Cyclist0084

Not that 52 1/2 is old, so I guess I should say "getting older sucks."

Along with general aches and pains that go along with advancing in age, I've been dealing with a (off and on) sore right hip for the past few years. Regular pain relievers helped some (Aleve helped the most), but my doctor eventually put me on Meloxicam and that has helped tremendously.

Something "new" has developed over the last nine months to a year that has really added "suck-age" to every day life.

Over the past year, the vision in my left eye has slowly deteriorated; more quickly than it ever has done in the past between eye exams. I just chalked it up to how I viewed my phone when lying in bed. I lay on my right side, so my right eye is basically buried in my pillow, so I'm looking at my phone with just my left eye. I just figured that after so many months of viewing the phone this way, it naturally would cause some issues with that eye. Well, turns out that wasn't the case.

Went in for an eye exam earlier in the week as I finally received my tax refund (thanks for taking so long Uncle Sam....Grrrr!!). After going through all the pre-exam stuff the receptionist does (especially the dreaded 'puff of air' test), the eye doc gets down to business and gives me a pretty thorough exam. After he does a lot of hemming and hawing, he asks about my diabetes; specifically if I've been taking good care of my self in that regards. I tell him that yes, I've been taking pretty good care of myself, although I've been having a little trouble getting my A1C number down to around the 6.0 mark. Seems like I've been "stuck" around the 6.5 to 6.8 number for about 6 to 9 months. Anyway, the doc goes on to say that the deterioration is NOT due to how I view my phone at night but to the beginnings of a Posterior Subcapsular (PSC) Cataract. Oh gee, just what I didn't need to hear.

He said those types of cataracts can be caused by excessive use of steroids (which I don't take), by diabetes, or some other conditions I can't remember off the top of my head. He recommended surgery as soon as possible, but due to some dire financial circumstances since the first of the year, I had to cancel my health insurance (although mandated by Obamacare to purchase it, but that's a discussion for another forum LOL), so right now surgery is out of the question. The doc really didn't want to write a prescription for new lenses since within "six to nine months" (his exact words) any correction made by new lenses would be negated by any further deterioration. In the end, he did write a prescription for new lenses, and I should have them by the end of next week. Even if it will be for just a few months, it will be nice to have clear vision in both eyes. The vision in my right eye, thankfully, hardly had any change since my last eye exam (18 months ago), so I at least had good vision in one eye.

I'm hoping to find some part time work that will improve my financial situation so I can get some insurance to help cover cataract surgery (unless that will be considered a pre-existing condition under Trumpcare, if that eventually gets passed into law, but once again, that's another discussion for another forum), or to save like crazy to pay the total cost "out of pocket."

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else here rides with cataracts and if so, for how long and how you've dealt with it?

Thanks in advance for any comments and also for letting me rant for a few minutes.

fietsbob

This is the last summer I will be 60 anything.

Mr IGH

Didn't both reading your screed, too long and I hate medical conversations. The only thing I have to say about growing older is the alternative really sucks. After surviving a few near death medical events I treasure every day, esp when it includes a bike ride

TimothyH

I am going to age so I might as well accept it and do it with grace and class.

God takes away our hair, eyesight, sense of taste, ability to run... He is preparing us for the inevitable when he takes us back completely and letting us know that we had better get ready.


-Tim-

BillyD

Just a pup.

Bikewolf

I once learned about a guy who wasn’t able to ride anymore, due to an accident or so. Because he really enjoyed bicycling, he chose to continue his passion by fixing bikes now. Courage!

welshTerrier2

I have no idea whether these guys are any good but they claim to offer free cataract surgery all around the country: Mission Cataract USA

Hope this helps.

David Bierbaum

I got a glimpse of my own future, this afternoon. Going out by bike to get groceries, put down the list and the money to put panniers on my bike, then went on a ride (long route to go to the store two blocks away), and only realized after I locked the bike to go into the store, that I had LEFT THE LIST AND THE MONEY at home! Sigh. I am demented enough without dementia...

As a fellow de-insured person, I wish you luck.

Dark Arrow

I'm with ya mate,, I've survived 2 heart attacks ,bodgy knees, now an impingement and well,, and I'm planning a trip to Norway for cycling in the next year or 2.. Gotta keep moving the alternative isn't very nice.

Bear

rando_couche

Two observations about getting older:
- It's not for wimps.
- It's better than the alternative.


SP
OC, OR
63 and some change at the moment.

FBinNY 

I hate to pour gasoline on a fire, but 52 is far to young for that many problems, and regardless of where you are now, ot only gets worse.

Given that we now are living in an era where pre-existing conditions are covered the moment you sign up for health "insurance" and that this may not last long, I'd save up a few bucks, and sign up for coverage, then schedule a fresh exam, 2nd opinion, and surgery (if indicates) ASAP.

Waiting might put you into an era when you'll have problems covering the pre-existing condition, and you'll be that much farther away from getting it treated.

Biker395 

Sage advice:

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

As we age, those hard battles are more and more about our health. Virtually everyone I know in the 50+ category has something they're struggling with, be it back pain, knee pain, heart ailments ... all kinds of stuff.

The key is to keep your eyes on the prize and keep moving.

I don't have cataract issue yet, but years in the Sun (much of my 20s was spent squinting into the sun on the California beaches waiting for waves) means that I am likely to develop them soon.

Biker395 

^ Sage advice.

Rowan

I am sure if you do a search here on cataracts, you will find a BF member who has just had both eyes done for cataracts. That person is a very highly regarded professional in their field whose eyesight is essential to work successfully. And that person is just over 50yo but doesn't post in this sub-forum.

You will have to do the work to find that person, because I am not sure it is appropriate for me to offer up the name. But you might be able to compare notes. I do know that the difference after the surgery was like night and day, and the recovery period was relatively brief. Cost is another matter, of course.

Trsnrtr

Ditto. Life is precious. Live it fully.

bobwysiwyg

My personal motto is the less you do, the less you will be able to do. Stay active.

qcpmsame 

My mom had had both eyes receive cataract surgery to move cataracts, as has a close friend. They have repeatedly proclaimed that getting the work done was the best thing they ever had done. Your specialist has most likely explained the ins and outs of the cataract replacement.

As said, you aren't all that old at all, and you've been handed some difficult things to deal with, I hope that you can manage to get something worked out as far as a job and some insurance the will cover your needed surgery. Perhaps the eye specialist can work out a payment plan if you would be open to that sort of arrangement, won't hurt to ask.

And posting here is better than keeping things bottled up inside and letting it eat at your mental state. Its the 50+ thing to do, when you come here about something medical nature. Draw on the positive support from everyone here. You have my thoughts and prayers with you, for complete recovery and a successful surgery. No-one should be denied their chance at keeping vision in their eyes if it can be fixed, nothing to go the politics route though, end of my bandwidth consumption.

Bill

JanMM

Common cataract surgery is very routine and not gawdawful 'spensive but without insurance or extra cash that's problematic. I have no experience with cataracts or their removal but have been told by current optometrist that one may be in my future. Knock on wood.

The guitar I was allowed to buy for my 50th birthday is now 17 years old. Still working because otherwise I couldn't be a bike commuter.

canklecat

At 59, coming off multiple illnesses and injuries, I'm in better shape now than I was 16 years ago after the car wreck. Twenty months back in the saddle after a 30-year i-hate-us from cycling. Feels good.

Just in time to reach a physical peak in another year or two, then see it decline inexorably throughout my 60s.

Yay. Feels like being a cicada or mayfly.

Before Thursday's ride I decided to finally scoot the saddle forward to reduce back strain. I noticed the past few weeks I preferred riding on the nose. It wasn't more comfortable, just a more efficient pedaling stroke and easier on my knees, hips and lower back. Good indication the saddle wasn't adjusted right.

So while I was leaning over to adjust the saddle my lower back went in to spasms.

Dagnabbit.

I rode anyway. Saddle feels much more comfortable and efficient now.

Heck with getting older. I'm taking this senior tour on the road no matter what.

10 Wheels

You Pups ain't old yet.

Bought this when I Hit 70 years.

Zurichman2

I am sorry to hear about your ailments. I guess I consider myself to be very lucky at my age 66. No high blood pressure no pills no nuthin. I just started taking up gravel grinding as a new bike sport for me and was checking out the Hilly Billy Robaiux in WV and they listed the oldest finisher as being 67. I will be 67 next year so I email the event guy to find out how many months over 67 the guy was as I might be going for the record next year. ha Keep riding everybody and to think if a 105 year old French men can set a record after only starting up riding again at something like 69 or 79 just think what us riders can do that have been cycling all those years.

Zman

linberl

My grandmonther used to say that any day you could get out of bed was a good day.

At 67 my body talks to me when I get up in the morning, sometimes it swears at me, but it is a "good day".

My favorite saying that my kid hears all the time is "use it or lose it" because I observed my elders shrivel up and die once they stopped moving.

My friend drove with cataracts for several years; it took us a while to realize she couldn't see a damn thing at night when she drove us places but once we did, we had a designated shotgun rider call out when there were pedestrians crossing the street, lol.

+1 on the comment above about getting covered now - Trumpcare is going to make coverage with any kind of pre-existing condition way more unaffordable than your coverage would be now. Or check and see if there are any medical schools nearby that provide any kind of community rates.

Carbonfiberboy 

Gotta have health insurance. Better get it now while you can. 71 here, have mild cataracts, maybe need to "ripen" for a few more years before they're worth an operation.

Diabetes is not good. I have a friend who had a mountaineering accident last year. Due to odd fallout from the accident, he's lost 50 lbs. He had diabetes before the accident. 6' and down to 148 lbs. now. His diabetes doc says he doesn't have it anymore. Interesting, eh? I'd never heard of a Type 2 going clear.

Cyclist0084

Thanks to everyone who commented. I appreciate them all.



This is true. Despite issues that I may have, I am thankful for the life I have.



True. I'm just "halfway" to kickin' the bucket. I've always said that I'm going to live until I'm 104.



Sounds interesting, and one of their locations (in Illinois) isn't all that far away, so it's something definitely worth looking into. Thanks for the link. I appreciate it.



Very true.

jppe

55 years of golf without sunglasses here! From my last vision checkup it sounds like I have some baby cataracts.......waiting on them to get bad enough for insurance to pay for the fix!!