Hate being 40+- I don't heal anymore
Discussion
So since turning 41 my body doesn't seem to heal itself anymore. I've been plagued with lots pulled/tendinosis tendons, hand injuries and knee issues that simply 2 years later are still there and no better. About every 3 months something new comes up. Out of about 10 things , 3 are healed (so at least i don't notice too much) but the rest are persistently there and do not get any better. I've tried many physio sessions, rest, all sorts but nothing sorts any of them.
Its like my body has no more growth hormone left or something. I simply don't seem to heal. Anyone else have this ? I know things slow down as you get older but its getting ridiculous - I can't even walk the dog anymore (achilles issue) and I've had to completely give up the gym (so now I cannot exercise at all.)
Its been like this now for 2 years and is just getting worse, its making me truly miserable and I just feel like my life is over prematurely. Surely this is not normal? I'm only 43 FFS.
Its like my body has no more growth hormone left or something. I simply don't seem to heal. Anyone else have this ? I know things slow down as you get older but its getting ridiculous - I can't even walk the dog anymore (achilles issue) and I've had to completely give up the gym (so now I cannot exercise at all.)
Its been like this now for 2 years and is just getting worse, its making me truly miserable and I just feel like my life is over prematurely. Surely this is not normal? I'm only 43 FFS.
Did the physio set you any rehab exercises? If yes, did you do them and are you still doing them?
Is your diet good?
Do you sleep enough?
Do you stretch/do yoga/pilates?
Do you sit down all day at work?
I've found as I get older, I have to work harder to maintain the same levels and do more supporting actions to ensure my main goals can be reached.
Is your diet good?
Do you sleep enough?
Do you stretch/do yoga/pilates?
Do you sit down all day at work?
I've found as I get older, I have to work harder to maintain the same levels and do more supporting actions to ensure my main goals can be reached.
I guess it is one of those things that happens to all of us!
I am a registered osteopath and have a lot of patients going through my clinic each day. My saying is that in your 20s you can do whatever you like, in your 30s you're at risk if you don't start looking after yourself and in your 40s +, there is no choice, you either look after yourself or you will have problems.
Thinking positive is key. Go see a good physio/osteo, get a stretching and strengthening program, do as much exercise as your condition allows, lose a little weight and most importantly, keep your mind fit and sharp.
Remember a few hundred years ago we were all dead by 40 so you are doing well mate!!
Chris
I am a registered osteopath and have a lot of patients going through my clinic each day. My saying is that in your 20s you can do whatever you like, in your 30s you're at risk if you don't start looking after yourself and in your 40s +, there is no choice, you either look after yourself or you will have problems.
Thinking positive is key. Go see a good physio/osteo, get a stretching and strengthening program, do as much exercise as your condition allows, lose a little weight and most importantly, keep your mind fit and sharp.
Remember a few hundred years ago we were all dead by 40 so you are doing well mate!!
Chris
ewenm said:
Did the physio set you any rehab exercises? If yes, did you do them and are you still doing them?
Yes and yes. They don't help though - I give them about half a year then give up and if anything they make some of them worse. I'm coming around to the thinking that physio only works in your 20s and 30s.ewenm said:
Is your diet good?
Very good. about 10% body fat.ewenm said:
Do you sleep enough?
About 7-8 hrs, but in the last 18 months a have a son, so its been a bit disturbed in the first 12 months.ewenm said:
Do you stretch/do yoga/pilates?
I do some specific stretches, I cannot do yoga due to injuries, and I do some specific pilates around said injuries.ewenm said:
Do you sit down all day at work?
Unfortunatly yes due to my job (and working at home). I do have a standup desk, and a treadmill under it which I did always use until my achiellies issue (5 months ago). I also go for a little walk around every 30 mins. I do feel this might be the root of all my issues, the lack of blood flow can't be good. However I don't really have a choice at this, its my job/career. chrisgaia said:
Thinking positive is key.
I'm finding it really hard. You think it makes a difference?chrisgaia said:
Go see a good physio/osteo, get a stretching and strengthening program, do as much exercise as your condition allows, lose a little weight and most importantly, keep your mind fit and sharp.
Been trying that but no luck!chrisgaia said:
Remember a few hundred years ago we were all dead by 40 so you are doing well mate!!
Chris
True, but it s*cks! I see plenty of guys in there 50 running about here and going to gym to I'm feeling short changed .Chris
bosshog said:
True, but it s*cks! I see plenty of guys in there 50 running about here and going to gym to I'm feeling short changed .
You get the odd fringe people who are freakish but trust me, most of us approaching 40 who exercise regularly feel your pain, or more likely their own pain. I'm 39 and have early onset arthritis in my hip, ffs! Stretching, yoga, posture, diet, supplements etc... may help around the edges but you can't really stop the cruel passage of time. I'll take the aches and pains though for the enjoyment and other benefits I get from my exercise - for now.That sounds tough mate. It look like you are doing all the right things but nothing is working. Does your physio get his elbow into your calf muscles and really work it? A lot of physios give out exercises and don't get their hands dirty. I am a big believer in getting stuck in - it hurts like hell but will help! You need to find the right person to treat you. I work with brilliant physios at one clinic but many in NHS are rubbish. Same goes for Osteopaths like me. Just find someone who understands what is going on.
Thinking positive (or lack thereof) is one of the greatest factors affecting chronic pain outcomes, believe it or not! I'm not talking about pretending the pain is not there, or grinning and bearing it, that does not help. You may have noticed that we can catastrophize a bit, pain is designed to do that - to puck with your mind, if you know what I mean. More pain can be caused by thinking " I am never going to exercise again!" or "I'm getting old and on the way out". Studies show that these thoughts can be more painful than the actual pain!
Truth is we don't know what is going to happen. I am an osteopath with a nasty centrally prolapsing disk (ironic, eh!). If it gets much worse I might not be able to work (as it is leaning over patients that has caused it!!). I try not to imagine the worst as I have had these things before and been able to heal them. I am surprised to see that often it just takes time and things work out fine.
Sorry about the pep talk but if I could give one bit of advice I would say accept it as best you can. Fred is right, we are all in the same boat here and I see other 40 somethings everyday with the same sheet happening. My brilliant uncle said to me before he died. "Enjoy being 40, it might not be perfect but 40 is a great age to be. Keep having fun." I always remember that.
He also said "80 is sh*t, believe me!". So we are not quite there yet!!
Thinking positive (or lack thereof) is one of the greatest factors affecting chronic pain outcomes, believe it or not! I'm not talking about pretending the pain is not there, or grinning and bearing it, that does not help. You may have noticed that we can catastrophize a bit, pain is designed to do that - to puck with your mind, if you know what I mean. More pain can be caused by thinking " I am never going to exercise again!" or "I'm getting old and on the way out". Studies show that these thoughts can be more painful than the actual pain!
Truth is we don't know what is going to happen. I am an osteopath with a nasty centrally prolapsing disk (ironic, eh!). If it gets much worse I might not be able to work (as it is leaning over patients that has caused it!!). I try not to imagine the worst as I have had these things before and been able to heal them. I am surprised to see that often it just takes time and things work out fine.
Sorry about the pep talk but if I could give one bit of advice I would say accept it as best you can. Fred is right, we are all in the same boat here and I see other 40 somethings everyday with the same sheet happening. My brilliant uncle said to me before he died. "Enjoy being 40, it might not be perfect but 40 is a great age to be. Keep having fun." I always remember that.
He also said "80 is sh*t, believe me!". So we are not quite there yet!!
Heh. I'm 53 and never been in better health or fitter.
This is largely down to a pretty inactive early life and getting into poor shape and waking up in my early forties. I now do weight training, a little yoga, walk far more than I ever did, eat well, sleep well and see a sports masseuse when required.
Everyone I know who played football, rugby, cricket, etc., especially those who played on into their forties, are knackered. Mainly bad knees, backs and hips.
This is largely down to a pretty inactive early life and getting into poor shape and waking up in my early forties. I now do weight training, a little yoga, walk far more than I ever did, eat well, sleep well and see a sports masseuse when required.
Everyone I know who played football, rugby, cricket, etc., especially those who played on into their forties, are knackered. Mainly bad knees, backs and hips.
I can sympathise. I have been plagued with long-term medium level injury since my late teens (late 30s now), with ankle and elbow joint surgery and various lower leg and knee problems limiting what I can take part in. The past year has been my best in years, but I have now started with plantar fasciitis and thigh issues.
I had been feeling quite positive until recently!
It does seem that body maintenance is taking more and more time.
I had been feeling quite positive until recently!
It does seem that body maintenance is taking more and more time.
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