I had been told by several women and at least one man that they had lost two inches in height since they turned 60. My doctor confirmed that it was normal to loose two inches. I am not certain that it is all spinal collapse as the body also tends to broaden partially I believe because of broadening of the hip structure which can occur about the same time and it has nothing to do with gaining weight but the relaxing of the muscles that hold the pelvic girdle. Recently I read where older people have less tissue on the bottoms of their feet which would also contribute.

I can't wait to lose 2 inches. I'm 6'0" and so tired of being this tall.

I am 64 and lost an inch in height. I haven't experienced any of the symptoms you are talking about. I think it might very well be due to your medical condition and the chemo.

Good that you are following through.

My mother lost 6-7" over the course of her later years; didn't think that was possible but it happened with years of osteoporosis. I don't believe she had any pain from it, though. I'm glad you're getting checked out as I'm now leery of mysterious pains. Is it not possible to have shingles without an actual outbreak? I wish you well, Chisue.

I’ve lost about 3 inches since age 60. I hate now being short! Most people - men and women - lose some height.

Look at your posture. Have you developed a dowager's hump? that can account for part of your height loss.

As I understand it, we do loose some height as we age. I'm now 82 and have lost about 1 inch. Part of my loss is due to an increase in the hump in my back.

I would suggest that the height loss is due to chemo, I've seen it happen to family members.

No, I wouldn't say that 100-110 is too thin, weight is dependent on bone structure and muscle mass. Those weight charts are ridiculously heavy, according to them a 5'6" woman could weight up to 154 lbs, that would be much, much too heavy.

154 for a 5 foot six woman is not heavy. I am 5 foot 8. When I was 145 pounds, which was the "middle" recommended weight for a healthy BMI, my ribs,shoulder and hip bones stuck out. And I was still a size ten. Not a good look. But I've got a bigger frame. My first thought was that 110 pounds for someone who is 5 foot 6 is that is it is really underweight,even with a small frame. It's still might be better than carrying extra weight though.

Those BMI charts are used less and less. Waist size is becoming the general measurement for health,weight wise anyway. Under 40 for men, under 35 for women. (At 145 lbs my waist was 29 inches. Doubt I will ever see that again,alas)

Don't have any knowledge about how much height you can lose...you can lose

and I guess it varies from person to person. But, you can have shingles without a breakout. Especially, if it is coming through the first shingles vaccine. My Mom did. The Doc put her on some anti-virals, and it took care

of it. The first vaccine wasn't always effective...that's why they came up with

the second....which is very hard to find right now.

Amy - I disagree, it is quite possible for a small boned, non-muscular woman to be the right weight for her frame at those numbers. A 29 inch waist sounds much too big to me, when I was in your age range 24 inches (or less) was average as in 36-24-38 irrespective of height.

It really depends on your frame. I am "sturdy" in that I can't wrap my thumb and middle finger around my opposite wrist. I don't think there's any way I could ever have a 24 inch waist without being severely underweight. I'm 5'6 and 150 is a very healthy weight for my frame.

I was 170 before my bones stopped protruding.

A 29 inch waist is much to big????

Wow.

My measurements at that time were 34 29 42. I didnt have exceptionally wide hips, but quite a big backside in comparison to the rest of me. I remember because that was the "bridesmaids dress era." I had to be measured for 4 of them in one year. All a size 10 or 12.

Thanks for your good responses!

One of the ways shingles is diagnosed is because it is confined to only one quadrant of the body. My skin sensitivity crosses the midline of my body. My skin is super-sensitive in a five inch band all the way across my midriff in front. My midsection developed as crepe-y flab after I started the Velcade in June -- gained three pounds, all right there. The pain didn't develop until late November.

I'm having the spine MRI for a neurology MD. The nerve problem may relate to an injection I had at #4/#5 vertebrae in early November. That eliminated some back pain, but could have created this frontal condition.

I weighed 115 - 120 most of my adult life. I haven't been able to keep weight on above 105 for more than a decade. I now know that the multiple myeloma bone lesions were starting by 2016. My skeleton and skull are riddled with them. Adding flab in my middle won't improve my health.

I'd like to table the BMI discussion. It deteriorates into Women & Weight battles. My , question is about what ELSE happens when the torso is compressed.

No dowager's hump, Jem. DH is getting stooped. He's 80 and has lost 1.5" in the last couple of years. I nag him, "BRACE, airman!" (He's too nice to nag me.)

Husband was 5'11" and lost four inches from a back fracture. I have been 5'6" since age 12 and now am about 5'5" and weigh around 110-112. For decades I weighted 105. I am very small boned with wrists of a five-year-old. I have osteopenia, take nothing for it but put in between 5-7 miles a day on my Fitbit and do weight-bearing exercise.

I have lost 1 1/2 inches. I used to be tall, and now I am more medium height. I also wear a size larger shoe now too.

Most of the women in my family (normal frame) had an 18 - 22" waist at 20 years of age in the 5'2" to 5'7" height range. I'm definitely a big boned girl and I had a 24" waist at 18.

This is the explanation of waist measurements from the CDC:

Another way to estimate your potential disease risk is to measure
your waist circumference. Excessive abdominal fat may be serious because
it places you at greater risk for developing obesity-related
conditions, such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary
artery disease. Your waistline may be telling you that you have a higher
risk of developing obesity-related conditions if you are1:

• A man whose waist circumference is more than 40 inches
• A non-pregnant woman whose waist circumference is more than 35 inches

I've gone from 5'-11 1/2" to 5'-9 3/4" and I'm not even 60 yet. I've got RA with spinal disk degeneration and already had a C6-C7 discectomy and fusion 15 years ago.

I've also lost about 15 lbs. in the last couple years and am right on the cusp of a BMI in the normal range at 25. I'm sure I'll sweat off another 5 lbs. gardening this summer. The challenge will be not putting it back on next winter!

Raye I mentioned the waist circumference guidelines in my first post. So as 29<35, I should think that it's not "much too big."

Now I will do as chisue asked and drop this subject on her post.

Sorry chisue.

I agree that ideal weight depends on bone structure. I'm small boned and look heavy at 140. I also feel very weighed down and bloated at that weight. 120 - 125 is when I feel my best.

My friend who is the same height (5'6") has a bigger bone structure and she looks terrific at 150. If she weighed 120, she'd look seriously malnourished.

As far as height goes, I've lost about 3/4". I used to be almost 5'7", but have been at 5'6" for quite a long time now. For whatever reason, I'm no longer losing height.

Ooops, sorry as well, chisue. I didn't see your request about dropping weight/BMI until I saw what Amy just posted.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2042222/Your-incredible-shrinking-body-From-brain-heart--gets-smaller-age.html

Here's an interesting piece on the subject. From reading it, it seems some organs shrink as well, so maybe that prevents them from being squished. Idk. I'm not looking forward to finding out for myself,to be honest.

amylou -- What an interesting read! We're *all* shrinking, not just the wicked witch of the west.

I've had my CT and MRI. Now to wait two days for results. And then...and then...???

Waist size depends on body shape as well as on bone structure. I have a friend who is built like a ruler and there are barely 4 inches between her waist and her hips even though she is not overweight at all. My sis in law is an apple shape, regardless of her weight.

Sorry, I didn't realize there were lots of posts added while I was replying to an earlier one. I will delete if requested.

I was 5' 7" for many, many, many years. Then, about two years ago I was measured at 5' 5" - a total shock. Now, I'm measuring at 5' 6" -- don't know why...

I have been diagnosed with osteopenia, but I don't think that has caused any loss of height. My younger sister has been diagnosed with osteoporosis but hasn't lost any height.

It's a life change to now be the person asking another for help reaching the top shelf at the grocery -- instead of the reverse situation.

I also feel that I've lost some kinetic sense. I'm misjudging distances. For instance, my elbows are getting battered by hitting door frames. I evidently think I'm farther away from an obstruction than I am.

Open a can or jar? My stronger left hand no longer 'rescues' me. Worst are the little caps on milk or cream containers where only your fingers will fit into the space.

I use a pair of channel-locks to open caps in the kitchen.

We have a junk drawer in the kitchen with a few basic tools as well. I go after the pliers we keep in that drawer to pull peelable lids off jars and bottles.

I lost 2 inches when I was about18-21. I had been to the doctor and I was 5' 3" and then the next time I was 5'1".