Bodies shrink, medications increase as we age

Recently, my oldest girlfriend and I got together for lunch. We caught up on our lives and I asked about her twin girls. I remember when they were babies and now they are in their 50s, nearly 60. It’s hard to believe they can be that old. Then, I look at myself and can’t believe I’m as old as I am.

Before we parted ways, my girlfriend mentioned that a doctor’s visit showed she had lost 2 inches in her height.  She used to be 5-foot-6 inches and now she is 5-foot-4 inches.

I was  5-foot-9 inches and now I am 5-foot-7 inches. The last time I was measured, I made the technician measure me again. I thought it was a mistake. I was 5-foot-7 inches. It wasn’t a mistake. Now what?

Well, the doctor says, “You had osteopenia, now you have osteoporosis, and now you need a bone builder.” A bone builder? Yet, another new drug. Two ways to do it. Give yourself shots every day for a year or go to the hospital to get monthly shots in each arm for a year. It’s easier to do the latter despite the bold disclosure on the front of the information pamphlet that states there is a slight chance of a heart attack or stroke. Well, if I went to the hospital to get the two shots and had a heart attack or stroke, I’m already in the hospital. Better chance of a good outcome.

Not too long ago, I was prescribed a drug to add to my pill box. I told the doctor I was all for it if it helped me live longer. The pill is smaller than a baby aspirin. Each morning I pour my collection of “survival” pills into my hand to sort out the morning pill from my pill box.

I cannot say how many times that pink pill has dropped on the floor and I’ve had to get on my hands and knees to find it. One time it landed in one of my shoes. Sometimes, I worry that if I can’t find it, our dog will find it and eat it. Who knows what would happen to her if she ate it?  So, I keep looking, with a flashlight if necessary, and if I can’t find it, the only option is to get the vacuum cleaner out and vacuum the “dropped” area. At least I’d get a clean floor.

Some people have an aversion to pills. Commercials don’t help. They rave about a particular drug to correct or ease one’s problem. As my husband and I watch a 60-second commercial, before we are able to mute it, my husband will say, “Look how happy they are. Maybe I need what they have.” Kidding of course. Then follows the high-speed blurb about side effects as the people in the commercial continue to be happy.

The final word, ”Ask your doctor if this could work for you.”

Then, there are the testimonials, especially the ones talking about how improved this person’s memory has been since taking this pill. I asked a doctor about these memory pills. I was told, “You’re better off doing crossword puzzles.”

Sue Curran is a San Rafael resident. IJ readers are invited to share their stories of love, dating, parenting, marriage, friendship and other experiences for our How It Is column, which runs Tuesdays in the Lifestyles section. All stories must not have been published in part or in its entirety previously. Send your stories of no more than 600 words to lifestyles@marinij.com. Please write How It Is in the subject line. The IJ reserves the right to edit them for publication. Please include your full name, address and a daytime phone number.