Is Anyone Else Shrinking?!

Updated on April 19, 2010
K.G. asks from Oregon City, OR
15 answers

In the last 2 years I have shrunk about 1 1/4 inches. So far I've had a back x-ray and a lot of blood work done and everything looks fine. (Mild scoliosis, but I knew about that). Today I'm having a bone scan done. I know that ligaments stretch out when you are pregnant, and I'm wondering if this is the cause of my shrinking. Has this happened to anyone else? I was about 3/4 inch shorter after having my daughter and lost another 1/2 inch after our son.
Update: I should have probably mentioned that I'm 33 y/o.

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W.C.

answers from Seattle on

I actually grew in my thirties 1/4"--I think (?) because I was doing some Japanese stretching exercises like yoga only more intense. They aren't around any more or I would recommend them.

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

At about 35 years of age I "shrunk" about two inches. I had my first bone scan done and was told that I had the "beginnings" of ostoeoporosis. Mine was due to having my overies out at an early age which threw me right into menopause. I have since had a bone scan every two years and with medication it has actually gotten better! I don't know if this is your case but I thought that I would send you my two cents. I hope that you find what the problem is soon.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes. As you you get older you shrink.

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H.L.

answers from Portland on

My sister-in-law grew 1.5 inches after doing yoga for a few years. If it has anything to do with posture, that might help.

T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have shrunk about an inch too! I had a bone scan done for a different reason (steroid use) and it is not oteoperosis. Pregnancy does effect some women more than others in terms of pressure on the cartilage of your spine and causing compression (shrinkage). Also, if you are measured first thing in the morning you tend to be taller, by the end of the day gravity has taken it's effect on your body and cartilage compression has set in for the day and you will be up to 1/2 inch shorter. These are just small little tid bits that I've collected from Dr.s and Chiropractor...all of which make sense and are interesting. Don't worry too much, you'll probably be just fine!

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B.

answers from Augusta on

I have. After I had my son , I am about an inch shorter. I am small to begin with and my son was huge, and I was huge when pregnant with him.

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Have you been checked for osteoporosis? That's what my doctor says make you lose height. I'd be interested in the results of the bone scan if I were you.

S.W.

answers from Oklahoma City on

now even though we don,t get pregnant (which would be a first in history) men have had the same similar type of shrinking problem when it comes to those who have any type of spinal issues , scoliosis being at the top of the chart , Achrondroplasia being the next one down the ladder , spinal stenosis is another shared by both woman and man alike , the list goes on and on thus to make it simple , any condition that causes bone degeneration has a history of causing one to have a loss of inches in stature. paschar former army medical corp 42C20 orthopedic specialist

C.D.

answers from Columbia on

My aunt has shrunk several inches and we thought it was due to osteoporosis but she has something called myositis. It's a muscle disease.
There are so many reason we can lose a little height (although at almost 6ft tall I haven't had that happen just yet), so try not to worry too much. I know it's concerning, but it will be okay.
It sounds like you are checking into all of the right things. Just eat healthy and have faith in God and the knowledge He has given the doctors in whom you put your trust.
God bless!
Christi

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K.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Sure...We all shrink as we grow older and taking extra calcium +vit D can help.

I did a quick search and osteoporsis/brittle bone seems to be the biggest culprit and it starts accelerating every year after 35; especially for women. While docs once thought it was a loss in the squishy stuff between verterbra..They now think it is loss thru compression/break-down of the actual vertebra bones themselves. This same article said on avg, women (even w/o osteoporosis) lose .4 inches per year after age 40.

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S.D.

answers from Bellingham on

Yep, I sure am!! Somehow after having my twins ten years ago, sometime in there I managed to lose half an inch from my height...I used to say that I am 5' 2 &1/2"...now I am 5' 2." A good part of me wonders if it just that our posture changes after pregnancy...i know my body will not ever be the same again...even my girth has gotten bigger (my rib cage) from carrying the twins on such a small frame...yup, we're just getting old! (I am 36)

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D.D.

answers from Seattle on

That's HUGE. I would also check for Osteoporosis if I were you.

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P.S.

answers from Seattle on

Yep, Used to be 5'11 and 3/4. Now I'm 5'10 1/2. Was told that it could of been four babies, bad posture, and one thing i found out is lack of hydration! Yep water. You can gain an inch just by making sure to get all your water in, plus you can be an inch shorter at night than you are in the morning!! Crazy but true!! My opinion....don't worry about it. Drink your water and measure only in the morning.

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M.R.

answers from Columbus on

Incredible irony, our feet get bigger with each child, and as we age we get shorter. Is your doctor concerned?

M.

L.G.

answers from Eugene on

Yoga class. It will stretch you out and up again.

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