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'm a similar age and go through periods of needing to take painkillers a lot then long periods without. It is worth going to GP to see if they can help. In my case I didn't really get any help but sometimes there are issues they can help with or a specialist can help with.

I found when I took Feroglobin liquid (had low iron) quite a few pains disappeared, think its the magnesium in it. I wouldn't take an iron supplement unless blood tests show you're low in iron. I think magnesium alone is OK to take but check with pharmacist / GP. A menopause vitamin might help.

35 and I take painkillers daily. Usually one naproxen or one dihydrocodeine at night
Once a week I take paracetamol for a high temp too

I'm 62, and have osteoarthritis in both knees (one replaced five years ago). Good diet, healthy lifestyle, generally excellent health, never had any problems till I hit mid fifties. I take 1 x 200mg of ibuprofen once or twice a day when the pain is really impacting on my quality of life and ability to get around.

In Spain the pharmacist told me they regard 200mg as a child's dose. I had to buy 600mg tablets and chop them up.

I'm 39 and take 8 Co codamol and 400mg celecoxib every day. I'm under the care of a rheumatologist recently as what I thought were just aches and pains may be some inflammatory arthritis

46, not on any medication at all. Take painkillers very occasionally for a thick head and that's about it.
I'm slightly overweight but exercise hard and often.
I have enormous sympathy for anyone needing daily meds.

Sorry, I realise you were wanting to hear from people in their forties. In fairness, that was me, once.

I take daily meds and a 6 weekly drip infusion for my health condition but as for anything else, probably just a couple of ibuprofen when I've had a lot to drink the night before.

I'm 45 and I rarely take painkillers. Less than once a month.

I'm 51 and take ibuprofen three times a day for about 4 days a month when having my period. Perhaps paracetamol once a month for a headache, and more ibuprofen about twice a month for knee pain. I had a knee op in January.

Since I've started taking regular vitamin d3 my aches and pains are much less.

I'm in my late 40s. I usually take the full amount of paracetamol for 2 days a month during my period.
Not every period, but most of them. That's it.

I wear a pain patch because oral meds bugger up my stomach and don’t do a damn thing for my chronic pain condition.

I take prescription codeine when I need it for a C2/C3 disc degeneration or more often use ibuprofen gel.

I took mefanamic acid for years for my periods but I’m post menopause now at 46 so that’s not a problem any more thank god.

I’ve been able to find a migraine preventative that works, so haven’t needed any other migraine meds for a while now (touch wood).

Never take pain killers - I'm 47.
Sounds like you need a lifestyle overhaul.

@PenelopeFlintstone Bloody Hell that sounds a lot, have you seen someone about the pain?

Never. I do take tablets for Crohn's Disease and Indigestion though.

46 and take painkillers most days. Scoliosis pain getting worse and awful hip pain. I often have to take ibuprofen half an hour before getting up, otherwise it's like I've got rigor mortis. Getting older sucks.

@HarryBlackberry1 is your scoliosis treatable with surgery?
My dd has it so I very much sympathise.

Late fifties, and hardly ever.

I agree with PPs that you should think about seeing a physio, a good one can work wonders with this sort of thing with a proper exercise programme. Weak glutes can have extraordinary knock on effect on hip joints, lower back and all the muscles around that area.

46 and suffer with migraines and sciatica. Cocodamol or dihydrocodeine when the pain is bad. I do yoga, Pilates, regular physio sessions and swim.

I'm 10 years older than you and I take painkillers quite frequently. Too frequently really - I always have some niggly pain or other - toothache, headache etc. I take paracetamol most days .

I'm mid forties and although the aches and pains have increased just lately, I take painkillers but rarely.

I need to lose weight and get more active because I feel like I'm on a slippery slope.

52 and only for the occasional headache.

I get aches if I eat gluten so I stay away from it as much as possible. We have an excellent pocket sprung mattress.

I am 43 I run twice weekly, do pilates daily (well planks and hundred) am a healthy weight. Last took paracetamol for an injury maybe 2 years ago.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit Bloody Hell that sounds a lot, have you seen someone about the pain?

I did ask my GP years ago but didn’t get any different advice. It’s pretty bad. I’m on a mental countdown to menopause.
The funny thing is, my periods are very light. When you google, pain always seems linked to heavy periods.

I am 47 and have some ache and pains but swim daily and find that really helps. I never take painkillers.

Too many but I have a codeine addiction