I’ve lost 4cm in height! Gone from 5ft 6 to 5ft 2.5!!
Hello: I’ve lost 4cm in height! Gone... - Bone Health and O...
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delythe
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I'm appalled to have lost a couple of inches in height, and I have no fractures. Assume it is a function of gravity and osteoarthritis. Can't win!
For those with osteoporotic kyphosis, Nordic walking is excellent for straightening the spine and increasing upper body strength.
HeronNS how interesting ! You have had xrays on your spine too ? I know your bone density is pretty good too . I know my granny who is 90 is certainly smaller than she used to be.Very spritely but smaller .She doesnt have op and has NEVER broken a bone in her lovely long life ! I wonder if we do shrink as we get older .I was listening to the radio recently and Danny Baker raised the question "why do you hardly ever see tall older people ?" Very interesting !
I had x-rays a few years ago when the doctor was trying (unsuccessfully) to diagnose why I was in so much pain all over. I knew about osteoarthritis in my spine before, and this was an updated x-ray. It was nothing to do with any possibility of osteoporosis. But x-rays will show fractures, although not bone density, and there were none. The diagnosis, btw, made by a different doctor, was polymyalgia rheumatica. Which, because treatment by steroids can lead to bone thinning, is what has led me to following this bone health forum as well.
I see ! so why do you think you have lost height without any fractures ? Is it (sorry ;)) age related ? Its an interesting point .
I wish I knew. My physiotherapist said she could give me back my height (exercises) but if her therapy has worked at all for this it's only been to hold the line so I haven't lost more. I am 70. I used to be just barely 5'6" but now I am a shade under 5'4" but I don't think things will get any better. I always thought I'd be a thin old lady as over the years I would lose weight with every crisis, and not regain all of it, but I never knew that loss of height also came with the territory.
How interesting ! I wonder if things like the Alexander technique would help too ? I wonder if people will get even shorter in the future as they become so sedentary ? Good for you for doing your exercises....and being so positive ! I have been 157cm since I was 12 ....so lets see when i am older ....hey ho ....
The Alexander technique is supposed to be helpful. I read an article a while ago where a journalist did some Alexander technique work to see if it helped her, and apparently it did. But the program she was in was costing a fortune. Something in the order of thousands of pounds I think. Although cheaper programs are available, and of course one could learn from books or videos. But I think for physical techniques it's always best to learn from a real person if possible.
I think this might have been the article, although I didn't remember she'd also tried Pilates and gone to a chiropractor. I'd never go to a chiropractor. The Alexander technique appears to have been the most successful. Regained height is only maintained with continued practice.
You are not alone. I was always 5 ft 8 inches and I am 5 ft 3 inches now. I always wanted to be shorter and now that I am, I loathe it!
Although I was never tall by today's standards, as a child and into my early teen years I was always the tallest child in my class (all girls school) although also the youngest. Even when I was working and younger women were hired who seemed to be amazons compared to me I still had a perception of myself as a tall, large person. It was a shock one time when I was in the hospital to be told by the doctor that I was small. This happened again and again in different situations. But psychologically I still felt tall. I find it odd that although I've shrunk I can still stretch tall enough to reach most of the things I've always been able to reach on a particular high shelf in my kitchen. However, since I've suffered from PMR, I've felt a diminution in my perception of myself, and I don't like it. I don't want to feel like a little old woman, but that is, in fact, what I've become. And that is how others see me now, and that's even worse. Talk about agism!
I just stopped growing about age 12/14 ? so at 157cm always been quite small .But funnily enough I too feel psychologically tall 
It doesnt really bother me .Its funny (not) but being diagnosed with OP ( two years ago) made me want to shrink into myself ! I just felt "old " over night even though I am only just gone 40 ! )( I have always been quite a trendy dresser etc) I am only Op in my spine ( -2.7) but I actually wish I had NEVER had that dxa scan ! on the plus side I am now super aware of the importance of exercise and nutrition .I am due a dxa san this year.I dont think I will take it ....what do you think ? the risk of the actual scan is very low but still a risk and do i really want to be obsessed with a machines figures ? 
I would always take a DXA scan if offered. I need to know whether what I'm doing (no medication) is effective. So far it is. Otoh when out of the blue the health authority phoned me with an offer of an appointment for a mammogram (why did they wait until I was in my late 60s?) shortly after my PMR diagnosis I turned them down. I felt I could only deal with one major illness at a time and didn't want to risk finding out about another. Three and a half years later I'm still alive. 😎
Haha !! like your style HeroNS they did a random mammogram thing here too ! I too turned it down ! I went with an older family friend to hers and it was horrendous ! they did a biopsy and her breast turned black and blue ...far too invasive ...BUT if there is a history then maybe i would change my mind ...same here I couldnt really deal with it...and saying that same with having another dxa scan....I havent ever broken a bone and neither has anybody in my family so.....???? again part of me seriously wishes i had never had that dxa scan !
I had a t-score of -2. Because of risk factors they recommended a bisphosphonate. By then I'd read enough I wouldn't take meds. But I attacked the problem fairly vigorously with natural methods and for me it was important to know that these methods were working. After one year the t-score had improved to -1.6 and the recommendation to take medication has been dropped.
I am so glad you did that ! You really are an inspiration ! I am so not happy about all these meds flying about ! An article recently in the Guardian noted how big companies bribe governments .I think it noted South Korea as having an abnormal amount of flu vaccinations pushed around.I am not saying that in some cases they dont save lives BUT ....the way I was pushed ( but didnt take ) A.A and adcal is shocking ! and when I went to see a rheumy she wanted to start me on a drip ( due to my acidic tummy) on that very day !!!! yes my only Op score is -2.7 ! no thanks especially as i hear about the micro cracks etc !
Why won't you take the calcium supplement?
well I did at first but just got a bit worried about Calcium carbonate ....I dont think its that good for one ? I just worry that it clogs up arteries and causes kidney stones.Its not that absorbant either ( I believe) I understand Calcium citrate to be more effective ? I do eat and drink all the recommended items ( kale ,kefir etc etc ..) and avoid spinach and rhubarb etc ....
In my husbands family there is a history of very VERY early heart disease and so i try to now avoid things like almond milk etc in the house which is really (in the uk) only made up of about two almonds and calcium carbonate .
Good thinking, actually. I suppose the adcal is covered by your medical system? None of our supplements are covered here, although we personally have coverage for medicines. I would recommend, if you can afford it, getting calcium citrate. And if you take Vitamin K2 you will eliminate a lot of the problems caused by too much calcium because K2 sends calcium into the bones so it doesn't settle into places you don't want it. That being said, at the bones program I went to a couple of years ago they did downplay the calcium supplementation, saying most us us get plenty in our diet, but stressed that Vitamin D was very important. They didn't seem to know about Vitamin K2. I take an oily Vitamin D3 capsule, 1000 mg once a day as my D level tends to go high. I also take one capsule 100 mcg of Vitamin K2 once a day, because like D it's very hard to get enough of through diet, and unlike D you can't get it from sunshine.
• in reply topippascat
I didn't need a mammogram, I'd already had BC, mastectomy and chemotherapy.
I was only 5ft 2ins to start with. 4ft 8ins now. But I have had 4 spinal fractures.
Just read this when googling about height loss with age:
"Height loss is related to aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints. People typically lose almost one-half inch (about 1 centimeter) every 10 years after age 40. Height loss is even more rapid after age 70. You may lose a total of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) in height as you age. 22 Aug 2016"
That is with no mention of fractures, or scoliosis or other reasons why one may lose height.
I read we are taller in the mornings than evenings.....
I do not wear high heels now only really sensible shoes! Cannot make up the height loss that way even.
Thanks for that Kaarina ....hehe how can we be taller in the mornings I wonder ? maybe its like flowers that are taller in the morning but wilt in the evening ? an interesting thought .Gosh yes I was always a high heel merchant ....I kind of still wear safe Fitflop boots etc ....these give me height and some cushioning
Gravity presses down on the vertebrae. Maybe next DXA scan I won't walk to the hospital! I will also put my hand on top of my head as I step onto the platform to be measured, as last time the technician jammed the metal piece down on my head before I had time to stand up straight after stepping up and as she was a bit snippy I thought I'd let it be and just add a quarter of an inch to what she told me.
Haha love it ! it all counts
After the first scan I was so shocked at the height I was given the technician (who was kinder than the next one) told me to step up again and stand tall, and she remeasured me and there was some difference. It might have been half an inch or more. So, yes, it does matter, because the height we've used all these years most likely was one where we stood as tall and straight as we could, so it's only fair! The good part is my BMI isn't quite so dire when I am shorter. You're right - one way or another it all counts!
yes it all evens out ! I am guessing that your BMI was quite low HeronNS ? I must check what mine was...I think about 20 or 21 ...but I was very surprised when My Rheumy said that mine should be far higher like 26 or 28 ! when I googled it....i saw that it was obese ! I dont want Op but I dont want all that goes with being over weight ! Ho hum ...cant blinking win
I think around 20 is healthy, although they like people to be a bit heavier as they age. Mine is currently 18.2, it would be 17.1 at my old height and current weight, 19. something at my old height and weight, which the calculator says is healthy. Briefly I was about 100 lbs. That was a bit scary.
I have height loss due to severe illness disc narrowing
Well, just to make you smile, I always thought I was 5 feet 2 inches tall, but when I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, they measured my height at 5 feet 3 inches - so it’s not all bad! So far at least! Fran 😆
How amazing !
I went through much of my life thinking I was 5'5" but when being measured for some reason or other when I was probably in my forties I was told I was 5'6", and because of my surprise was remeasured and assured this was accurate. So somewhere in my early adulthood I must have slowly stretched up another inch. As they now tell me I'm a shade under 5'4" (this with the measuring thing jammed painfully down on my scalp) I know there's been a significant decline but maybe some of it is postural. She says, straightening up and resolving to walk with the Nordic poles this afternoon.
I think Nordic poles are a very good idea ! I see older people bent over double ( my mother in law included) on sticks and crutches ! They dont really make sense ! Nordic poles are the way forward I am sure ! When I am older /or if I ever need such aids that is what I reckon I would choose!
I got them when I learned they are great for building and maintaining upper body strength. In Nordic countries everyone uses them, although in North America they seem to be used mostly by older people trying to stay healthy and upright. They are also used by people with balance problems. I agree the sticks and crutches are not as sensible. I wear a small backpack which leaves my hands free to hold the poles, so no problem with having to carry shopping or library book or wallet or whatever. I have an aged neighbour who is bent over double, except when she uses the poles, then she stands upright. She's really shrunken.
They make so much sense ! !!!Also the backpack will help as a weight bearing aid to further strengthen bones ! Goodness I learn so much from this site that hopefully will educate me and keep my bones strong when Iam older ! I wish there was a bigger promotion in the media/and this site for younger folk to realise the dangers of diet,sedentary lifestyle and just lifestyle itself ! ....especially in this age of everybody car driving and isolation on the net ( home shopping etc) thank goodness we have no car,walk everywhere and have pets to walk etc ...
I hear you! I knew a little bit about the importance of looking after bones and I started taking calcium supplements when I was in my forties, and had a job which involved a fair amount of lifting and pushing and pulling. That's probably what saved me so I'm not osteoporotic, just "low bone mass" but I didn't learn a thing from my doctor. Btw I thought I'd have to go out after dark I'd be so embarrassed using the poles, but I turned out to be a natural and rather enjoy it. The only annoying comment I got in the two years I've been using them was some older bloke who thought he was being funny when he asked me where my skis were. Anyone else who has spoken to me has done it to ask me about them. Indeed someone today asked me where I bought them!
I have lost 2 inches in height and have just had an X-ray of my spine to see if I have suffered any compression fractures (which fortunately isn’t the case) as well as having osteoporosis. However, there is severe degenerative change noted at L5/S1, complete loss of disc height and endplate sclerosis. Multilevel facet joint degenerative change also noted. I presume my loss of height has come from the loss of height in my discs. One wonders whether it’s best to know this but I always think that knowledge is good and I can bear this in mind in the gym in deciding what not to do as well as what to do.
Oh I think it always best to know things like this. It's good to know whether or not there are fractures, and if the problem is with compression of the spine, but not fractures, there are a few things we can do to stretch ourselves up a bit taller, or at least try to minimize the decline. At least, this is what I hope.
I was diagnosed osteoporosis at 26. Lots of breaks - unfortunately my form is genetic. There are family members (Dad’s cousins) with osteogenesis imperfecta and osteoporosis on mums side too. The back pain is the most annoying thing. I’m now 40
I am very sorry to hear you were diagnosed with OP so young. I had never heard of osteogenesis imperfecta until you mentioned it. I looked it up and it is very rare. Back pain is most annoying and debilitating. Are you prescribed an OP drug? Have you called the NOS helplines for a chat with a nurse? Gentle hugs to you.
Just read this...... "The tendency to become shorter occurs among all races and both sexes. Height loss is related to aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints. People typically lose almost one-half inch (about 1 centimeter) every 10 years after age 40. Height loss is even more rapid after age 70. You may lose a total of 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5 centimeters) in height as you age. You can help prevent height loss by following a healthy diet, staying physically active, and preventing and treating bone loss."
Lifted from this link: medlineplus.gov/ency/articl... Again no mention arthritis of the spine and scoliosis etc.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
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