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The incredible shrinking woman.

(15 Posts)
henetha Mon 03-Jul-17 14:08:12

5' 7" doesn't seem all that tall does it, but it's what I have always been and I always felt tall. However I now feel short! At my heart clinic check up last week I was measured as usual and told I am just under 5' 4".
I was so surprised that I asked the nurse to check it, which she did and confirmed that I am 162cms which translates into almost 5'4".
I already knew I was shrinking a bit; it's on my records at the local hospital where I have had a couple of operations. They mentioned I was 5'5-and-a-half a couple of years ago. But to lose more than 3 inches in recent years seems excesssive, doesn't it. Apparently it's to do with my spine.
Are any of you losing height at this rate of knots?

trisher Mon 03-Jul-17 14:20:20

I've lost a bit, but your figures are unusual. Can I ask if you have been tested for osteoporosis? It's a major cause of height loss. If not I suggest you ask for a test. It is treatable.

henetha Mon 03-Jul-17 14:59:10

Thank you trisher.. No I haven't been tested for osteoporosis. It's a thought. I'm seeing my doctor next week and will mention it. Oh dear..... but I'm glad you mentioned it.

trisher Mon 03-Jul-17 15:14:39

Don't worry too much there is some very successful treatment about. I have been treated and currently am on a drug holiday because my bone loss has decreased so much. My mum has it , she's 94 and has lost about 5 inches in height.

Jane10 Mon 03-Jul-17 15:36:26

I remember my Granny looking up at me and snapping 'I'm taller than you really!'
She had used to be much taller than she became. She had osteoporosis and lost about 4 inches at least.

kittylester Mon 03-Jul-17 15:53:49

My bil has lost 5" over the last couple of years due, he is told, to his arthritis.

fiorentina51 Mon 03-Jul-17 16:07:24

My 87 year old Aunt was 5'5" but is now about 5' due to a combination of arthritis and age. At 5'2" I now look down on her. Not sure how long for! ?

Jalima1108 Mon 03-Jul-17 16:34:26

My MIL used to tower over me at over 5' 9" but she lost so much height she was about the same height (5'4") but not until she was well into her 80s.

Greyduster Mon 03-Jul-17 20:07:54

This is quite depressing! I have only ever been five feet and a half an inch - I can't afford to lose any more; no one will be able to find me!

BlueBelle Mon 03-Jul-17 20:22:51

No it's not unusual henetha I was also 5'7 and I now measure 5'4 because of this the doctor sent me for a bone density test and it appears I do have osteoporosis I was offered weekly acid tablet but because I have some minor problems in my oesophogus it wasn't advisable so I have been given a 15 minute infusion which will happen for the next three years, then they ll measure my hone density again and hopefully it will have improved

Jalima1108 Mon 03-Jul-17 21:27:56

I used to be 5' 5" so I am on the way down at 5' 4".
However, I do have a friend who is about 4'10" or 4'11" and she always refers to us both as 'little people'. I hesitate to point out that I am 5" taller.

Nanabilly Mon 03-Jul-17 21:30:27

My mil was always 5' 5" as she got older she shrank to 4 '6" at her last height check but then she lost the ability to stand once she went into a nursing home due to dementia so could never be checked , by the time she died in January aged 97 she was like a little doll.

valeriej43 Mon 03-Jul-17 22:00:58

I,was 4ft 11and a half,im now 4ft-11, maybe less as it was 2 years ago i was measured
Cant afford to shrink anymore

henetha Tue 04-Jul-17 10:28:31

Thank you ever so much for all your answers. I'm not so worried now, but will ask about an osteoporosis test just in case.

goose1964 Tue 04-Jul-17 10:34:24

MY gran did this , lived into her 90s