FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Ah Kristin, commiserations for reaching a certain age and discovering that life is getting a little achy. Could I suggest that this is a good time to have a ‘physical’ and blood test with your general practitioner. Sometimes a minor health adjustment is called for. When I was about this age I developed a potentially serious illness and thank God, treatment has led to full recovery. For the menopausal aches and pains, I commenced a weekly Pilates class, which made a significant difference to my wellbeing. I have been attending for 15 years now and feel very fit. Walking and swimming still feature in my week, and those aches and pains don’t limit my day.

Kristie——a miracle in our house. D has the same things but stated doing Hip Hinges. Sit in a chair, hold in your core, feet flat on the floor, bend straight-backed and head in line with back forward just until you feel the stretch then STOP. Do a few of these before your morning walk and see miracles! A few days of these will start the ball rolling or the feet walking better. And we will look into the magical elixir from your pharmacie! MERCI💕

Hi Kristi,
I'm six years older than you and since 2020 have been going to weekly Pilates also like Cheryl. It's done wonders for my core strength and flexibility. I try to go 3 to 5 times per week. Now that it is summer, I swim every day in our pool too! When the weather is nice, I try to walk outside also. It has been really hot here so I haven't been out for a long walk lately.
You are right....getting old is not for sissies!
Love all the photos! Say hello to your mom!

I would add ginger and Tumeric capsules to what pharmacist suggested. I agree with the idea of a checkup.

Ah , So very true. I seem to hurt somewhere each day. But, we continue on. I walk daily and do some stretches and yoga. Hang in there. I’m 72. Thank you so much for your posts . I have enjoyed them for years now. Hope your Mom is doing well.

You have gotten a lot of very good advice. Some of it I do but some is new to me so I have some shopping to do. Ginger anyone?? FYI 77 - on my 70 birthday I received a card that said "Septigenerian - just a fancy word for SURVIVOR.." Apologize for bad spelling. No dictionary handy. Hugs to all.

You can greatly diminish joint pain by strengthening the muscles around the joint with PT (physical therapy) exercises and by taking antioxidants. Just keep at it. Most people who start PT do the exercises faithfully for a few months, then stop. So do the benefits. I do PT exercises every day for pain in my sacroiliac (SI) joint. The pain was getting really bad (though X-rays showed only mild arthritis), and my clinic sent me to a physical therapist.

I had no faith that the stretches and exercises he showed me would work, but after just one session, I was 85% better and that went up to 90-95% after 6 or 8 weeks. I do the exercises first thing every morning, without fail, and the pain stays receded to that level of before. However, it still hurts at times, and getting up in the morning is one of them.

Glucosamine and the antioxidant supplements your pharmacist recommended help me. I take them every morning. And I recently started taking a tablespoon of tarte cherry juice concentrate (make sure you get concentrate) every morning, and that definitely helps, too.

I also walk a LOT with my friends--usually 10,000-14,000 steps when we go, which is most days.

Good luck, Kristi!!

Hah, We just met a pharmacist at lunch today in La Rochelle (which I love by the way) and he is a strong believer in CBD oil! He went on and on about its benefits. I am fairly ache free at 73, walk every day, but what do I do occasionally? Trip ! Tripped while walking our dachshund 3 weeks ago and fell onto the sidewalk curb. Hit my head above my right eye. Being a retired nurse, I watched symptoms as my eye swelled shut, huge bruising all down my face & even into my neck. I was a sight. I could have gone to the ER but my husband was in Paris at the time. Everything has returned to normal, so I skirted a bad outcome. Whew. Sisters we all are, especially in France!

Our dear Kristi ,
Once again, your words are like a comforting balm of inspiration. and absolutely(!)have wrapped us in warmth and support! THANK YOU!
The only things I might add are cbd cream and gummies( which actually are nothing short of a blessing of relief).
The swimming pool ( and PT done there ) are a source of renewal,both inside and outside.
The most wonderful help,though,as Jesus told us,that fresh air and sunshine are His greatest physicians.
Arms around you tight,ma chere.
Love
Natalia xo

Kristi,
Let me add to those above who suggest simple stretches and exercises such as pilates and yoga. When I started having lower back aches my doctor (a D.O.) recommended drawing each knee up to my chest first thing in the morning while I was still lying in bed and that mostly eliminated the symptom.
"C'est normal," (Did I get that right?) for older bodies to feel stiffness especially in the morning when we've been mostly inactive a whole night. But the body is marvelously regenerative and--barring injury or underlying problems--such simple activities as walking, can usually help, as you have found out.
I don't think it can hurt trying over the counter remedies that readers above and your pharmacist have suggested. Even a placebo can work and some things are better than that.
If I can say one more thing: I think it's important to be wary of typing oneself as old. Except for such examples as your mother, there aren't yet a good number of societal models who are older and happy. Speaking from personal experience it's sometimes attractive to imagine oneself as an "old" person who can sit in a chair and read all day but I feel if I want to be around to see my grandchild grow up, and generally feel better, I have to do more.
Hope I don't come off like a know-it-all from the above. I enjoy your comments and how generous you are in sharing your personal stories.
From what you write I think you are off to a good start on your journey to becoming more "ageful" as some have called it.
Wishing you well,
Paul (Age 76 and 11/12ths)

A post that so many of us identify with. Our physician son’s mantra is to “keep moving!” We do an exercise class focused on stretching and balance 3 times a week and use stairs rather than elevators. Nevertheless, our activities are somewhat curtailed and our desire to travel and tour has been tempered by these aches and pains. Steroid injections in the knees have helped but other issues yet to be discovered still limit walking. Yes, we as sisters will prevail!

Kristi I feel your pain. Menopause is so annoying. The hormones really play havoc on the body. Keep moving, that’s all we can do. Stopping only makes it worse.

Hi Kristi, thank you for all of your wonderful articles and French phrases. I would also join the other readers who suggest you see your MD to make sure you do not have a medical condition such as degenerative discs.
If you are assessed for physical therapy, ask the therapist if she/he is familiar with the McKenzie Method and if it would be appropriate for you. The book, Treat Your Own Back by Robin McKenzie is available on Amazon, but make sure the exercises are appropriate for your condition.
Also, have you considered eating more fatty fish, such as trout and salmon? Both fish have lots of omega 3 oil which is most helpful for our joints. Eating the actual fish, instead of omega 3 fish supplements does not give me the fish burps. I wish you all the best.
Di

Oh, I certainly can relate & I am much older than you. We manage symptoms & keep moving. The more you engage with others, no matter their age, the more you forget about your own twinges.

In life, we are blessed with many talents. Often, they do not show up until we are under pressure or stressed. As you walk, make that a time to recount what good things happened that day or the day before. What obstacle did you conquer, whose smile did you get, whose words brightened your day, what did you do to make someone’s day a bit better? Think of how much you have helped Jules during her time of treatment. You are a blessing to each of us who look forward to your wisdom.

When you are focusing on these thoughts, those aches seem to dissolve & leave you with a calmness & positive outlook for the day or evening. Use medication as needed. Don’t forget your thoughts are a strong predictor of your ability to deal with whatever is happening in your life. We care deeply about you and your reflections on all you see around you. It helps put our world in a different perspective. Blessings to you and healing for Jules