I'm New :-)

[HillSlugger]

I'm just wondering how long it will take for my "i'm new as well" post to show up? I wrote it yesterday and its still not up yet...

They show up immediately. If it's not here you must have done something wrong. Welcome!

[Fujichants]

Hmmm...because I got a message saying my post would be reviewed and moderated and it should be visible after that. Perhaps I should try again! Watch two posts show up!

[HillSlugger]

...I got a message saying my post would be reviewed and moderated and it should be visible after that...

I've never seen that! Hmmm

[athena]

Wow Thank you all for such supportive replies. It's really nice of you guys to say those things about me.

I haven't gotten a chance to ride again since Sunday and am practically dying! I keep thinking of my bike at home and how much I want to get back on it, but I've been busy with school and research. I ended up working all day yesterday (8ish - 7ish) and was so exhausted that by the time I got home, I just went to sleep!

I am hoping to get my bike from home tonight (nothing would make this birthday better than a long ride on the trail!), but am afraid it might be dark by the time I get home. I do have a light, but am not sure if it's safe to ride in the dark? I usually run in the dark, but I feel like that's a little safer because it's often on less-busy streets or trails. I'm not so sure about my bike.

And thank you for your concern, wahine. I really do sincerely appreciate it. I am worried about my bone density as well. I brought it up when I saw my family doctor last month (about heart and knee problems), but she looked at me like I was a crazy hypochondriac. She said they "don't do bone density tests for people like [me]. Only for anorexics and dancers and people like that." Her comment really upset me as I was ammenorheic for about 3-4 years and know that can mess with bone density. I also am lactose-intolerant, have a family history of osteoporosis (maternal and paternal), and a personal history of stress fractures. I am trying to up my calcium (and vitamin D) intake myself, but am not sure there's anything else I can do.

[HillSlugger]

And thank you for your concern, wahine. I really do sincerely appreciate it. I am worried about my bone density as well. I brought it up when I saw my family doctor last month (about heart and knee problems), but she looked at me like I was a crazy hypochondriac. She said they "don't do bone density tests for people like [me]. Only for anorexics and dancers and people like that." Her comment really upset me as I was ammenorheic for about 3-4 years and know that can mess with bone density. I also am lactose-intolerant, have a family history of osteoporosis (maternal and paternal), and a personal history of stress fractures. I am trying to up my calcium (and vitamin D) intake myself, but am not sure there's anything else I can do.

Sounds like you need a new doctor who will take your concerns seriously. With your personal and family history closer monitoring sounds like it is needed!

[tulip]

I had the same concerns as Wahine, but I'm not a healthcare professional, so I kept my thoughts to myself. Now that the door has been opened, however, please allow me to express my concern over your description of your health issues.

You are a senior in college--what kinds of heart problems are you having? The knee I can understand, but not the heart. And bone density (and all the hormonal and nutritional stuff that goes along with it) is really a serious thing.

Please please go see another doctor. Go to the student health center ASAP and tell them everything--your fractures, your heart...do you have your period? If not, that's a clue to some potentially serious issues.

What we are today really does matter in what we will be tomorrow. Please take care and keep us posted. And see a new doctor right away!

EDIT: You said "am not sure there's anything else I can do." There is--demand that your concerns be addressed by your healthcare providers. You deserve better than being blow off like that.

[Zen]

Now is your chance to make your deposit in the "bone bank". After a certain age (can't remember exactly what it is right now, but it's quite young) you can only make withdraws from the bank, no more deposits. You can only work to keep what you have.
Do you do any weight training?

[athena]

Thanks again to both of you guys.

I saw this doctor towards the beginning of March, as my resting HR had doubled overnight (normal is around 40-50, was over 100 when I checked). I monitor my pulse pretty frequently because I was diagnosed with two minor heart problems in high school; patent foramen ovale (a relatively common heart defect) and sinus bradycardia (resting HR < 60 bpm).

I had another EKG and she referred me to a cardiologist. I wore a 24 hour holter monitor and my heart was okay. My resting HR is back around 50, but still no explanation for the tachycardia. My own hypothesis is some sort of electrolyte balance (my potassium was low in a recent blood test). I think I need to be more vigilant with refueling during long exercise and probably more fruits and vegetables wouldn't hurt either.

I might see if I can get another doctor to order a bone density test, but I feel horribly guilty asking for something I don't "need." I am not worried so much about my current health status, but more of what damage may have been done in the past. I think I might ask my PT about exercises to help build up bone density. I did used to run a lot, but with my recent knee injury, I have been cycling more (and I am aware that it can have a negative effect on bone density).