I’m Literally Shrinking
By Amber
@AmbiePam (95118)
United States
July 31, 2023 1:30pm CST
Yes, we all shrink as we age, but I did not count on having gone down another inch, two inches total since my car accident a couple decades ago. 
Anyway, I saw a new rheumatologist today, at the Arthritis Center. They think I have lupus or polyarticular arthritis (which can be related to lupus or another autoimmune disease). I’m not worried about having lupus. I know I have symptoms, but I had a false positive years ago. This time, the doctor said the markers are worse, so I really might have it. I bet I don’t.
So they did more blood tests, and as my veins rolled, I apologized for their misbehavior. Tomorrow I get additional X-rays, and they gave me two shots of stuff I don’t want, but if it helps rule out lupus, I’ll do it.
I’m just not worried. If it were a family member or friend, then I’d be concerned. I just have a wonderful peace about it all. Anyway, I thought I’d catch you up. Now tell me, have any of you dropped some height recently?
Anyway, I saw a new rheumatologist today, at the Arthritis Center. They think I have lupus or polyarticular arthritis (which can be related to lupus or another autoimmune disease). I’m not worried about having lupus. I know I have symptoms, but I had a false positive years ago. This time, the doctor said the markers are worse, so I really might have it. I bet I don’t.
So they did more blood tests, and as my veins rolled, I apologized for their misbehavior. Tomorrow I get additional X-rays, and they gave me two shots of stuff I don’t want, but if it helps rule out lupus, I’ll do it.
I’m just not worried. If it were a family member or friend, then I’d be concerned. I just have a wonderful peace about it all. Anyway, I thought I’d catch you up. Now tell me, have any of you dropped some height recently?30 people like this
33 responses
@MommyOfEli2013 (84439)
• Rupert, Idaho
31 Jul 23
Sorry to hear that you may have Lupus or the other thing you mentioned. That's good to not be worried, I think.... worry can sometimes just make things worse! Sorry about losing another inch too.
I hope that I don't lose any height, I am short enough as it is. I am only 4'10 (my son is probably 4'8 now, he's almost my height at 9 years old lol).
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (95118)
• United States
31 Jul 23
@MommyOfEli2013 I was thinking with being under five feet tall, it’s no wonder you have weight problems. That seems hard to be able to control at that height.
@MommyOfEli2013 (84439)
• Rupert, Idaho
31 Jul 23
@AmbiePam That's one reason I really hate being overweight, just looks awful with being so short! 5'9 is pretty tall! so just 2 inches doesn't sound too bad. Hopefully that you can stay that height for as long as posssible then!
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90741)
• Arvada, Colorado
31 Jul 23
And you have faith too..I bet you don't have lupus too..I pray you don't.
Yes I only shrunk 3 inches since I was 17 yrs old. I am 67 now. I hope to get even shorter soon when I cut my hair.
1 person likes this
You need to send me a picture of the new you!@RebeccasFarm (90741)
• Arvada, Colorado
31 Jul 23
@AmbiePam Oh no you would be horrified. Also I shrunk because of that back injury like you.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (95118)
• United States
31 Jul 23
@RebeccasFarm You gotta love those back injuries.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51917)
• Canada
1 Aug 23
They discovered that I had severe osteopororisis when I was 39 or 40 years old, and that I had lost 1 inch in height.
I believe it is from my disc that slips out of place on occasion.
I pray that you do not have lupus, my Dad's family had it on both sides.
He had it for most of his life.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51917)
• Canada
1 Aug 23
@AmbiePam I feel that for my Dad the worst was the unknown.
He was our bread winner, my mother didn't work outside of the house, he farmed alot of land.
He always came home for dinner (noon time meal) and he always laid down after eating for 15 minutes before going back to the field. Sometimes after his nap he would wake feeling so awful that he would either have to drag himself out to the field or he would not be able to do that. It must have been so mentally stressful knowing that he may not be able to provide.
One minute he could be fine and the next very ill.
In the end, it went into his joints, then into his organs. When it went into his spleen and liver, both organs filter the blood, I knew that his time here on earth would be short with us. He lasted another 6 months from that time.
I was lucky enough to be at his bedside holding his hand when he went to meet The Maker, with a smile on his face, and I'm pretty sure that those last few minutes were pain free. It was a beautiful end to a beautiful life.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41996)
• United States
1 Aug 23
Amber, I am praying you don't have any of those things.
I'm two inches shorter than I was years ago.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (95118)
• United States
1 Aug 23
@1creekgirl Aw, thank you. That's such a kind thing to say.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41996)
• United States
1 Aug 23
@AmbiePam From what I know of you, that's a real compliment for me.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (161546)
• United States
1 Aug 23
No one has measured my height lately. Maybe next Monday as I will be having a "wellness check" as mandated by Medicare. I did it via zoom last year, or some computer thing. They cannot tell anything about you that way in my opinion. I could even tell her whatever height I made up. Yeah, when that feeling of peace comes it is well worth while.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (183626)
• United States
1 Aug 23
I hope it's not Lupus. It sounds like somethiing is going on though. I just hope you can get a definitive diagnosis so that you can started on the proper treatment.
. You have a great attitude.
. You have a great attitude.1 person likes this
@much2say (56667)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Jul 23
Keeping my fingers crossed about all those tests! I admire your attitude about it all . . . I'm gonna run with that to put more power into your positivity 
. Height - I don't really know - but I am like 4'11' and a fraction . . . so I never really had any height to begin with .
. Height - I don't really know - but I am like 4'11' and a fraction . . . so I never really had any height to begin with .1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20141)
• United States
1 Aug 23
I don't think I have, but I did notice a few years ago that my best friend had. I was taller than her for some reason.
1 person likes this
@sissy15 (12349)
• United States
3 Aug 23
So far I've managed to stay my 5'7" height which is surprising with all the knee issues I have and have had for years. I hope that all is well. Even if you do have Lupus it can be managed. I know someone who has a young son with it. I have known adults who have been living with it for many years. I feel like if you do have something like that you are already dealing with the worst of it before the diagnosis so having it diagnosed means you'll be able to get treatment that helps. I'm glad you are at peace about it.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (81617)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Aug 23
Well the best of luck to you and I certainly hope those tests are negative, Hang in there. I have not notice that I have gotten smaller,
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83418)
• United States
1 Aug 23
I still tell everyone I'm 5'5" even though I haven't been measured in years. I feel like I've shrunk since all of my grandsons are over 6 feet tall.
I hope you don't have lupus but I'm glad you aren't stressing. Sometimes a diagnosis can be worrisome before the actual diagnosis is made.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (105326)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
31 Jul 23
Not that I know of that I have shrunk in size. Just losing weight.
1 person likes this
@hillhjill (23714)
• United States
31 Jul 23
My mom has something that is related to lupus on her face, I can't remember what it's called though..
I have shrunk about an inch, and I'm not liking it.
1 person likes this
