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

[Bookridden]

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?

If you have an actual illness that requires medication, there is no shame in it at all. Do what you need to do to live a normal life.

For me (39), I never take anything for pain, unless I have a sinus infection, then I take sudafed.

56 and no meds.

If I pull a muscle I find it’s better to keep moving gently, rather than take pain relief. I take paracetamol if I have headache (a few times a year) but that’s it.
I think I’m quite lucky.

I'm 49 and take tramadol and co codamol and pregabalin several times a day. I have inflammatory and osteoarthritis and hypermobile ehlers danlos but I can't take anti inflammatory as I also have Crohn's disease.

It's rubbish.

Carrie, I was diagnosed in late teens. I have to wear a wedge in one shoe and do stretches but just have to get on with it. Pain seems to be getting worse as I get older.

I'm 48. I take painkillers sporadically. I had a bout of neck / back / hip pain a couple of weeks ago - everything just seized up. I took ibuprofen every day for 3 or 4 days. I also have a chronic muscle spasm thing so I sometimes take ibuprofen for that. Also occasionally take something for headaches.
If you are needing painkillers everyday for a long time then you need to review it with the GP. Maybe there are other solutions.

The trouble is, because drugs become widely available OTC (over the counter) people are lulled into a false sense of security and take them without any medical knowledge about what the contraindications might be, for them personally, taking account of with existing meds they may also be taking

This ^^

I have a chronic condition which causes joint pain. I bought a memory foam mattress topper from Argos for about £40 and it really helps me sleep.

I'm 63 and only take painkillers for a headache really, so not that often.

I used to have a lot of trouble with my knees in my late 40s, early 50s and have found that an exercise programme of stretching and strengthening has worked wonders. I walk alot too.Touch wood I am pretty much pain free now although wet weather still causes my foot, which I broke a decade ago, and my knees to act up a bit. The more sun they get the better. I am also careful not to put on too much weight.

I'm 45. I've had a hip arthroscopy operation a few years ago due to problems with the shape of the top of my femur and the shape of my hip socket not fitting together and impinging and dislocating. I get ongoing pain, but manage it with sitting and lying in the best positions and by doing some exercise as appropriate to keep the muscles strong.

I only take nsaids like ibuprofen if i get a banging headache with a cold - so a couple of times a year.

But I also have Trigeminal Neuralgia, so take gabapentin 3 times a day to not suffer attacks of pain.

Am 50 with a dodgy hip, but I do exercises for that. Rarely take painkillers.

I’m beginning the peri menopause I think. I take paracetamol for headaches maybe twice a month. Lately noticed how achy my boobs are a lot of the time though. Not enough for painkillers, but I’m hoping it isn’t the start of aches and pains all over 🙁