Are YOU on drugs?
 

Sorry about the title. Its just a joke. Actually, its kind of on topic. I was at the bowling alley today. I took my handicapped son to go bowling today. I skipped this week because of tendinitis in my right elbow. Same reason I'm not riding right now. Now there's two other guys who work there in my age bracket, early 60's. During my conversation with them they both told me that when they bowl they have to take ibuprofen or Tylenol. So it got me wondering. Is this the reality of old age. Before or after physical activity, you have to take pain meds? So how many here have to take something before or after a ride.

Getting older has been full of questions for me and some revelations. Like for example, I like old cowboy movies. Frequently you'll see cowboys and people of that day have a strong affection for whiskey. (Probably an accurate reflection of reality the way it was) It makes you wonder if they were primarily interested in it to get rid of their aches and pains, and forget about their troubles and loneliness. IE It was mostly a pain killer. Maybe that's just a basic necessity of life.

I'm not on drugs normally. Once or twice a year I will take a muscle relaxant for a back issue. I haven't had a medical recently, wouldn't be surprised if I needed some meds.

My GF is 10 years younger than me, and she is starting to feel some issues, suspected arthritis.

Typically no I don't need pain meds though my neck and knees bother me every day. It's something I've grown accustom to over the years (first knee op was 1977) so as long as there is no swelling and no difficulty sleeping I try to avoid the pain meds. For me the knee and neck pain has been something that has been around so long I don't associate it with old age. Every once in a great while I get other pains and those I wonder about...but they don't last

I do take chondroitin sulfate daily as it works very well for me and I started taking it after seeing what it did for our old dog

No drugs specifically for bicycling. In fact, bicycling is one of the most pain-free activities I do. Ditto for swimming and resistance exercises and, generally, hiking.

However, I do have to do prescribed stretches to assist with my chronic and sometimes acute hip bursitis which can be terribly painful when I am stooping or climbing while carrying something heavy like going upstairs. This is partly an IT band problem, which I continuously stretch, and strengthening my hip muscles. I am considering returning to my PT for additional exercises and training as it about killed me yesterday - but not bicycling, swimming, weight lifting or walking.

I also have a rare nerve condition known as trigeminal neuralgia for which I MUST take Rx or I will be in very, very extreme, unbearable pain.

58 and no need for any before or after a ride. Average ride is 35-50 miles.

Though I did partake in recreational use back in the 70s.

No drugs. Even after being hit by a car, (driver was on cell and moving between 20-25 mph) and out of the hospital. I didn't take any pain "killers". I had been given so have a scrip for vic but never took it. When I would go to my orthopedic Dr. they would ask me a scale of one to ten what my pain level was I would say barely a one. which was the truth.

I'm 62, no cycling-related drugs...just generic Flomax to treat an enlarged prostate. I was on lisinopril, but don't need it anymore due to cycling. :)

Most Americans have been prescribed a medication recently. Most are for long term medical conditions. I've never needed more than a temporary medication for minor conditions.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug...herapeutic.htm

Latnoprost & Timolol Maleate.. eye drops ..

Handful every night plus a shot of insulin... Also Enbrel weekly for the RA...Cycling makes my body feel way better...

Just the usual anti-depressants and thyroid meds. I try to avoid pain meds since they constipate me. :rolleyes:
I have been taking some glucosimine for arthritis in my ankle.

Synthroid and insulin, both of which have a more positive effect on my cycling. :) :)

I take ibuprophen before a long ride but thats nothing really.

I'm like the old-timers in the OP, as far as drugs are concerned. No pharmaceuticals, but sufficient whisky.

IBProfin and seasonal allergy meds. 60 years old. Prior to returning to cycling I was on BP meds.

I have often wonder what people did prior to our pain meds. Gin and Whiskey would have been very helpful. Plus, I have had both hips replaced in 2008. I could not survive without this surgery.

The OP's question related to pain meds

" Is this the reality of old age. Before or after physical activity, you have to take pain meds? So how many here have to take something before or after a ride. "

No meds unless prescribed by a Doc. Last and first time I took pain med was after inguinal hernia repair, otherwise I don't take anything.

In reply to the question posed, it is not the universal reality, but is the reality for many.

I'm on a few drugs since I had a heart attack 15 months ago. Thanks to them, all I can take for pain is Tylenol, and since Tylenol is pretty much worthless, I rarely take it for pain.

@ 53, I have arthritis in both knees and hands combine that with hemochromatosis and pain is a daily reality. I avoid meds as much as possible but some days the pain gets the best of me, and I can't resist taking them.

I used to have a lot of pain. I have arthritis. But greatly increased activity and fitness has greatly reduced my discomfort. From time-to-time I over-do and I will take a low dose aspirin.

No, the only medication i take are a couple of occasional aspirins....that and some IPA. There are too many drug commercials on TV promoting their benefits. That tells me that meds, while good for necessary ailments, are over-prescribed. I choose to suffer through the pain, its the body telling my brain to take it easy for a few days.

Every day I take:
1. A low dose aspirin
2. 2,000 IU of vitamin D
3. Glucosomine - don't know the amount.
This time of year I also take an allergy pill each morning.

I have a chronic Achilles injury left over from my running days. Once in awhile it acts up enough to drive me to ibuprofen.

I seldom took anything before I turned 65 or so. Now I find that I need to.

I take ibuprofen often, but not generally before or after a ride. Outside of a month or so with a knee problem, the only pain I ever deal with when riding is soreness of butt.

Occasionally Tylenol or Advil, most aches I just ignore.
Kidney stone moving is worse than chainsaw to calf, police dog bite to arm, or pneumatic driven nail through thumb.... :roflmao2:

I'm tempted to say that riding my fixie IS my drug! Nah, too La-La sounding. Does Tylenol count?

augiedogie, don't forget that in the days of the old west, people bought "Miracle Tonics" from guys on wagons. Often, these were nothing more
than an opiate derivative, mixed up with some alcohol and a sweetening agent. Yep, sure fixed you right up, for awhile, at least.