Athletic performance in your 40s?

[Lvovsky]

Interesting. I've balked at the price of the massage guns, but if they work it's worth it. Are only the Theraguns any good or are any of the knockoffs ok also?

Knockoff from Amazon for 30ish bucks works just fine

[Lvovsky]

6 months of chemo at age 50 (Hodgkins - now in remission), prior to chemo, felt like I was still 40, could move uphill on skis or feet same speeds/times as mid 30s. I rode my bike, climbed, hiked, and skied as much as possible during chemo.I'm fucked now, feel like I'm 60 (poor balance, numb feet/hands from neuropathy, weak legs). But also don't really care. Just being alive and able to ski with son (can't keep up anymore) and go to work is a bonus. Heck, I could hardly walk after chemo, but somehow was able to ski as long as it was groomers or hardpack.

I don't even want to know what my testosterone level is. I'm sure the chemo fried my balls. My bench press is pretty weak by 30lbs less (just started lifting again). Biking I feel slow, weak in the legs, lost a ton of muscle mass, primarily in my legs. Haven't started climbing again yet, but the neuropathy-numbness in my toes won't be super great for climbing.

Lesson: Don't sweat the aging process, just feel lucky every day you're alive without a life threatening illness. Every time I see people all depressed with an ACL tear I now just wanna say "fuck off"....you have idea how bad it can get.

Glad you pulled through. Keep on recovering your fitness and enjoy skiing with your kid. It’s a joy I am yet to experience due to his developmental disabilities. Going to get him into adaptive ski program next season if all goes as planned.

[Lvovsky]

Treatment or prevention?



I thought he literally meant cuts and scrapes. Wounds heal much better and faster when kept moist and covered so a scab doesn't form.

Treatment.

It’s annoying that minor strain is felt for weeks if not month.

[XXX-er]

my 50's were way better than my 40's due to early retirement/ moving close to a ski hill/ a good area to paddle/ having a buddy to go recreate with cuz at that age everyone else seemed to have and/ or need a job,

I think life getting in the way is what slows you down not necessarily the age

[Trackhead]

I think life getting in the way is what slows you down not necessarily the age

Yup, great statement.

[yeahman]

Accupuncture cured my elbow tendonitis.

[Buzzworthy]

Accupuncture cured my elbow tendonitis.

Same here. First time I tried it was this last fall. 4 sessions and I’m literally a new man.

[98brg2d]

The generic version that I bought is pretty specific about use for arthritis only and about the “dosage” to use, measured by length of bead. My PT and OT were both recommending off label use, which is fine to me, and were unclear about dosage and indicated that dosage didn’t really mattered. Both claimed that it was topical and thus only affected the location that I was applying it to.

I’m not sure if you’re in the USA but in Canada there are different otc dosages labeled for different uses, and oral doses are for any musculoskeletal inflammation so for us using it the same as ibuprofen or Robax wouldn’t be off label. I would follow the dosage recommendations for the strength you are buying and check with your doctor or pharmacist if you want to take other oral nsaids at the same time. Emulgel is probably the lowest risk way of taking nsaids but I wouldn’t take max dose orally and then also take max dose topical without having the pharmacist figure out a weight-specific dose for you.

I have been on courses of oral for a few weeks, topical at the same time, and then topical as needed after that and they only lowered my oral dose if I told them I planned on topical 3 times a day for the full three weeks of oral treatment. This was for treating back and ankle at the same time so two topical locations as well as oral.

Up here, a PT would not be allowed to give a recommendation for drug treatment so I’m not surprised you didn’t get a great/confidence inspiring answer.


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[Mazderati]

Ya'll need to get right with Goop.

[ötzi]

Hook a brother up

[Dantheman]

It’s only been 3.5 months out of chemo. My hair is growing back, figure I’d give my balls time to do the same. Also hesitant to consider TRT. IGF-1 has some ‘possible’ mechanisms/receptors in Hodgkins and while it’s not testosterone, I’d want to thoroughly research prior. TRT can up regulate IGF-1 expression. I’d rather be hypogonadal than increase my chances of going through this shit again. Of course a talk with both urology and oncology would be prudent.

My hemoglobin started climbing around the 9th of 12 infusions. Ended chemo at 14.2. That’s was a nice surprise to not be super anemic. Doc thought I’d end up around 10-11. I guess bone marrow and erythropoietin was active. I’ll check my T in a few months. I did serum T, free-t, E, LH, SHBG at age 4O and free-t was excellent.

I certainly wouldn't jump into TRT if you think things are coming back on their own. Getting tested still seems like a good idea though so you can track recovery.

On the muscle loss, this is going to sound mildly ridiculous, but flex a lot. There is actually a large body of evidence showing that flexing can result in pretty substantial hypertrophy. Flexing is free, requires no equipment, and can be done even when bedridden. Anything you do to strengthen and maintain the neuromuscular connection is going help.

[altacoup]

Anybody have details about voltaren and side effects? The info in the packaging sounds like it’s not entirely topical, ie it’s entering your bloodstream.

I’ve had a PT and hand therapist recommend it for acute non-arthritis issues. I’ve mentioned to them that it’s an nsaid and asked if there are side effects, potential issues from administering in several areas of my body, if I should be concerned if I am also taking an oral nsaid, etc. I got blank stares, which sucked.

Where I live, most PTs seem to be focused on workers comp or geriatric and not on recovery of athletes after injury. Ive talked to a few skiing athletes in my area, and they’ve had the same conclusion. There are a few at one practice, which is typically booked, one who works part time and is also typically booked, and a chiro that functions as a PT for athletes. I’ve had friends who are athletes that travel over an hour each way for their PT’s that focus on athletes.

I’ve had 3 PTs that didn’t understand. My local sports med doc gets it, is an athlete and life long skier. Last time I saw him on a follow-up appt because my knee recovery seemed stalled with PT and I reinjured the knee (early this season), he diagnosed the specific weakness, gave me details of the muscle group to increase focus, showed me a few exercises, and advised to not seek additional PT (it’s his internal PT staff). I am grateful but confused.

I dealt with a similar issue after tearing my rotator cuff at work. My regular PT was booked way out and workers comp made me do 8 sessions of PT before I could see a surgeon or get a mri. My shoulder was totally fucked . First pt that I saw basically told me I’d never get full use of my arm again. After 8 sessions with him I got my mri and the go ahead for surgery. Had a great surgeon and afterwards went back to my old PT. Well almost a year later I’m close to 100%. Choosing the right doctor/pt is key. Don’t use one who is only works with people who aren’t active. If you’re an active person you need a doctor/pt that understands athletes, even us older athletes. Years ago my alc surgeon told me very bluntly, moving and being active is what helps your recovery. He was my second opinion and I instantly decided that he’d do the surgery. His daughter is a pro skier. There’s plenty of docs/pts that focus on people who sit on their asses, if you’re on this forum you shouldn’t be dealing with them.


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[Iowagriz]

Recent Voltarin advocate.

Last fall, I came back from a 2-week Italy trip with a wrecked stomach. Bad knees and tons of walking, so I was downing Advil like Skittles (plus new coffee user, drinking, and rich food). Many tests later, it was probably the combo of the above. Doc suggested Voltarin for the knee pain, and I used it all ski season without problems. Plus, during another 2-week trip with lots of walking.

I do find that it doesn't just work on the first application (for me). During ski season, I wouldn't use it daily, but every 2 or 3 days was enough. During the spring trip, I used it daily without any problems. I do follow the dosage instructions, approx 1 inch of paste in each knee, and I found that I rub it into the soft tissues for better results.

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[Trackhead]

I certainly wouldn't jump into TRT if you think things are coming back on their own. Getting tested still seems like a good idea though so you can track recovery.

Agree, I'm an endocrine/testosterone nerd, have been for a very long time. Exercise, sleep, lifting, cycling, sun in the meantime. Honestly, overt fear/anxiety/depression of cancer recurrence is probably doing more to kill my T production than anything else.

I have zero interest in TRT honestly. Secondary cancer risk is a thing post chemo, plus I think T is over-prescribed big time.

[zion zig zag]

I sometimes mix Voltarin with IcyHot. My wife says it makes the house smell like old man. My GFR has been lower than what I would like for 10+ years. It’s holding steady and my doc is not concerned, but it still makes me want to avoid Ibuprofen.


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[Name Redacted]

Half way through my 40's and the best thing I've done is lose 30 lbs. Did it in an unconventional manner, bought a business (stress), stopped working at a brewery (food and beer in excess), and the pounds just fell off. Funny how that works. Body feels amazing, back problems reduced, sports are more fun now. I'm actually back to hiking to ski and enjoying it.

[Dantheman]

Agree, I'm an endocrine/testosterone nerd, have been for a very long time. Exercise, sleep, lifting, cycling, sun in the meantime. Honestly, overt fear/anxiety/depression of cancer recurrence is probably doing more to kill my T production than anything else.

I have zero interest in TRT honestly. Secondary cancer risk is a thing post chemo, plus I think T is over-prescribed big time.

Oh, TRT is absolutely overprescribed. Hormone replacement shouldn't really be on the table unless lifestyle factors and weight loss have been optimized, but this is America. I'm 41 next month, have my lifestyle factors pretty dialed in, and two months ago my T was 903. Lifestyle works.

Physical destruction of your gonads is a different story entirety though. At the most extreme example, someone who had their balls blown off by an IED in Iraq needs to be on TRT. If 12 months from now you're way below the reference range it probably would be worth revisiting (with an endocrinologist and your oncologist, obviously). My entirely unqualified speculative opinion is that doing low amounts just to get you back into the low end of the reference range probably won't meaningfully increase your cancer recurrence risk.

Did you happen to catch my edit about flexing?

Half way through my 40's and the best thing I've done is lose 30 lbs. Did it in an unconventional manner, bought a business (stress), stopped working at a brewery (food and beer in excess), and the pounds just fell off. Funny how that works. Body feels amazing, back problems reduced, sports are more fun now. I'm actually back to hiking to ski and enjoying it.

Go to the gym and pick up a 30 lb dumbbell. Now think about carrying that fucking thing around every minute of every day and the physical and mental drag that actually is. That thought experiment doesn’t even consider the endocrine effects that excessive body fat causes.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Go to the gym and pick up a 30 lb dumbbell. Now think about carrying that fucking thing around every minute of every day and the physical and mental drag that actually is. That thought experiment doesn’t even consider the endocrine effects that excessive body fat causes.

Don't fuck with fat people, they are lifting weight's all the time! But seriously, kick ass ND.

There is not secret receipt. Most of us can see the most progress from modifying our bad behavior than adding in new routines.

Fast food, sugary drinks, smokes and so on. Once the baseline of a healthy routine is established and you feel some benefits, my experience is that is becomes less daunting and easier to make incremental change.

That said, don't create some type of conditional progress where, let's say, you won't commit to lifting weight because you tell your self you, "have to get your diet under control". Because then you risk robbing yourself of the motivation that comes from putting forth effort.

[Trackhead]

Oh, TRT is absolutely overprescribed. Hormone replacement shouldn't really be on the table unless lifestyle factors and weight loss have been optimized, but this is America. I'm 41 next month, have my lifestyle factors pretty dialed in, and two months ago my T was 903. Lifestyle works.

Mine was similar at age 40....agree, I think lifestyle is 95% of the equation for T.

[XXX-er]

Half way through my 40's and the best thing I've done is lose 30 lbs. Did it in an unconventional manner, bought a business (stress), stopped working at a brewery (food and beer in excess), and the pounds just fell off. Funny how that works. Body feels amazing, back problems reduced, sports are more fun now. I'm actually back to hiking to ski and enjoying it.

Lose the weight and all your figures will fall in line , SO eat less and cut out added sugar, I lost 15lbs my bad cholestral went down my good cholestral went up, a1C dropped from 9 to 7

[The SnowShow]

^^^when you say cut all added sugar, do you also cut all processed crap like bread?

[zion zig zag]

Mine was similar at age 40....agree, I think lifestyle is 95% of the equation for T.

Hah. Mine was similar at 40 as well. I’m probably around half that now though at 49. And I’m arguably living a healthier lifestyle as far as diet /alcohol and exercise than I was 10 years ago.

[Foggy_Goggles]

^^^when you say cut all added sugar, do you also cut all processed crap like bread?

Absolutely, I'm no expert and I don't follow any rule to a T but...I minimize bread (I like the sprouted stuff and I've subbed salads for sammys), and try not to eat food out of wrapper.

Besides a bit of time commitment its not to hard for me as I like whole foods

[XXX-er]

^^^when you say cut all added sugar, do you also cut all processed crap like bread?

I went to see the MD and she said my sugar levels were bad up at around 9 and i was slightly overweight so i figured lets just try flying right to start with so I cut sugar and how much i ate

I don't add sweetner to foods, the less you use the less you will need to use until you don't add any, I havent added sugar to tea or coffee in > 10yrs

eating fat does not make you fat so I ignore fat completly

Almost all foods are going to contain some sugar SO look at the white label on the side of every food product cuz it will tell you 2 important things

1) at the top is a number that tells you how much a portion is, its often a lot less than you think and people eat too much or at least I did

2) then look at sugar level so if you are looking at a supermarket shelf of the same product pick the brand that has the lowest sugar level that you will still eat

i lost 15lbs in like 6 months doing this ^^ and my figures alll fell in line

[The Reverend Floater]

Just here to post that I recently started strength training after maybe a 8 year hiatus riding a desk and raising kids. Holy shit, I'm old. I used to be able to slide right into a leg press at the end of winter and do several reps of 325+ pounds. Now? Not so much. I did ten sets of 260 on Thursday and that was a big win.

Stoked on this thread. Thanks for the topic.

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