I’m 24, my bones crack, I have a history of hip pain, I’m a runner*, which can’t help the whole joint care thing…and this is my quarter life health crisis.
About two years ago, my grandmother had both of her hips replaced. Several years ago (read: 10 years ago), when I was seeing a rheumatologist for my hip issues, the doctor told me that bone density peaks in women at around 25**. What age am I turning this summer? 25. I just told you I’m 24 in the introduction, so I think you already know that.
To be rational about this, I know my grandmother and I are very different. I eat a lot better; I take much better care of my general health. And those of you who read any of my food posts will know that I do look at nutrition very carefully. I try and make sure my diet is as balanced as possible. Oh, and I’ve taken some sort of healthy bone supplement most days for the last decade… Because y’know, hip issues at 13/14/15 aren’t exactly #goals.
My Joint Pain
My hip pain went away…for the most part. A bit of background, at its worst I couldn’t climb a set of stairs without sitting down and I used to hold onto furniture as I walked flat surfaces. My school gave me an early exit pass because they didn’t deem it safe for me to be in the regular corridor pushing and shoving that goes on sometimes between classes. And an elevator pass because we’ve already established that stairs weren’t exactly my strong point. If anyone would like a post discussing this in further detail, let me know.
But it went away?
I said for the most part because my hips are the first place I feel it if there’s ever anything wrong. If I run too quickly on a speed run, my hips can hurt (sometimes). Or maybe don’t stretch out properly at the end, my hips hurt. When I’m ill and have general joint aches everywhere, my hips hurt first. They’re the weakest part of my body, and I accepted that a long time ago. I’m not trying to be melodramatic here, this happens a handful of times a year at the most. I’m well aware of the fact that my health in general terms is very good, but looking after my joints long term is something I’m increasingly aware of.
Proactive joint care
Recently, I saw a campaign asking for bloggers who suffer with their joints to try something. Hi, where do I sign up?? I was sent a three month supply of GOPO Joint Health Supplements* to take and see if I notice any improvements. As I no longer suffer daily, I’m really interested to see if they help with my occasional running pain and any general joint care/ aches and pains.
GOPO is a combination of rosehip and vitamin C. Studies have shown that rosehip can contribute to joint care while vitamin C is essential for collagen formation, which the body needs for healthy bones and cartilage. The capsules themselves contain gelatin, but you can break them apart and the powder inside is veggie friendly. So, rather than swallowing them as a tablet, you mix the powder with food, which is what I’ve been doing. I’ve only been taking them for about a week at this stage, so it’s far too early to see a difference, but I’ll keep you updated.
Have you been having a quarter life health crisis about anything lately? I’m really intrigued to see how much of a difference I notice day-to-day. Do any of you suffer from any joint issues, or maybe also do some sort of exercise that puts pressure on them sometimes and are interested in trying these too?
Until next time,
Sophie
*I was gifted the GOPO Joint Health supplements to feature, all opinions are my own.
Health Disclaimers
*Running and exercise in general can help bone health in general, but can also be hard on your joints depending on the intensity of training.
**There isn’t a set in stone age for this, it can be up to 30.
Hope you’re staying healthy! I’m always trying to eat healthy food to get good nutrients, that’s my health thing. Thanks for sharing your story 🙂
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This is really interesting, thank you for being so open about your health. My bones always crack as well, especially when I bend my knees. I hope these pills help you figure out how to go about your hip pain if it gets bad from time to time.
I have been an athlete my entire life and started suffering with joint pain at a young age. I have been practicing yoga faithfully for over a year now and it has helped with my pain SO much! I also take supplements to help as well! Listening to what your body needs is important!
Really interested to see how you get on with this as I have bone issues myself.
An important vitamin to keep topped up is vitamin D, I went through a few years with v. low vit D and my bones suffered badly.
I was started on vitamin D tablets and luckily things are getting better now
I was also told to do weight-bearing exercises, so things like running and using the leg press in the gym. I’m also getting into Pilates which is meant to be good also!
xx
Ouch, Sophie, I’m so sorry you have such awful joint pain. I have pregnancy-related sciatic issues but treatment over the years has helped enormously. Joint pain is a whole other ball game (no pun intended). Alan takes glucosamine supplements for his joints and we both take magnesium capsules too. I’ll be very interested to see how you get on with these GOPO supplements though, if they work well for you or not. If they do, I might get some for Alan. Please keep me posted! X
Sorry to hear you have such bad joint pain! I have a knee injury that means I cannot do running, as it would put too much pressure on the joint. I used to like running too! I hope you find treatment that makes it better and it’s easier to manage over time 🙂
Hope you are having a great week! My mum and I both have the day off today so we are going to have fun and go shopping 🙂
Away From The Blue
I find this so interesting that they use both rosehip and vitamin C in this supplement because my grandparents would forage for and then make rosehip syrup as vitamin C supplement because it was the only natural source of it in winter in Britain.
I guess where it’s fallen out of fashion a lot of people are unaware that rosehips have a very high vitamin C content?
I really hope that you find this supplement helpful!
This was really interesting to read. My bones often crack in my shoulders and upper back, and I’m fairly certain it’s related to ~10 years at a desk job. I’m sorry to hear you had such terrible joint pain when you were younger, it will be interesting to see how these supplements work for you.
I have suffered from joint pain since going to the gym. I run on the treadmill, so I suppose this won’t help my knees. I’ll be interested to see how you get on with these supplements.
Ashley
https://lellalee.com
I definitely wish I looked after myself a bit better, I feel like we can often take advantage of being young and not having various aches and pains, but then as we get older it can get worse. I currently have fallen arches, and I was born with them so always had it, and when I was younger I went to a foot clinic quite a bit, and they explained that unfortunately as I get older it’ll get worse and I’d also experience back pain from it. The only thing I can really do is wear insoles, and at the moment I only get really bad pain every few months – but it’s so unbearable, it’s not just my feet that get the pain but it travels up my legs and it may sound silly but I end up tying socks around my feet!!
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
Good entry:)
I’m so sorry you’re having pain. Hope you feel better with being healthy!
xx- Nina
Omg loved this thanks for sharing
So sorry to hear about your joint pain! I really hope the supplements work and ease it over time. I definitely need to look after myself a bit more so I’m excited to hear how you get on xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Okay now you’ve scared me! I’m 27 this year and honestly, I’ve not taken nowhere near enough care of myself as I should have done. From the age of 21 to about 24 when my anxiety was at it’s worst, I really plummeted on the health front. I’m only just getting back into actually *wanting* to take care of myself and as you know, I do a heck of a lot of Yoga. But my diet could be much better.
I get a lot of lower back pain (much more than I expected in my 20’s?!) and over the last year, my knees have started to crack quite a bit. There’s some Yoga moves I can’t do because they make my knees actually crunch and it turns my stomach. So it might be time for me to invest in something like this!
Thanks for scaring me into action x
I don’t know whether to say thank you or apologise? Things like yoga and stretching in general are really great for your joints long term though so you have that! Everything helps and it’s never too late to improve!
Thankfully I don’t suffer with joint pain – I hope the supplements work for you x
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I do have some joint issues but on my bad knee, so I will have to look into that supplement 🙂
Another thing to worry about Leo I’m getting older ha. But in all seriousness, I’ll keep this in mind. I’ve been upping my vitamin intake lately.
I have such terrible joint pain- and I’m 25! I definitely need to check these out.
Imogen’s Typewriter. ❤