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Original poster

To wonder what's normal re pain or health issues over 50?

135 replies

UncertainWife · 19/02/2025 18:09

As of recently (early 50s) I have lots of things gone wrong, hip arthritis, lower back pain, shoulder pain, and some new stomach issues, but most of my friends in their early 50s seem fine with no health problems at all.

I'm quite shocked at how rapidly my health and mobility has gone downhill. I eat well, am good BMI, before my hip went wrong I took regular walks each day.

If you're over 50, are you fully healthy and in good working order? Or are bits of you starting to 'go'?!

Is it just a lottery? I did all the advised things, diet, exercise, no alcohol, good sleep, but I am falling apart much more than my boozy friends who eat a lot of rich food! And am in worse health than my smoker husband!

OP posts:
ValentineValentineV · 19/02/2025 22:22

UncertainWife · 19/02/2025 22:03

@Alalalala I'm having a hip replacement soon. I just feel a bit sorry for myself that I need one this young!

My friend had one in her mid 50’s and she said it’s the best thing she’s ever done. She’s made a full recovery and her pain has gone.

UnctuousUnicorns · 19/02/2025 22:20

UncertainWife · 19/02/2025 22:03

@Alalalala I'm having a hip replacement soon. I just feel a bit sorry for myself that I need one this young!

I didn't expect to get a hip replacement at 54 either; I had no pain or bother in either hip, just that one night I'm pottering about my kitchen, then the next afternoon I'm being wheeled into theatre for a THR. ☹️

Original poster
UncertainWife · 19/02/2025 22:13

To answer some questions from PPs, I'm not on HRT.

This all happened gradually, hip arthritis started 3-4 years ago. Four years ago I had frozen shoulder on one side. My other shoulder now hurts and I'm not 100% sure yet but I think that one's slowly freezing.

Low back pain arrived end of last year when hip worsened - it's possibly caused by the bad hip.

Stomach stuff was most likely triggered by stress of all the above. I'm not taking any prescription meds.

Before my body fell apart I enjoyed walking, cycling, swimming and gym classes.

Sympathies to others on this thread having health issues. From some of the posts it sounds like a lot of this is luck. Obviously diet, exercise and lifestyle play a part but doing the right things doesn't guarantee good health.

OP posts:
Original poster
UncertainWife · 19/02/2025 22:03

@Alalalala I'm having a hip replacement soon. I just feel a bit sorry for myself that I need one this young!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 19/02/2025 21:01
  1. I have arthritis in both my knees but tbh the worst aches and oains I have are from going mad at the gym (currently have achy thighs from going heavy at spin this morning!) and in general I’m pretty healthy I think. I’m touching wood as I type this.
Monvelo · 19/02/2025 21:01

I'm 42 and now struggle with perforated discs and holes in my patella tendons. Often painful, and always restrictive. I do physio every day, pilates every week, and swim to do some cardio. But I can't walk up slopes without issues. I had to stop my run club I'd been in for 13 years. I would struggle to do a decent hike. It gets me down. I rationalize that other people have it a lot worse.

Alalalala · 19/02/2025 20:53

@UncertainWife If your hip arthritis is stopping you from walking as much, push for a hip replacement. A friend of mine of a similar age to you has just had one and it’s transformed her life.

HauntedBungalow · 19/02/2025 20:50

I had a run of horrible health problems unrelated to lifestyle in my late 40s and since then I definitely have to be more careful and "manage" myself.

I've stopped running because I realised I was picking up too many injuries and the recovery time was frustrating and made me lose fitness. I do spin class now instead which I actually really like and it puts a lot less strain on me overall. Also do weights and pilates to keep my strength up. Even with that I'm nowhere near in as good nick as I was in my 20s and 30s despite spending most of my time then caning it and being v debauched.

I8toys · 19/02/2025 20:46

Started 49 with frozen shoulder and then the other shoulder went. Stopped HRT due to regular bleeding which was driving me crazy. I stopped it and the bleeding stopped. My joints are aching - knees but I'm sedentary and work on a computer all day so I need to move more. Hip aches if I don't move around. I'm 53 in a couple of weeks.

Enigma52 · 19/02/2025 20:39

purpleme12 · 19/02/2025 20:29

This thread has really made me nervous

Why??

greengreyblue · 19/02/2025 20:35

purpleme12 · 19/02/2025 20:29

This thread has really made me nervous

Why? Many pp saying they feel great. There are loads of younger women feeling awful too. I normally eat a really good diet and fast 18:6 . Benn doing this for about 9 months and feel even better. I also take Vit d3 daily but luckily that’s all I take. I walk daily with my dog. I do some home kettlebell work outs, squats etc but that’s it.

greengreyblue · 19/02/2025 20:30

No it’s not a normal age thing. I’m nearly 54 and feel great. Not on hrt either and 3 years post meno. Don’t ever write off health niggles as age related, always get them checked out. You could be Vit d deficient.

purpleme12 · 19/02/2025 20:29

This thread has really made me nervous

Dymaxion · 19/02/2025 20:27

@RachelLikesTea it might be worth seeing a physio to see if you have an anterior pelvic tilt , there are exercises which can really help re-align things and reduce pain. I have had an issue with it on and off for several years due to me being a lazy arse , like you walking actually helps but the exercises usually banish it quite quickly.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 19/02/2025 20:09

RachelLikesTea · 19/02/2025 18:48

53, developed an on and off pain in one hip last year, seems worse after sitting for long spells so I walk a lot. Definitely stiffer than I used to be when bending down to pick something up or put my shoes on but that’s about it.

I had some hip pain so I tried pilates online and it went away.

Ginmonkeyagain · 19/02/2025 20:07

Me - 47 in very good health, apart from piriformis syndrome (lower back pain) pretty much under control now due to daily yoga and weekly pilates.

Mr Monkey is 56 and in rude health - runs park run every week, pacer for half marathons every month and runs 3 to 5 sub 3.30 marathons a year - he never even gets running injuries - we joke he is sturdy and low to the ground - like a Shetland pony.

We both walk a lot and exercise every day.

PrivacyScreen · 19/02/2025 20:04

60, very healthy feel very grateful and lucky.

Thisisthelifeorperhapsnot646 · 19/02/2025 20:03

Op don’t despair, it could be menopause, as I went through a good six years with those symptoms and they have all now settled down and I feel okish now save for slightly reduced energy levels.

Iheartmysmart · 19/02/2025 20:02

Late 50s, on HRT and need to lose a few more pounds but apart from needing reading glasses when I hit 50, I’m getting through relatively unscathed. No real health problems or aches and pains to speak of.

ValentineValentineV · 19/02/2025 20:02

I found HRT really good for various aches and pains I started to get.

Teebles007 · 19/02/2025 20:00

Aged 60 and have had IBD for 20+ years but well controlled. Feel fit and healthy and no limitations on activity due to age. DH 10 years older and has made full recovery from prostate cancer and is also fit and healthy.

Andtheworldwentwhite · 19/02/2025 19:57

I did. But then started to go to the gym and now feel 100 times better than I did.

Peripop · 19/02/2025 19:57

38 and im f*cked.

Lentilweaver · 19/02/2025 19:56

Cancer, I think, is often terrible bad luck.

MissyB1 · 19/02/2025 19:55

Had breast cancer at 47, I've recovered but the treatment led directly to other health problems. I get over (or learn to manage) each problem as it comes along, but I've had a rough time. I've never been overweight, always been a very active person, never smoked etc.. Just sheer bad luck.