If you're in your 40s, how often do you take painkillers?

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I'm 46 and some of my joints are really troubling me. Sleeping is the worst, and pain in my back, shoulders and one hip wakes me when I turn over. It's much better when I take ibuprofen, but is it safe and wise to take every night at my age?

I know it's just osteoarthritis, but it's annoying and seriously uncomfortable at times. Even my fingers are getting knobbly. Is this weird for 46 or quite common?

I am 46 and was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about 7 or 8 years ago. I take a lot of medication to keep it managed but still need to take some pain killers most weeks. In the summer it's not daily but in the cold and damp months it can be several daily - mainly prescription cocodamol and diclofenac.

If you think you have signs of arthritis you should see our GP and be referred to rheumatology. The sooner you are seen and start medication the better if it's really arthritis, before joint damage sets in.

few years ago i got very addicted to painkillers ended up in hospital very poorly so im very wary now. have to have a real bad headache or bad fibro attack to take a couple of paracetamol

Every day.

I have a damaged nerve in my neck and wake up in agony most nights,

very rarely!

Late 50s, have osteoarthritis in hands and wrists which did start in mid-40s, and various aches and pains in hips and shoulders and lower back. I'm fairly sure most of them are due to a combination of a job spent hunched over a computer, and quite a lot of gardening! I don't take painkillers for my hands - partly because I can't take ibuprofen because of high blood pressure and I'm not keen on taking paracetamol regularly. I do use ibuprofen gel, which I rub on my hands and does help a bit. I've also taken up pilates again, which is incredibly helpful in terms of general flexibility and core strength. I also went to a physio about 6 months ago when I had a really painful knee - it turned out to be a calf-strain, and a combination of exercises and deep tissue massage sorted it. Doctors' response to the osteoarthritis in hands has basically been a big shrug..

57 and I take paracetamol daily for lumbar arthritis that gives me a nagging sort of back pain. I try not to take more than 2g a day and use other non pharmaceutical things like hot water bottles and massage cushions instead.

Before my hysterectomy, I was taking them every day.

Now, I'd say I take them about twice a month.

Start swimming & yoga. It's magic!

45 and peri-menopausal. I hurt a lot of time due to being active and having a challenging 11yr old, but I just don't bother to take painkillers for that. Sometimes take one for my wisdom teeth but it doesn't make any difference.

I have severe ovulation pain mid cycle so need it for that. Otherwise only for a headache. (Getting eyes tested soon to see do i need a new prescription)

I sorry so many of you are suffering aches and pains, its bloody awful.

I take painkillers when I get headaches but they're random.. Have one today though.

Avoiding painkillers at present as I don't want to start relying on them but do have bad hip and knee pain every night which which keeps me awake. This started around Christmas along with hot flushes. New mattress made no difference. Will have to see a doctor soon I guess. I was hoping it would go on its own. Getting old isnt for softies.

I’m a primary teacher, and 60. I found that I was getting much stiffer, more pain and creakier in my mid-40s, especially the day after a physically very active one.
Losing some weight, Tai Chi and 5/1O minutes of stretching exercise every morning helped a lot. My bed was already very comfortable, but check yours out.
I take painkillers very rarely.

I rarely take painkillers! I did go and see a Physio last year who made an amazing improvement to my "dodgy" ankle - really just one session made a massive improvement. I also have a "herbal roll on" which helps a lot with general aches and pains. I'm in my 50s (and overweight).

I understood GP to say (after xrays of my chronically painful shoulders) that I have early signs of (osteo)arthritis but only physio & painkillers is appropriate for me right now. Up to me how much. I haven't bothered with either physio or painkillers for them, actually. They aren't getting worse. Sometimes it's too early to do much.

@BrexitSucks - I would highly recommend Physio if only 1 session, as they can give you exercises which really help strengthen supporting muscles.

I'm 58, have no regular medication and take painkillers only very occasionally - perhaps 2 or 3 times a year (can't remember the last time). Some people here are clearly very unlucky.

I’m 44 and take painkillers every day for fibromyalgia pain.
Usually have 4 cocodamol and 4 paracetamol daily, have chronic migraines too so have daily preventers and will usually need triptans at least 2/3 times a week.

Reactive arthritis after a virus means my joints hurt a lot. Rheumatologist has just got me to try flexiseq cream (Amazon have it) and it has made a big difference as I no longer have a constant pain in my wrist and ankle. I've been able to start exercising again and my painkiller use has dropped. Mum also tried it for her osteoarthritis and has now converted half her friends to it as well.

Aching stiff joints after rest was the start of perimenopause for me. I started doing weight bearing exercise every day and taking tumeric and they disappeared. I take painkillers a few days a month for menstual cramps and hormonal headaches.

67 and a half
I think I’ve maybe had about 6 painkillers all year
That was for dental work when the numbness wore off
Previously to last three years of a lot of dental work I hadn’t had any for 7 years but I did ruin my innards with ibuprofen before that

Has it recovered I don’t know
I have terrible ibs

Gluten and dairy intolerance can cause severe inflammation. Me and husband are now 3 months into gf and df diet. It is helping
His sinuses are better, he has more energy. I am a lot better but still not there yet

We don’t have OA

I have Fibromyalgia & ME/CFS, I take 8 Dihydrocodeine, 2 Naproxen & CBD oil every day for pain.

I'm 43. I take some paracetamol or ibuprofen when I have period pains and for the occasional headache. I've eased my neck and shoulder pain from years of being desk bound through daily yoga.

Have you tried CBD oil? It's great for those aches and pains.