you never get fibro or chronic fatigue. People that don't have these illnesses just do not understand what it is like to experience them. They are debilitating.

This is very true. I'm an RN - retired this year & formerly an intensive care nurse for over 20 years followed by nurse consultant & case management for the past 10 years.

I also have fibromyalgia. It developed following an accident resulting in excruciating nerve pain, & that is apparently the case in many instances...developing after an unusually severe pain episode having been experienced.

I tend to go along with the current view that something goes wrong with the nervous system's ability to accurately conduct sensation to the brain resulting in it continuing to sense pain that is either no longer present or was never present in the first place.

When I say not present, I do not mean that the pain is not really there. It's as really there as the pain from a knife to the gut is really there. It's just that there's nothing present that should cause the pain.

I have many of the symptoms commonly associated with fibro as well. People often remark how well I handle it because they know people who are confined to bed because of it while they see me as being very active. And I am. I have a husband, two dogs, seven parrots, gardens & a greenhouse filled with orchids to care for plus the regular household duties of a home with a couch potato hubby who is pretty useless inside & outside the home unless you want to end up being a nag. But he has many good qualities & works very hard at a very important job so I think I'll keep him around. :)

Anyway, I obviously have a lot to do. I can't always keep up with it all, but I get enough done to let some things slide for a bit when I haven't the energy to do it or am in too much pain as is often the case when the weather turns cold.

So I DO believe it is important to keep moving. However, it is NOT true that the more exercise, the better with fibro. It is a VERY delicate balance.

Prior to developing fibro, I was very much a type A personality...always insisting on doing everything perfectly, doing it all & doing it all on my own.

That had to change when I developed fibro ten years ago. I quickly discovered that when I tried to do my usual keep at the job until it's done & done right behavior, I hit a wall at some point & literally couldn't pick myself off the floor. It was as if I had run out of gas entirely & there was no way of getting a fill up or even a start.

And when this would happen, I remained in that state for days or even weeks in severe cases. I could barely move from one room to another or pick up a fork to eat. Plus the pain was even worse than usual.

Anyway, I've learned that I cannot work/exercise until I start feeling tired or like I've done all I can for the day or whatever because at that point, it's too late. I'm going to go into the "no fuel" stage. So I have to be careful about only doing so much at a time & that isn't all that much.

That's very hard for a type A person to do. So it's not like I'm just giving in or being lazy. It's sure not something I want to do & I wouldn't wish this condition on my worst enemy. You can't just walk it off. And it's not as easy as just get up & ignore it either.

No one who hasn't experienced it has any right to assume they know what it's like & what someone who has it ought to do or not do. It's real & it's extremely debilitating without some very serious effort to prevent falling into that trap & a very strong constitution to back that effort up no matter how much pain you're in at the time...plus, of course, knowledgeable medical professionals to advise & treat you along the way. Support & understanding from friends & family are needed as well. This isn't just in your mind.

Creature Girl, you gave a great description of the "wall" that those of us with fibromyalgia have to always be aware of. As you said, once you hit it, you literally can barely even move.

I've found that, for me, the pain (while severe) is nothing compared to the absolute exhaustion I have to deal with. On a really bad day, just going up and down the stairs in my house can wipe me out for several hours. That's the part that I find most disabling. I've dealt with severe chronic pain most of my life, starting at about age 15 due to Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (possibly Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, still working on the diagnosis). I learned a long time ago how to ignore pain, but if your muscles just refuse to work, there's not much you can do about it. It's like telling someone who just ran a marathon, "ok, put your boots on, we're going to go climb a mountain..."

I've found that, for me, the pain (while severe) is nothing compared to the absolute exhaustion I have to deal with.

Yes, I find the inescapable & unrecoverable exhaustion extremely difficult to deal with & something that severely impacts my self-esteem no matter how well informed I am on the condition & how much I recognize that it's a physical health condition, not a psychological one, & that it shouldn't be a reflection on me as a person. That's hard to put into emotional action though when you feel so incompetent & as if you should be capable of doing things you're no longer capable of doing.

With me, the level of pain & level of exhaustion tend to go hand in hand. Especially since the worst of my pain is in my arms, legs, hands & feet so the areas needed most for doing anything at all.

The details & severity of fibro, of course, vary form one patient to another. As is true of any health condition.

However, the persistent view by a percentage of people that it's all in your head is frustrating to say the least & terribly damaging to individuals facing this condition who already had a fragile ego system prior to developing it. Such responses to a person like that could even contribute to suicide attempts or successes if you want to call death a success.

getting old is normal either you get old or you die!

My mom aways told me that old age is not for wimps!

No getting old is not a serious health issue. Getting sick when you are old is a serious health issue

One of my favorite and all too true quotes:

"Getting old is not for sissies." (Betty Davis)

NOT getting older is a much worse health issue. :-P

Even if you do get old you still die......or feel like you already did!

I'm sorry... what was the question, again??

That is called CRS. It is a malady of the old and mentally challenged and occurs when you Can't Remember S**t.

There is nothing you can do about it. We all have it.

I couldn't hear you. What did you say?

Remember what Jay?

A person once told me the difference between CRS and a real problem is....If you can't find your car keys, that's CRS. If you pick up your car keys and can't remember what they are for, that's a problem.

Damn kids! Get off my lawn!

Just a minute... let me get my glasses...I can't hear a thing without them!

lol

I have some excellent pills for memory. The only problem I forgot their name and I don't remember where in the house I placed them.

You don't die of old age. It is not a disease. You die because some part of your system shut down. Heart, kidneys, liver etc.

And the cause for that happening would be????

DING! DING! DING!

Old age... (a.k.a. "natural causes")

Parts wear out. Otherwise we would live forever.

If I'm healthy and 20 and I just don't wake up one day, people would be very shocked.

If I'm 85 and I just don't wake up one day (even if I seem "perfectly healthy") nobody will be too shocked.

Actually, cancer is now the leading cause of death, just surpassed cardiovascular disease -

Because cardiovascular disease can now be forstalled so that other causes of death have a chance to catch up. Nice trade-off!

Allthumbs -

You are right on. I would rather die from a sudden stroke or heart attack than slowly waste away from cancer.

You are soooooo right.

You're right! The older we get, the more of a challenge it is to take care of our bodies!

Even sissies get old ...

It could be worse it you're an old sissy and could not get a young man or even an older woman.

It's the middle of July, shorty. Get a grip.

I have to hire a kid to do that for me now!

I hope he doesn't hold it too tight.

Sand works in July when there is no snow.

The best part of getting older is being able to adapt.

It is not old age- it is prostate hypertrophy

I had a stroke for my birthday three years ago and was told I would not survive the flight to the nearest "real" hospital in Las Vegas. I did and I learned that every freaking day is a bonus and we should all bitch a little bit less and enjoy a lot more, get along with others a little more and just enjoy being alive. You are only alive a short time and you are dead forever. Quit bitchin' and live!

This is why the health care system and insurance is in such disarray. When hangnails and ear aches head off to the emergency rooms and doctor's offices. For gods sake people...suck it up.

Congratulations Barbara, you're getting wiser. That's a plus. Go for a walk, get an ice cream cone, and make a new friend. Get your pals to join a yoga class. Happy days.

Barbara

Never envision an issue cropping up, it probably then will happen. Worry and stress can be harder on you than anything else. Being alert to your surroundings is always good, stressing over it is not. Do as webo poon said and be happy. Everyday above ground is a good day. (quote) At least if you try and make it that. Happy New Year all. I am 63 1/2 and enjoying 4 grandsons and a new puppy and have my health, fitness, and mind.

I think people tell us stuff like that just to make us feel good. Kinda depends on the individual. I'm 77, and there are times it feels like it's the "New 87"!! The only place I feel young anymore is in my mind!

My mind and my body are in a constant state of war....mentally I'm pretty much the same as I was in my early 30s...ready and able for anything I wanted to do.....physically, though in good shape, my 48 year old body lets me know that while the spirit is willing....the flesh is going to make you pay for that last run down the mountain.... so not fair.

To quote an old song..."You know when you're over the hill, when your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill."

Yea but the good news it you'll forget that promise and be happy again.

2Wylde4U

My mind and my body are in a constant state of war....mentally I'm pretty much the same as I was in my early 30s...ready and able for anything I wanted to do.....physically, though in good shape, my 48 year old body lets me know that while the spirit is willing....the flesh is going to make you pay for that last run down the mountain.... so not fair.#13.2 - Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:53 PM EST

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I was 48 once and now reaching for twice that! Biggest problem I face at 86 is the 18 year old inside screaming to get out and away from all the wrinkles! Holy Cow! ;>))

I'm with you. Just let me drop over dead. I watched my parents and hubby's parents die slowly.

I saw the same thing happen with my parents. Their quality of life deteriorated as their medications increased. Every new medication affected another organ. Just let me go I don't need to watch that much TV.

There's a lot of money to be made, so I always caution patients to protect themselves at all times. My dad, even in his ignorance about his heart condition, was right. He should have turned down the bypass and managed with medication. That is what studies are showing now...bypass surgery does not affect longevity or quality of life. He lived 15 years after his surgery an did not die of heart-related issues, but he never recovered his joy of life after his surgery. So it ruined his life, literally. Now my sister is on the same road post-bypass, but after 11 years she is finally feeling better about life. Got her a grand-kid, and now she's hiking!

I know where you are coming from. My mom was taking 9 pills a day. She look and acted like she wouldn't make it another 6 months. Then my step-dad took her to his doctor and reduced it to two pills and now 2 1/2 years later she is still here and feeling good at 84. so if you take a lot of pills please be careful and get another opinon.

Interesting thing about medications. My friend has been on medication for a mental condition for years. His life deteriorated to simply existing and not caring about anything. By that I mean I am not sure he understood that he was doing things normal people would find offensive. He recently became physically ill and was taken off the medication. He is a totally different person, coherent, cognizant and exteremely aware of his situation. I think this will be a life saving experience for him.

drug companies are keeping our economy going. You do your country a disservice if you wean off them.

To takenaka:

I sincerely hope your comment was an attempt at sarcasm.

Do your homework here youngsters! At 86, my bride & I, have all of the required legalities done including who will etch the numbers on the stone, already in place. Takes a little doing, and sometimes a seemingly cold hearted approach to the the end of the road for this adventure but, it can be done. It isn't the quantity of my life that concerns me it is the quality of it and yes I truly would like to have the power to say, when it becomes necessary, let it end.

a dog ... a sister ... friends ... parents ....

ISIS-I can remember when my parents were in their 60's--OLD, very old. I've exercised my whole life, quit smoking (cigarettes :>) and continue to listen to the rock 'n roll from the 60's....I feel younger than 43. It's in the mindset and, you're right... live life to the fullest, smile and laugh as often as you can and try and keep negativity to a minimum.

The thought behind "63 is the new 43" is more about the mentality behind it....my parents at 48 were different than I am.....people tend to live fuller lives longer now.... it was the expectation that at a certain age you acted a certain way...and it made people "older" than they were. Such is no longer the case...

and its y'all..... not you'all..... bless your heart.

I'm 53 and act like I'm in my early 30's. Most old people are so conservative... and slow. When my parents were in their 50's, they were like old codgers if you know what I mean. They were content to stay home and watch TV and maybe go see the grandkids on the weekend. They were in bed every night by 9 and that was probably just to sleep ;-)

As for me, I recently went back to college and got a degree, I'm learning a new language (French), and I am starting my 3rd career. Most people my age (especially in the past) are looking forward to retirement. I'm more interested in seeing what is next. Maybe live in Paris for awhile? Most of my friends are younger and I keep up with them fine. That is why our generation is 10 years "younger" than the previous generation. It's a state of mind.

Good job and hang in there Blue! Wife and I are in our 60's now and stll very active. In our 50's we were still getting flirts from kids in their 20's, raced catamarans, and my wife won a major bicycle race. You can hang on to that youth for a very long time! I will admit my looks started slacking some in my 60's, especially my face, but life still holds a lot of fun and interest. I'm prepared to die tomorrow, or live forever.

I am 73 years young. I think the secret to life after 65 is keep your mind and body as fit as you can and lead your life with passion. I have a hobby that gives me such great satisfaction and pleasure I look forward everyday to following my bliss. And I work on my spiritual life actively. My body isn't what it once was, but I don't fret about the restrictions, I push through. If I stopped walking because I'm stiff and sore when I first get up in the morning I'd be stiff and sore all day and do less and less. I only take 2 medications but I take a lot of supplements. Life is as good as I make it. Keep off the pity pot and thank your higher power for all your blessings. Keep your mind, soul and body actively engaged with life and let the rest go.

Point well taken with but a single addition, if I may: Never lose your sense of humor in particular where you find yourself laughing at yourself! The day that you can not find something to laugh about is the day that it is over. Laughing heartily jigglesyour liver and any Doctor will tell you that there is nothing better for you than a jiggled liver! ;>))

Yup! Know what you mean...I am a "life nut"...my friends say "health nut"...LOL! Although, I do love a good pizza, burger, chili cheese dog at the local drive-in occasionally.

You know what "they" say...."eat healthy, die anyway." You can justify anything, I guess.

Maybe you could get a "Stand-In" when the big day arrives Frank!! Not me though, I don't want to be there either!

My friend and I always say "I'm not going."

Amen .... I think you can talk yourself into being sick or healthy. Attitude IS the key!

Attitude IS the key!

My Father was an alcoholic he died at 64. My brother is 68 still walks 5 miles a day, works out in a gym. My other brother is 72 still walks 3m a day and works out, my sister is 66 works out and does Zumba. My mother-in-law is 82 she has a huge yard and did the landscaping over the last few years, takes very few medications, has her mind, most of her health (years of smoking has caught up with her) - her husband is 85 sits on the couch doesn't do much takes to much medication & doesn't have a great attitude & seems to be waiting for the Grim Reaper. I'm 58, I have a good attitude, but need a better one - I need to do more walking - I already do Zumba. As my 90 yr old aunt said I don't like getting older, but the alternative is just to drastic.

My Wife has been walking 5 miles a day for weeks now. I have no idea how far away she is anymore?

My Wife has been walking 5 miles a day for weeks now. I have no idea how far away she is anymore?

Priceless!!! I couldn't stop laughing!!

Yes, very funny..I am still smiling.