When is it that time in life....?

[Stumpy]

Last night I met up with some old friends. Seven guys age ranging from 48 thru 55 of which I knew three very well. The Giants are in the playoffs so decided to meet at this local place to have some pizza and beer. Some of these guys I had not seen in 4 to 6 years.

I have to say it was a bit disturbing. The entire conversation while we watched the game revolved around their ailments and the med regiment they take everyday. In fact they were comparing pills like it was a new way to show off that one takes more then another. They went on and on talking about how this ones guys BP med causes his dick not to work, then came the colonoscopy talk, how their teeth are falling out, how this one guy has Irritable Bowel syndrome, how they cant get out of bed...I mean FFS!!!!!! What the hell has happened? I get the "We all get old" deal but how can this be all consuming?? They did not talk about anything other then gout, old knees, limp dicks, hair falling out. I tried changing the subject about Hunting, fishing, traveling, chasing VJJ, cycling etc with the few guys I had hunted/fished/partied with and they stated "Those days are done". "I can barely get up and when I do I need to be close to a toilet as the meds I take cause me to crap all the time"....WTF!?!?!

So is this the age when it all starts to fall apart? I really could not relate to any of these guys and it will be the last time I meet up with them. I am 52 and the shit they yak'd about is not even on my radar. It was awkward as their lives appeared miserable and slaves to their doctors and medicines.

[Loy Toy]

I have had similar conversations with mates when I meet them in Oz.

All of em seem to be on meds and it probably enforces my belief that the doctors in the west go out of their way to prescribe pills and drugs when not necessarily needed.

Another belief I have is if your not living somewhere that makes you happy you spend most of your time feeling sick. It's all their head most of the time.

[Norton]

So is this the age when it all starts to fall apart?

55 ain't old. Sounds like your friends have nothing to do but complain about a few minor probs. They need to get off the meds and live ffs.

Old is someone 15 years older than I am. This lot are kids.

[Davis Knowlton]

I'm eleven years older than you, JP. Your old friends sound like a pretty sad lot. I just got home from the gym. I had shoulder surgery recently, as a result of thinking I was 33 instead of 63, but have never talked to anyone other than my wife about it. I tossed the pain killers after three days, and am now about 90% back. You can let this crap consume you, or just take it as it bounces up, attack it and defeat it, and get back to your life. These guys have already given up.

[alitongkat]

not sure, if they are really so consumed by it...

each of them is alone with their medication and problems, and then they meet up, and are probably glad, to have found someone who listens and is experiencing the same... then its nice to talk...

[jamescollister]

Well I'm 55 almost 56, smoke and drink like a fish, just spent 6 hours in the hot Thai sun planting coconuts. Perhaps if I went to a western doctor he would prescribe some psychiatric medication, as I am clearly mad. Jim

[Dillinger]

Are these mates of yours all overweight by any chance JPPR ?

Its the American way taking all those pills that you dont need, with your Drug Stores and relentless adverts

[ENT]

I avoid older folks who moan on about how they're falling to bits and all the meds they're taking. I can't help them, they seem to enjoy a culture of sickness, sort of sympathy seeking.

Try and tell them to eat heaps of onions and garlic, sage and a bit of willow bark or tips instead of aspirin and so forth and hell, they get quite snakey, so I piss off and latch onto a couple of young women to flirt and talk with, which really pisses them off.

After a life time of ups and downs I'm still as fit as a fiddle and spend my time out in good company ranging in age from 20 to 70+, none of whom are cheerless. A couple of the older chaps, in their seventies are really bright, alert and nimble, all have a grin on their faces, a sparkle in their eyes, enjoy a few drinks and so on.

In the same places, a few tables away are some moaners, guys in their 40s and 50s usually, worrying about their hearts and and weight and stuff and union dues and how they mightn't have a job next month or year.

But then again, there's chronological ageing and there's biological ageing, and there's Big Pharma meds to screw you up or you can use herbs and good exercises as I do if you have a condition you need to change or adjust.

I must be the only one in the oldies grandpa group who still hits the nightclub scene for a dance and rage, or goes to parties to behave outrageously in several ways, the only difference nowadays is that I don't need to drink as much.

So, if you want to feel young, hang out with the young, but if you want to feel old, try keeping up with them.

[Stumpy]

Another belief I have is if your not living somewhere that makes you happy you spend most of your time feeling sick. It's all their head most of the time.

I have always believed this to be the single largest fact. Most of these ailments are psychosomatic.

each of them is alone with their medication and problems, and then they meet up, and are probably glad, to have found someone who listens and is experiencing the same... then its nice to talk...

I agree...a source of venting or at least comparing. Clearly not for me however.

Are these mates of yours all overweight by any chance JPPR ?

Overweight...Yeah. Not excessive(well 2 were sporting a big gut) but definitely clearly out of shape, lack any sort of activity that has them move anything to keep fit. They asked me how I am staying so fit and looking young then gave me a ton of Foking shit about it. I said "I am happy. Staying active, eat right, etc etc". Its just part of my day. I was not forced to do it, I wanted to. I drink when I want until I am shit faced but not every day. No fast food crap and the biggest thing is I do not believe all the western med hype. They keep lowering the thresholds because the pharmaceutical companies need to sell more drugs. I am fully convinced in a few years everybody here will be a diabetic.

[Butterfly]

50 is quite young, if they need meds then there is something wrong with them

maybe they are fat and don't exercise enough or just too lazy ?

[Troy]

if they need meds then there is something wrong with them

Sounds like your mates need to get themselves out of the rut they're in. Get out of that comfort zone and do something different...doesn't have to be anything too weird...just enough to get the fun back into life...

[The Ghost Of The Moog]

Tell them they should spend more time sat on their fat arses, participating on forums, talkng about hypochondria with strangers, then at least if they kick the bucket, their time has been well spent.

[withnallstoke]

I had an asprin once, after a tank ran over my head.

The tank still had a dent in it, which proves that prescribed drugs only work for proscribed sickness.

[nigelandjan]

Tell em to go east mate ,, just lie back and enjoy the ride ,,,,works for me

[Stumpy]

Tell em to go east mate ,, just lie back and enjoy the ride ,,,,works for me

Nigel,
They were not rude just typical. It was disturbing that the entire discussion was about poor health, drugs they take and more concerning was they seem to have found a way to justify it all as part of aging.

Like I said, no big deal for me, I watched the Giants win, chowed a damn good pie and had a few ice cold beers. I did not go home and load up my next day of meds and did not take some PM pain pills before bed.

[Stumpy]

[/IMG]

This is what these guys said they need to keep all their meds straight.... What a life.

Its interesting. People here in the US take for verbatim what the doctor tells them. They never question it, They never read about what it is or take other avenues not to be caught up in the med BS.

[Freewheelin2012]

Did this gathering happen in Thailand? If not, maybe you should invite them all over for some of the ancient medicine out this way. Life in the west can be depressing these days and being old can't make it any better.

[kingwilly]

That's young mate, avoid those mates!

[LooseBowels]

48 to 55 is just the male equivalent , to the female menopause.

Commonly referred to as the male megawatt.

They'll get through it and settle down again

You can't argue with that

[MANICHAEAN]

I’m 69 and one of the main reasons that I refuse to stop working, (apart from the money) is that I’m afraid that I will just sit, vegetate and end up a boring old fart like the guys you mention.

[Boon Mee]

Well, JP with gas >$5.00 a gallon in CA I'm surprised those boys are not complaining about that instead of health issues. None of my friends here in Thailand whinge re irritable bowel syndrome or erictile disfunction. Must be a cultural thing.

[ENT]

Retirement or early redundancy can have a negative psychological effect on folks causing them to think "old".
The trick is to keep thinking and so behaving young, don't let your body get stiff or flabby, keep your strength up.

I found the big hurdle was overcoming some people's negative attitudes towards ageing which they wanted me to believe in, that I'm too old to party, or dance, or climb on and off the bus without help or something, or that I've got to "act my age", whatever that means.

I guess that a lot of people believe that hitting your sixties or seventies is being "over the hill", in some way useless or having no further interest in life other than baby sitting grandkids or going to the pensioners' club.

In the last year since retiring, I went through a bit of a sabatical, did a heap of self evaluation and cut out things in my life I didn't need any more while taking on better habits and continuing with various activities and studies that I enjoy. There's always something new to learn and try out.

In this way I don't feel old, neither physically nor mentally, and people, including my doctor, comment on my sound good health and well being.

A positive attitude is of paramount importance, have a will and determination to be well and enjoy what you've got in a healthy way, go to your capacity.

I make sure that I eat well,exercise frequently and take as much Vit C as I can.
I don't get sick and don't expect to, either.

[bobo746]

F--k that they don't have lives thats the problem.

[Boon Mee]

F--k that they don't have lives thats the problem.

CA is the Land of Milk & Honey ..."but you must put it on the table"

Damn expensive there & I'm not sure the weather makes up for that...

[DrAndy]

if they need meds then there is something wrong with them

blimey, BF, did you study medicine?