shrinking in old age

When my Dad was alive (and suffering from slight dementia) he went for a medical and the doctor said he was 5ft 9". "I jolly well am not,"he said "I am 6ft and have always been 6 foot" Then he stormed out of the office!

After I had my first hip replaced at my six week check up I mentioned to the surgeon I was lobsided He smiled and said when he did my second hip which was thirteen weeks after the first he would even me up as he thought I would appreciate not shrinking. He was true to his word and my physio commented how even I was after the up. So I have lost less height that I might have done without two new hips

Seems another negative thing to add to getting older - losing height so therefore what was previously an acceptable weight is now too high for our lower height. Bah!
I used to be 5' 2" so dread to think how much lower I have sunk now 😕

Eddieslass

Well, pably15, you’re fortunate to have a yearly check-up. I know I’m shrinking height wise but haven’t been called for a check since I reached 70, 2 years ago. Obv I’d see a doc if I had a problem but ……

I think it depends on what health problems you have..

I reached my full height of 5ft 4 and a half inches at age 14 . I am now in my 70s and am still 5ft 4and a half inches. I don’t know how I managed that ! I’m still the shortest in my family except for 14 year old DGD .

Well, pably15, you’re fortunate to have a yearly check-up. I know I’m shrinking height wise but haven’t been called for a check since I reached 70, 2 years ago. Obv I’d see a doc if I had a problem but ……

yes i've just discovered i have shrunk a couple of inches, am now just 5"2", no wonder my 11 year old grandson towers over me.

I went for a Bio Bank second round of scans earlier this year after seven years and was told I was an inch shorter, a stone heavier and my blood pressure was too high.

In April I had my annual BP and blood pressure check. Both very satisfactory. I have never been measured or weighed although it's obvious I'm not overweight. My passport has always had 5'1". I'll ask one of the DDs to measure me, some 60 odd years later.

I’ve been having treatment from a chiropractor and he says that I’m now a bit taller as he’s straightened up my wonky spine!

I find that my long umbrella with a curved handle is very useful in supermarkets! I hate having to ask someone to reach things down for me.
I keep thinking that the top shelves in Aldi, etc., could be made so they can be pulled down on a hinge? 🤔
Everything in our kitchen is too high - it drives me mad! 😡

I have definitely shrunk by one and half inches but my birthday suit hasn't!!

I’m 73 and so far I haven’t shrunk at all, but if I do start to I won’t be happy! I’m struggling with my BMI as it is and that will just make it even harder.

DH shrunk from 6’2” by over 2”, but he was told it was due to stacking of his spine, mostly from being in the scrum in rugby.

I’m 5’10” but don’t think I’ve lost height - weight would be good though…

Yes, I'm afraid 'little old lady' isn't just a phrase!

Well its all in metres so Ive no idea !

😂

I think when the spine shrinks, the waist gets lower, so trousers appear longer

Struggling to reach high shelves is not just due to losing height. We also lose flexibility. My teen DGD is the same height as me but she can reach things that I can't.

I am a bit confused about why trousers are now too long. Our spine shrinks but surely that does not make our legs shorter? I thought shops now make things longer as the average height has increased.

My husband is 6ft and other shoppers (always female!) often ask him to get things from high supermarket shelves 😁

I’m 5 inches down, apparently because of osteopenia, and was blaming Marks and Spencer for making their regular trousers much longer than before! I had no idea shrinking was a thing.

fancyflowers

Padstow13

Yes, I'm sure we shrink with the years.

And I wonder if the supermarket CEO's are aware that stacking upper shelves high and even higher puts several lines of items out of reach of the likes of moi - 4ft 11ins.

I know someone will say "well ask staff to reach for it for you!", but can you find a suitably tall member of staff when you need one?

And it's not merely a rare occasion - it's fairly regular. How high can these shelves get?

My answer to this is to collar the first man who comes along and to say, "I need a tall handsome man, but you'll have to do...
"
I invariably get a laugh and whatever is out of my reach.

Ha! Ha!

Padstow13

Yes, I'm sure we shrink with the years.

And I wonder if the supermarket CEO's are aware that stacking upper shelves high and even higher puts several lines of items out of reach of the likes of moi - 4ft 11ins.

I know someone will say "well ask staff to reach for it for you!", but can you find a suitably tall member of staff when you need one?

And it's not merely a rare occasion - it's fairly regular. How high can these shelves get?

My answer to this is to collar the first man who comes along and to say, "I need a tall handsome man, but you'll have to do...
"
I invariably get a laugh and whatever is out of my reach.

I recently saw an old photo of my daughter and myself.
I was at least 2” taller.
Now, I am 2” shorter than her.😫

I was 5ft 7.5ins. I’m now barely 5ft 4ins following 3 spinal surgeries and arthritis in my spine.