does anyone else think about this often

the age of the body.. that it's just so painful, it makes you feel older than you are? (I struggle with this a lot)

I'm not even 50, and my body makes me feel about 200

thinking about the fact that it's so hard to do things that at my age should be so easy is so depressing, I even sometimes feel a bit guilty about it (even though I've put on weight and don't really exercise), the chronic pain isn't my fault

does anyone else feel like this, and when you start thinking about it how do you feel?

Yes. To make it worse I foolishly moved to a three story home in 2014. Sometimes my knee buckles going down stairs.

2 times per year I have a busy time at work and I am run ragged running around and I am too old for it.

Sort of a side note I get depressed thinking about all the invasive things that will have to be done to my body in the future.
- colonoscopy;
- mammogram;
- my teeth will probably need some work.

[TishaBuv]

I have chronic pain from issues with bones and nerves. I’ll be getting more shots and most likely surgery. I suppose it’ll be an on-going thing. The actual pain is not super painful, just constant. The physical pain really doesn’t bother me that much.

I’m in my early 50’s, too young for these ailments they say at the doctor’s office. Alas, either I am just not made of great genetics or stress sped my breaking; probably a combination of both.

I do watch my diet and am normal weight. I have not been exercising at all lately due to this condition, but am told I need to do certain exercises as physical therapy and that I should start exercising. I did, at least, walk around the block yesterday, should do it again today.

Aside from that, I feel young, vibrant, and attractive. I don’t mind being my age. I suppose I am at the prime of my life.

[Travelinglady]

It's obviously best not to think about our body's age. I'm 64 and yes, things hurt a lot, but I do what I can.

It is depressing when I see where I was just 11 years ago and where I am now.

I look back and think, Whoa! ... How could it all go down hill that fast?!?

I just turned 59 years old this year, but with all this chronic pain, I feel so much older than that!

Funny thing is (not in a ha-ha sort of way), had I not experienced an on the job injury 6 years ago, I'd've never known I even had arthritis!

I just knew I was having some pain issues, but what it was 11 years ago, what it was 6 years ago, and what it is now is just ... Wow!



I'd love to make it to retirement but have started being pro-active about getting things in order in case I do end up disabled before then.

It really makes me sad because there were a few things I wanted to do when I retired, but not so sure I'm going to be able to them now.

[Poiuytl]

Are you taking a lot of medication for your arthritis, Pfrog?

I have some experience with arthritis, and when I started with medication, everything went from bad to worse. When I started examining what I ate, and observed pain reactions to certain foods, and started watching my diet, things got much better.

I feel for you, it's such a debilitating disease! But hearing that it was only discovered by accident, and then got progressively worse makes me suspicious.

Originally Posted by Poiuytl

Are you taking a lot of medication for your arthritis, Pfrog?

I have some experience with arthritis, and when I started with medication, everything went from bad to worse. When I started examining what I ate, and observed pain reactions to certain foods, and started watching my diet, things got much better.

I feel for you, it's such a debilitating disease! But hearing that it was only discovered by accident, and then got progressively worse makes me suspicious.

Other than an occasional Extra Strength Tylenol, Aleve, or a dose of Nyquil (every now and then to help me get a good night's rest), I'm not taking anything because I figure if it's not going to fix the problem then why expose my liver and kidneys to the risk of injury too!

With that being said, though, I often wonder if all the psychiatric meds I took for 15 or so years (with their outrageous physical side effects), as well as the severe allergic reaction I had to an antibiotic 10 years ago (that actually did almost permanently TKO my kidneys) didn't cause and contribute to all this.

Like you, I've also started paying attention to my diet and keeping track of (and avoiding) foods that give me those extra painful flareups! ... Pizza's a no go ... Still working on getting off of sugar - because it hurts BIG TIME too ... Nor is red meat a friend to me.

[Poiuytl]

Pfrog, I agree with you. Your medication must have played a big role in the development of your arthritis. It's good that you're watching your food. With me it was garlic, onions, chili pepper. Spicy food in general. And white wine. Beer also.

Cutting out sugar (best entirely) is certainly one of the best things you can do to your body. The less sugar you eat, the less cravings you will have (is my experience).

Try magnesium citrate in the evening to help you sleep. It really works well, might help with your arthritis, too.

I wish you much luck and little pain, Pfrog.