Health and Turning

[Bill Blasic]

Through the years when someone has posted about their health problems whether directly or mentally I felt for them as I had for 77 years not had any real problems. But this past year with bad back, sciatica and this current low blood pressure thing basically had me off my feet for the entire year. Then adding losing weight (lost 60+ lbs so far) all has left me shaky as well. I needed to turn two pieces for 2 exchanges that I opted into, I went down to the shop Tuesday and in 4+ hours I got a piece done. My plan was to go down Wednesday to turn the other, well I was so depleted I could not do it. So yesterday I made it down to do the other. After 5 hours piece done. After all that I'm not real happy with my work. The idea I've always put across for an exchange is to do your best work as to where you are in your turning career! Well it turns out this is where I am. I know what I need to do, I will start on the recumbent bicycle and then go to the other machines as I'm able as most of that 60 lbs came from my arms and legs. So I don't perceive turning for awhile again as I never want to stand in front of a lathe like that again. I'm now 79 and I will get in front of that lathe again but for now it will be sitting down playing with lasers, CNC and 3Dprinter until I get my strength back.

 

[James McCall]

Bill, is it possible that we smaller or simpler turnings could still be accessible to you? Some kind of work outside your norm?

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Bill, I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV. I'm a tender 57yo. But, I've dealt with sciatica and other back issues since age 17, and even disc surgery. And I spent over 15 years watching my parents wither away to their demise after they decided to, "sit down, just to rest and regain strength". They never regained strength, and they never got back on their feet to lead an active, productive life again.

And their parent before them.

And some older siblings of mine...

I don't know you, but I know what "sitting down to regain strength" will do to you. (Not a damn thing, other than keep wasting you away.) When you get off your exercise machine today, go turn wood for an honest 45 minutes, that means on your feet, working. Tomorrow after your exercise machine, work at the lathe for 50 minutes. The day after that, exercise, then 60 minutes at the lathe. Then again a few hours later. Keep building, everyday. This will benefit your body, your mind, and your spirit. Don't sit down, don't. The only way someone 79 years old, or 57 years old, or 34 years old, is going to regain strength is by using all the muscles from head to toe. That means being on your feet, doing work, and living your life. Honestly, a recumbent exercise bike will do little for you, esp. if the resistance isn't turned up, your heart rate isn't doubled, and you're not dripping with sweat for 45 min. per day. If you do, then your legs may recover a little, and your heart and lungs will thank you. The older we get, the less we heal by being sedentary. Get your butt out of that chair and get to work. Use it or lose it.

 

[Dave Fritz]

Bill, at 81 I'm in the same boat. Smaller, easier and simpler works best for me. Also, lung protection to the extreme. As you mentioned, it's the best I can do now. People I give things to seem grateful and it makes me happy. That's good enough.

 

[Larae Palmer]

As a 71 year old RN I recommend you take your concerns to a physical therapist and point out your goals before heavily engaging in any exercise routines. And Do get a routine going! Also, get your self back on your feet in the shop for a minimum amount of time each day, half an hour if that’s all you can muster. Using those muscles is the only way you can get back on the lathe. I know it’s discouraging that you can’t do what you used to do right now. But realistically you’ve been off it for a year and your body has changed. Old dogs can learn new tricks, it’s just a matter of whether they want to put out the effort. I’ll be thinking of you.

 

[Mike Zip Hamilton]

Bill, I second Larae's advice. I assume you are working with a qualified professional taking care of your medical issues. Trust a PT to guide you with your physical recovery. A PT can develop a plan with you and your medical team to boost your recovery. I have had the great fortune working with PT's that not only provided appropriate exercise routines, but also provided the needed encouragement ( and sometimes the kick in the butt) for speedy recovery. Stay positive!

 

[Alan Weinberg]

My vigorous 66 year old wife tells me, almost 70, that a body in motion stays in motion. Get moving.

 

[robo hippy]

My last birthday had me at 3/4 of a century..... EEK! Johnny Weissmuller was a child hood hero, so I am still in the pool 3 days a week, and after a considerable lay off, multiple single weeks off, I am back in the swing of things. I got back into swimming maybe 15 years ago since I needed both hips and a knee replaced due to wearing them out. I hope to start light weight lifting in a week or two since my body is still adjusting to getting back in shape. I have been an athlete all my life. Exercise for me is mental and physical therapy.... Like my dad, "I am not going to retire until my birth certificate expires!" He was still going into work until about 5 months before he passed away. engineer at a family business and he LOVED his job. That will be me. I only hope to use most of the wood I have "accumulated".....

robo hippy

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

As a 71 year old RN I recommend you take your concerns to a physical therapist and point out your goals before heavily engaging in any exercise routines.

Since everyone is revealing their age I am 82 and thankful that I don't take any prescription drugs, you know the kind that are advertised for curative value at maybe a 100 words with grinning actors and warned about the side effects in about 400 words.
About 15 years ago I had major sciatica pain so after imaging scans I was told that I have deteriorating vertebrae that was pinching the nerve that causes the pain. The solution was to send me to a physical therapist who taught me some stretches to do at home, said I didn't need to come back. The stretches are done laying flat on my back. The stretch I think has done the most is "SPINAL MOBILIZATION - Lumbar Rotation: Caudal - Bilateral (Supine)", which is flat on your back, arms stretched out, knees up and knees and feet together, then turn the head one direction and the knees the other - repeat (for me ) 60 times. This has almost completely eliminated the sciatica pain.
Currently my day starts with a 1 mile walk with the dog (when the dog doesn't get lazy), then a few hours in my shop, lunch and about 4 hours in the shop.

 

[John K Jordan]

Funny thing - I seem to get older every year! I'm pushing 76 and have had my share of medical issues including surgeries, seizures (now under control) and loss of strength. Fortunately the farm here has given me exercise opportunities every day for the last 20+ years which keeps me moving. I walk from 4-10 miles a day (when it's not pouring rain). This is after 30 years of sitting at a computer writing software and such - had terrible back, shoulder, and other pain from that - NOT a healthy way to live! (Setting up and running this farm also stole 60 of my lbs, according to my bathroom scale!) Green acres is the place to be...

I had to stop turning completely for a while but am blessed to be back to turning what I want. Do have problems with hand cramps with extended detail work but this helps:

Amazon.com

I do find taking a break from turning to cut up some blanks on the bandsaw or go out and feed the peacocks and llamas is good.
Stopping for a piano break helps too - different muscles, different movement for arms and hands!

@Don Wattenhofer , I like the stretching exercise you described! I don't have sciatica pain any more but it sounds like it might be a good preventative exercise.

JKJ

 

[JeffSmith]

I'm 76 and can fully endorse a good pt. I had been in the habit of staying active on a daily basis - walking - encouraged by a couple of dogs - kayaking often and working on our property using arms, back and legs on a regular basis until my routine changed dramatically about two years ago. The loss of our dogs (both aged out) meant less necessity for multiple walks daily coupled with progressive arthritis in both hips and knees slowed my activity down severely. The result was that I had increased inflamation and joint pain that I self-treated by slowing my activity.
A trip to the osteo docs resulted in a reference to a PT - the joints weren't bad enough for surgery yet. I was very skeptical that PT would be of any help at all - boy was I wrong. After a few weeks of visits and a schedule of stretching and light exercise I was able to resume daily exercise and walking again.
Since then, my granddaughter has graduated with a degree in kinesiology and acceptance into a graduate program in our city - I now have good guidance on proper taping of my knees for better support and encouragement to keep up with the daily movement and exercise. PT has allowed me to resume activity that I once thought was lost to me.

 

[Tony Rozendaal]

I thought I was having hip and/or lower back pain on my right side. On Christmas Eve I had shock wave lipotrypty (sp?) for a 12mm kidney stone (unattached) in my right kidney. That morning returning home from the procedure I could tell that I had less discomfort in my right side. Two days later I spent the longest time at the lathe I had for several months.

I have a history of kidney stones so there were measures in place to check for this, but the moral of the story is that everything needs to be considered. It may not be muscular/skeletal.

 

[Don Wattenhofer]

Funny thing - I seem to get older every year!

Ya several years ago I made a resolution to not get old, unfortunately it didn't work .

kidney stones

I had an enlarged prostate that was keeping me up at night so I first got the pills to control it, but that made me feel like sh*t so I went to the urologist to see if I would be a candidate for surgery to burn away part of the prostate. The diagnosis called for a scope to be run into the bladder and thru to the kidney where they found a kidney stone that had not started to move around yet. The stone was blasted and removed without causing the pain of natural passing and yes I have friends both male and female that have gone through the pain of passing a stone. The laser surgery was also performed and that function has improved tremendously.

Isn't this great that all of us old farts can discuss our medical issues!@#$%^&*