It's just not as much fun anymore

[pintopete]

Bluealtered & DusterDave173, I’m sorry you’re in that situation. I’m near 60, feel the limitations already and have reflected on life like you are, and like many others that have posted on this thread. After two back surgeries, 3 shoulder surgeries, and more needed, I’m no where near who I was 10, 15, 20 years ago. Accepting that those days are gone forever, and that the list of life dreams will require significant editing is bothersome and unpleasant. I do find comfort in all these posts, knowing that I am not alone in my situation. I know it doesn’t change my situation, but helps my frame of mind. I’m very guilty of more than 80% deferred gratification. Not a good personal plan. Reminds me of another post on this forum about life, its fragility, and how short it is.
I wish you the best, hope that your days are brighter, and that you can find enjoyment in whatever you choose to do.
Best regards, Peter.

 

[Dave in WI]

I've heard the leading cause of injury in older people is thinking they are younger.......

 

[rjtfroggy]

Six years ago I could out walk everyone I knew, now I can't outwalk anyone.
I went to the Orthopedic since I posted the last time, went for my knees,and he told me I wasn't a good candidate for replacement because of lumbar issues. Neuro. and spine ortho say no more back surgeries, talk about rock and a hard place.
I'm probably going to try a chiropractor for the knees, and am still up in the air for what to do about sciatic nerve.
I haven't even thought about the numbness in my hands yet.

 

[K22]

Six years ago I could out walk everyone I knew, now I can't outwalk anyone.
I went to the Orthopedic since I posted the last time, went for my knees,and he told me I wasn't a good candidate for replacement because of lumbar issues. Neuro. and spine ortho say no more back surgeries, talk about rock and a hard place.
I'm probably going to try a chiropractor for the knees, and am still up in the air for what to do about sciatic nerve.
I haven't even thought about the numbness in my hands yet.

Not sure what a lumbar issue has to do with knee replacement, you may want to obtain a second opinion.

My knees are the only good part remaining in my old body, but I had a number of friends who had knee replacement and all of them were very successful.

I have severe L4 and L5 lumbar disc degeneration aggravated with arthritis. I have chronic pain, but I manage it so some extent with exercises given to me by a therapist. These have helped but I have bad days. You may want to investigate that option too.

 

[BigBolt]

I've heard the leading cause of injury in older people is thinking they are younger.......

Not really the leading cause is dealing with young stupid people as they have no life experiences regardless of what they think.

 

[rwj]

I've heard the leading cause of injury in older people is thinking they are younger.......

Nah… it’s acting like they are… and I’m guilty!!!

 

[Shooter13]

Injury and age has left me in this situation. Although I still have the desire to hunt I just don't have the physical ability to do so.
As has been said before " getting old aint for sissies".

I loved hunting! 2 new knees, hips and shoulders need replaced, so for me benchrest was born but now with the cost and travel and shortage of supplies what's next? I love to mow grass so maybe I'll start perusing the neighborhood on my zero turn!

 

[cmysix]

1948 ford anglia pro street , there a dream I'll never have.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Not sure what a lumbar issue has to do with knee replacement, you may want to obtain a second opinion.

My knees are the only good part remaining in my old body, but I had a number of friends who had knee replacement and all of them were very successful.

I have severe L4 and L5 lumbar disc degeneration aggravated with arthritis. I have chronic pain, but I manage it so some extent with exercises given to me by a therapist. These have helped but I have bad days. You may want to investigate that option too.

K22 I've gone to several Drs. for my knees and they have said basically the same thing, your back will not support the therapy needed for successful knee replacement. I've had 8 lumbar surgeries, 6 with fusions (fused from tailbone to L3) and besides the scar tissue there is still nerve impingement causing constant pressure on them, sending pain down the back of leg into foot almost constantly.
You are right arthritis in the knees and spine doesn't help.

 

[bluealtered]

rjtfroggy, I have had sciatic pain from a very early age and over all the decades of life, (7+) I have yet to find someone who could change it.
Yes a GOOD chiropractor can provide relief for a while, however I have found out the hard way that a bad adjustment will cause the same symptoms of a stroke, ... everybody here should look this up if you use a chiropractor. You really, really don't want to go through this and this will give you a heads up if it should happen. It may take up to two weeks for this to show up.

I have had five major surgeries in the S1-L5 area by one of the best surgeons in this part of our country and it made a very good difference in my life for a few years, but the problem causing the nerve damage may or will come back. I have had more surgeries though out my life than than you can count on two hands, some have lasted a while and some are still OK.

The one thing you must understand about surgeries is very simple, whether it works or not, this is now the way it's going to be from now on, period. Do your home work first, you can't undo it.
The last thing I will say here is that if you exercise, your mind will after a period of time let you live with the pain and go on with life, it's all up to you.

 

[K22]

K22 I've gone to several Drs. for my knees and they have said basically the same thing, your back will not support the therapy needed for successful knee replacement. I've had 8 lumbar surgeries, 6 with fusions (fused from tailbone to L3) and besides the scar tissue there is still nerve impingement causing constant pressure on them, sending pain down the back of leg into foot almost constantly.
You are right arthritis in the knees and spine doesn't help.

So sorry to hear of your predicament. I know how debilitating chronic pain can be in one's life. I have dealt with it for 35 years. Take care - I wish you the best.

 

[Old Navy]

This topic is depressing.

 

[Jonnyofalltrades]

I see it as a chance for reflection on what we consider most important.
As a gun nut, I have the tendency to become obsessed, hyper-focused, whatever you want to call it. Guns are very fun things, but they are still just things.
Take a few minutes to consider where you are going in life. It's worth it.

 

[Tesoro]

Remember those recent-current threads about declining Match attendance? One Poster's observation was that BR Matches were filled with "crabby old, guys" who sat around, complaining about their health problems.

I'd tell that Poster, don't bother going to a Match. You can hear the same $**t here.

SJ

^^^^

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Remember those recent-current threads about declining Match attendance? One Poster's observation was that BR Matches were filled with "crabby old, guys" who sat around, complaining about their health problems.

I'd tell that Poster, don't bother going to a Match. You can hear the same $**t here.

SJ

No one is complaining about their health problem, just having conversation about them. Anyone who has worked hard in their life is going to get there.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Remember those recent-current threads about declining Match attendance? One Poster's observation was that BR Matches were filled with "crabby old, guys" who sat around, complaining about their health problems.

I'd tell that Poster, don't bother going to a Match. You can hear the same $**t here.

SJ

I never hear complaints, we just state the facts and carry on. The farther north you go the more facts you hear.

 

[bluealtered]

Yes it is depressing, however if I or we can help those of us who going down this road for the first time it may be well worth it. I for one have found that there are stages of understanding and dealing with the pain that may be from now on your life.
The first Nero surgeon I went to, (by chance) when I had to admit that my life was changed and was not changing back told me after looking at all the x-rays and MRI's in front of him, he told me exactly what type of work I had done throughout my life. He also told me that the surgery's needed to maybe correct this problem were probably ten years away, and if I wanted he said he would open me up and look around, (those were his words) This came from a Doctor who was at that time one of the best Nero surgeons in our country.

He also stated that if I could deal with the pain for ten more years that maybe it could be changed. It actually took five more years than that but I waited, (What choice was there?) The last thing he said as I was sitting there was that there was a 90% chance because of the damage I had done to my back that within the next six months I would sit down and never get back up, and that if there were things I wanted to do I had better go do them now. This was one of the very few times in my life that anything had actually scared me.

Of course there were many things I still wanted to do and I did them all. It is now almost thirty years later and I 'm still up and about until later in the day when I do sit down because the body says enough.

The only reason I have been able to do this is because I changed my life to deal with this, I started studying what had happened and what had worked for others and what did not work for them, this just a start there is much you can do if you just try. If you believe it when the Doctor tells you no you can't, ... then no you can't. However if you are a hardheaded S.O.B. like me you will find away to keep going, whether you win or lose is up to you, not a Doctor.

 

[jimmymac]

This is really depressing. I'm 60, and just had open heart surgery to repair an aneurysm. I have a second chance at life. I'm embracing it and will go until I can't go anymore. I have three gun projects in the works, I'm planning vacations and looking forward to getting back out in my fishing boat. I sure the hell ain't going to sit on my ass unless I'm confined to that by fate.

 

[David Milisock]

Getting old changes things, 69 in 16 days shoulder repair, double knee replacement, cancer twice, thank God for the VA.
I've given some stuff away, my boy (38) has kids I help train. He needed my 22 Magnum for a coyote problem. Needed a small bore centerfire for training.
I've upgraded my handguns and my self loading rifles to leave for the family. It's 2023 but feels like 1938 and we have a dementia patient for a president.
I still buy and fix up old WWII bolt guns for fun but one rifle could be a years work and I am slower.
I love my life, I've lived as well as I could, I was a good soldier, I wish I had been a better husband and father. Until the end, I'll work at being a better person and shooter.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Jimmymac first thing, Do not let depression get to you. Everyday is a new day make it the best you can.

Bluealtered in 1990 I was told by a at the time top orthopedic that I would be in a wheel chair by the time I hit 45, here I am at 71 after way too many surgeries to count, from blown disc to torn tendons and the last one complete urostomy (bladder and prostate removal) and I am still up and moving, not like I used to but I am moving.
Pain is a state of mind and I refuse to give in to it.