You can never have enough...

[popeye333]

Turns out he now has two disintegrated vertebrae and Osteoarthritis. Nothing they can do but keep up with pain meds.

His Neice has the same problems so possibly a family history. but he has chalky bones. So its likely to keep happening.

He just has to live with it

I have similar issues popeye, and have learnt mild exercise (being sedentary is a killer) and localised heat really helps on top of the medications. I know nursing staff are wary of hot water bottles for elderly patients, but so long as safety precautions are observed they are very useful for the worst episodes.

Which brings me to an interesting bit of new stuff I learned recently. My GP tried to put me on a ppi - Losec - to 'protect' my gut because I take high dose NSAIDS to reduce inflammation around my joints and spine. I spoke to my pharmacist about them, and she told me that if I wasn't experiencing gut problems, then don't take them.  So I didn't. My doc found out when a script renewal came up and she was not impressed with my choice, but I still don't take them. However, I have just recently seen research on this family of really commonly prescribed meds, and it is scary. Most of the studies indicate a substantial effect on dementia outcomes for people taking ppi's for longer than four years. Both my Mum and my Grandmother were given these for many years, both ended up in dementia units. I know that is leaping to conclusions, but it makes me wonder all the same.

If you are taking Losec, or one of the other proton pump inhibitor or acid reducing drugs on a regular basis, maybe do your own research or ask your doc for more information. There are other ways to manage gut health, and it is important, because we are now learning so much more about how our gut microbiome affects every system in our bodies.

And dementia is universally one of our greatest fears in our aging...

Yep Hunni, We are all trying to make him do some moving. He sat in his chair while I was there for nearly two hours yesterday. Which was the longest he has for a while. Had a decent talk with him last night. He knows that if he doesn't move he will seize up and there will be 3 of them in the room not walking and having to be lifted by the lifter all the time. Its not what he wants.
But I do fear that he has already left things a little too late. But he know the consequences. A Dr we had in Mangakino was very good and forward thinking. Issuing warnings all the time. 

MrP say its all cos he hasn't been home, but he basically hasn't done anything other than minimal walking to and from the bathroom or bedroom since 2018. I dont recall why he just seemed to stop. He just did. 

I've been on Losec for years. I dont want to go back to having a very acidic stomach. While I would like to lose a lot of my meds, there's some things I still want to avoid. Makes it a hard juggling act for sure.