Aging Gracefully? 2014 version

[cavemanno1]

34 here,getting old 

[Old Moparz]

Last month I turned 51 & don't really feel any worse than usual.    I don't move as fast but I did the roof on my house last year, worked alone & didn't fall off. As long as I can do that kind of crap I suppose it ain't so bad.

When I went to my 30th high school reunion a few years back I had seen a few people there that were the same age but didn't appear to be in the best physical condition. One guy that was there looked as though he was turning 90. A girl that was one of the hottest in school looked awful like she didn't care anymore. 

At least I can still fit into the jacket I wore in highschool.   



(My Daughter & me last winter)

[Ponch ®]

damn, when i joined this site (well, its predecessor, actually), I was barely in the 21-25 column. Now I'm in the 31-35 column.

So this site ages you is what you're saying? 

I don't think its a coincidence. I've been on here since late 2001 and I've aged 12 years. Not sure if that can be explained easily.

[Old Moparz]

damn, when i joined this site (well, its predecessor, actually), I was barely in the 21-25 column. Now I'm in the 31-35 column.

So this site ages you is what you're saying? 

I don't think its a coincidence. I've been on here since late 2001 and I've aged 12 years. Not sure if that can be explained easily.

You got married, remember?.

[RECHRGD]

You guys in your forties, quit complaining, You're still puppies.  I turn 66 next month and can still do most of what I've always done.  Most likely will need new knees and hips to keep it up much longer though. 

[polywideblock]

50 last year ,they say your only as young as you feel    have to go out and find a nice 35 year old   

[hawkeye]

I am glad you had the one category 56-60 instead of 55-59.  That way I didn't get lumped in with you "old" guys.     

[RallyeMike]

I can still do everything I could 30 years ago, it just takes twice as long and three days to recover.

[Tilar]

I turn 66 next month and can still do most of what I've always done. 

I'm sure I can still do most of what I've always done, but I can only remember half of it. 

[Paul G]

I can still remember being 40. It was 15 years ago. 20 years ago I was 35.

[dyslexic teddybear]

57


Only problem I have is I think young......and the next morning I am painfully reminded I am not.

[A383Wing]

57


Only problem I have is I think young......and the next morning I am painfully reminded I am not.

I'm reminded every hour of every day that I'm not

[69wannabe]

Turned 40 two weeks ago.  Feels the same as 39 though.   

I sure hope you're right!! I'll be turning 40 this year in august!!

[HeavyFuel]

Dang.... I guess I'm the youngest at 19!

Dear Lord, I think I have clothes older than you. 

That's when stuff is just getting really comfortable.   


Last weekend I wore a Van Halen t-shirt that was 23 years old.

[471_Magnum]

Up until about 2 weeks ago I'd have told you I've never felt better and figured I was going to live forever. Then reality kicked me square in the nuts.

I turn 44 here in just a couple of days. I've been blessed with high metabolism, high endurance physiology that a lot of guys love to hate. I'm not particularly active, but I stay in shape. At 140 lbs, I weigh about ten pounds more now than I did 20 years ago when I graduated college. Up until I turned 40, I wore the same pant size as I did in high school. The grey hair started creeping in about 5 years ago, but I still routinely get carded.

Hypertension runs in the family, and I've been categorized as "pre-hypertensive" for the last 10 years or more. Nothing to worry about, but something I keep my eye on with regular screenings.

Anyway, about two weeks ago I had a routine dental procedure performed under local anesthetic. Prior to starting the work, they took my blood pressure: 178 over 110. Hmmm. Probably just nerves I thought. They gave me a pretty stern lecture, telling me to check it later and call my doctor if it doesn't come down. At one point, I thought they were going to send me home rather than do the work.

I did check it a couple days later. 165 over 100. Damn. Guess I'd better call the doctor.

So I make an appointment for a week later, and the nurse tells me to keep checking my BP a couple times a day... and go straight to the emergency room if the diastolic goes over 110 again. What?!?

I keep checking it for the next few days and it continues to hang up there, like 165 over 99. Not cool, but not stratospheric. I'm checking it at home and having the nurse at work check it during the day.

Friday afternoon rolls around and I stop by the nurse's station for a quick check. She checks it and I could tell by the look on her face that I'd be making a trip to the ER. 172 over 118. Shit.

Rather than run to the ER and eat the huge co-pay, I called the doctor's office first to see if I could slip in. Nope. "Go straight to the ER NOW", says the nurse. Don't screw around. Do not pass "go", do not collect $200. (quite the contrary... my co-pay is $250 for ER visits).

So I end up spending a couple hours in the ER; EKG, chest X-ray, blood test, urinalysis.... the works. Nothing obviously wrong with me. Just sitting around, my BP drops to 160 over 90-ish. They send me home with a prescription. I visit the doctor a few days later and he asks me if I have been doing crack or meth, because I sure don't fit the profile for severe hypertension.

Anyway, my prescription has been tweaked a bit and the BP seems to be getting under control, but there is nothing quite like having a couple of medical professionals tell you that you're on the verge of a heart attack to put you in touch with your mortality.

So guys and girls, the moral of the story here: No matter how good you think you feel, get your BP checked regularly. They call it the "silent killer" for a reason.

[Paul G]

I am blessed with a very consistent 120/70. Been that way all my 55 years. I am a little overweight, 195 @ 5'10". Good thing you had a dentist visit. It may have saved your life. 

[ws23rt]

Up until about 2 weeks ago I'd have told you I've never felt better and figured I was going to live forever. Then reality kicked me square in the nuts.

I turn 44 here in just a couple of days. I've been blessed with high metabolism, high endurance physiology that a lot of guys love to hate. I'm not particularly active, but I stay in shape. At 140 lbs, I weigh about ten pounds more now than I did 20 years ago when I graduated college. Up until I turned 40, I wore the same pant size as I did in high school. The grey hair started creeping in about 5 years ago, but I still routinely get carded.

Hypertension runs in the family, and I've been categorized as "pre-hypertensive" for the last 10 years or more. Nothing to worry about, but something I keep my eye on with regular screenings.

Anyway, about two weeks ago I had a routine dental procedure performed under local anesthetic. Prior to starting the work, they took my blood pressure: 178 over 110. Hmmm. Probably just nerves I thought. They gave me a pretty stern lecture, telling me to check it later and call my doctor if it doesn't come down. At one point, I thought they were going to send me home rather than do the work.

I did check it a couple days later. 165 over 100. Damn. Guess I'd better call the doctor.

So I make an appointment for a week later, and the nurse tells me to keep checking my BP a couple times a day... and go straight to the emergency room if the diastolic goes over 110 again. What?!?

I keep checking it for the next few days and it continues to hang up there, like 165 over 99. Not cool, but not stratospheric. I'm checking it at home and having the nurse at work check it during the day.

Friday afternoon rolls around and I stop by the nurse's station for a quick check. She checks it and I could tell by the look on her face that I'd be making a trip to the ER. 172 over 118. Shit.

Rather than run to the ER and eat the huge co-pay, I called the doctor's office first to see if I could slip in. Nope. "Go straight to the ER NOW", says the nurse. Don't screw around. Do not pass "go", do not collect $200. (quite the contrary... my co-pay is $250 for ER visits).

So I end up spending a couple hours in the ER; EKG, chest X-ray, blood test, urinalysis.... the works. Nothing obviously wrong with me. Just sitting around, my BP drops to 160 over 90-ish. They send me home with a prescription. I visit the doctor a few days later and he asks me if I have been doing crack or meth, because I sure don't fit the profile for severe hypertension.

Anyway, my prescription has been tweaked a bit and the BP seems to be getting under control, but there is nothing quite like having a couple of medical professionals tell you that you're on the verge of a heart attack to put you in touch with your mortality.

So guys and girls, the moral of the story here: No matter how good you think you feel, get your BP checked regularly. They call it the "silent killer" for a reason.

  This is the way to age gracefully.  Pay attention to the little cues and get a check up.  Knowledge is power and reduces tension.

[green69rt]

For us old folks, I've been on the high blood pressure route for at lest 8 years.   One note, the guide are based on the "recumbent" blood pressure.    That means you are laying down!  Look it up, don't rely on me.  Every time I go to the doc they take it sitting up in a chair.  If it's high request a retake with you lying down.  You really need to take control!!

[TruckDriver]

I will be turning 50 this year

Still remember as a kid when my dad turned 30 and thinking boy that was OLD

I turn 50 in 2 months. But I agree with you totally. 

[Dino]

For us old folks, I've been on the high blood pressure route for at lest 8 years.   One note, the guide are based on the "recumbent" blood pressure.    That means you are laying down!  Look it up, don't rely on me.  Every time I go to the doc they take it sitting up in a chair.  If it's high request a retake with you lying down.  You really need to take control!!

Your baseline pressure should be sitting up.  You get a different reading in a different position.  What you should do is ask for a manual pressure as the machines are not always accurate AND make sure you do not talk while they take it and they hold your arm.  If you need to hold it up, the reading will be off.

They are also supposed to take them on both arms but nobody ever seems to do so.

Btw, blood pressure should not get 'high' with age.  It can fluctuate from your norm but high blood pressure means something else is going on and you need to find out what asap.  What's your reading these days if I may ask?

[green69rt]

Runs about 125/70 setting up.   I started on drugs when I was working and had a particularly difficult project with people that were hard to get along with.   BP went to 155/105.  Then I started on meds and got it down to about 135/90.   Then I retired and it's down to 125/70 and has been that way for 8 years even after Dr reduced my meds dose.  

Yes I just read a med book on BP readings and they referred to taking it setting with feet flat but arm raised on a flat surface so cuff is at same level as heart.  I read another section on taking a EKG that referred to recumbent BP which I suspect would be lower.

Laying on the floor under the Charger makes it go lower

[Dino]

Up until about 2 weeks ago I'd have told you I've never felt better and figured I was going to live forever. Then reality kicked me square in the nuts.

I turn 44 here in just a couple of days. I've been blessed with high metabolism, high endurance physiology that a lot of guys love to hate. I'm not particularly active, but I stay in shape. At 140 lbs, I weigh about ten pounds more now than I did 20 years ago when I graduated college. Up until I turned 40, I wore the same pant size as I did in high school. The grey hair started creeping in about 5 years ago, but I still routinely get carded.

Hypertension runs in the family, and I've been categorized as "pre-hypertensive" for the last 10 years or more. Nothing to worry about, but something I keep my eye on with regular screenings.

Anyway, about two weeks ago I had a routine dental procedure performed under local anesthetic. Prior to starting the work, they took my blood pressure: 178 over 110. Hmmm. Probably just nerves I thought. They gave me a pretty stern lecture, telling me to check it later and call my doctor if it doesn't come down. At one point, I thought they were going to send me home rather than do the work.

I did check it a couple days later. 165 over 100. Damn. Guess I'd better call the doctor.

So I make an appointment for a week later, and the nurse tells me to keep checking my BP a couple times a day... and go straight to the emergency room if the diastolic goes over 110 again. What?!?

I keep checking it for the next few days and it continues to hang up there, like 165 over 99. Not cool, but not stratospheric. I'm checking it at home and having the nurse at work check it during the day.

Friday afternoon rolls around and I stop by the nurse's station for a quick check. She checks it and I could tell by the look on her face that I'd be making a trip to the ER. 172 over 118. Shit.

Rather than run to the ER and eat the huge co-pay, I called the doctor's office first to see if I could slip in. Nope. "Go straight to the ER NOW", says the nurse. Don't screw around. Do not pass "go", do not collect $200. (quite the contrary... my co-pay is $250 for ER visits).

So I end up spending a couple hours in the ER; EKG, chest X-ray, blood test, urinalysis.... the works. Nothing obviously wrong with me. Just sitting around, my BP drops to 160 over 90-ish. They send me home with a prescription. I visit the doctor a few days later and he asks me if I have been doing crack or meth, because I sure don't fit the profile for severe hypertension.

Anyway, my prescription has been tweaked a bit and the BP seems to be getting under control, but there is nothing quite like having a couple of medical professionals tell you that you're on the verge of a heart attack to put you in touch with your mortality.

So guys and girls, the moral of the story here: No matter how good you think you feel, get your BP checked regularly. They call it the "silent killer" for a reason.

If you need help figuring out what's going on, PM me.  Diet is the main contributor to hypertension so feel free to let me know your intake and I will see if anything stands out.  Also any medication you may take, otc or prescription.  Some drugs can skyrocket your bp and taken an anti-hypertensive drug is not always the way to go.

You may also have some white coat syndrome that ups the bp even more. 

[Ram07]

Whats wrong with you guys?   I'm 50, still feel the same as when I was younger...can do everything I did back then...haha, but I was never athletic, or anything, so would never miss that kinda thing...I'm still strong enough, much bigger now, but in a not so bad way...I will take the 240lb me, over the 130lb me back in the day anytime (I grew wider, as well as out, know what I mean? The daughters b/f still fears me....but, I told him I ain't afraid to go back to prison...haha...)....I'm 6'3 tho...

I feel far from old...   although, the g/f is 39...so....yeah....I may get tired....but she makes me sandwiches....

Other than that tho....I'm good...also still have all of my hair...it's still brown....not the beard tho, or chest hair, for that matter....that turned just pure white in my 30's...go figure...

Oh, yeah, my blood pressure is nuts as well....guess it just happens...

[cavemanno1]

Whats wrong with you guys?   I'm 50, still feel the same as when I was younger...can do everything I did back then...haha, but I was never athletic, or anything, so would never miss that kinda thing...I'm still strong enough, much bigger now, but in a not so bad way...I will take the 240lb me, over the 130lb me back in the day anytime (I grew wider, as well as out, know what I mean? The daughters b/f still fears me....but, I told him I ain't afraid to go back to prison...haha...)....I'm 6'3 tho...

I feel far from old...   although, the g/f is 39...so....yeah....I may get tired....but she makes me sandwiches....

Other than that tho....I'm good...also still have all of my hair...it's still brown....not the beard tho, or chest hair, for that matter....that turned just pure white in my 30's...go figure...

Oh, yeah, my blood pressure is nuts as well....guess it just happens...

Hey Russel,post some pictures of you with or without your charger to see how fearsome you look

[Ram07]

only one I have....not fearsome at all...



haha, may be a little small...all i have...I dont have a Charger...