I'm New :-)

[Wahine]

Athena, first I have to say that I'm really happy you found cycling, that you are enjoying it and that you've found TE. You will find lots of help and support here. But I have to say that the healthcare professional in me is a little concerned. You've said that you had pelvic fractures related to what should have been a relatively minor incident and you mention bone density and over exercising as being contributing factors. Have you got your bone density under control? Do you get a period? Are you certain that you are not falling into an exercise addiction? Do you perform resisted exercises to help build your bone density?

Cycling is great and I highly recommend it as exercise to many of my clients. But you can over do that too and it won't help you build your bone density.

I sincerely hope that you are well and that you're just embarquing on another new life adventure. But if some of the things I mention seem to ring true, please think carefully about your choices and realize that bone density problems will plague you the rest of your life if you don't take care of it, and the best time to do that is now when you are young.

[Fujichants]

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...

[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).

[Wahine]

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).

This sounds like a change in HR from electrolytes (which you already thought of), acute change from overtraining or infection.

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).

If I was working in Africa and did not have access to a bone density scan, I would assume that you have bone density issues based on your history. So do you *need* a bone scan, maybe not. But I would still expect you have bone density problems. All the test would do is confirm it, or less probably, disconfirm it. So I would move ahead with a plan of attack to increase your bone density. You've got nothing to lose and a lot to gain. Starting by talking to your PT is a very good idea. It would also be a good idea to find another doc, maybe a sports med doc because they will be more familiar with atypical presentations of bone density problems in young female athletes. Your ammenorhea is a very important sign that needs to be mentioned. You should also keep a food diary so that you can start observing what you eat and communicating these things to your healthcare professionals.

You should take a look at this and this.

[athena]

This sounds like a change in HR from electrolytes (which you already thought of), acute change from overtraining or infection.

I did not think of infection. I was under a lot of stress at the time (end of the academic quarter and finals to take), so maybe my immune system was a little suppressed. I was not exercising at all during the time (I took a "break" from cardiac exercise in an attempt to heal my knee and weaken the exercise compulsion a little), so I think overtraining can probably be ruled out.

Thank you also for the links. I am well aware of the female athlete triad, but unfortunately did not use this knowledge to my benefit. I have just started this year to really try to fix things. I have been seeing a nutritionist weekly since September and made progress, although I do still struggle sometimes.


On a semi-related note, I had a frustrating ride today. I was looking forward to it a lot and the weather was fantastic. I got home in the evening and because of time constraints decided to just run at home, instead of biking to nearby running trails like I had planned. I forgot my knee brace in the rush and ended up cutting my run short. My knee was bad, my stomach was cramping, and I just was not having fun. I figured I'd bike a little longer instead.

I felt so slow on my bike. I don't know what was wrong. By the time I left, it had started to rain a little and it was pretty chilly. I forgot padded shorts, so my seat was a little uncomfortable and my knee was bothering me. I ended up deciding not to push it and just pedaled at a leisurely pace. I ended up at school, but I'm disappointed. I am trying to remind myself that I'll likely have "good rides" and "bad rides" like in running, but it's still frustrating. I really need to work on my fueling. I ate poor-quality foods all day because "it was my birthday" and I'm sure that must have contributed at least a little, as well. I'm hoping to get back out tomorrow and have a much better ride tomorrow.

[bounceswoosh]

Athena,

Just one thought on health care. It's your body. Your doctor may have the best of intentions, but doctors have their own points of view and blinders. If your doctor's views don't align with yours -- get a new doctor! And do research online. If they screw up or miss an opportunity to help you, they won't suffer for it -- you will.

My GI doctor completely poo-poo'd the idea that eliminating gluten would make me feel better. "You have Crohn's, your blood tested negative for Celiac, just take your pills and deal with the fact that your gut hurts most of the time." Um, yeah. Wait, no. I decided to try it anyway, and hey, the results are fantastic. Hey, it's not the solution for everyone, but for me it's been huge.

Does your insurance cover a bone density scan? That's the only reason I can see for hesitation, is that you might not be able to afford it. If you can afford it through your own resources or if insurance will cover it for you, with your family history, you should definitely do it.

[athena]

Just one thought on health care. It's your body. Your doctor may have the best of intentions, but doctors have their own points of view and blinders. If your doctor's views don't align with yours -- get a new doctor! And do research online. If they screw up or miss an opportunity to help you, they won't suffer for it -- you will.

You are completely right. At the time, I was anxious to find a doctor to deal with the heart and knee problems and didn't really invest much time researching different ones. Maybe now that I'm not so rushed, it might be a good chance to find one that would be a little more thorough.

I think the doctor mentioned that insurance would probably not cover the bone scan for "people like me," but my parents have offered to pay out of pocket. I know it wouldn't fix anything, but it would be nice to at least have an idea of the current density. As I've started to gain a healthier outlook, I've really become worried about any damage I may have caused in the past.

[bounceswoosh]

You are completely right. At the time, I was anxious to find a doctor to deal with the heart and knee problems and didn't really invest much time researching different ones. Maybe now that I'm not so rushed, it might be a good chance to find one that would be a little more thorough.

I think the doctor mentioned that insurance would probably not cover the bone scan for "people like me," but my parents have offered to pay out of pocket. I know it wouldn't fix anything, but it would be nice to at least have an idea of the current density. As I've started to gain a healthier outlook, I've really become worried about any damage I may have caused in the past.

I know what you mean about rushing. Despite my advice, I'm still seeing a GI doctor I think is "okay", not as bad as my last one, but not perfect for me. It's hard switching doctors -- mentally, anyway.

I have no history to suggest any bone brittleness -- in fact, I've never broken a bone -- so my experiences don't really relate to yours, but my doctor (my main one, whom I really like) said that a bone density test on its own wouldn't help me much. She said what matters is change, so for example comparing the test results when you first hit menopause vs. two years later. She said, if the bone density test comes out low, she would say to take calcium, which is what she would say anyway.

BUT! If there is a family or personal history that indicates a problem, there may be more indication for taking the test, even if it's just to plan for another test in a couple of years to compare. It may be that there *are* treatments out there for people with aggressive bone loss issues, and they just wouldn't be appropriate for a person who has never broken a bone or had any issues. It may even be that there is newer, better info out there since when I talked to my doctor about it several years ago.