OMG I am getting shorter and it makes me look fatter! I had an
appt with my rheumy yesterday and she checked my height and I have lost
4 inches! Is this possible in just 4 years? In my 30's
& 40's I was 5'6" and now I am 5'4". I have been telling
people that they seem taller never thinking that it was me shrinking
away for goodness sake. I also had a bone density test so she will be
calling me about that and I will ask her about this. She gave me
cortisone injections in 3 fingers and what a relief it is. I
wonder if we can buy this stuff by the gallon and soak in it. LOL
Trying to prepare for the holiday and family which I swore that I would
not do again. It has been tradition for so long that it is
difficult to change and hubby helps a lot. He is out buying
groceries and getting last minute gifts right now. He is high
maintance but so am I. Such is life.
Okay, you are upset. That equals 2 inches not 4. But still more than enough for being upset about.
I don't let them check my height. I don't quite make it to 5' and I just don't want to know I'm shrinking.
You are doing the right things though. Can you get it checked somewhere else? That's a lot to lose in such a short time. I'm sorry.
Deanna, You sound like such a powerball, it's hard to believe that you are a little lady! We need a picture of you Deanna. But, as the saying goes, "Big things come in small packages" and you are certainly proof of that Deanna.Believe me the height loss does concern me. It shouldn't be happening especially at such a young age. My grandmother had Osteoporiosis and she had that kind of height loss. It caused her horrible pain. Do everything to have it checked out.
And, yes, I'm battling a lot. But that does not mean you problem is not as big as mine. It is. Quit slapping yourself already. Haven't you been through enough already.
Here, I'll send you a hug.
At least, you know you can always look down at me. Everyone gets such a kick out of that. My first husband was 6'4" tall. Now, how ridiculous is that?
Deanna, I am noticing that a lot of tall men choose short women. They probably think that they can rule the roost with this short gal, right? Probably wrong. I am so proud that women are finally starting to take charge of their lives and not be afraid to do so. Of course it leads to a lot of abuse, but in future years you will see a difference.No, because I'm fat. And, funny looking.
But yes, my ex is scared of me. It took years and lawyers. I like tall men. My step dad is tall and a good man. The guys in my life have tried to rule the roost and learned to rue the day instead. Too bad, I love the company of a good man.
My daugther does takes a strong position with men and is much more cautious than I was.
But men, for the most part are cool.
Katie, I can't believe you are being so sweet about this. You are ususally so very direct (which I absolutely love).
Let's get out the elevator shoes then. Oh, no, I'm scared of heights.
Instead, let's have a bone density scanning party and compare notes. Oooh! Such fun!
I know. I know. I'm losing it.
Hi
I guess I get to join in this party. I, too, went from 5'6" to 5'4" in 2 years. I like to say...I am not overweight, I am under-tall.
The bad thing is exactly what you have all said. Just because we lose height, we don't necessarily lose weight. This annoys me no end.'
I know the reason for my loss of height is the fact that my spine is so bad. It's also really unstable and I have scoliosis, which I think I've mentioned before. Any time you have problems in your spine you can almost count on losing height. I just didn't know it would happen so fast. Oh well, I'm not alone. I am sorry you all have this too, though. I would not wish it on any of my friends here.
I had a bone density test, and no osteoporosis yet, but my bones are quite thin and I have osteopenia.
Merry Christmas everyone!!
Hugs & Many Blessings,
Nini
That's something else to think about too - When the doc says "stand up straight" just how "straight" are you? I'm guessing it's different at 15, 25, 35, 45, etc. When you're 15, you WANT to be tall, you stretch yourself up, and straighten that back with all the force you have. And now we have RA, so how straight are you going to push yourself? Ya know?Oh this RA stuff is sooo for the birds.
No slapping of self is allowed!
Soooo you are shorter a bit, just go with it, it is not like you can change your height.....I am sure there will be a med out for that soon though *chuckle*
The height thing goes with the territory and not too surprising. I think our spines get out of wack more easily and maybe we slouch a bit more cause of the pain so the body draws in a bit more than it used to...who knows.Then there are the tiny fractures that chip us down a bit over the years.......I am so very sorry you have lost so much of your height, it must be really yuck!
It is all this over 48 crap....menopause ( don't like it at all, I mean NOT AT ALL!) gray hair ( now it costs money to be a brunette), the whitening toothpaste due to discoloration of my used to be pearly whites, and the wrinkle creams just to soften the lines of experience, wisdom and harsh medications. Then there are the cataracts, sore knees and hips and ect, cardboard nails and boob droop ( actually I have always been a bit small in that area but now it is like newborn baby boys whose testicles don't quite descend.....then they do ....it happened to me with the boob thing so now my bras actually fit!) And lets not forget about those extra 10 pounds that came form nowhere that will not drop no matter what..................GRUMBLE! ( I have been told it is menopause, I hate menopause almost as much as my family hates me going through menopause,I get so grumpy!!)
Yep shorter comes with the territory I think and it is ever so scary, is just another change we get to endure along with getting older and being ill with the RA not to mention fibro, osteo and ...and.....ect.
Discouraging isn't it? Just be thankful you have a spouse that helps out with things around the house so you do not have to do it all by yourself, that REALLY SUCKS! and it is so darned difficult to do on really bad RA days. I would keep checking in with my doc so they are sure to keep an eye on it so you do not become shorter than 3 year olds! Afterall, who wants ot have to reach to just turn a water faucet on in the kitchen sink? (grin)
This RA stuff is just yuck, isn't it??????????
jode
Jode, I think that you covered it all I did have a bone scan done on that day and everything is fine so guess I have to be thankful for that.lolol...what decline of sex drive?! That is the only original "me" thing I have left I think, THANKFULLY!!!! *wink*
Glad it made ya feel better.
Merry Christmas!
jode
I have had PA for 3 years, (probably more but i go by diagnosis date). I too have gone from 5'11 1/2" to 5' 9 1/2". I am only 42, by this rate i will qualify as a dwarf by my mid 70's. (did not do the actual maths, so get ready for some smart ass to correct this).
Its just another thing we have to live with
I've already decided to go to the "eccentric, little ole' lady" thing. I certainly have both fully in play with nowhere to go but down.I am going to keep exercising to keep the muscle tone up, maybe it will work, maybe not.
I am just not ready for the "eccentric, little old lady" title...now, some days I am but I am not ready for that yet. In some ways life would be ever so much easier so hats off to Deanna for the idea!
I think I am going to get several boyfriends so I will keep very busy with activities for on my good days......
Now the reason we are decreasing in height is that we are greatly affected by the pull of gravity. Yep, you got it, we're just very well grounded! Hillhoney, you are a riot! I needed a good laugh. Yes, I am going for eccentric, greatest excuse in the world for odd behavior. Yes, I am going to be a professional eccentric some day. It would be nice to be a wealthy one. But, if not, I can be one of those that drives the rest of the world crazy.Hillhoney, I am finding it very difficult to keep my mouth shut too! I am starting to wonder what in hell is wrong with me as I have always been so sweet, or so they tell me. Telling people what I feel they need to know is exactly how I feel! LOL OMG I feel better already. Can I blame this condition on getting shorter or just plain eccentric?