IT SUCKS GETTING OLD AT 44!

[msta999]

When I was younger, I always thought I was lucky to have big feet and was even told, I should not have foot problems that others with smaller feet have. But the last few months my feet have been bothering me and two days ago, while at work, I almost went home early, because they hurt so much. I finally went to a foot doc and they are going to make a cast of my feet, next week, to make some kind of insole for me to put in my boots. I tell ya, between my right hand, my back, my feet my neck and the head aches..........man! this s%$# sucks!

I figure most of this stuff is because of the career I chose (Mechanic). I should have been a truck driver :'(

[Drawbar]

I am a machinist which is not much better even though I am 10 years younger then you. No need to go to a Dr though. You can try "archcrafters" online, or go to a chiropractor and try out Foot Levelers. Both would help I think without the high cost???

[kerryms]

Try the chiropractor, I've gone for my back,neck hand,knees and foot and it does help.As for the truck diving,don't, it's bad for your back too!

[Dorie]

hoping for the best with your insoles! nothing worse (well...maybe back pain, which many truckers do experience) than hurting feet. I mean...we sure can't escape standing, so foot problems are the pits. hoping you find relief very soon!

[Buck]

It's amazing how many people will pay big bucks for clothes then
go and buy shoes at..........pay less!!

Your feet are the foundation to your body and are ignored until
they start to "crumble" from abuse. Yes, outright abuse! Cheap
work shoes , shoes that are worn out inside but still get worn,
bad fit, etc. that all add to the self imposed damage on your
entire body.

Custom fit shoe orthodics are a boon to those with feet that are
either collapsed or on the way to collapse so don't even think
about heaping on MORE abuse buy going cheap with a generic
foot support. Ya shoulda use the generics when you were young
and dumb so you'd avoid spending the bucks on custom orthodics
now.

For the working man/woman who spends a major portion of their
day on their feet there is hope but it cost money....once every
5 > 7 years. Buy 2 pair Redwing (or similar AMERICAN/CANADIAN)
made leather work boots/shoes so you can switch off shoes every
other day. NEVER WEAR THE SAME PAIR OF SHOES TO WORK
EVERYDAY!! NEVER!!

Foot pain, hip/back pain or other skeletal issues with be your reward as
you age by cheap, or over worn, shoes. Just because your feet are
clean don't mean that the shoe is still good. If your shoes don't
SUPPORT your body correctly and TAKE UP THE SHOCKS OF
WALKING then they are no good to anyone.

NEVER EVER GO CHEAP ON SHOES/BOOTS FOR WORK!!!!!!!!

[Cutter]

It sucks at 62 too. First they said it's caused by agent orange exposure (peripheral neuropathy) but the VA said no, then they said just learn to live with it. Feet that hurt ALL the time really suck.

[msta999]

In my youth I wore army boots (my 20s) and they were not very good boots. Since I got out I have been waring mostly Wolverines and some Redwings, oh and Danners. So I have been waring good boots and buy a new pair every year and rotate them. Been seeing the back doctor for about 7 years now off and on. The last year I have even been getting massage theropy-deep tissue - you guys should try that one, it is great. I'm starting the think the worst thing I did was stop working out. I use to get to the gym 2 or 3 times a week, but since I have been working swing and grave (2 yrs now), I stopped going, just couldn't get a schedule that was consistant and seems like I am always tired. Guess I'll just have to force it and start going again....I'll wait for my new insoles though and see how they work :)

The foot doc did give me some bands that wrap around my ankles with another one that goes under my arch to ware in my boots, they do seem to help.

Thanks for letting me rant. I was in a real sour mood, when I got home and stated this thread.

[madmac]

What Buck said. And it is funny how folks will spend a lot on cloths but not on shoes or boots. I have two pair of boots and three pair of shoes. I had pretty bad foot problems and ran across this guy that set me straight. I am so glad he knew his stuff. Now I just have minor problems from time to time. I am 57 and would love to find the guy that said this was the golden years.

[humbug]

My friends tell me that is all down hill after 40. I know I can't do as much as I used to ...I am slowing down. I have problems with my joints hurting for about ten years. The doctors tell me the cartlidge is breaking down. I started taking glucomsomine with chronadin and msn. It is really helping and I don't have the problems with my joints like I used to,. I don't know if it will work for your feet. It takes a while to build up in your system. Might be worth a try.

[nz1h]

Go with the insertsfrom the doctor you will be able
to walk better. Your feet will still hurt some, but it
will not be as bad as it was.
I know mine will hurt the last 4 hours of my 12 hour shift.
alain

[bee_pipes]

You all have my sympathies. The 40’s were the best years of my life, so far. Sure, physical exertions that I wouldn’t have even thought of in my 20’s can leave me stiff and sore for two days, but my priorities in life have changed. I got to drop all the baggage I carried around at 35 and life just got better after that. So many ridiculous things that I thought were important, like career and education.

I found myself running a cash register at a feed store when I was 35, not what I had planned for my future. I was the pro from Dover in my field, tactical data systems and automated weapon systems. That was a real epiphany. I stopped waiting to arrive at certain points in my life and started living for today – taking advantage of every opportunity, packing what I could into each day and finding happiness and contentment in the moment. That’s also about the time I lost my tolerance for idiots and bad situations. I didn’t go on the warpath or start getting aggressive about it; I just took control of my life back and actively worked to get undesirable people and situations out of my life. Maybe the beginning of self reliance.

So far as education, I grew up with the idea that I had the obligation to society to further my formal education. After having people work under me with degrees up the wazooo, I lost all respect for the centers of higher learning and their products. My folks raised me with a love for reading and my education never stopped or had to be validated by a building or pedigree. In have taken advantage of libraries and used bookstores in every town I’ve lived in. The advent of the internet and Amazon blew the lid off – books can be found, purchased and received in any area of the country, regardless of local resources. I get much more enjoyment out of reading and studying what I want, rather than a proscribed course of study.

Our homestead is a laboratory, each day an experiment of the most practical. We are free to try new things, make mistakes and enjoy the fruits of our labors. The energy and endurance of youth are missed, but few 20 year olds could truly appreciate the freedom of the situation. Like they say – “Youth is wasted on the young.”

I just turned 50 at the beginning of June. My wife is 5 years older than me, and I have seen nothing to indicate that life stops getting better in the 50’s. They'll be shoveling dirt into my smiling face when my time comes.

Stop your whining and look at what you have to be grateful for! If you are unhappy with your life today, make it a point to do one thing to make your life better before the sun goes down.

Regards,
Pat

[docsoos]

I agree with the point of getting GOOD shoes (Red Wings, Danners, etc.) if you work on concrete floors all day, and maybe the rotation, too. I remember in basic training back in the 70's, you were issued two pair of leather boots, and the DI's made you rotate them every other day per pair. Even made us paint a white dot on the top back of one pair, so that they could tell at a glance if everyone was wearing the right pair of boots that particular day! I think the rotation issue is not as important as getting the quality footware to begin with. If you don't rotate, just buy a new pair every year or so.

Expensive? YES. So's medical care. ;D

Myself, being in my late 40's and having spent 23 years as an industrial maintenance mechanic on concrete floors, lifting heavy machinery parts, working anywhere from 8-16 hour shifts, and laying in twisted, uncomfortable positions while repairing machinery, I find the wear and tear on the body is painful, but tolerable, just by "slowing down" a little bit. If it gets TOO bad, there's always retirement. ;D

DocSoos

[kerryms]

Our bodies may be slowing down but our brains are still learning. I read more now and when I was young it seemed like there wasn't enough time to read.Or I'd rather read a romance novel, now I want to expand my mind.I have been reading about herbs for medicinal purposes and it seems to me if they were good enough for the people in the old days why not now. Herbs don't have the side effects that drugs do. Go ahead and vent it's good for you, lowers your stress levels. Retirement does that mean you get to be tired again

[Buck]

I agree with the point of getting GOOD shoes (Red Wings, Danners, etc.) if you work on concrete floors all day, and maybe the rotation, too. I remember in basic training back in the 70's, you were issued two pair of leather boots, and the DI's made you rotate them every other day per pair. Even made us paint a white dot on the top back of one pair, so that they could tell at a glance if everyone was wearing the right pair of boots that particular day! I think the rotation issue is not as important as getting the quality footware to begin with. If you don't rotate, just buy a new pair every year or so.


While I know this opinion ment well it's really bad advice. There is a
valid medical reason your DI made you rotate your boots. It goes like
this.......

ALL shoes/boots wear out FROM THE INSIDE OUT!! Yep, that's right,
from the inside out. Boot/shoes serve the sole function of protecting
your feet/skeleton from walking shocks and wear. REMEMBER, Man
was not desinged to walk on concrete or stone all the time. Man
was designed to walk on soft earth, sand, forrest floor, or some
rock...but not concrete or other manmade hard floors/roadways!!

That is why it is critcally important to ROTATE YOUR FOOTWEAR
EVERYDAY EVEN IF IT'S QUALITY FOOTWEAR!!

Ever wonder how shoe/boot makers can warranty to sole forever?
That's because the inside will wear out and collapse first!!

It comes down to either wear <and rotate> footwear everyday or
go barefoot to avoid foot injury/wear/pain. I kid you not.........

[rAcErRicK]

Madmac, that ain't golden years, I can tell you, it's RUST !! :D

[Suzy]

My son had to have those special inserts made when he was only a bout 14 so I don't think it's just an age thing....it's what we do to and how we treat our feet! He wore them for a couple of years and is now 27 and hasn't had any more trouble! he always wears good fitting shoes now!

Also, on getting old. I am 56. I think age is a matter of ATTITUDE! Sometimes my body feels 56 but my brain and my thoughts sure don't feel that old!!!!!

I think attitude is 90 % of everything!!!! I'm glad I've got some miles on me! I don't think I'd want to be in my 20's again!!!

[docsoos]

While I know this opinion ment well it's really bad advice.

My opinion was just that, MY opinion, and not meant to be "advice" to anyone, just my personal experience the past 20 years or so. It works for me, so I thought I'd share that with everyone here.

I read others experiences here on a multitude of subjects, and use what I think will work, and DON'T use what I think won't. But, I don't disparage someone if their "opinion" is different than mine.

Grow up, Buck. You'll be surprised how much you can learn from others, IF you don't open your mouth with YOUR opinion that disparages others.

Ya'll have a nice day, now, ya HEAR? ;D

DocSoos

[Fred_47460]

When I was younger, I always thought I was lucky to have big feet and was even told, I should not have foot problems that others with smaller feet have. But the last few months my feet have been bothering me and two days ago, while at work, I almost went home early, because they hurt so much. I finally went to a foot doc and they are going to make a cast of my feet, next week, to make some kind of insole for me to put in my boots. I tell ya, between my right hand, my back, my feet my neck and the head aches..........man! this s%$# sucks!

I figure most of this stuff is because of the career I chose (Mechanic). I should have been a truck driver :'(


Naaa...if you'd been a truck driver you'd probably suffered some other problem. I'm sure there must be something truck drivers suffer from....seems like nothing is perfect.

I understand EXACTLY what you're saying though, because I'm now 48 years old. It seems like I've aged a bunch the last ten years. We have picture IDs where I work....and the picture on mine is about 10 years old.....WOW....do I ever look older now!!!

I've let myself get overweight the last few years. I'm 6' 3" and when I topped the scales at #304 I decided it was time to thin down. I've lost 25 pounds so far and well on the way to my goal of #220. It really seems that I feel so much better....less sore....more energetic already!! I'm looking forward to getting skinny again!!

Fred

PS: Incidentally....my shoe size is 15EEE!!! Try to find THAT at your local Walmart!! I can't buy a second pair of shoes without there being a run on the leather futures market! ;D

[CatherineID]

Sucks being 50, too.

[Red_Diamond_Ranch]

44??? Ha! Anytime you want to trade just let me know. LOL I see there is plenty of good advice here. Be wise and take it. I didn't listen when I was young. Now when I go to the VA they say, Wow, you still alive? ;D

Mike

[Buck]

My opinion was just that, MY opinion, and not meant to be "advice" to anyone, just my personal experience the past 20 years or so. It works for me, so I thought I'd share that with everyone here.

I read others experiences here on a multitude of subjects, and use what I think will work, and DON'T use what I think won't. But, I don't disparage someone if their "opinion" is different than mine.

Grow up, Buck. You'll be surprised how much you can learn from others, IF you don't open your mouth with YOUR opinion that disparages others.

Ya'll have a nice day, now, ya HEAR? ;D

DocSoos


:o :o :o

Since when is correcting bad advice a sin? Sounds like you've got your
own issues to resolve, mate. Oh well........... ::) ::)

[docsoos]

As stated before, my "opinion" was not "advice". Guess they don't stress reading and comprehension skills where your from, right, "Mate?" ;D

DocSoos

[Buck]

As stated before, my "opinion" was not "advice". Guess they don't stress reading and comprehension skills where your from, right, "Mate?" ;D

DocSoos


The point you miss in defending your error is that whenever you post
on a net forum " opinions" are often ,read more than likely will be, taken
as advice by many who read them...especially the young or the uninformed.

[docsoos]

...especially the young or the uninformed.


Sorry.....I'm not an "Internet Expert", such as yourself.

DocSoos

[Quietgentleman]

The main reason your DI wanted you to trade your boot every other day was so they would dry out. They were more interested in you not getting trench foot. I have 2 pairs of work boots and I switch out every other day cause in my early thirtys while driving semi I picked up a bad case of athlets foot. This is the only way I can keep it under control along with changing my socks twice a day and going bare foot as much as possible. But sense the flooding and having to wear rubber boots for almost 2 weeks straight its in full bloom and my feet are a mess. Now if anyone has a cure for foot rot I would appriciate any advice. After spending way to much money on doctors and their useless crap I'm willing to try anything.

QGM

[mom]

If you think 44 is bad wait till you hit the double nickel. 55. But believe it or not, life is better than ever and because I finally found the right partner, it gets better every day.