Hi,
I am a 30-year old woman just diagnosed with severe osteoporosis (-3.2 in L1-L4 spine, femoral total -2.2). I also have just sustained a non-traumatic fracture in my fibula (a non-weight bearing bone) when running one day- the bone just literally cracked for no apparent reason and I was in extreme pain. I am in a walking cast for probably at least 2 months and finally got the okay to start swimming and the stationary bike (with the cast on).
Anyways, I am posting because I am very scared and don’t know where to turn. I know the cause of my osteoporosis- I was anorexic for most of my college years, lost a lot of weight and my period. Even before that, being a high-level gymnast in high school, I lost my period for a few years (despite maintaining adequate health and weight). After college, I was able to regain menses, but still be a bit underweight. Four years ago when I started graduate school, the pressures hit me again. Even though I know I am not again full blown anorexic, I have lost my period (haven’t had it since I started grad school), still have low body weight, and my eating habits are less than ideal. During this time I took up running as a means to counteract the stress, it seemed to help mentally, and I managed to complete a few marathons. I actually felt pretty good, so never in a million years did I think I would run into trouble. Until my fracture. When I got the x-ray done from the orthopedist, he said that something wasn’t right, my bones on the conventional x-ray actually looked very thin and weak, and this type of fracture is extremely rare in non-traumatic cases. He referred me to a family practitioner after my DEXA revealed osteoporosis.
The doctor took a brief history and came to the conclusion that nothing could really be done unless I take Fosamax since the osteoporosis was so severe. The emphasis was not placed on nutritional therapy, even though more than once she told me I am too thin and malnourished. The only thing she suggested was calcium + vitamin D supplements and to drink a can of Ensure daily. Knowing the side effects of Fosamax, I told her I have a history of a gastric ulcer and in general a sensitive stomach- to this she responded that I could take the IV form instead.
I am angry and worried. Angry because I know that my eating habits have been very poor for too long, and this was like a wake-up call to me- I feel at least I could try nutritional therapy first, and I don’t know why my doctor didn’t suggest this before the medication. I am worried because I don’t know if any of this can be reversed, I feel I have screwed up big time, and I still am in a bit of a shock. I have read conflicting studies on anorexia, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis- some say that bone mass can be recovered with maintenance of a healthy diet and weight and resumption of menses, others say it can’t. Despite the fact that I am a very small girl to begin with, my baseline bone mass is already lower than average.
I also know the side affects of the bisphosphonates, and that they are not approved for premenopausal women (unless one is suffering from medication-induced glutocorticoid excess). I don’t want to take this medication since the long-term affects are not elucidated, and if I ever decide to have children in the future, I don’t want to find out that this medication causes harm.
If anyone is in a similar situation and has some advice, please let me know. I am losing sleep over this, and I don’t feel as if I know what is the right approach to take. In any case, there is a nutritionist in the same building as my doctor, and I have scheduled an appointment with her. I see her in a few weeks and am keeping my fingers crossed.
Thank you for reading and good luck to all.
Add to the discussion