[NormandyMary]

Not been feeling too chipper these last few months, various ailments at different times, some I could identify, some I couldnt. Went to see the quack the other day to ask for a blood test. He gave me a prescription for one and I had it done at the lab this morning. He also took my blood pressure and I was astounded that it was borderline HIGH! Ive never suffered with high blood pressure in my life, infact its always been a bit on the low side. Ive got a BP monitor at home and have been doing it since the docs appointment and bummer of all bummers, its still quite high. I've just got to wait a couple of days for the results of the blood tests this morning, everything is being tested from sugar to cholesterol to thyroid. I then have a feeling that my life is about to change big time.(Feeling of doom and gloom creeping over me as I write!) I feel a song coming on.."If I could turn back time..!"

[Bionic]

NM I know exactly how you feel.  My blood pressure is high and despite my atempts to resit I am now on tablets for it. They don't make me feel any different but the blood pressure has gone down to a more acceptable level.
I also seem to suffer from a lot of aches and pains, elbows, ankles, knees. I hate to mention it to OH as it would seem that I am always moaning about something but doing the daily chores is definitely more of an effort that it used to be.
I am hoping that I can get over whatever is causing all the problems but my fear is that this is the start of the downward slide.
Yes, turn back time. Mentally I think I am still in my twenties but my body thinks differently.
Sally
 

[Rosemary]

I know exactly how you feel 

[jaykay]

Well I suppose if I thought about it, yes bits of me ache more, take longer to mend and I'm not as fit or thin as I once was.

But I'm damned if I'm going to start thinking about 'this is the beginning or the end' or whatever, and I have every intention of enjoying every bit of life I'm given.

So I have to do things differently these days - I get someone to muck out the barn now, I'm just about to order a trolley for my canoe - let the youngsters laugh, at least I'll still be able to go canoeing like this - etc. I can't eat every cake I see and it not show, once I could stay up late and drink, then I could do one or the other, now I can't really manage either - but I still do it sometimes anyway 

I know it gets us down at times but we definitely don't want to let that doom and gloom win 

[NormandyMary]

I just have to realise that the old bod' is trying to tell me something. I have got very lazy since giving up work 7 years ago, always putting off doing things..because I can! OH bought me a second hand treadmill a few months ago, Ive used it TWICE. Its just not good enough I know but I had that problem with my foot, then something else and so on, always an excuse. Well this wake-up call has brought it all home to me at long last. I will wait and see what the blood tests say before I decide which regime to follow, but Im certainly going to try and get some more exercise every day, starting with the treadmill, or OH will put it in the small ads!
 
By the way, please just call me Mary!!
 
Thanks.

[ellied]

I am in the "age and weight" category and the variety of symptoms boat too and wish you a clear diagnosis with a treatment attached, whats worse is not knowing what is going on and writing it off to wear and tear while worrying that maybe it might not be..

[Bionic]

Mary,
I have been thinking the same thing about exercise.  Before I was made redundant/took early retirement I had a personal trainer.  I only saw him once a week but he used to put me through my paces. I think thats what I am missing now.
Its sort of catch 22.  My joints ache so I don't want to do anything and my joints ache because I don't do anything. 

[trying]

Hi Mary, I to have been feeling so tired and everything seems such an effort even to the point were I am beginning to think of down sizing my animals and I honestly though I would never think that. I have always been so positive and full on but now I just want to sleep. I am a bit old school and the common joke in our house is that if Mother is thinking of a visit to the Doctor then it must be a hospital case but I really am beginning to feel so bad that it seems the only thing to do. I hope your blood test comes back with a simple fix result, low Iron or whatever. Good luck and keep us posted

[jaykay]

Trying, that 'permanently tired' sounds like it could be low thyroid or anaemia - have you been tested?

I hear you both Sally and Mary on the lack of exercise. My aim over the next six weeks is to shift some of this stone-and-a-half that needs to disappear  and get fitter.

I started yesterday by going to meet some friends who said they were camping by the castle, on my pushbike. No-one at the castle, I peddled on two miles to see if they were on the common. No, peddled back to the castle. Then spied them, on the little single track way above the castle. Ooof, had to walk a lot of that uphill. And though that bit was excitingly downhill in the dark later, most of the road was a slow slope upwards. Kept going cos there wasn't much alternative  Anyway, I am impressed with myself, if I have sore sitbones today 

[trying]

Jaykay, WOW you have every right to be pleased with yourself, but maybe a softer more padded seat next time

[Bionic]

Well done Jaykay. What are you going to do for an encore?
Sally

[jaykay]

Lol, I have sat about and knitted all day today, to recover 

You'd think (to see it  ) that my own rear-end was padded enough, but not in critical places it seems 

[NormandyMary]

Got the blood test results in the post today..24hours, not bad eh?
Everything is in range except one. Im not diabetic, I dont have high cholesterol and my thryroid is working well.
There is one called C protein reactive which was very high indeed and can be an indicator for many things, from infections to heart disease, but Im not going to worry too much about it until I have a word with the doctor. From memory, every time Ive had this particular test, its always been high. Meanwhile, Ive had a lot of exercise today, we were up at 6am to get to the DIY store for 7 to avoid the crowds and the heat. I was walking solidly for over 2 hours up and down the aisles fetching and carrying for OH who cant walk far. Tomorrow, Im starting on the treadmill again. Lovely!!

[Moleskins]

My doctor diagnosed high blood pressure for me, I asked him if he was going to put me on tablets but he said
'No I just want you to stop reading the Daily Mail'

 

[jaykay]

Lol Moleskins, a doc with a sense of humour and perspective - priceless.

Mary, I'm glad most things are ok.

I would hate the treadmill, do you just hate it or exercise generally?

Are there not nice walks near you? Half to an hour's walk most days, 'stepping out' is what is generally recommended for us not-as-young-as-we-used-to-bes,  trying to get fitter again  Easy on the joints, good for the heart and lungs and the bone density  good for the soul too