It sucks growing old

[AndyinPA]

Don't want knee replacement. Turning 60 in 10 days. They both need to go.

It sucks.

My husband has needed both done for 15 years. I definitely suggest getting it done sooner rather than later. I'm guessing, if he ever gets around to it, he won't have an easy time of it or the best of luck with it.

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Hubby had knee surgery over 10 years ago. It was not knee replacement just cleaning up arthritic leavings. It helped him a lot! I think knee replacement is in his future.

[AndyinPA]

Hubby had knee surgery over 10 years ago. It was not knee replacement just cleaning up arthritic leavings. It helped him a lot! I think knee replacement is in his future.

He's gone that route, too. He just wants that absolute guarantee that it will turn out perfect. Not happening.

[sugar magnolia]

Don't want knee replacement. Turning 60 in 10 days. They both need to go.

It sucks.

My husband has needed both done for 15 years. I definitely suggest getting it done sooner rather than later. I'm guessing, if he ever gets around to it, he won't have an easy time of it or the best of luck with it.

Or they won't do it at all. My dad has needed his knees fixed for so long that the docs won't touch them now so he hobbles around on a walker, or in a wheelchair on particularly bad days.

[AndyinPA]

Don't want knee replacement. Turning 60 in 10 days. They both need to go.

It sucks.

My husband has needed both done for 15 years. I definitely suggest getting it done sooner rather than later. I'm guessing, if he ever gets around to it, he won't have an easy time of it or the best of luck with it.

Or they won't do it at all. My dad has needed his knees fixed for so long that the docs won't touch them now so he hobbles around on a walker, or in a wheelchair on particularly bad days.

I'll remember that. I'd relay it to him now, but he's dealing with another issue right now and doesn't need that, too. Thanks.

[Lani]

Old age problem. I'm at the point where I have to take SS. To reduce taxes, I send equivalent salary pre-tax to a retirement program my employer provides. Today SSA sent only $400 frigging dollars to me. I checked out the SSA website and there is no notice to me about why that happened. Being on Hawaii time, I couldn't reach any one.

Anyone else have this happen? Or do I just need to quietly rant until Monday?

Speaking of old, I mentioned - I think? - that I'm out on sick leave for 2 weeks. I had an annoying, but mild, cold that wouldn't go away. Tested negative for covid. Then one day I was too exhausted to function and made stupid mistakes. Did the video thingie with my doctor who said to get to the office as soon as possible because she thought I had walking pneumonia, and I was losing the fight. She was right. I was supposed to return to work next Monday. But I was still extremely exhausted on Thursday and knew that I couldn't put in a 5 day week. So now I have another week off!

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[MN-Skeptic]

Old age problem. I'm at the point where I have to take SS. To reduce taxes, I send equivalent salary pre-tax to a retirement program my employer provides. Today SSA sent only $400 frigging dollars to me. I checked out the SSA website and there is no notice to me about why that happened. Being on Hawaii time, I couldn't reach any one.

Anyone else have this happen? Or do I just need to quietly rant until Monday?

I think you’ll have to quietly rant until Tuesday. Monday is a federal holiday.

[keith]

Don't want knee replacement. Turning 60 in 10 days. They both need to go.

It sucks.

YES. DO IT. The longer you wait, the less of a 'good time' it will be.

My brother in law had both knees done at once, which was apparently rare at the time. It worked out great for him and he had no problems dealing with it. He was around 60 too.

He used to make fun of me because I was putting off having my hip fixed until it was 'a good time to be off work when the projects wouldn't suffer'. He was mostly right, except when he would accuse me of being afraid of it - I wasn't afraid, I'm just a natural procrastinator. When I did get it done it was a doddle as far as I was concerned. I got a 'Birmingham Hip' which was fairly new and they didn't know how long they would last but that 'regular' hips last 15 to 25 years so who knows? Mines been in for 15 years now and it seems perfectly fine to me.

Now I'm putting off getting the other hip done because I'm just a natural procrastinator and it doesn't really bother me THAT much yet. And are my bones still good enough that I can just get another nice easy Birmingham? Or will I need the whole cut it off and insert a spike style? I don't want it to get as bad as the other side was, so I'm going to have to start the discussions pretty soon.

Next question: can they do arthritic shoulder replacements yet? How about arthritic lower backs? Arthritic necks?

[Lani]

There's an argument in the medical arena about knee replacements. Good money for hospitals, covered by insurance, but now people in their 40's-50's are getting them. They don't last forever, so a few decades down the road, people in their 70's-80's are getting them replaced with not excellent results because recovery is more difficult.

People who are in their 60's-70's when getting knee replacements are unlikely to have a replacement during their lifetime.

[Lani]

Old age problem. I'm at the point where I have to take SS. To reduce taxes, I send equivalent salary pre-tax to a retirement program my employer provides. Today SSA sent only $400 frigging dollars to me. I checked out the SSA website and there is no notice to me about why that happened. Being on Hawaii time, I couldn't reach any one.

Anyone else have this happen? Or do I just need to quietly rant until Monday?

I think you’ll have to quietly rant until Tuesday. Monday is a federal holiday.

AARRGHH. Forgot that holiday. We don't have it here.

[Foggy]

Remember a few weeks ago I had to cancel the Zoom meetup because I had food poisoning or sumpin'?

Well I also had to reschedule the next cortisone shot in my arthritic knee. And I couldn't reschedule until Veteran's Day.

My knee is now going downhill quickly, and all I need is one little needle, but there's nothing I can do except be on a waiting list.

So, umm ... what day did Columbus discover Hawaii?

[Phoenix520]

Lani, I got a $300 SS payment out of the blue, then an explanation about a week later. It’s a COL adjustment. Can’t tell if it’s an early or late one from the letter. .

ETA I blame tfg.

[AndyinPA]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/12/heal ... troke.html

Doctors should no longer routinely begin prescribing a daily regimen of low-dose aspirin to most people at high risk of a first heart attack or stroke, according to new draft guidelines by a U.S. panel of experts. The proposed recommendation is based on mounting evidence that the risk of serious side effects far outweighs the benefit of what was once considered a remarkably cheap weapon in the fight against heart disease.The U.S. panel also plans to retreat from its 2016 recommendation to take baby aspirin for the prevention of colorectal cancer, guidance that was groundbreaking at the time. The panel said more recent data had raised questions about the putative benefits for cancer, and that more research was needed.

On the use of low-dose or baby aspirin, the recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force would apply to people younger than 60 who were at high risk of heart disease and for whom a new daily regimen of the mild analgesic might have been a tool to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. The proposed guidelines would not apply to those already taking aspirin or those who have already had a heart attack. The U.S. task force also wants to strongly discourage anyone 60 and older from starting a low-dose aspirin regimen, citing concerns about the age-related heightened risk for life-threatening bleeding. The panel had previously recommended that people in their 60s who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease consult their doctors to make a decision. A low dose is 81 milligrams to 100 milligrams.

Something to check out with your own doctor first, I would assume.

[AndyinPA]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2 ... ring-aids/

A long-awaited Food and Drug Administration proposal would allow millions of consumers to buy over-the-counter hearing aids in stores or online without a prescription or medical exam.

More than four years after Congress ordered the agency to allow over-the-counter hearing aids, it took the first step Tuesday to broaden access to more accessible and affordable devices for millions of patients with mild to moderate hearing loss. The agency’s proposal would create a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids and supersede state-level regulations that require patients to go through physicians or audiologists to get prescriptions and fittings for them.

Hearing aids cost an average more than $5,000 per pair, are not typically covered by traditional Medicare or other insurers, while advocates argue that over-the-counter models could be a fraction of that cost.

My husband got his at Costco about two years ago. He didn't pay anything like $5,000, but I've known people who have. Even after two years, he is receiving excellent service. They just sent one back to either repair or replace.

[RTH10260]

A 100-Year-Old Priest Was Nudged From His Parish. He Has No Plan to Retire.
The Rev. Luis Urriza arrived in Beaumont, Texas, nearly 70 years ago and founded the thriving Cristo Rey parish. His religious order has now called him back to Spain.

By Rick Rojas
Oct. 25, 2021

BEAUMONT, Texas — The priest needed a hand while tugging on layer after layer of vestments. He carried a magnifying glass to help him read a handwritten list of prayer intentions. But as he jingled a bell to let the congregation know that Mass was beginning, he abandoned his walker and cane, singing along with the choir as he ambled up the center aisle toward the altar.

“He knows the difficulty of our life — it’s not easy,” the Rev. Luis Urriza said in Spanish, describing Jesus’ familiarity with the struggles of his followers.

“He has been tested in all manners,” Father Luis said. “Exactly like us.”

In fact, Father Luis faced a test of his own, perhaps his most daunting. At the age of 100, nearly 70 years after he had established the humble Cristo Rey Parish to nurture a small but burgeoning Latino community in southeastern Texas, he was now being forced to leave it behind.

Not long after his birthday in August, the Catholic bishop of Beaumont told him that the time had come. Another, younger pastor was taking over at Cristo Rey. His order was sending Father Luis off to a new assignment in Spain, his home country, to join other priests serving in a church near Madrid.



https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/25/us/l ... texas.html

[sad-cafe]

getting old SUCKS for sure


ON Friday I was at work. Sore throat-ear pain-shooting pain up my brain and voice was going. Nurse checked me out. Gave me a Covid test-NEG



left work and went to the doc. rapid strep test----inconclusive. Doc treated both sinus and strep with an antibiotic I have taken many times.

took first dose. feet and fingers started itching. Was sick enough from the head mess that I laid down and slept. My fingers and feet were itching but I felt crummy with the head mess so I just scratched and slept.

Saturday woke up . took Antibiotic . Within 3 hours I was fully broke out feet, fingers, the web between thumb and forfingers
splotches all over my legs and back and belly and under arms and behind knees.

BUT my FEET-looked like they had been lobster boiled. Stopped taking the antibiotic. Called Doc on MOnday. Got steroids and a new antibiotic.

Apparently as we get older, we become more allergic to stuff. (who knew) check out my feet

[sad-cafe]

under that foot is even worse


I had to miss two days of work because I couldn't walk or wear shoes

[AndyinPA]

I knew. I never had any allergies (aside from being allergic to almost any antibiotic), but about five years ago, allergy things got started. Most I haven't figured out. The first thing that started out was a rash on my neck. I never quite figured that out, but it seemed like it might have been to a perfume. My husband had just bought me a new bottle, $122. I never wore it again, although I still have it and occasionally use as a room refresher, probably most expensive one ever.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Mr brolin]

As one ages stuff suddenly seems to stop working, fall off or begin creaking/clicking/grinding.......

In the last 5 months I've had

A set of 7 somewhat uncomfortable large needles driven into my spine as sudden onset sciatic pain was due to 3 buggered discs in the lower spine

My eyes, over a 6 month COVID lockdown/isolation period went from the optician saying "H'mm couple of specks in one eye, if they ripen in 4-5 years we may have to do something" to "Ahhhhhh, you need a referral to a specialist" . Both lenses emulsified, sucked out and replace in a one week period

Once the sciatic pain was vaguely under control, the ongoing knee pain that had been masked by said pain led to an MRI and a diagnosis of FUBAR to the knee and an endoscopic procedure that was supposed to last circa 45 minutes for a quick buff and light sanding that ended up being closer to 2 hours under the knife and much grinding, drilling and planing.

End result was the surgeon letting me know a-la "The operation was a success but the patient" died discussion "Terribly sorry Mr Brolin however I see a full knee replacement in your near future"

Various of one's minions at work make much mock about if I'm going for a full Borg gradual body replacement.....

[p0rtia]

under that foot is even worse


I had to miss two days of work because I couldn't walk or wear shoes

Good god.

And thanks for the anecdotal warning: Last time I had an antibiotic I began to get very, very itchy after about four days. Consulted doc and agreed to grin, bear, and finish course. I'll be on the alert next time. Good god.

[Maybenaut]

getting old SUCKS for sure


ON Friday I was at work. Sore throat-ear pain-shooting pain up my brain and voice was going. Nurse checked me out. Gave me a Covid test-NEG



left work and went to the doc. rapid strep test----inconclusive. Doc treated both sinus and strep with an antibiotic I have taken many times.

took first dose. feet and fingers started itching. Was sick enough from the head mess that I laid down and slept. My fingers and feet were itching but I felt crummy with the head mess so I just scratched and slept.

Saturday woke up . took Antibiotic . Within 3 hours I was fully broke out feet, fingers, the web between thumb and forfingers
splotches all over my legs and back and belly and under arms and behind knees.

BUT my FEET-looked like they had been lobster boiled. Stopped taking the antibiotic. Called Doc on MOnday. Got steroids and a new antibiotic.

Apparently as we get older, we become more allergic to stuff. (who knew) check out my feet

OMG, I’m so sorry.

Next time, please go to the ER. That sort of reaction can be life-threatening. It can move through your body quickly, and can show up in random places. If it hits your throat you wouldn’t necessarily know it before it’s too late (you can’t really feel your throat close up).

Also, take Benadryl and an antacid. The histamines are generated in your gut and the antacid will slow the generation. The benadryl will reduce the histamines that have already been generated.

That’s what my allergist told me (I have alpha gal, and the reactions range from hives to full-on anaphylaxis).

I recently reacted to an antibiotic I had taken many times. My face swelled up and I looked like a Klingon from Next Generation.

[Maybenaut]

I knew. I never had any allergies (aside from being allergic to almost any antibiotic), but about five years ago, allergy things got started. Most I haven't figured out. The first thing that started out was a rash on my neck. I never quite figured that out, but it seemed like it might have been to a perfume. My husband had just bought me a new bottle, $122. I never wore it again, although I still have it and occasionally use as a room refresher, probably most expensive one ever.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Get yourself tested for alpha gal. They can do a blood test and a skin test (the blood test is more accurate). I was getting hives at random times for no apparent reason - turns out it was from an allergy to food sourced from mammals (meat and milk products) caused by a tick bite.

[bill_g]

under that foot is even worse


I had to miss two days of work because I couldn't walk or wear shoes

Ouch. It's possible it was the formulation you are allergic to, not the antibiotic. IE: you're allergic to the rest of the pill, not the medicine. We suspected Mrs was allergic to something in some of her meds, and with the help of her pharmicist determined it was a commonly used preservative.

[filly]

Mr Filly neared anaphylaxis after taking amoxicillin for the 100th time. He was in Vancouver CA and got a severe rash that turned into massive welts. He kept taking the amoxicillin because he’d been “taking it his whole life !” Took the last dose and got in a 5+ hour flight back to Houston. His throat was closing up by the time he landed.



He was very lucky he didn’t die. He was on steroids for months afterwards. First, listen to your wife! If you are taking a medication and experience any kind of rash STOP TAKING IT! Seek immediate medical care. I kept telling him you can develop an allergy to anything at any time but until the doctor told him that as well. He’s lucky that’s not on his tombstone!

[Foggy]

Listen to Maybenaut, she knows what she's talking about.

Dang, I sure hope you fix this foot quickly. Take care of yourself!