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Post by aflame on Apr 17, 2013 11:48:11 GMT -5
Guys, I was thinking last night about how it would be oh so hard to manage DS when I am older like in my 60s and 70s +. ;D How are you dealing? I ask this respectfully. I was laughing to myself thinking about being old and senile..not remembering to take my vitamins etc. And it worried me for a minute. Being old is hard enough on the body. How does the DS affect seniors? Increased chance of deficiency? accidental bone breakage? What are the risks/complications/annoyances of being a senior citizen DS'er? Any positives?  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2013 12:00:12 GMT -5
Pardon me while I uncreak my sticky bones from my rocking chair.... I'm 49 so I'm still a whippersnapper, but probably sound ancient to you LOL. I've started the old lady bone issues rather young due to a combination of factors related to the whole PCOS type crap. (Hell, I started ALL the lady issues young.) My Dexa scan last summer showed moderate hip osteoporosis and almost-osteoporosis in the spine. Given that my PTH levels are only "kind of" high and not always, but I can't get my D levels up to save my life, and my osteocalcin is just slowly trending worse, I said hmmm, I think I'll be more proactive about this and not just throw more calcium and shit at it. After researching the bone builder drugs like Boniva and such, I decided on the annual Reclast infusion. Got my first one last Thursday. Am still feeling a bit of the reaction, which was like getting a pretty significant case of the flu. NOT fun, and I won't know for months whether it made any difference. I think forward to old age with equanimity. What happens, will happen. I would have already been dead if I hadn't had the DS, so I think being alive is a good enough thing in its own right. Everything additional is gravy . |
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Post by bboop on Apr 17, 2013 12:24:23 GMT -5
Well, here I am...your question is answered. I had the DS at age 63, I think. Then I had a resleeve at 65...I'm pushing 68 at this point. I'm doing fine. Oh yeah, and I'm alive which I probably wouldn't have been if I had waited one more day. I don't feel old...I feel great.
My bones have improved...yes improved. I no longer have osteopenia the precurser to ostoprorosis...BTW I can't spell, but you get the gist. I had iron infusions after my first surgery which was open and now I don't even take iron pills, cause the doc says I coudl overdose on them. I do take all other vitimains religiously. My labs are great.
I have to tell you...your email irritatied me a little bit. 60 really isn't old anymore. Try 75 to 80 when you ask that question in the furture...us old folks would appreciate that. I'm just saying.
No, I don't run races but there are some that do, but not many. I have a pretty active social schedule and I enjoy the heck out of life. I wouldn't worry about getting old after having the DS, it will give you a new lease on life...this I can promise.
The younger you are the more likely you will have a long and full life. I just wish I had known about the DS earlier and I would have had it. No question.
There are all sorts of reminder gadgets that will help you to remember to take your pills so don't worry about that. Just make sue you save enough money so you won't have to look at cat/dog food for the highest protein and you can purchase your vitamins.
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Post by Gail R on Apr 17, 2013 12:25:33 GMT -5
I am sooo much healthier now than before the DS. It's great to take away the prescription meds that are no longer needed and to, instead, take my supplements. I've been able to make taking the medications something of a habit that I don't have to think about. Hopefully I will be able to continue the habit when senility strikes any day now....LOL
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Post by KathyF on Apr 17, 2013 12:55:25 GMT -5
Well, I'm 57 now. Had my DS when I was 46. Can't say I am really worried about managing my DS when I get really old. My mother had a liver transplant when she was 63 and didn't worry about whether she would be able to keep up with the medications she would have to take for life after the transplant. And she did manage, with a little help from me in the last few years, to take her meds and her insulin for diabetes until she passed away last year at 79.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2013 14:40:27 GMT -5
I'm going to be 56 in 2 days and I don't feel "old". I actually feel younger than I did 10 years ago when I had my DS. I don't worry about all about managing my DS as I get older. Just part of life, which BTW I'm able to live fully because of the DS.
I personally think we are better off than the average person -- we keep track of things. I know exactly how my bone density is, how my iron is, how my Vitamin D is. Non-DSers generally have no idea what their levels are. Will I be at risk to break a hip at 75 - you bet. I would be at risk whether I had the DS or not. Does the DS change things, probably. Am I going to worry about it, absolutely no.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2013 22:58:05 GMT -5
I was 52 when I had surgery and I am 60 now. I wouldn't be 60 if I hadn't had surgery. So I wouldn't have had to worry about supplements, etc. I prefer this alternative.
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Post by aflame on Apr 21, 2013 2:05:06 GMT -5
Thanks! That was all encouraging to read:) bboopSorry! I didn't mean to irritate. I am not saying 50 and 60 are "old" per se. It's just that, political correctness aside, the body starts to change in the 50s and 60s, vitamin and mineral requirements also change, and , age may also affect memory etc. But, it's good to know that older folk don't have much trouble with their vites, not just remembering to take them, but taking adequate quantities relative to age. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2013 9:28:24 GMT -5
Deleted personal attack.
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Post by Joanne on Apr 21, 2013 9:33:47 GMT -5
I'm 49, so one year shy of the age group you posted - but still feel older around these groups most days.
You're not the first person who raised this topic, but honestly, it's something that never crossed my mind in my decision making.
1 - I now think I have a CHANCE to live into my 70's/80's. As a morbidly obese person, I dont think I would have made it.
2 - So what if I have to manage taking multiple vites? Lots of people need medications and supplements. I'm sure I can manage, and when I get to the point that I can't I would look to home care, assisted living, nursing care - as does every other person managing a chronic condition. That's pretty much the norm anyway. Except now I get to manage protein and vitamins, rather than medication for diabetes and blood pressure.
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Post by bboop on Apr 21, 2013 16:16:35 GMT -5
Spine...you didn't irritate me...I just hate getting old but I am. I don't think I'd worry about taking the vitamins or remembering to do so. You will be fine with them.
Oh and BTW, the only person that I seem to really annoy is EN. HA!
Keep asking questions...that's how you will learn and become comfortable with your decision to have the DS.
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Post by aa on Apr 22, 2013 10:29:54 GMT -5
...After researching the bone builder drugs like Boniva and such, I decided on the annual Reclast infusion. Got my first one last Thursday. Am still feeling a bit of the reaction, which was like getting a pretty significant case of the flu. NOT fun, and I won't know for months whether it made any difference... Slight hijack: Interesting you decided upon the Reclast. My osteo. specialist has been in contact w/my surgeon & other endocrins. who've treated DSers and they all feel Reclast has the best chance of working on my osteo. issues. (Of course, ::)my ins. co. doesn't cover it so she's appealing their decision and if the appeal is denied I'll take something else). Thankfully though, I've been weightlifting this past year which she feels can't do anything but help; but I will be starting something within the next few months. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2013 13:46:36 GMT -5
I am feeling ALMOST human again after an unpleasant but not unexpected reaction to the Reclast. My advice is to get the infusion scheduled so that you can have a couple days off, or at least a flexible space in your schedule, in case it knocks you down for a bit. I'll be playing catchup the whole rest of the semester *grumble*.
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Post by aa on Apr 23, 2013 8:38:07 GMT -5
I am feeling ALMOST human again after an unpleasant but not unexpected reaction to the Reclast. My advice is to get the infusion scheduled so that you can have a couple days off, or at least a flexible space in your schedule, in case it knocks you down for a bit. I'll be playing catchup the whole rest of the semester *grumble*. Yeah, I got that from your first post. I'd definitely schedule time to regroup. Glad you're feeling better, though. How long did you feel flu-ey? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2013 12:28:12 GMT -5
The fever took two days to resolve, but I'm still having some sweats/chills and aches. It's been some two weeks, and it's almost gone, but not quite.
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Post by aa on Apr 23, 2013 15:51:23 GMT -5
Wow! I can't believe it's that long. I'm glad you're feeling better; but it better help after you've had to go through!  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2013 8:54:17 GMT -5
AMEN to that! I'll be getting my Dexa scan in the summer and it had better be a hell of a lot better than the last one.
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Post by pktwatch on Apr 25, 2013 6:50:07 GMT -5
I was 64 when I had my DS. I was taking many meds and only take one + my vites now. Remembering to take my vites has never been a problem......YET. ;-)
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Post by msbatt on Apr 25, 2013 10:23:35 GMT -5
I look at it like this---if I become too feeble-minded to take care of myself, it's TIME for me to die. I was 45 when I had my DS, and I'm 55 now. Had I not had my DS when I did, I'd probably be dead now, so every year I live from here on out is pure gravy.
Uummm...gravy...(*grin*)
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Post by pattyl1 on Apr 28, 2013 14:34:54 GMT -5
I agree with Ms Batt. If I am too feeble to manage my own care, it's time to die. I honestly don't worry about it too much. I will just do the best I can.
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