Aches, Pains, and Aging: What No One Warns You About

According to ChatGPT, 10–15 billion people throughout history have lived to be at least 50. That’s over 10 billion people who’ve had the privilege of experiencing the aches and pains that come with aging. Most civilizations have prioritized health and wellness education—especially in the modern era. So why, at 54, am I still surprised when my own aches and pains are simply chalked up to aging?

I think it started around 45 when my wrists began to ache. Sometimes, the pain was so bad I couldn’t even open doors. I casually mentioned it to my doctor, who brushed it off. He could have saved me a lot of agony—and countless Google searches—if he’d just said, “You probably have arthritis. It’s normal and something you’ll deal with for the rest of your life.”

Arthritis runs in my family. You’d think someone would have warned me about what to expect after 40—especially as I approached 50.

A few years later, my right knee started to ache. My primary care physician referred me to an orthopedic specialist. The specialist handed me a list of physical therapy exercises and said, “If it doesn’t get better, come back.” It did eventually improve—without me doing a single one of those exercises.

My older brother, who’s wiser (and more cynical) than me, once said, “Doctors just prescribe physical therapy and call it a day. If I’m going to do exercises, I’d rather hit the gym and lift weights.” He avoids doctors altogether, figuring his knees will get better on their own, just as mine did initially. And after my own experience, I started to see his point.

But a year later, my knee pain returned—this time worse, with significant swelling. Back to the doctor I went. Once again, I was referred to the orthopedic specialist. This time, he greeted me with, “What brings you in this time?” in a tone that was equal parts smug and dismissive.

“My knee is swollen and painful, and I’m having trouble walking,” I replied, trying not to sound exasperated. It wasn’t until he ordered x-rays that he seemed to take me seriously.

The results revealed significant arthritic changes and bone spurs. He gave me a steroid shot with lidocaine. I left his office feeling immediate relief, but by the time the lidocaine wore off, the pain was back.

It took several weeks for the steroid to kick in fully. The pain eventually subsided, but my knee remained slightly swollen, and I developed an almost permanent limp. My doctor suggested I could return for another steroid shot in a few months or consider arthroscopic surgery to “clean up” my knee.

Aging is a shared journey—one that billions have walked before us—but it often feels lonely. Despite all our advancements in medicine, the process of navigating aches, pains, and uncertainties can still feel overwhelming. From swollen joints to swollen lymph nodes, each new ailment serves as a reminder of life’s fragility—and resilience.

Still, we face these challenges with humor and perseverance, finding joy in each day despite the growing list of ailments. Aging isn’t easy, but it’s a privilege denied to many. And as long as my knees keep me standing, I’ll keep moving forward—one achy step at a time.