Thanks, Julia. This was a great rallying call for advocating for our health and not believing the gospel of doctors. Thank you for the reminder and all the great testimonials here of people in their 70s who are living the way I hope (and intend to) live in the next decade.
I go to doctors for diagnostics and advice. Then I make my own decisions. 1) When I was diagnosed with Hep C almost 25 years ago the top guy in his field told me I had to take Interferon treatment or I'd die. I was ready to die, the Hep C was the consequence of the life I had been living before getting sober. I chose not to do any treatment. Not dead. 2) When a cardiologist insisted I start statins because of high cholestorol, I chose not to and changed my diet. Cholesterol dropped 30 points. Not dead. 3) After a year of steroids (for UC), I had to go on immune suppresants. When I pushed to get off, after a few years, I was told I'd have to be on them for life. I'm not on them. My UC is in complete remission and has been for a decades due to a lifestyle change. 4) My liver completely regenerated after a near death parasitic infection and decades of alcohol abuse. Now, I have the liver of a 12 year old Mormon. - I need the information they can give me, I need their experience and knowledge but the decisions are all mine and I'm happy to accept the consequences, good or bad. They're educated humans, but they don't have superpowers.
This article comes at the end of six months where I had to hop from one doctor to another because I got a few bad news but I also couldn't find the right doc for me. This led to more anxiety and depression then what was necessary. Anyway, I'm so glad I didn't give up because now it looks like things are finally getting better (I don't want to talk too soon, I keep my finger crossed) albeit I'm still a bit mad I had to fight in the first place.
I learned this lesson when I was just 33. I herniated a disc in my lower back and lost all strength in my left leg. The surgeon refused to operate (blessing in disguise), and only told me I would never squat again because "you're old now. It sucks getting old." With those words burned into my mind, I rehabbed myself back to full function using my own programming based around squatting. I never again saw doctors as paragons of truth.
I am at the point now where I will say that outright and out loud. YOU ARE IRRELEVANT. Worse, they have no effing clue how much damage their idiot attitudes are doing to people who are counting on them.
Inspiration at its finest. Great read and a sobering reminder we must pay attention to our health and go that extra mile to find solutions. I'm in an area where the medical is years behind the times. I paid a high price trying to "follow doctor's orders" and now fighting back. It's been almost three years.
What a pity, and I can relate, that we have to fight. Same thing happened with me. I had to wage a year-long battle to be seen by the right specialists. Now that I am it proved me right. We must advocate for ourselves!
They don’t get lots of training relevant to us. Maybe a day on menopause. Not much on gerontology either. Never go to the doctor without a question list and backup printouts of relevant medical journal articles. https://stellafosse.com/drugs-after-60-and-not-the-fun-kind/
That is so true. I have a young Korean NP who is very bright, and for once doesn't find it threatening that I walk in both informed and prepared. She appreciates the work I put in, rarely challenges my requests and understands that I am happy to be educated. And that any medication that is recommended (none so far) will go through MY vetting before I say yes. What a sad state of affairs, Stella.
A couple of things those of us 70+ folks need to remember: 1) Most doctors are going to be younger than you by more than a little, so they can only rely on what they were taught in medical school. When it's their turn to get a scary diagnosis, you bet your sweet bippy they will fight like hell. 2) We know how important nutrition is, especially when we cross that "senior" line. Doctors do not, because they barely touch on it in medical school. That's why we have to do our own research, which is getting easier because a lot of first rate doctors are now writing about metabolic health. Our young(ish) doctors are not reading those books, so it's up to us.
Another inspirational article. Years ago, I complained to my doctor about odd and at times painful sensations in my legs, my balance was off and I frequently fell for no clear reasons. I was told to take a spoonful of a sport drink with a gallon of water to balance my electrolytes, “but be careful now since you (I)have diabetes”). Five years later with increasing symptoms, to a point that a leisurely walk had become almost unbearable, I sought a second opinion ; turns out my ‘imbalanced’ electrolytes was in fact MS! Glad I found a doctor with a background in nutrition. And now, with exercise and diet (and appropriate medication without going overboard) and most importantly ahealthy attitude my diabetes is in check, and my MS has been in a holding pattern for over 12 years. Don’t know how long it will ‘hold’ but I learned two things from this experience getting a second opinion along with a healthy attitude (not to mention exercise and healthy nutrition) will take one very far. All the best everyone!
OMG. That really underscores it, doesn't it? We have to be our own best advocates. I'm so glad for you, not for your diagnoses, but for your support system .
I’m with you on this. I’ve had one thing after another for the past five years, and have dealt with so many totally opposite diagnoses from so many different doctors that at one point I considered writing Linda Blair on medical documents (as in head spinning in the exorcist 😂). Switzerland prides itself with top notch healthcare but it all comes down to individuals. Nutrition is so important. And complicated; I have an intestinal autoimmune disease that is a real joker. Spain seems to be better as far as physiotherapy is concerned for my other problems. You have to mix and match and do so much research and never give in, and challenge, and it gets hard when you start feeling like a right pain in the ass, yet you have no choice because nobody is going to care more than you do. Im lucky to have great health insurance and the means to pay for extras. But it really is a minefield. I hope you’re ok, Julia. Take care and message me if you like ❤️🙏
That's so very kind of you, Francesca. My CT scan uncovered some items which need to be watched over time. Meanwhile, the standard advice; eat well, move much, love even more and have a purpose. Working at all of that!
Thanks, Julia. This was a great rallying call for advocating for our health and not believing the gospel of doctors. Thank you for the reminder and all the great testimonials here of people in their 70s who are living the way I hope (and intend to) live in the next decade.
I go to doctors for diagnostics and advice. Then I make my own decisions. 1) When I was diagnosed with Hep C almost 25 years ago the top guy in his field told me I had to take Interferon treatment or I'd die. I was ready to die, the Hep C was the consequence of the life I had been living before getting sober. I chose not to do any treatment. Not dead. 2) When a cardiologist insisted I start statins because of high cholestorol, I chose not to and changed my diet. Cholesterol dropped 30 points. Not dead. 3) After a year of steroids (for UC), I had to go on immune suppresants. When I pushed to get off, after a few years, I was told I'd have to be on them for life. I'm not on them. My UC is in complete remission and has been for a decades due to a lifestyle change. 4) My liver completely regenerated after a near death parasitic infection and decades of alcohol abuse. Now, I have the liver of a 12 year old Mormon. - I need the information they can give me, I need their experience and knowledge but the decisions are all mine and I'm happy to accept the consequences, good or bad. They're educated humans, but they don't have superpowers.
I would love to quote you. Please let me know. This is a great story. Thank you.
Sure.
That came off snarky. I meant, sure. Of course. I’d be pleased
I didn't hear any snark at all. Thanks!
This article comes at the end of six months where I had to hop from one doctor to another because I got a few bad news but I also couldn't find the right doc for me. This led to more anxiety and depression then what was necessary. Anyway, I'm so glad I didn't give up because now it looks like things are finally getting better (I don't want to talk too soon, I keep my finger crossed) albeit I'm still a bit mad I had to fight in the first place.
I wish you all the best :)
I relate all too well, Paola.
I learned this lesson when I was just 33. I herniated a disc in my lower back and lost all strength in my left leg. The surgeon refused to operate (blessing in disguise), and only told me I would never squat again because "you're old now. It sucks getting old." With those words burned into my mind, I rehabbed myself back to full function using my own programming based around squatting. I never again saw doctors as paragons of truth.
‘YOU’RE OLD NOW” at 33?
The words “bitch slap” come to mind, Erik.
Lol! His exact words! Maybe I should have, but that man was completely irrelevant to me before he left the room.
I am at the point now where I will say that outright and out loud. YOU ARE IRRELEVANT. Worse, they have no effing clue how much damage their idiot attitudes are doing to people who are counting on them.
Inspiration at its finest. Great read and a sobering reminder we must pay attention to our health and go that extra mile to find solutions. I'm in an area where the medical is years behind the times. I paid a high price trying to "follow doctor's orders" and now fighting back. It's been almost three years.
What a pity, and I can relate, that we have to fight. Same thing happened with me. I had to wage a year-long battle to be seen by the right specialists. Now that I am it proved me right. We must advocate for ourselves!
This is a big reason why I want to move. There are no specialists here in my area I trust. As we age being near good medical is really important.
Yes! Inspiring indeed. We might get dealt a bad hand at some point, but what we do with it is up to us.
They don’t get lots of training relevant to us. Maybe a day on menopause. Not much on gerontology either. Never go to the doctor without a question list and backup printouts of relevant medical journal articles. https://stellafosse.com/drugs-after-60-and-not-the-fun-kind/
That is so true. I have a young Korean NP who is very bright, and for once doesn't find it threatening that I walk in both informed and prepared. She appreciates the work I put in, rarely challenges my requests and understands that I am happy to be educated. And that any medication that is recommended (none so far) will go through MY vetting before I say yes. What a sad state of affairs, Stella.
A couple of things those of us 70+ folks need to remember: 1) Most doctors are going to be younger than you by more than a little, so they can only rely on what they were taught in medical school. When it's their turn to get a scary diagnosis, you bet your sweet bippy they will fight like hell. 2) We know how important nutrition is, especially when we cross that "senior" line. Doctors do not, because they barely touch on it in medical school. That's why we have to do our own research, which is getting easier because a lot of first rate doctors are now writing about metabolic health. Our young(ish) doctors are not reading those books, so it's up to us.
And amen to that.
Another inspirational article. Years ago, I complained to my doctor about odd and at times painful sensations in my legs, my balance was off and I frequently fell for no clear reasons. I was told to take a spoonful of a sport drink with a gallon of water to balance my electrolytes, “but be careful now since you (I)have diabetes”). Five years later with increasing symptoms, to a point that a leisurely walk had become almost unbearable, I sought a second opinion ; turns out my ‘imbalanced’ electrolytes was in fact MS! Glad I found a doctor with a background in nutrition. And now, with exercise and diet (and appropriate medication without going overboard) and most importantly ahealthy attitude my diabetes is in check, and my MS has been in a holding pattern for over 12 years. Don’t know how long it will ‘hold’ but I learned two things from this experience getting a second opinion along with a healthy attitude (not to mention exercise and healthy nutrition) will take one very far. All the best everyone!
OMG. That really underscores it, doesn't it? We have to be our own best advocates. I'm so glad for you, not for your diagnoses, but for your support system .
I’m with you on this. I’ve had one thing after another for the past five years, and have dealt with so many totally opposite diagnoses from so many different doctors that at one point I considered writing Linda Blair on medical documents (as in head spinning in the exorcist 😂). Switzerland prides itself with top notch healthcare but it all comes down to individuals. Nutrition is so important. And complicated; I have an intestinal autoimmune disease that is a real joker. Spain seems to be better as far as physiotherapy is concerned for my other problems. You have to mix and match and do so much research and never give in, and challenge, and it gets hard when you start feeling like a right pain in the ass, yet you have no choice because nobody is going to care more than you do. Im lucky to have great health insurance and the means to pay for extras. But it really is a minefield. I hope you’re ok, Julia. Take care and message me if you like ❤️🙏
Nobody is going to care for us as much as we do. We have everything to lose. So true!
That's so very kind of you, Francesca. My CT scan uncovered some items which need to be watched over time. Meanwhile, the standard advice; eat well, move much, love even more and have a purpose. Working at all of that!
Purpose is vital!
Amen to that!
Thank you for the inspiration and reminder to take hold of life ❤️
The world is full of such inspiration. We don't look for it in the right places.