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Help I’m shrinking!

(60 Posts)
Coppernob Thu 01-Nov-18 19:15:18

I’ve always been 5’8” since I stopped growing in my teens, or so I thought. Yesterday I had to go for a bone density scan before which I was weighed and measured. I couldn’t believe it when the technician said my height was just under 5’6”. I was so surprised that she measured me again but the result was still the same.

Where have 2 inches gone??

My eldest granddaughter thinks it’s hilarious that her Granny is shrinking and is threatening to start calling me Hobbit! I suppose there are worse things I could be called.

farview Thu 01-Nov-18 19:23:31

Yikes same here..was always 5'6"
Am now 5'4.5"....good things come in small packages ?

Lynne59 Thu 01-Nov-18 19:52:58

It happens to us all. I used to be 5ft 2, but I've lost an inch. At least you're still fairly tall smile

fairisle Thu 01-Nov-18 20:01:50

I`ve shrunk too,i used to be 5ft 9,i`m now 5ft 7.

MiniMoon Thu 01-Nov-18 22:39:21

I was always 5' 4", now I'm 5 ' 3" . I'm shrinking too.

Nanna58 Thu 01-Nov-18 23:06:02

I too am shrinking- but only vertically- horizontal I’m getting wider. Life’s a bitch!!

MissAdventure Thu 01-Nov-18 23:18:09

Have you all been tested for osteoporosis?
I always understood that shrinking can be a sign of it.

cornergran Thu 01-Nov-18 23:20:31

Mr C has shrunk. Diagnosed with osteopaenia. On the other hand I am the same height as I have been for years but definitely wider hmm.

Willow500 Fri 02-Nov-18 07:32:29

I was measured yesterday but she gave me the details in metric so I've still no idea how tall I am!!

Marydoll Fri 02-Nov-18 08:04:48

I have been shrinking for years, due to osteoporosis and vertebraic fractures. I was only 5ft2ins originally and I am now 5ft.
I hated being so short with to start with, but if this continues, there will soon be nothing left. grin.
I would be delighted to be 5ft6ins, tall and elegant.
It's all part of growing old. sad

Bathsheba Fri 02-Nov-18 08:12:19

I've lost a couple of inches, down from 5'6" to 5'4" - yes I have had a DEXA scan, and no sign of osteoporosis. I think everyone shrinks in height as they age. Meanwhile, my 12 year old DGS is towering above us all at nearly 6'. In the immortal words of Kevin, "It's not fair".

LJP1 Fri 02-Nov-18 10:04:50

Bone 'settle' as we get older and as oestrogen concentration decreases. The same happens to men but to a lesser extent, though osteoporosis cause decrease there too.

jenni123 Fri 02-Nov-18 10:06:05

Willow 5ft 6 is 167cm if that's any help

merlin Fri 02-Nov-18 10:31:31

I've shrunk too from 5'1" to 5' and also have been diagnosed with osteopaenia. An unfortunate side effect of the medication I have to take.

linjon Fri 02-Nov-18 10:41:20

I was 5’ 2” now 5’. Osteoporosis and compression fractures in the spine! The worst thing is trying to reach things in the kitchen cupboards!!

sarahellenwhitney Fri 02-Nov-18 10:42:51

Like my late mother I too suffer osteoporosis and it ''can'' be but not always part of the aging process. I saw her 'shrink' over the years and now when I go for my medication review I ask for a height measurement.
Have to acknowledge that what will be will be but was fortunate in having two HR's which certainly gave me a new lease of life.

Senectus Fri 02-Nov-18 10:59:21

Yes, men shrink too - was 182cm in my prime now 179cm - am 70y/o.

cathieb Fri 02-Nov-18 11:02:27

I have shrunk about an inch I think, though a recent measurement at a hospital had it as two - I think I was crunched up with anxiety at the time! I do seem to have less of a gap between my bottom rib and the top of the pelvic bone, so there’s more sticking out at the front! We all shrink a bit by the end of the day and inevitably there is wear and tear and compression of the cartilege (sp?) between the vertebrae.

sue01 Fri 02-Nov-18 11:02:42

Yes... was 5ft 10 and a bit... now just under 5 ft 9ins. Two slipped discs and a crumbling spine no doubt. But what makes it worse, is they divide how much you weigh by how tall you are... so I am officially now under tall !

Dontaskme Fri 02-Nov-18 11:12:44

My DM was 5'2 and gradually went down to 4'9"! She still insisted on putting 5'2" on any form that asked her height, with the reasoning that "its in my passport that I'm 5'2". That'd be in the passport that expired some 30 years earlier! My MiL is now a lot lot shorter than she ever was although I don't know by how much. I was 5'7" and was always annoyed about not being 5'9". I've now started to go the other way and am 5'6". My DH has a theory on why we all shrink and get skinny as we get old but I won't pass it on!!!!

Rosiebee Fri 02-Nov-18 11:27:27

When we had our kitchen refitted about 3 years ago, I could just reach up to close the overhead cupboard when it was open. I've realised now that I stand on tip toe to close it and can't reach stuff on the top shelf. What's to be done? I do have niggles with my back, very stiff in the morning but does it warrant a trip to the doctor or will they just say "It's old age, what can you expect" ?[I'm nearly 67]

Marg123 Fri 02-Nov-18 11:41:39

The same happened to me, Bone Density Scan. I used to be 4’11” I was measured at 4’9”. I was gutted really couldn’t afford lose those 2 inches. Buying clothes is a nightmare.

Fennel Fri 02-Nov-18 11:48:22

I'm down too, from 5'4" to 5'3".
I wonder if it's also due to weaker muscles, to support us upright.
I had a bone density test and I was ok.

Tillybelle Fri 02-Nov-18 11:49:48

Coppernob Me too! It's my spine mainly, scoliosis and loss of density and shrinking discs. I have lost about 4 inches.

EllanVannin Fri 02-Nov-18 11:50:46

The incredible shrinking women hahahaha.
Yes we do shrink as we get older as muscle mass shrinks with age more so if you're stooped and bend in the middle because you lose that support. I think I've lost an inch or so from my once 5'6 height though standing next to my GS I feel as though I'm standing in a hole.
Keeping on the go will prevent too much shrinkage.