If i could change one thing about myself physically to be a better hunter.. (flat feet, bad knees, back, eyesight, etc)

Roofer1

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I've spoken with friends who've gotten that done like 20yrs or so ago, and they told me their vision has degraded back down again not exactly as bad as before, but kinda like it was when they originally elected to do it. What did your Doc say in regards to how long the benefits would last? I'm asking on the chance that the technology is perhaps a little better now?

When I had it done in '06 my prescription hadn't changed in the previous 12 years. My Dr's opinion was that because of that there was a good chance I wouldn't need glasses again, except for readers (which pretty much we'll all need some day). He didn't make any guarantees though so time will tell.
 
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Poor eyesight here. Got put in glasses when I was three y.o. Glasses are terrible and Contacts are better, but expensive. Hoping lasik is going to be a good investment. Anybody had it?

I had Lasik in 2011 and it is the best money I've ever spent. Dealing with contacts while camping, hunting, etc was always a pain. Unlike many of the physical issues mentioned on this thread, eyesight is one that you can actually fix. I recommend it.
 
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Another vote for being shorter. It would be nice to have a longer draw length and get a little more speed out of my bow. It's also not as easy to wade across deeper water as my taller friends. This occurs during both fishing and accessing hunting spots.

Oh well, you play the hand you're dealt and make the most of it. I'm just thankful to be healthy and able to hunt.
 

Drenalin

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I've got a scar on my left pupil; every time I move my eyes, it looks like something is moving off to that side. There rarely is. This has been going on nearly 30 years, still gets me every time.
 

TheGDog

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Those of you who've done Lasik. How much down time occurs after the procedure? And what is something you wish somebody would have told you about prior to getting the procedure done?
 

Laramie

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Age... almost 30 years ago I was a college athlete and really took it for granted in the mountains. I just can't do the things I once did, no matter how hard I work out.
 
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Those of you who've done Lasik. How much down time occurs after the procedure? And what is something you wish somebody would have told you about prior to getting the procedure done?

Not a ton of down time. I want to say I had the procedure done on a Thursday morning, and after a long weekend I could see well enough to drive to work on Monday. Your eyes will be dry and scratchy for several weeks, so you'll need to keep up with drops every hour or so. After a few weeks of dryness my eyes felt normal and stabilized with 20-20 vision.

I can't say there's anything that I wish someone had told me ahead of time. Everyone I knew that had lasik before me told me their only regret was not doing it sooner, and they were absolutely right.
 

TheGDog

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Not a ton of down time. I want to say I had the procedure done on a Thursday morning, and after a long weekend I could see well enough to drive to work on Monday. Your eyes will be dry and scratchy for several weeks, so you'll need to keep up with drops every hour or so. After a few weeks of dryness my eyes felt normal and stabilized with 20-20 vision.

I can't say there's anything that I wish someone had told me ahead of time. Everyone I knew that had lasik before me told me their only regret was not doing it sooner, and they were absolutely right.
I know it varies by provider and location,etc... But approx how much should a fella understand he's going to be spending for this? I'm assuming this is considered "elective" by your health insurance provider and thus no help from them, right? Also I'm assuming they have financing plans, yes?
 

DrewPNW

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I’m bummed it takes me longer to recover from injuries. I’m still only around 90% on my right ankle that I sprained last **December**.

Of all my other shortcomings, the one that can hit me hardest is I overheat badly and get horrible headaches. I feel like I could chug gallons of water and pop all the ibuprofen in the world and I’ll still get raging headaches if I’m hot and exerting myself. Just have to push through it.
 

TheGDog

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Of all my other shortcomings, the one that can hit me hardest is I overheat badly and get horrible headaches. I feel like I could chug gallons of water and pop all the ibuprofen in the world and I’ll still get raging headaches if I’m hot and exerting myself. Just have to push through it.

That sounds like a job for electrolytes man. Checkout like Rite-Aid. they make these chewables to fight Nausea. But it's basically electrolytes. Sometimes they can be real helpful especially when it's really dang hot. Like if stomach is not happy... or legs are cramping. Also those "nunn" hydration tablets that fizz when dropped in a water bottle. They'll help a lot! You'll feel 'em eventually sweat thru your pores on your shoulders, then you'll know you good to go.

I learned about Nauseum chewable because one time on the packout I knew I was gonna be hurting so I pre-emptively took 2 Tylenol #3's w/ Codiene. Well... with the heat and and exertion...ugh... my stomach was not happy and torquing hard with acid due to that. I was constantly try to suck down more water to dilute my stomach, but it wasn't working, and I was developing this abdominal muscle pain really bad right where the abs connects to your ribs right in front in the middle. You know, that area that gets more work than normal when you're wearing a backpack? I was getting spasms in that muscle, so I knew I was putting too many demands on my bloodstream water supply what with breaking down those 2 #3's at the end of the hot night. Those Nauseum chewables really did the trick nice and fast in terms of making the nausea and the cramping up front of those ab muscles subside.
 

DrewPNW

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That sounds like a job for electrolytes man. Checkout like Rite-Aid. they make these chewables to fight Nausea. But it's basically electrolytes. Sometimes they can be real helpful especially when it's really dang hot. Like if stomach is not happy... or legs are cramping. Also those "nunn" hydration tablets that fizz when dropped in a water bottle. They'll help a lot! You'll feel 'em eventually sweat thru your pores on your shoulders, then you'll know you good to go.

I learned about Nauseum chewable because one time on the packout I knew I was gonna be hurting so I pre-emptively took 2 Tylenol #3's w/ Codiene. Well... with the heat and and exertion...ugh... my stomach was not happy and torquing hard with acid due to that. I was constantly try to suck down more water to dilute my stomach, but it wasn't working, and I was developing this abdominal muscle pain really bad right where the abs connects to your ribs right in front in the middle. You know, that area that gets more work than normal when you're wearing a backpack? I was getting spasms in that muscle, so I knew I was putting too many demands on my bloodstream water supply what with breaking down those 2 #3's at the end of the hot night. Those Nauseum chewables really did the trick nice and fast in terms of making the nausea and the cramping up front of those ab muscles subside.

awesome, thanks! I’ll give that a shot
 

Rangerpants

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I'd magically fix my foot that's got a few screws in it. Doesn't bother me most of the time, then I will randomly feel the screw heads banging around. All-in-all, I can't complain too much, at least I am walking and can still put in the miles, even with a little discomfort now and again.
 
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I know it varies by provider and location,etc... But approx how much should a fella understand he's going to be spending for this? I'm assuming this is considered "elective" by your health insurance provider and thus no help from them, right? Also I'm assuming they have financing plans, yes?

It's been nearly ten years, but I want to say it was between $3,500 and $4,000 for both eyes. It might be a little pricier now, but I haven't kept up.

Yes, there should be financing plans available.
 
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What were you blessed with, (or not so blessed with) physically that you feel holds you back in the mountains? Personally i have the flattest feet ever (according to a foot specialist with 20 years experience). And as you can imagine, it f*****g hurts to hike day after day..Lets hear'em boys

How flexible and strong are your feet? I grew up running cross country and had frequent knee injuries. The sports doc said I had really flat feet and needed orthotics, etc. Well, it was actually due to having relatively weak feet and lower leg muscles, combined with not so great running form because our coach didn't teach that, and a diet that was conducive to inflammation of joints.

After getting back into running after college, I did my own research and found that if I strengthened up my feet and lower legs, worked on my form, and ate healthier, I can run as long as I want in whatever terrain I want without injury... That is of course if I have been running consistently.

Anyway, I'd bet your feet aren't doomed to hurt forever.
 
OP
SecretSpot
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How flexible and strong are your feet? I grew up running cross country and had frequent knee injuries. The sports doc said I had really flat feet and needed orthotics, etc. Well, it was actually due to having relatively weak feet and lower leg muscles, combined with not so great running form because our coach didn't teach that, and a diet that was conducive to inflammation of joints.

After getting back into running after college, I did my own research and found that if I strengthened up my feet and lower legs, worked on my form, and ate healthier, I can run as long as I want in whatever terrain I want without injury... That is of course if I have been running consistently.

Anyway, I'd bet your feet aren't doomed to hurt forever.
My legs and feet are built and always have been, the more i tend to run or hike long distances my feet almost seem to get flatter. I have always heard people say, " oh yeah i have really flat feet too" then we compare feet and mine look like a deformity next to what seem like good looking feet as compared to mine. Ive done the custom orthotics from a PT and actually trained as a bodybuilder along side a gentleman who was a PT while i was in highschool into college. He was very polite about how he spoke of my feet, but he made it known enough that they were unlike anything he's ever seen.
In college while i studied Exercise science the labs in physiology often require the class to examine eachother to help study and learn material. My feet were a spectacle among professors, students, anyone really. As bad as they are, its a blessing i am able to go on the hikes and hunts i do- As my wet footprint on the ground shows zero arch. Further more the inside of my ankle just below my medial malleous almost touches the floor. It looks like i jumped off a 5 story building and landed on my feet.
I often think its attributed from jumping off high fences as a young kid, but ill never know.
 
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My legs and feet are built and always have been, the more i tend to run or hike long distances my feet almost seem to get flatter. I have always heard people say, " oh yeah i have really flat feet too" then we compare feet and mine look like a deformity next to what seem like good looking feet as compared to mine. Ive done the custom orthotics from a PT and actually trained as a bodybuilder along side a gentleman who was a PT while i was in highschool into college. He was very polite about how he spoke of my feet, but he made it known enough that they were unlike anything he's ever seen.
In college while i studied Exercise science the labs in physiology often require the class to examine eachother to help study and learn material. My feet were a spectacle among professors, students, anyone really. As bad as they are, its a blessing i am able to go on the hikes and hunts i do- As my wet footprint on the ground shows zero arch. Further more the inside of my ankle just below my medial malleous almost touches the floor. It looks like i jumped off a 5 story building and landed on my feet.
I often think its attributed from jumping off high fences as a young kid, but ill never know.

The way you describe it, I must say it sounds like you got dealt a rough hand with your feet.

Something I'd like to change about myself, albeit not necessarily for hunting, would be my mental health.
 
OP
SecretSpot
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The way you describe it, I must say it sounds like you got dealt a rough hand with your feet.

Something I'd like to change about myself, albeit not necessarily for hunting, would be my mental health.
Whats the issue with your mental health, if you dont mind me asking?
 

NY16ga

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Another short guy here. I mostly hunt alone so it usually doesn't matter but my main grouse/woodcock hunting buddy is a tall dude so I have to prepare myself when we hunt together. Luckily both of our dogs hunt fairly close and it's way easier for a small guy like me to push through the thick stuff in those old clear cuts and grown-over farm fields. I might be in trouble if we ever hunt the prairie together though. I've been near sighted since I was a kid so I'm just used to dealing with glasses. I sometimes get some pain in one of my knees from an old high school soccer injury, especially during ugly downhill hikes. It's manageable though, stretching regularly makes a big difference although I could probably do more to strengthen it.
 
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Whats the issue with your mental health, if you dont mind me asking?

For most of my life I've struggled with pretty severe depression. Not to the point of suicide attempts though. Cognitive therapy and prescriptions haven't ever really helped, so I've become accustomed to just dealing with it, which makes it really hard to actively work on improving it. The best medicine I've found is eating healthier and running in nature most days of the week. Unfortunately I'm at the point in life where things get busier and more hectic and that makes it harder to keep up with the two things that help most.

It's one of the biggest issues in society today and one of the least talked about.
 
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