To think is is part of getting older

[Themammy101]

i am always in some type of pain, back mostly, have been to the doctor for tests but they can’t find any reason for it so I just plod on, it’s usually when I’m on my feet too long but some times I just wake up and it’s sore all day, this last few months I have been getting dull pain in most of my torso, a dull ache in my left lower side, dull pain in chest and collar bone pain under right rib cage…the list goes on. Just constant dull aches. I have an appointment next week about the torso pains but to get to my point, is everyone like this?? DH thinks it’s a part of getting older but I’m only 33! Im 5’8 and 12 stone I don’t think I’m overweight as I carry it very well and would not aibu like to be any slimmer.

I’m 53 and don’t have any pains or aches. Get it checked out, OP. It’s worrying that you think this is normal in your early 30s.

Is there any chance you could be hypermobile? Even if you feel stiff now were you bendy as a child? Might be worth looking into and thinking about. Could certainly be a reason for the aches and pains and the fact the pains come and go and change.

(I can remember having a similar conversation with a friend at 25 and she looked at me like I was totally weird…. Turns out I have a connective tissue condition so feel very different to most people)

Aches and pains can be normal, or at least have no underlying medical cause. If you are unfit, if you sit down a lot or stare at screens a lot, if you drive a lot, essentially if you have poor posture or hold yourself in one position. I'm 30 snd I sometimes get aches and pains, they are definitely a lot better after losing weight and getting fitter (and I was 12st at 5'7 to begin with)

What investigations have you had?

Some supplements also give me aches and pains.

I'm not a doctor
But my first thought was gallstones, that's because a 30 something colleague had a similar thing and that's what it was

She was perfectly fine after they were removed

not normal at all - hope you see a doctor soon

I'm 50 and I don't have any aches and pains yet. Pain at your age is not normal. I wouldn't think pain was normal at my age.

That sounds like me but I'm 61 and have arthritis.

May I ask how you were diagnosed?

@Themammy101 ask for a full in depth blood count .
Are you fatigued with the pain ? If so ask to be referred to a rheumatologist

I’m 52 and today have stiffness/muscle aches after doing reformer yesterday - walking upstairs at work was a struggle first thing! The difference is I know a direct cause for it and also that tomorrow it will be fine, then we go again on Sunday. I’d definitely get checked out, OP.

Interesting. I’m 37 and have the same symptoms. I had my gallbladder out last year but these pains remain. I too just thought it was a normal part of aging like you. Let me know if you figure it out!

Of course! I self referred and paid to see a specialist at the hypermobility unit. They then referred me back to my GP with a plan of action.

www.thelondonhypermobilityunit.co.uk/

12 stone is overweight for 5’ 8” and will become even more of a problem as you age. Carrying it well (now) has nothing to do with it. Early 30s should be some of your best years of your life and you should not be in chronic pain. Find a private physio - you’ll get much better diagnostics and if they think there is something more going on and you need to go back to GP it will give you leverage if you tell them you’ve already spoken to a physio.

Not normal. I am 63 and have just began to have random pain, but it isn’t everyday and I am exercising more and eating better to try to address it

33 is young. Without any underlying issues, no you shouldn’t be experiencing these pains.

Although you say you carry your weight well and wouldn’t want to be slimmer with the figures you’ve given your BMI is 25.5 which is high, so overweight. Being overweight and standing for long periods of times puts an awful lot of pressure on your bones. Standing all day usually causes discomfort and saw feet for those a healthy weight but not severe enough to cause the pains you describe.

Also, are you top heavy? This is a major cause of back pain in women.

If standing regularly, do some research on best shoes / trainers to wear these can make a huge difference to your comfort and remove pressure from your bones.

As some have said, you need to get your bloods done. It may be vitamin D deficiency, Its more common if your dark skinned but also occurs if your not.

Honestly no not normal at all at 33, I'm sorry you're going through this.

I’m the same age as you and I don’t have any of those issues. Definitely get this checked out

No 33 is very young and even at 63 you should not be in so much pain.

I’m going to say the most annoying thing now, but I am saying it from my own experience, check your shoes. Get proper supportive shoes in the right size.

Get your foot analysis done. If you can’t afford that, get onto the Brooks website and do the quiz there.

All the best.

It could be a whole range of things OP, if you are able to I would consider some private blood tests if your GP is hesitant. If something is bothering you and doesn’t seem right keep looking for an answer.

are you hypermobile? If so that would explain a lot.

you need to try swimming and pilates, gentle non load bearing exercise to see if it improves.

i have osteoarthritis amongst many other things and the pain started in my 20s but took years before the damage started to show on X-rays which is normal.

eat well, low inflammatory foods, gentle exercise regularly and sleep well. See how you feel after a few months.

Rather than the standing thing. I would personally recommend a daily walk. It's a common part of many cultures including our own to go for walks as part of keeping healthy generally. I think it would help and I don't think it would make matters worse if it turns out you have a different condition.

One simple thing that might really help you OP is stretching.

I have a really simple stretching routine that takes me about 5 minutes twice a day. I got part of it from books and part from a physiotherapist.

If I do it before breakfast and dinner I have no aches and pains, I relax more and sleep better.

If I don't do it I ache, can't relax and sleep less well.

I started it in my 30s and am still doing it in my 60s.

I bet you it will transform things.

No, not a normal part of aginig. I am 73 and do not have any pain.

You don't mention your sleep but if you have young kids, are you waking a lot in the night or bed sharing with kids? I feel achy if I sleep badly, I'm fine if I get enough sleep but as soon as I have a couple of broken nights my upper back and shoulders get very achy.