It’s not hard for me to locate where stress lands in my musculature. Most of the time it settles into the right side of my upper back in an area adjacent to the pinched nerve in my neck. I had my neck are X rayed twenty years ago and the pad between two discs bulges, occasionally causing the muscles to knot. The proscribed treatment has been 12 week stretches of physical therapy which usually lessens the pain. No one has ever suggested surgery. I’ve done the p.t. every two years.
Mostly this affects my ability to find a good position for sleeping. Interrupted sleep seems to come with the territory of being 78.
Compared to most people my age, I have no life-threatening ailments and I am grateful for that. I try not to lament the minor ailments (arthritis in my thumbs) that flare up from time to time. This past year two friends died who were close to my age.
I’ve lived past my mother’s age at death and take few medications. Fourteen years ago I quit drinking alcohol which exacerbated my tendency towards depression.
I resist talking about these minor issues as I dislike others complaining about their health and being seen as less that healthy. I need to think over that attitude.
Having the pain in the neck is something I try to live with and have been thinking of finding the exercises recommended by the physical therapists.
— Oxnard15
Mostly this affects my ability to find a good position for sleeping. Interrupted sleep seems to come with the territory of being 78.
Compared to most people my age, I have no life-threatening ailments and I am grateful for that. I try not to lament the minor ailments (arthritis in my thumbs) that flare up from time to time. This past year two friends died who were close to my age.
I’ve lived past my mother’s age at death and take few medications. Fourteen years ago I quit drinking alcohol which exacerbated my tendency towards depression.
I resist talking about these minor issues as I dislike others complaining about their health and being seen as less that healthy. I need to think over that attitude.
Having the pain in the neck is something I try to live with and have been thinking of finding the exercises recommended by the physical therapists.
— Oxnard15
I read this when you first posted it, and forgot to comment. I can relate to some of this (particularly the difficulty sleeping, although I haven't yet pinpointed WHY I'm uncomfortable in any position because it's an almost metaphysical discomfort (and will probably become physical in a few years... I'm a few years younger than you). You are doing well! I can sense the pride in that...the few medications especially. Some pride is good, some is maybe not. At some point, we probably will have to indulge in those conversations about aches and pains just to have a social life! (Macoff)
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