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Is it normal to have aches and pains?

(17 Posts)
Leonora2 Fri 24-Jun-22 11:21:42

I'm a 60 years young female and I'm starting to feel my age a bit. I ache when I get out of bed to the point I can hardly stand upright. This wears off pretty quickly and I don't have any problems at all with mobility. But when I stand from a sitting position (my job is sitting down all day) I really ache a lot in my back, and legs. I've noticed now my neck is stiff and my arms are too sometimes. Is this normal aging? Or am I hurtling towards artititis or some other inflammatory condition route?
Also I have a friend who has been started on HRT Post menopause to help with aches and pains. Is this an option do you think? I'm way past menopause and didn't know it was possible to still go on HRT (which I've never taken by the way).
It's not a massive problem and I know there are lots of worse things, but I suppose I wondered if it's just a normal part of aging. I have a friend my age who doesn't ache at all but she's had no children where I've had 3...maybe pregancy causes wear and tear on our joints?

Blossoming Fri 24-Jun-22 11:24:24

You really need to discuss all this with your doctor, I doubt anybody here is qualified to answer these questions.

AGAA4 Fri 24-Jun-22 11:27:49

I would contact your GP as to 'ache alot' when you stand doesn't sound normal to me at only 60.

crazyH Fri 24-Jun-22 11:28:57

Your last two lines intrigued me. I have a childless friend in her 80s who never complains of ‘aches and pains’. My other friend and I who have ‘given birth’ , and are much younger than her, are always complaining and as you say, especially when standing up from a sitting position.
I wonder ??

Mapleleaf Fri 24-Jun-22 11:29:59

I think that if something is feeling not right for you, and reading your post, it sounds as if you have concerns, then as Blossoming advises, the best thing to do would be to contact your surgery to see if you can speak to someone about your concerns.
The problem with aches and pains is that no one is really the same in how they feel. Things could sound very similar to how you describe, but the cause could very well be different. Only a qualified medical practitioner will be able to advise appropriately, so I would advise seeking medical advice.

crazyH Fri 24-Jun-22 11:31:12

Btw, 60 is too young to start having aches and pains ?

Farmor15 Fri 24-Jun-22 11:42:38

I'm 70 and had 5 children and don't really suffer from aches and pains - so in my case at least, having had children hasn't caused them. When I was working I spent most of the day standing or walking around and now I'm retired, I still spend a lot of the day on my feet.

Having a sedentary job, Leonora may be a cause of some stiffness/aches. It's recommended now that anyone who has to spend a lot of time sitting, should get up and walk around every hour. Or get a standing desk - not as odd as it sounds!

MarathonRunner Fri 24-Jun-22 11:45:41

Hi Leonora , I feel for you . I am 61 and have the same . I went through the menopause early fifties and my aches and pains started then . I didn't take HRT as my GP wouldn't prescribe it .
Perhaps it would help but only your GP could advise I'm afraid .
I find some days are worse than others but drinking lots of water helps and voltarol too as opposed to taking ibroprufen helps my back and knees .
I think some people sail through life without any problems but others do suffer with painful joints as they get older .
I try to get up slowly in the morning and have a stretch . If you're sitting down all day at work could you get up periodically and walk about . Speak to HR , they should try to put something in place for you , perhaps a better chair , adjust your desk height etc .
I do find staying as active as I can helps tremendously otherwise everything just stiffens up and I'm crawling like an old woman and early 60s is not old .
Get an appt with your GP ASAP. They can do some blood tests to rule out any problems that might be causing it .

Don't suffer in silence . It's horrible getting older isn't it . I always say the mind is willing but the body ain't smile

H1954 Fri 24-Jun-22 11:51:32

Certainly make an appointment to discuss this with your GP but in the meantime.........is your mattress in need of replacing? Is your chair and desk ergonomically correct? Do you leave your desk and move around every couple of hours?

Silvergirl Fri 24-Jun-22 11:55:24

I am 63 and have lots of aches and stiffness on getting up from sitting. My range of movement is abysmal which is strange as I used to be so supple. Did loads of party tricks! Likewise, I often wonder if it is normal for my age or something else going on. I know I have some arthritis in my hips and lower back as it was diagnosed by X-ray 12 years ago. I’ve never taken HRT and I regret this now because I hear of lots of people saying it helped their joints. I don’t think they like you starting hrt after 60. My hobbies are all outdoors and active and I am beginning to feel restricted in what I can do. Will be watching this thread closely for ideas.

Hetty58 Fri 24-Jun-22 11:56:22

Blossoming, I don't need to be 'qualified' to say that it's not normal ageing - not at 60! I'm guessing now, but I'd say more activity, a workplace ergonomics check - and maybe a new mattress could make all the difference.

I've never had a 'desk' job but suspect that unnaturally long periods of sitting must be damaging.

Casdon Fri 24-Jun-22 12:23:57

I’m no expert, but your symptoms are similar to those my mum had when she first developed polymyalgia. It’s definitely worth going to your GP to get yourself checked out regardless, at least it will put your mind at rest then.

geekesse Fri 24-Jun-22 13:36:54

It may just be a matter of perception and sensitivity. Some people do seem to perceive the normal ageing process as aches and pains, while others just get on with doing stuff, accepting that older bodies may be a little stiffer, a little less supple and a little quicker to tire. It’s a bit like headaches or a cold - some people seem to really suffer, while others don’t.

Any health concerns should always be taken to a professional, in any case.

lixy Fri 24-Jun-22 13:42:59

Might be a bit personal but ... how old is your mattress? My backache disappeared when we bought a new one when I was early 50's and now we replace it regularly.

Hetty58 Fri 24-Jun-22 13:46:05

lixy, yes, I noticed a huge difference when I got an 'Emma' one.

Curlywhirly Fri 24-Jun-22 14:00:11

Well I'm 66 and quite fit, very active and never still - but, I have noticed that I can get quite stiff if I sit in the car for any lengthy journeys. However, it wears off as soon as I get moving. I have friends a few years younger than me, who have problems with their knees and aching backs. I think it's pretty common once you hit 60 to have some aches and pains - but as others have said, a visit to the doctors is the best way forward if you are concerned.

Leonora2 Fri 24-Jun-22 14:33:14

Thanks everyone. My mattress is quite new so I don't think it's that. I remember getting stiffness even in my 40s when I stood for a long time so this isn't a sudden onset but I've always thought it's part of the aging process. I do have good seating at work and I'm up and down all day so I think it's fairly satisfactory.
I think I will probably book a GP appointment and discuss it further. In the meantime I welcome anymore comments.