One of My Fears of Aging

@DianneN (247186)
United States
March 2, 2020 8:27am CST
I fear many things such as snakes and spiders, but I consider them phobias. As I age, I fear getting diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc. I really try my best to eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water, get a good night’s sleep, and of course exercise every single day. However, I truly fear getting a dowager’s hump. I may sound vain, but I can’t imagine wearing clothes that would look good, hair and makeup wouldn’t help much, and getting a massage would be embarrassing. From what I’ve read, it can be prevented by good posture when standing, sitting, reading, and sitting at the computer. I’m doing my best to prevent it.
45 people like this
45 responses
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Mar 20
I sympathize with your fears. I have them also. It's hell trying to age gracefully.
9 people like this
@FourWalls (68084)
• United States
2 Mar 20
So who said we had to age gracefully? Get out there and rock and roll until you get old, then keep rockin’ and rollin’!
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Thanks! You are absolutely correct.
4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
2 Mar 20
@FourWalls In a pine box.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Mar 20
I agree. I would hate that. I try to remember to stand up straight and keep my head up.
7 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I’m glad you feel the same way. I just picked up my my iPad to use while standing up - head up. It’s awkward, but necessary.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
3 Mar 20
Dowager's hump is an indicator of poor calcium absorption as well as bad posture. You do all the right things to avoid that. In the elderly it is an indicator of osteoporosis. Yes, exercise and good posture all you life will help prevent it. So does vitamin D and calcium, healthy eating. I cannot imagine this happening to you unless you do something to fracture your neck or spine. I am not downplaying your fear, but I am saying you are one of the healthiest minded people I know.
4 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Mar 20
Yes, there are other reasons that cause a dowager’s hump. I will fight tooth and nail to avoid it. Thanks so much for saying that! I try.
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Mar 20
@Mensch People need to take better care of themselves from an early age.
@Mensch (292)
• Calcutta, India
3 Mar 20
If only there was a preventive measure for this then people would know what not to do and what they should once they cross the age of 40.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
2 Mar 20
Good posture is a must to prevent dowager’s hump. There are specific exercises to do to prevent this problem. It seems that this will become the next most common problem in the next generations, young people now live with the neck bent to watch all the time their phones.
5 people like this
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
2 Mar 20
@DianneN I see those young people walking with their noise on the phone, I can imagine the damages to their neck and spine. NO, I think that our husband would not be happy.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Exactly! I just mentioned to @JudyEv that I am standing up using my iPad with my head straight. I look ridiculous and it’s awkward, but I need the break. Besides, our husbands would not consider us trophy wives with a dowager’s hump.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@LadyDuck They say it’s horrible to hold your head down like that looking at your phone or reading books that way. Our husbands would never take us out in public again! It would also be difficult to sit in a chair sipping our martinis. The glass would be tipped at an angle and spill on our pretty dresses.
4 people like this
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I agree with John. It's hard to age gracefully! The mind is sharp; but the body says, "I'm tired"! :-)
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I agree! However, my mind isn’t as sharp as it once was, yet the body is still hanging in - literally.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@LindaOHio Exactly!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@DianneN I can have a thought in my head; and a nanosecond later it's gone!
2 people like this
@Ajy78613 (2001)
• Australia
2 Mar 20
I agree with you, but it's part of life , so we all have to face it.
3 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
No, it’s poor posture unless you have osteoporosis or some crippling disease that afflicts the spine. It’s preventable.
2 people like this
@Ajy78613 (2001)
• Australia
3 Mar 20
@DianneN yeah agree
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180821)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I doubt you will ever get that..Sometimes I notice my posture is bad, or I am slumping over..I make it a point to straighten up!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (180821)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@DianneN I think lying on the floor about 15 minutes per day is good for you back as well. I do that if I think of it.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I slump at times, too, and when I realize it, I jerk to attention.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@snowy22315 It is! There are lots of helpful hints online that don’t seem horrible to do.
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (81944)
• Onaway, Michigan
2 Mar 20
I have fears as well snakes spiders bears. We have to live right and prevent it which I know a lot of people don’t live right and they can prevent a lot of things that go on in their lives.
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (81944)
• Onaway, Michigan
2 Mar 20
@DianneN I agree on the not living right thing my uncle is one of them he kept going in the hospital with clogged arteries in his heart and having to get stents put In the last time they did something else. Yeah if I was told no more sugar or special sugar treats I would get by. My ex mother in law had diabetes and she still did sweet treats she just made them with Splenda and you could not tell they were really good .
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Oh, yes! I’d certainly be afraid of bears and other wild animals, too. I agree with you! If my doctor told me to stay away from sugary deserts and candy, I would listen to him and do whatever it takes to prevent future problems. There are quite a lot of people who don’t live right, unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@Tina30219 Living right is so important. I just came from visiting my friend here. She has cancer and is fighting for her life now through a special infusion treatment. This is her last hope after 12 rounds of chemo.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
2 Mar 20
If you think about it too much, you may attract it. So, it is better to let it go and do what you are doing. I am sure you will be fine.
2 people like this
• Romania
2 Mar 20
@DianneN Then, you have nothing to worry about.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Thanks! I intend to do everything humanly possible to avoid it.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
2 Mar 20
I agree. I hope that doesn't happen to me.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
3 Mar 20
@DianneN Your welcome and thank you for the compliment
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Mar 20
@LeaPea2417 You’re welcome. It’s true!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
3 Mar 20
I hope it doesn’t either! Thanks for the Facebook request. You are stunning!
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
2 Mar 20
For me, a standing desk (which I own) is my preference. Not one to sit and seems many must sit all day at their jobs. One of our dear friends looked like the woman in your photo and live to 93 although she had that terrible hump.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
3 Mar 20
A standing desk should be used by many more. A much younger than 93 year old friend ended her life. We all believe it was due to her hunchback.
@wolfgirl569 (106395)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Mar 20
I would hate it too. But it sometimes happens no matter what you do.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106395)
• Marion, Ohio
2 Mar 20
@DianneN And that my mother had.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@wolfgirl569 I’m sorry. That kind is not preventable I wonder if surgery could help in this day and age.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Exercise and posture helps prevent it, unless you have a bad case of osteoporosis.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I feel you. I don't like bats myself. Aw. I can understand. Though one should never feel ashamed of one's body esp. because of a condition. My chiropractor told me that chiropractic can stave that off, too
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@FayeHazel It’s never to late to avoid and improve your back. I know that for a fact!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
My hubs has a fear of bats. I’m one who would feel ashamed. I can’t help it. If something is preventable, I’m all for it.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@DianneN I agree with hubby - bats are out? Time for me to go in. Aww bless you. I would imagine it would make clothes fit weird. I already am uncomfortable midback... I can't imagine how that must feel
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Mar 20
There are many things I hope we do not have to experience as time goes on.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I agree. I just returned from visiting my friend with cancer. Her monthly infusion treatments are going well, but she has tumors that are growing.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
@CarolDM Thanks. It is just awful and has taken so many. I give her credit. She played tennis this morning and is now with friends playing canasta. I don’t know where she gets her strength.
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Mar 20
@DianneN I am so sorry about your friend. Cancer is such a horrible disease.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223106)
• Chile
4 Mar 20
I truly understand you. The last times I saw one of my aunts she was bent in half. And she had been a beautiful woman
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223106)
• Chile
4 Mar 20
@DianneN There are many things I fear about age. Some are happening to me
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Mar 20
@marguicha I know, and I am so sorry, but you are a fighter!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
4 Mar 20
There are many reasons why that can happen, but I would die if that ever happened to me.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68084)
• United States
2 Mar 20
“What hump?” (Eyegore, Young Frankenstein) I agree with you. My dear grandmother had it. I knew a doctor who had it, and she was relatively young (no 70-year-old) to have had it. It just looks painful as is, I don’t know if it actually is, but like you, I don’t want to find out!!!
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I had a friend who had one. A group of us believe it’s one reason she took her own life. It sure is ugly, and I’m trying my best not to get one. I saw a phono of one’s back before the hump developed. All I saw were immense, manly shoulders and a broad back. It was a woman!
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Mar 20
I can relate to your aging fears...I have many myself. As my friends says...these aren't the golden years...they are more like lead
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
That’s hilarious!
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116936)
• Anniston, Alabama
2 Mar 20
I try to sit up straight more now than ever. Wrinkles is what I am hating, as I lose a few pounds I see them more.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Even looking at your phone with your head down is a cause for concern. There are always remedies for wrinkles. lol
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77081)
• Germany
2 Mar 20
I can relate to your fears. I try my best to keep myself healthy.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
I know you do. I visited my friend who is fighting for her life from cancer. That scares me so much.
1 person likes this
@Wana1234 (1519)
• Zambia
2 Mar 20
I wouldn't like to have it either.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
2 Mar 20
Ugly, too!
1 person likes this