Newly Diagnosed and Terrified

[kerry1]

Please don't be so scared - this is a good century to have osteoporosis. They can actually reverse it now, with drugs, diet, and weight-bearing exercises.

I don't know that milk and dairy products are good sources of calcium. I would consult with a nutritionist and find some better sources of calcium, such as maybe soy? Green vegetables and nuts? There is some evidence that milk does your bones more harm than good.

Remember Christopher Reeve? Rest in peace, Chris. He had major osteoporosis because of being sedentary and disabled. He was able to reverse it until his bones were as strong as a 30-year-old athlete's. There is HOPE! Don't despair. And don't kick yourself for having had anorexia. Just move forward.

[kimb5232]

for all of you who are terrified at your diagnosis. i am 37. i had anorexia from age 17-24. i had no periods for about6 years straight. in all that time, i never thought about my bones. my heart, nerves, development yes...but nobody mentioned bones. consider yourselves fortunate to know what you do now. you can actually continue to build bmd till your mid-thirties...so get to work. don't lose more ground...anorexia is not worth it. whatever you think you get, a look, control, calming...nobody but you sees it, and you will so regret it. good news for you you can still build bone naturally, ask about a phsical therapy program that teaches you bone building exercises but provides spine instruction (how to walk, stand, safe way to bend(yeah it can be done) and eat healthy. you know what that means. forget all the hype about eat all this and avoid all that. eat well balanced that is the key. anyway i wish you the best of luck and success. and fyi, i got my periods back at 26...took a while but after i broke 100lbs and stayed there a year or so they came back ireegular but there. i had a daughter. was seemingly healthy had another daughter just this march...and hello there was the osteoporosis. 4 spinal compression fractures, bmd -4.3 in spine -3.3 in hip. pain yeah, feel fragile yeah, but i carried and delivered a healthy baby thank God. Having every test in the book it seems now, guess dr's can't believe numbers so bad due to anorexia alone but we'll see. i function each day and so will you...eat well, get the spine instruction (from a source familiar with osteoporosis, unknowledgable instructors cause more harm than good), try to have a positive outlook, and pray. I hope that my next bmd will show significant improvement, if not, well i will make the most of it, many people are worse off than us. thank God for what you have, don't beat yourself up over what you have lost. best wishes and God Bless

[inhishands]

Hi, I am so sorry for all the young people with this dreadful disease. I thought being diagnosed at age 44 was young until now. I too am scared, scared of drugs, scared of what the quality of my life will be like in 10 years. I think being so young should be to your advantage; you can still grow new bone until age 35 or so. So there's hope that you can turn this thing around. I know it's very frightening. Read about stress and the effects of cortisol on bones. That plus malnutrition is what I think caused mine. So it's critical to get a handle on stress and depression to keep from making matters worse. For the young people who had anorexia and are now suffering for it, try to think of educating other young girls - you may prevent someone else from your suffering and you will feel better contributing something very valuable. That seems to be one step toward your healing. I can't advise anybody re drugs as I don't know what to do myself. Just learn as much as you can and please take all the related supplements, boron, vitamin K, magnesium, etc. not just calcium. I have given up milk for what it's worth. I wish us all peace.

[iwanttobefree]

bumping for any new updates from people

[Canyondweller]

I jusat heard today that Christophe Reeve had IV Aredia and they say that is what helped his bones. I was given the option to have that in a every 3 month IV and since I have other problems decided not to at this time but I am almost 70, not like you young people. See a good endocrinologist. it is possible there is somethingelse going on like hyperparathyroid disease.