23, just diagnosed with osteopenia/osteoporosis. help?
(tw mention of ed but kept very vague!!)
Hi all, looking to see if there’s anyone who’s been in a similar situation to me. I’ll try to keep this as short as possible. I’m 23F, average weight, moderately to highly active, strength training and running a few times a week as well as walking. I’ve always had pretty strong bones and never broke a bone (knock on wood), but lost my period a bit over a year and a half ago (seemingly due to HA/physical and mental stress), so I figured I would get a scan while I continue to try to get it back. I had to beg my doctors for it because they didn’t believe it would be a problem. I have had an eating disorder in the past (primarily age 16-18) so I knew the risk of osteopenia/osteoporisis was something that definitely could be a possibility since I hadn’t had a period in a bit. I was treated extensively and recovered in most senses, but of course have had some bouts of some undereating from stress or disordered thoughts, which I have worked through in therapy and I don’t consider to be a full relapse in any shape of the matter. I also had been dealing with back pain in my lower spine but have never really thought much of it, since I have an hour commute to my work place and sit for a long period of time in the car i’ve always chalked it up to that (still don’t know if it’s related though).
Unfortunately, my results came back: L1-L4: Z score -2.5 (bordering on osteoporosis), femoral neck Z score -1.8, and total hip pretty normal- -0.1. My doctors and I have discussed getting some more labs done since it’s been a bit, to see if my cycle is any closer to returning, but in the meantime I’m tryin to see if there is anything I can do. I’m honestly devastated and just looking for some advice from anyone who might have been in a similar boat. This was my biggest fear for years and I guess i just hoped it would never happen. I’m scared that even if I do restore my cycle, this will be something that affects me for the rest of my life. Has anyone been through something like this and been able to reverse the effects? Thank you :)