Anyone noticing a real change in your abilities? (weather, moving, years)
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Over the past few years, I've noticed some changes in myself that were puzzling but did not take too seriously as I thought they were temporary. I've had limitations put on me by my eye surgeries and total knee replacement. I knew there would be a recovery period for both of them. And I fully expected to go right back to my "normal" self once I was healed. I was not fully able to comply with some of those limitations as I live alone and have no family to help. I've always done things for myself, been able to do them without too many problems, etc.
Recently I realized that the changes are not improving and started to remind myself that I'm "not a kid anymore." I can't seem to get the strength to do the physical work I've done in the past and have been beating myself up quite a bit over it. I "should" be doing this and that, but I'm not doing. Fatigue is there every day. Yesterday I needed to go to Walmart for a few things and when I got home, sat down on the couch and went right to sleep. I woke up with a start..... how long had I slept? About an hour.
It's hard to believe a short trip over to Walmart, doing some shopping, getting some info from a clerk about something I might want to get later on..... wore me out. When I got home, I needed to go over to another building in my complex for something and dreaded the short walk.
Oh my gosh, what is happening to me? I'm 74, really not old by any stretch of the imagination, but really feeling like I am old. I do have a lot of arthritis, the damp weather (we've had a real snow storm over past few days and now it's just cold -- 30'ish degrees). So it's generic Tylenol and heating pad.
Has anyone else experienced these changes? What have you done to get back to normal?
In addition to a routine physical and plenty of visits to specialists, I am now working with a sleep doctor to diagnosis and treat my fatigue issues. The recommended changes seem to be helping but I am not sure what to expect at age 70, 20 pounds overweight and with an autoimmune disease.
In addition to some changes affecting my sleep, he has suggested at least regular daily cardio exercises. I also know I need to eat better and drop the 20 extra pounds. Nothing seems easy when the days turn short, dark and cold. He also suggested trying a lamp designed to combat the lack of sunshine. I am not expecting any big instant improvement but hopefully all the little things will add up and help.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I'm only 64, but I definitely feel it for 2-3 days after spending 4 hours or more doing unusually strenuous projects. The most obvious example is every spring when I go to my parents to plant their vegetable crops. After 6-7 hour on my hands and knees, I feel fine driving home and that evening, but the next day every bone and muscle aches. The other is working on cars, or home renovation projects. The same sore muscles but also a lot more bloody scratches and scrapes.
Over the past few years, I've noticed some changes in myself that were puzzling but did not take too seriously as I thought they were temporary. I've had limitations put on me by my eye surgeries and total knee replacement. I knew there would be a recovery period for both of them. And I fully expected to go right back to my "normal" self once I was healed. I was not fully able to comply with some of those limitations as I live alone and have no family to help. I've always done things for myself, been able to do them without too many problems, etc.
Recently I realized that the changes are not improving and started to remind myself that I'm "not a kid anymore." I can't seem to get the strength to do the physical work I've done in the past and have been beating myself up quite a bit over it. I "should" be doing this and that, but I'm not doing. Fatigue is there every day. Yesterday I needed to go to Walmart for a few things and when I got home, sat down on the couch and went right to sleep. I woke up with a start..... how long had I slept? About an hour.
It's hard to believe a short trip over to Walmart, doing some shopping, getting some info from a clerk about something I might want to get later on..... wore me out. When I got home, I needed to go over to another building in my complex for something and dreaded the short walk.
Oh my gosh, what is happening to me? I'm 74, really not old by any stretch of the imagination, but really feeling like I am old. I do have a lot of arthritis, the damp weather (we've had a real snow storm over past few days and now it's just cold -- 30'ish degrees). So it's generic Tylenol and heating pad.
Has anyone else experienced these changes? What have you done to get back to normal?
Or is this the new normal and I'm just whining?
Well i'm in my 50s and I can feel a difference. Maybe because I hang out with people 10-20 years older than me, I don't find it surprising. I am learning from them!
But you should go get checked out, to rule out a heart condition.
I am about to turn 67 - though to be honest I sometimes have to do a recount to be sure that is the correct number. That said, depending on what the work is (I could not do a manual labour job any more for 8 hours straight - and that used to be easy) I am pretty sure I could still do a job (of the kind I did for many years also) that didn't require standing or heavy lifting all day. Mentally my faculties are probably still mostly with me.
But, I also used to get into my vehicle and drive for days at a time (up to 20 hours a day) and be fine at the end of the trip. Now I drive only 3.5 days (and often for fewer hours on at least one or two of those) and it takes me days to recover - but I am still as safe as ever on the roads. There is deterioration I am sure though when it comes to stamina.
I also can still think of smart ways to get manually taxing or tricky things done alone but I no longer really want to tackle those things by myself (moving heavy furniture for instance). Perhaps I am also getting smarter in my old age?
This is the first year I am not stringing lights outside on the bushes. I had enough trouble trying to tie the wreath onto the front door. The hands don't work like they should. I drop everything. Not fatigued much and sleep a good 8 hours, but honestly, I don't think I will be able to do much gardening for many more years. The fine motor skills are going fast.( Same age as you OP !) I think exercise would help me, but I just don't like it.
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