You can never have enough...

[Venetian1]

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...

100% agree with you OHH keeping mobile is so important I really know it if I miss my daily walk. As I have back and hip I find standing, and keeping as straight as I can helpful, rather than sitting for any length of time as when we sit it is so easy to slump down which increases pressure on damaged vertebrae.
People must wonder at times seeing me standing and want to offer me a chair which I decline politely. 

And also totally agree about taking meds “just in case”. The trouble is people remain on meds for years with no evidence that they still need them or if there is another option which may not even have been thought of when they started.  
Dementia is something I would do anything to avoid