Doctor says...yer getting old, dude. I am disgusted.

Bill Mattocks

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So I went to the GP today for my annual checkup. I have to go every six months for bloodwork for my diabetes anyway. Good news; my BP is still in healthy range, 120/70, resting pulse 65. Bad news, weight is up; ten pounds since last year. A real shame, that, because I had lost nearly 50 pounds when I was first diagnosed with diabetes. Got to get back on the bloody treadmill. Also not so good news, the dark spots on my lungs (diagnosed by biopsy as sarcoidosis on my hilar lymph nodes) have not gone away as promised. I'm asymptomatic, however, and since I have no symptoms, doctor says not to worry too much about it yet.

So, time to bring up the various aliments that have cropped up over the last year.

Left shoulder - feels like it is coming undone at times. Doctor poked and prodded, said it looks like bursitis to him. What to do about it? It's called getting old, son. Take some Motrin and try not to tear yourself up quite so much with karate.

Right knee - overall weakness and some pain; makes it hard to do katas like Chinto and Kusanku where I have to go down on one knee all the time. Doctor looked at the kneecaps of both knees, said they were 'loose' and the muscles above them (what do you call those?) were slack or lax or something. He felt some 'grinding' in the left knee; but that's not the one that hurts. He had me tighten my knee while he held the kneecap; hurt like heck. Recommended I do some leg lifts. Also, take Motrin. Also, it's called getting old, son. Try not to go down on one knee like that.

Jammed fingers from a fight nearly six months ago when I blocked a kick with an open hand - yeah, that's a shame, he sez. Let's x-ray it. Oops, looks like you maybe broke two of the fingers. Not the best job healing. We could send you to a hand specialist; but he'd want too operate and rebreak the joints and set them; guaranteed a year of limited mobility and no punching anything. What do I want to do? Live with it, I guess. He says yep, that's called getting old.

Nearly passed out while yawning in the dojo a couple months ago. Weird, huh? Well, it wasn't my blood sugar, I've been testing it in the dojo since then and it's normal (120 range). Doctor says it could be low blood pressure. Me, low blood pressure? I've been at 140/90 nearly all my adult life, even when I was in the Marines. Now I'm down to 120/70 and they're telling me I might be having a problem with my blood pressure? Make up your minds, quacks!

So that's the story. Have to await the results of the blood tests to get my cholesterol and PSA and liver and kidney function and my A1C and so on, but I'm not too worried. Some specialist is supposed to be calling me to get me to come in and do the big colonoscopy thing; since I just turned 50, that's going to be a new one on me, and everyone tells me it sucks bigtime. I make the doctor laugh when he said he thought I could get it done by the end of the year and I said "Whee, Merry Christmas to me!"

I also played with his toys. He should not leave me alone in his office like that.

View attachment $290873_2514932187629_1082932103_32973035_457508573_o.jpg

I don't mind going to see the quack every so often. I hate being told that there's not much I can do except keep getting older and having more stuff break. That's not right!
 

Steve

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It sounds like he gave you some options. It also sounds like you might need to find a doctor with small hands.
 
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Bill Mattocks

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It sounds like he gave you some options. It also sounds like you might need to find a doctor with small hands.

Yeah, some options!

a) You are getting old. This happens.
b) Take Motrin if it hurts.
c) Get some exercise and lose weight.
d) If it hurts to do the kata, don't do the kata.

I can't wait to see the doctor's bill for that prime bit of information!

Actually, I'm not complaining, just grousing a bit because yeah, large hands. Bastich.
 

Gemini

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I hate being told that there's not much I can do except keep getting older and having more stuff break. That's not right!
Unfortunately, right or wrong, that's the jist of it. We continue to work out and condition, always walking the the fine (but ever receding) line between good health and debilitating injuries. It's a battle we will ultimately lose...but not today.
 

Steve

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Yeah, some options!

a) You are getting old. This happens.
Sucks, but it's true.
b) Take Motrin if it hurts.
Good advice, particularly if there's inflammation. But he also said that surgery was an option, and gave you the choice for your hands. I've broken several toes over the years and they don't work quite right, although I've been lucky with my hands. It also sounds, regarding your hands, like he implied, "Could've helped with that, but you were too stubborn to come see me before they healed incorrectly."
c) Get some exercise and lose weight.
Umm... yeah.
d) If it hurts to do the kata, don't do the kata.
And if you do a, b and c, maybe d won't hurt so bad. :D

I see where you're coming from, Bill. I really do. Not trying to make more of this than is there. But one of the real issues we have in our country with health care is this idea that doctors fix us when we're broken. And largely, that's what they do, because we ignore their advice completely.

Even when it comes to medication, we treat symptoms. Which is why we have such an issue with MRSA an other antibiotic resistant bacteria. We don't finish cycles of antibiotics, over use them to begin with, and don't take the necessary steps to allow our bodies to heal and operate correctly. Which is also why mental illness is so difficult to treat and so often ends up in homelessness, because people stop taking their meds when they "feel better" and end up spiraling until they end up in the hospital where their meds can be stabilized, rinse, repeat.

If a doctor tells you at 20 that you should eat right and exercise, and then at 30 says you should eat better and exercise, and lose some weight, then at 40 says you're diabetic and really need to eat better, exercise, and brother, you really need to shed some weight because your joints are being taxed, your back is being strained and it's putting one hell of a load on your heart. At 50, the doctor is saying, "Look. I'm not going to say 'I told you so' but boy, could I!" I hope it was a good ride!

This isn't a criticism of you. More a side note that your post triggered, as this is something I've thought about a lot based on my own history. I am fictionalizing big time here, but it's a scenario we're all familiar with. Obesity is at an all time high. People are more out of shape than ever. We exercise less and it should be no wonder that we pay for it later.
Actually, I'm not complaining, just grousing a bit because yeah, large hands. Bastich.
Haha! :D
 
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Bill Mattocks

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Thanks to Steve, I'm planning a full Kevorkian off the high board with a half-gainer on the way down. When I'm 95. Which I fully intend to reach.
 

MaxiMe

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Thanks to Steve, I'm planning a full Kevorkian off the high board with a half-gainer on the way down. When I'm 95. Which I fully intend to reach.
Motrin in the right hand and gulp when ya hit the water?

:)

Sorry couldn't resist.

Guess we all get the disease. What's it called..oh yeah OLD.
 

Steve

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Thanks to Steve, I'm planning a full Kevorkian off the high board with a half-gainer on the way down. When I'm 95. Which I fully intend to reach.
That's because you're stubborn. I have a brother who is 10 years old than me. He was adult onset diabetic, had high blood pressure, was overweight and was cruising for a heart attack. He was 45. I was 35, overweight, pre-diabetic, had high/normal blood pressure and high triglycerides. The writing was on the wall for me, and while the advice from my doctor didn't stick, seeing my brother made an impression.

My other brother, who is 1 year older than me, had a heart attack at age 38.

I made some changes, lost some weight and found exercise I enjoy (BJJ). What was really great is that my getting into shape inspired my brother, and now, at 51, he's dropped 60 lbs, manages his diabetes through diet and exercise and has cut the number of pills he takes daily from about 15 to, IIRC, 2.

While we can't help but get old, it's never too late to get healthier.

And, Bill, I hope you do reach 95, you crotchety old bastard. :D
 

JohnEdward

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Nope it ain't old age. Well not completely. Bill your too young. It is called lack of taking proper care of yourself, and it has caught up to you. Also, Karate is a contact sport. It does take a toll on the body especially one that hasn't been maintained. When it isn't properly practiced. It isn't like Judo, well old Judo, where you where sentenced to destroying your knees do to some waza that twists the knees. Or Taichi that does the same thing but not as bad. Karate kata is easy on the body, but it isn't when you are in poor shape, and neglected your health. Karate if I remember right has some fundamental exercises to strengthen the body in order to prevent injury. A built in conditioning i.e. the way you practice and learn kicks.

If you're complaining, about Karate. It is because you haven't maintained your body. Most men if they maintain their bodies, conditioning it to the rigors of practice, and daily life, at 50 can still be physically impressive.

Sitting in front of a computer logging in posts, boy am I hypocritical, complaining about how unfit you are, is what is making you unfit, ill-conditioned for the physical activity of karate. Resulting in your medical woes. Karate kata isn't a cake walk. That is a huge failing to think you can get by at or are not aware you that you need more than minimal physical conditioning of the kata.

A term my instructor would often say is "shugyo" and than would follow up with "your own training." Which would mean and would point to do serious physical conditioning for the activity.
 

Dirty Dog

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Yup, it sucks getting old.
I think you and I are within a few months of being the same age. I'll trade my cancer for your diabetes.. ;)

This is me, taken 11-5-11. Old, fat and weak. It's a little blurry because it's a frame capture from a video. Or maybe I'm just getting blurry...
 

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seasoned

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Hang in there Bill. I will point to me. There is hope, I started when I was 23, and now I'm 68.

Hard core dojo's have a way of perpetuating this. That, and in your case, being a Marine, causes you to "work through it mentally" :). The only saving grace is there is an age point where our senses dull some what, or we just get use to the pain, and it is easier to deal with. Our bodies adapet, and in the long run the core techniques are what we are left with. Do the best you can every day, and above all, never let anyone tell you it's because your getting OLD. I say bull ---- on that.
 

Sukerkin

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:nods: Quite right, Brian. I do agree most whole-heartedly, tho' it does feel like my warranties about to expire as I near 50 and various bits and pieces start to malfunction :lol:.
 

ETinCYQX

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I'm not even 20 and I have joint issues already Bill, you're not alone...I broke a few toes last night actually and I have Shiai tomorrow. I see medical tape and Advil in my near future
 

MPC1257

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Lately my joints ache sooner and longer after working out, both at the gym and at my martial arts school. However, at 54 I must say that I feel better now than I did 20 years ago and that's because 20 years ago I didn't do squat to stay in shape. I also think that not having played any organized sports at an early age has helped preserve my body. I have quite a few friends that played football and basketball in high school and they are having all kinds of problems with their legs, knees, backs, etc. Just listen to your body and if it really hurts, back off the intensity for a while and then slowly bring it back up. The other thing is that you are getting older, so you can't always do the things that you did when you were 10 or 20 years younger.

I don't plan on stopping until they plant me!
 

seasoned

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Lately my joints ache sooner and longer after working out, both at the gym and at my martial arts school. However, at 54 I must say that I feel better now than I did 20 years ago and that's because 20 years ago I didn't do squat to stay in shape. I also think that not having played any organized sports at an early age has helped preserve my body. I have quite a few friends that played football and basketball in high school and they are having all kinds of problems with their legs, knees, backs, etc. Just listen to your body and if it really hurts, back off the intensity for a while and then slowly bring it back up. The other thing is that you are getting older, so you can't always do the things that you did when you were 10 or 20 years younger.

I don't plan on stopping until they plant me!

+1 Nice post, I like the positive attitude.
 

WC_lun

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If 50 is when the warantee on our bodies expire, I want a rufund of my body's purchase price :)

Getting older does make a man appreicate good health much more than he used to. I'm finding I do what I can do to keep my body as good as I can and work through what I can't. The trick sometimes is knowing when not to do a physical activity. I keep forgetting that I am not as physically skilled as I used to be and I heal a LOT slower than I used to. I think the trade off for most guys is that we are somewhat wiser than we were when we were younger.
 

Carol

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Lately my joints ache sooner and longer after working out, both at the gym and at my martial arts school. However, at 54 I must say that I feel better now than I did 20 years ago and that's because 20 years ago I didn't do squat to stay in shape. I also think that not having played any organized sports at an early age has helped preserve my body. I have quite a few friends that played football and basketball in high school and they are having all kinds of problems with their legs, knees, backs, etc. Just listen to your body and if it really hurts, back off the intensity for a while and then slowly bring it back up. The other thing is that you are getting older, so you can't always do the things that you did when you were 10 or 20 years younger.

I don't plan on stopping until they plant me!

Hey, why stop there? I mean...haven't you played Plants vs. Zombies? :D
 

jks9199

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I'm not even 20 and I have joint issues already Bill, you're not alone...I broke a few toes last night actually and I have Shiai tomorrow. I see medical tape and Advil in my near future
Take care of your joints now. One of the tragedies about martial arts in the West is the number of crippled and impaired masters today... The men (not sexist, just few women were openly involved at the time) who paved the way are now having hips and knees replaced, or finding themselves otherwise impaired in life. They trained hard, but didn't necessarily take care of themselves, and they're paying for it today.

Learn how to properly and effectively warm up and prepare your body for training. Learn exercises like Indian clubs, yoga, and others that will help heal the damage you do to your body, and make regular practice of them part of your life and routine.
 

Dirty Dog

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You can't beat Father Time. It's just not possible.

But you can spit in his eye and tell him to come back in a few years.
 

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