Navigating senior years.

[Donstar]

Yes, I have a few of these ^^^ strategically located!

[KARNUT]

There’s different kinds of walkers available. I have several in the garage from the in-laws. My father in-law was very reluctant to use them. He finally hit his head hard enough he started using his. He walked pretty fast with it. He was in his 90s before he needed it. The problem at least with him was one foot didn’t go high enough so he would trip. When I need one I wouldn’t be afraid to use it. 

[customboss]

21 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I drink a lot of water. Usually once a night. If I’m in a hurry it’s because I didn’t make a trip at all. I eat a light dinner and I’m a big water drinker.

I stop drinking a few hours before bed time to

remedy that. 

[KARNUT]

6 minutes ago, customboss said:

I stop drinking a few hours before bed time to

remedy that. 

Blood pressure medicine makes me thirsty. If I think about doing work I sweat. Another side effect of blood pressure medicine. 

[customboss]

2 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Blood pressure medicine makes me thirsty. If I think about doing work I sweat. Another side effect of blood pressure medicine. 

I take them

too. 

[KARNUT]

Bikes are out today. Winter it kids getting rides to school. Summer weekends it’s the bikes. There’re out there with their special bikes wearing the special outfits and special tumblers. At 8:00 it’s already 85 and dew is still in the air. WTF. They could pay for a lifetime gym membership or a stationary bike. AC and showers right down the hall. I road everywhere from 12-16. I had lung capacity and legs that were buffed. I had to if I wanted to go. The weather was made for riding in New Jersey. There’s bike trails and subdivisions made for bike riding. But noooo they pick my country road and spread out if they’re in groups. A parallel road is through the woods with a shoulder just three minutes apart. So I get behind them luckily just for a couple miles to the light. I’m going left so are they. So not only do they fill the turn lane. They spread all the way through the other lane right. Light turns green. They hold their position through the opposite turn lane all the way to the correct lane. But not the wide shoulder. Finally they start moving to the right to make a right turn but blocking the lane ignoring the shoulder. I’m not in a hurry, that’s just wrong. My mind was full of unclean thoughts. I shouted some not nice things to them. Even waving. I hate it. They’re all over today, most using the shoulder.

[Donstar]

4 minutes ago, customboss said:

I stop drinking a few hours before bed time to

remedy that. 

I drink a lot of water as hydration is  very important for overall health and function.  Years ago my doctor suggested to stop drinking after supper to reduce my need to get up during the night.  It made sense but my water intake hadn't changed.   My need (frequency) to go to the bathroom had changed.  Stopping fluid intake may reduce the symptom of increased urgency/need for output but the problem isn't necessarily fixed.  I talked about this with my urologist at a routine prostate exam a few months ago.  He explained the causes of this common issue as we age and prescribed me a pill to take in the evening.  It works for me and now I keep hydrated until bedtime and may require (or not) one trip to the  outhouse .   I'm saying this because I used to think this was what happens with old plumbing and we have to accept interrupted sleep.  It is often a treatable issue and comes with all the benefits of proper hydration and a good night's sleep!

[Grumpy Bear]

On 7/19/2025 at 10:10 AM, Donstar said:

I'm saying this because I used to think this was what happens with old plumbing and we have to accept interrupted sleep.  It is often a treatable issue and comes with all the benefits of proper hydration and a good night's sleep!

 

I'd let it go long enough I had to retrain the bladder. Didn't even know that was a thing. Takes some time but doable.

 

I find, in my case, it is less about how much I drink after say, 6 PM and more about what I drink. Caffein and sugar bad, water good.

 

Even water with a bit of bourbon in it.  Easy now....

 

Oh, and don't forget your pill. Missing a day makes the next evening notable. Not horrid or embarrassing but different. 

 

 

 

 

[Donstar]

On 7/20/2025 at 8:40 AM, Grumpy Bear said:

 

I'd let it go long enough I had to retrain the bladder. Didn't even know that was a thing. Takes some time but doable.

 

I find, in my case, it is less about how much I drink after say, 6 PM and more about what I drink. Caffein and sugar bad, water good.

 

Even water with a bit of bourbon in it.  Easy now....

 

Oh, and don't forget your pill. Missing a day makes the next evening notable. Not horrid or embarrassing but different. 

 

 

 

 

I had to look up, "retain your bladder".  Good info!  

[Grumpy Bear]

4 hours ago, Donstar said:

I had to look up, "retain your bladder".  Good info!  

 

I'd let it go a good long while so even after the condition was remediated by drug therapy the constant sensation lasted for months before relief came. Much faster after some education. But I'm much better now. 5 to 7 hours now doable at night. The body is an amazing machine isn't it? Incredible in design! 

[customboss]

2 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

I'd let it go a good long while so even after the condition was remediated by drug therapy the constant sensation lasted for months before relief came. Much faster after some education. But I'm much better now. 5 to 7 hours now doable at night. The body is an amazing machine isn't it? Incredible in design! 

Works for little children but not old men. Your drugs made more difference than re- training! 

[Donstar]

45 minutes ago, customboss said:

Works for little children but not old men. Your drugs made more difference than re- training! 

It actually make sense and worth a try.  Our body  seems to have a built in timer  and sometimes we can  change the settings.  I've used this strategy effectively for changing established habits and routines.  For several years I was on pain meds at 4 hour intervals. I was at a point that I didn't need to check the clock as my body would announce it was ready within minutes of the 4 hour mark.   I started recording the times and added a few minutes each day to the interval.  Within a few months, my body alarm was quiet for 6 hrs.  Now I'm morning and evening.   I used this strategy years ago to reduce the urge to smoke.  I didn't stress myself with quitting but simply made my body wait a little longer between cigarettes.  I don't claim now to be a non-smoker but I  go days without.  I will smoke if I want, not because of any physical cues.   The other night my wife and I were joking that we could set the clock by our midnight wake-up routine.  (The dog included)  This occurs consistently and I bet we can change the schedule with a little re-training.   

[Donstar]

Yesterday I came across a lady wearing a sling.  She had a shoulder replacement about a week ago and was happy to share her experience with me.  I know sharing my five weeks of post surgery experience provided comfort to her and her partner.  The upsetting part of this encounter for me was how poorly informed this lady seemed to be on what to expect post surgery.  I attribute this ignorance to the popularity of joint replacement surgery.  We have a tendency to think that it's no big deal because it is so common.  I encourage doing research and practicing recovery before surgery.  Talk to someone who has recently been through a similar surgery or, at least, watch several YouTubes in advance of surgery.   Your orthopedic surgeon will not be telling you how to put on your socks or how to deal with bathroom hygiene or the myriad of other unexpected surprises!    

[diyer2]

The recovery information is available if you care.

[Donstar]

15 hours ago, diyer2 said:

The recovery information is available if you care.

I agree there is plenty of easily available information on recovery.  I found personal accounts, such as yours, most helpful.  It was actually reading yours on this forum that prompted me to dig deeper  Up until I read about your challenges, I was comfortable with the information provided in my pre-op meetings. I think most people care to be informed but they don't know what they don't know.