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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that your body falls apart at 40?!

223 replies

Bogeyface · 17/02/2014 00:03

9 months ago I was 40. Since then I have...

developed arthritis (doc says I had it earlier, I dont believe him)

started farting ALL THE TIME and (this is the important bit) being able to identify what made me fart "Oooh, sorry, that'll be the cauli"

started pulling up and placing my boobs in my bra, something I havent had to do since me breast surgery 13 years ago

waking up with a bad hip and saying "ooh that bed is going to do for me"

saying "I'd better not, I'll be up all night" if someone offers me a cup of tea after 8pm.

I hate being 40, its shit.

OP posts:
Suzannewithaplan · 21/02/2014 11:24

Grennie
'I am in my 40's and I think this is the decade that some things start to appear - but not for everyone'
the responses on this thread appear to back up what you say!

Sounds as if most of us can wing it until we get into our 40's, and then it becomes apparent which of us has the stronger constitution and/or was more careful about healthy living?

Grennie · 21/02/2014 11:34

Yes I think that is true. Poor living starts to show in your 40's. But old sports injuries or back problems often start to cause problems for some who are sporty as well.

It is also unfortunately the decade when I have started to see some unlucky people die from cancer - mostly breast cancer. And amongst the women I know, it has been those who live very healthily.

It is also the decade when I think chronic health problems can get worse. I have a health issue I have had much of my adult life, and my body seems far less able to cope with it in my late 40's than when I was young.

I think people forget that there are plenty of people in hospital wards from their 50's onwards. For every young looking and healthy 60 year old you see, there is another recovering from a heart attack or dealing with serious chronic disease.

Suzannewithaplan · 21/02/2014 11:49

Personally (at 48) I feel fine but when I think about it in more depth I am aware that I am not as robust as when younger and I am far more careful about all aspects of my life.
I don't take risks, I weigh up costs and benefits, think about long term consequences etc.

Other prefer a more live for the moment approach to life, but over the long term I think the negative consequences of a life of risk taking are likely to accumulate and leave you up the creek sans paddle!

RudolphtheRedknowsraindear · 21/02/2014 12:05

YANBU, Mine did!Grin

PixelAteMyFace · 21/02/2014 12:17

YABVU

At 40 you are still in amazing shape...

Compared to how you'll feel at 50...

Solo · 21/02/2014 13:08

My maternal Grandad died at age 60 and when he died, he had a good, thick, full head of hair and did not have a grey one amongst them so it can happen, but I think it's unusual.

SoleSource · 21/02/2014 13:19

I'm 40 in March.

botox and fillers for me and surgery in the future

Suzannewithaplan · 21/02/2014 13:26

yes of course some people don't go grey, the point is that it doesn't constitute a degeneration in health and (afaik) there is nothing that you can do to alter the rate or extent of it.

CareerCrisis · 21/02/2014 13:36

Mine lasted quite well until 44 and then everything started giving up.

Ledkr · 21/02/2014 19:29

I was going grey at 16 so it was nice that it didn't represent ageing for me. A few grey pubes however is a different matter Hmm

TimeToPassGo · 21/02/2014 20:06

I am a few years off 40 and feel shattered. I am starting to realise that I am entering middle age even though mentally I feel about 28 Sad

2old2beamum · 22/02/2014 21:58

Not into one upmanship But at 70 still have a 15 year old son and 8 year old daughter (adopted) don't ask!! Guess what am feeling my age +++ aching hip and grey pubic hairs. Go for it you young ones you get one life!!

Solo · 23/02/2014 01:47

My Mum is coming up 73 and I just know that looking after my 15 and 7yo full time would just about kill her off!!

ShadowsCollideWithPeople · 23/02/2014 03:49

Oh feck, I've just turned 29 and I have to peer over my glasses to read, have a very painful and dodgy hip, my hips and knees crack every time I stand up, my back is fucked and after a couple of hours of wandering around town today I had to lie down for ages as I was in bits. I've just been diagnosed with a life limiting condition too. I dread to think what I'll be like by the time I'm 40. My Nan in her late 80s seems sprightlier than me most of the time Grin. The only good thing is that I apparently look about 20 and have great skin (according to others) so although it's all going to shite inside, the outer layer still looks fairly decent. So not yet 40 but the aul bod is definitely falling apart so can sympathise!

FreakinScaryCaaw · 23/02/2014 05:47

I'm 45 and feel much better now that ever. I dance, walk and have a fairly active job. I'm out and about a lot more now. My knees are starting to feel as if they're going to bother me very soon though.

Genetically I'm lucky as my mum is in her 80s but looks in her 60s. My sister is 61 and looks in her 40s. I don't look in my 20s though but get told early 30s.

Birdo83 · 23/02/2014 07:34

I'm 40 and feel just as good as I did when I was 30. I'm not being rude but most people in this country drink too much and if you don't take care of yourself when you're younger you'll feel bad and look like crap when you're younger. You even get middle class people who drink a glass (or more) of wine EVERY night and delude themselves that it's ok, LOL... They're essentially waking up with a slight hangover every single morning, yes very healthy!

LifeisFuckingGreat · 23/02/2014 17:46

When someone starts off by saying 'I'm not being rude' that's always exactly what they end up being.
Not everyone brings it on themselves Birdo83 Confused

Original poster
Bogeyface · 23/02/2014 17:51

Well that has put everything into perspective.

Just had a call to tell me that one of my best friends has got MS :(

Count your blessings people.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bogeyface · 23/02/2014 17:52

And Bird I would rather have a drink every night than be smug and insulting.

OP posts:
SauceForTheGander · 23/02/2014 17:57

Middle class people who drink a glass every night? Who are these reprobates? Shock

My grandma had a pint of wine a day and looked bloody sensational on it she also enjoyed many years of having staff

Oh Bogey - your poor friend. I'm very sorry to hear that. You're right of course - we should be thinking health and happiness and counting blessings rather than wrinkles.

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 23/02/2014 19:06

So sorry to hear that Bogey, how awful Sad. Wrinkles and greys are nothing compared to such a serious illness. It's also very true that it's better to age than not to be able to age, iyswim.

Fwiw I'm 41 and was diagnosed with a serious chronic potentially life-limiting condition at 37 but my condition is stable and I feel pretty healthy. I've got some grey hairs but I sometimes work out, eat quite well and date hot men younger than me Grin plus I weigh less, look better, feel more positive and have more confidence than I did twenty years ago.

Eliza22 · 23/02/2014 19:08

No, not true. Mine was all good at 40. Now, at 51, I've gone to rack & ruin. Smile

OldBagWantsNewBag · 23/02/2014 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Grennie · 24/02/2014 01:13

A friend of a friend died died of breast cancer at 40. A friend died of ovarian cancer at 43. And my cousin was diagnosed with MS at 39. Some people have it very hard.

Solo · 24/02/2014 01:23

My friend died at 32 from bc. Poor thing didn't get to feel old :(

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