https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:57:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40/page/2#post-912518 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:31:52 +0000 Hil 912518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Thistle - just wanted to chime in with good wishes... I hope you get some answers! I definitely believe in getting second and third opinions! Hugs! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40/page/2#post-910717 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:53:34 +0000 Sarah A 910717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh Thistle! How awful and stressful for you and you family. You have rec'd a ton of good advice here already. I wanted to second the weight bearing resistance exercise. Also I (think?) I recall reading in a thread about our fashions histories that you struggled with an eating disorder. This can be a huge factor in bone density. From my undergrad exercise physiology work hearing about your bone density the Female Athlete Triad came immediately to mind. I can imagine it is still difficult (as many of my teammates struggled with eating disorders) but please be sure that your physicians have an accurate medical history on that subject so you can get as much of the best help going forward. &nbsp; <br /><a href="http://www.femaleathletetriad.org/for-athletes-coaches/what-is-the-triad/" rel="nofollow">http://www.femaleathletetriad......the-triad/</a><br />and more hugs from me too :)<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40/page/2#post-910130 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:54:16 +0000 Janet 910130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, gotta disagree on just one thing -- I'm 10 years older than you and I'm still "young" so YOU are definitely still truly young! ;-)</p> <p>I'm glad you're doing research and taking action. You will be fine! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-910109 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:22:35 +0000 lyn67 910109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ What Isabel said....Thistle, you are so young!! Gotta have it sorted! Hugs!&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-908422 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:15:53 +0000 Isabel 908422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thistle, you&nbsp;<b><i>ARE&nbsp;</i></b><i></i>very young. This is really unusual. So please don't tell yourself that you are not. &nbsp;You have a long life ahead of you. &nbsp;I understand the mortality thing. When we are young we don't think about it so much and we definitely don't think about preventative care of our bodies. Now is the time to start for you and your daughter. &nbsp;After learning of my bone loss and digging into it and talking to my doctors, I learned that it is&nbsp;<b><i>very&nbsp;</i></b><i></i>important for girls ( as in children at a young age ) to jump around and play as much as possible to build bone. That way they are ahead of the game as adults. It is like building muscle. Since I learned that, I have been encouraging my daughter, who just turned 10, to jump, run, go for hikes and so on. We even got her a pogo stick. So I would recommend you really encourage your little one to do the same. It will pay off in spades later on in life for her.&nbsp;<br /><br />Good luck my dear, young, beautiful friend.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-908410 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:06:43 +0000 Thistle 908410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for all of your support and wisdom!<br /><br />I have learned a lot from you, and I spent a big chunk of my weekend doing research.&nbsp; <br /><br />I have a long journey ahead of me on this, and I guess the one good think is they did find it now. It buys me some&nbsp;time to make changes and makes me realize that I will have to focus on this for the rest of my life.<br /><br />For me,&nbsp;I think, the hardest part was realizing I am just not young anymore.&nbsp; The whole mortality thing, especially with a little one who I want to see grow and maybe have little ones of her own.<br /><br />I am hoping the tests can tell us something more, especially as I thought I was doing the right things to prevent it. I have to be a lot more serious about carving out time to weight lift and make family walks part of a daily routine. DH is totally on board, so that helps. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-908084 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 03:16:38 +0000 Anonymous 908084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm sorry, Thistle.&nbsp; I have osteporosis and no family history.&nbsp; It showed up in my 40's too.&nbsp; The best thing&nbsp;I did&nbsp;was join Curves for daily weightbearing exercise.&nbsp; I broke a wrist this year and have lost an inch of height.&nbsp; I'm learning here.&nbsp; <br />Actually I've not been as concerned about it as I should be.&nbsp; Diabetes and&nbsp;arthrites are getting more attention.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-908057 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:23:33 +0000 velvetychocolate 908057@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How stressful! And while I don't have a lot of personal experience with osteoporosis, I recommend taking a vitamin D3 supplement&nbsp; as well as incorporating weight training. <br /><br />As far as I know (from all my reading about diet-related stuff), <i>it's vitamin D-3 that ensures calcium gets into our bones and not into our bloodstream.&nbsp;</i>The typical calcium/vitamin D type supplement contains vitamin D2, which doesn't really help in terms of making sure that the extra calcium you're taking or eating gets into your bones. This is particularly important if you rarely get any sun or happen live in an area where there's not much sun throughout the year. Vitamin D-3 is very important, and it is usually taken as a separate supplement (looks a bit like a fish oil capsule) as opposed to a typical "cal-mag-d" vitamin pill. If you live in the North or just don't get outside in the sun much, you might need to take vitamin D-3 supplements. <br /><br />I take these from Costco:<br /><a href="http://www.costco.com/trunature%C2%AE-Vitamin-D3-5000-IU,-500-Softgels.product.11602692.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.costco.com/trunatur.....02692.html</a><br /><br />I don't know if you have time for this, but if at all possible, you might want to join the local Y or rec center, and get a personal trainer to set you up with a good weight-training routine. Sign up for two weeks of instruction, and if you're not the gym-going type, ask that the trainer give you routines that you can do at home. <br /><br />In terms of upping calcium, or any other nutrient, I'm a fan of the World's Healthiest Foods website - where you can sort through and find which foods are highest in a particular nutrient. <br /><br />Here's their blurb on calcium (excellent article, and well worth the read):<br /><br /><a href="http://whfoods.org/calcium/" rel="nofollow">http://whfoods.org/calcium/</a><br /><br />It's important to remember that without adequate vitamin D-3 levels, all the calcium in the world isn't going to do a lick of good. Also, it's not just dairy foods that are high in calcium - leafy greens, sardines and even sesame seeds are very high in calcium. <br /><br />You might want to have your doctor check your vitamin D-3 levels to help you determine if you need extra vitamin D. <br /><br />Further, hopefully your doctor will look also into parathyroid function. <br /><br />Here's more stuff on those vitamin D tests:<br /><br /><a href="http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin-d/tab/test" rel="nofollow">http://labtestsonline.org/unde.....d/tab/test</a><br /><br />As far as I can tell, the parathyroid converts d-25 to d-125, If parathryoid isn't working, then the conversion isn't going to happen properly. As far as I can tell, <i>sometimes the body will leach calcium out of bones to keep blood calcium levels normalized.</i> I think this might happen if your body isn't able to absorb nutrients properly? This is a whole other ball of wax, in that perhaps something might be interefering with your body's ability to absorb calcium and/or other nutrients (ie. celiac, food sensitivities, digestive issues, etc.)<br /><br />Beyond this, I have no idea. I don't know what needs to happen to fix parathyroid if this is an issue. <br /><br /><i>Please take all of this with a giant grain of salt</i>, since it's just coming from a layperson who has done some light reading here and there on the topic of nutrition. I do know that vitamin D3 is very important and that you might want to get it tested, and that maybe you want to have your endocrinologist test for parathyroid issues, but beyond that, I'm not really sure. <br /><br />Hang in there - I am *sure* that this can be fixed. In the meantime, I'm sending over some sardines (kidding!) <br /><br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-907344 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 04:45:17 +0000 Ingunn 907344@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advice, but you have received great advice already. Just wanted to send my sympathy and a big hug. This is of course very stressful right now. I'm sure things will work out for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-907208 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 01:23:04 +0000 Glory 907208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sending hugs and positive thoughts. You have some great advice from some of the ladies here. I hope you get answers quickly. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-907188 Sun, 14 Apr 2013 01:08:15 +0000 Nicole D 907188@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ HI Thistle<br />Sorry to hear about your OP. &nbsp;The diagnosis is based on the results of a bone density test, which is determined by many things including your peak bone mass, genetic factors, ethnicity and others. &nbsp;But low bone density &nbsp;by itself shouldn't cause pain or any symptoms at all, it just increases your risk of having a fracture. &nbsp;As others have said there are many things you can do to reduce that risk: calcium, vitamin D, and medication for some. &nbsp;Given your age you are probably at overall low risk of breaking a bone.&nbsp;<br />Make sure when you see the specialist to let them know you want to have more kids, as that may affect the treatment recommendations.&nbsp;<br />I don't know much about how US specialists work, but here in Canada a competent general endocrinologist, rheumatologist or geriatrician (really! &nbsp;even though you are way too young, here in Canada we geriatricians do a lot of OP care) should be able to give you appropriate diagnostic workup and guidance.<br />Here is a link to the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.osteoporosis.ca/">Canadian Osteoporosis society</a>.<br /><br />Please try not to worry, just get more information and get &nbsp;plan together. &nbsp;You can handle it!<br />I wish you the best.<br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906965 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:36:14 +0000 Kristin L 906965@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm&nbsp;sending&nbsp;you big hugs Thistle! I think you've gotten some great advice. Maybe it would be best to see a general endocrinologist before going to the bone endocrinologist. And if it is osteoporosis, the good side is that it sounds like it was detected early and you can start treating it now before it gets worse.&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906943 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:54:25 +0000 Angie 906943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ (((HUGS))). I am so sorry, Thistle. I hope your wrist pain improves asap.&nbsp;<br /><br />I have had mild&nbsp;osteoporosis for 13 years. My bone density is shot. That's probably why I break my toes so easily. <br /><br />My endocrinologist at the time said I fit the "osteoporotic profile" so was not surprised with the diagnosis: blonde, very fair skin, small bone structure, Northern European heritage and&nbsp;high metabolism. This was years ago, so who knows if this is still relevant. <br /><br />I have been taking calcium till the cows come home. Do weight bearing exercise to strengthen my bones (walking), and eat A LOT OF GREEN VEGETABLES. They are extremely rich in calcium.&nbsp;The specialist is happy with my progress. As soon as I hit menopause. I will go onto serious medication.&nbsp;<br /><br />Hang in there. This is treatable. xox https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906843 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 15:17:05 +0000 Isabel 906843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ THistle, I just want to throw in my thoughts and support for you. This is very scary and unexpected. No wonder you are in shock.&nbsp;<br /><br /><div>Regarding the specialist, you should petition your insurance company to cover it. If your insurance is from your employer, contact human resources and ask them to write a letter. If it is from your husbands, have his HR write a letter. You need to see who you need to see. Please be a strong advocate for yourself. &nbsp;Try negotiating with the practice so that they either become in network or accept the network payment. &nbsp;Don't give up.<br /><br />I agree with an underlying cause. There are a lot of things that can cause it. Even stomach problems that disallow the absorption up vitamins and minerals can cause a big problem. I do want to recommend that your doctor do a full hormone panel. It is possible that your estrogen levels are low ( that might explain why you had trouble conceiving ). &nbsp;I had a friend who had "old" ovaries. So she was in peri-menopause in her late 20s because she produced so little estrogen. They discovered this when she had trouble getting pregnant.&nbsp;<br /><br />I was told 2.5 weeks ago that in 12 months I had lost nearly 22% of my spinal bone mass ( due to anti cancer meds ). &nbsp;I was told to carry a backpack with some weights when I walk. They also told me to walk up and down the stairs alot and do yoga.<br /><br />Please keep searching for answers. &nbsp;And keep us updated. I was say a prayer.&nbsp;</div> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906697 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:23:15 +0000 Anonymous 906697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thistle I'm so sorry to hear this news. I don't know an awfull lot about the subject, but I am sure you would be ok to have another child. Have all the tests you are offered and get to the bottom of it. I'm sending ((hugs)) and thinking of you. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906571 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 02:45:28 +0000 deb 906571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also have osteoporosis that was diagnosed pre-menopausal. It was diagnosed after I broke my wrist.&nbsp;The medications out now really do help. Hang in there. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906529 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:44:41 +0000 lyn* 906529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm sorry to hear this, Thistle!&nbsp;<br /><br />Would it be possible to see the general endocrinologist (covered) first, to rule out common things (hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, etc) before seeing the bone endocrinologist if things don't start to improve? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906498 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 01:10:31 +0000 Sveta 906498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't have any advice, just wanted to say how sorry I am! Hopefully you will be able to deal with it. Hugs! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906476 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:52:30 +0000 Echo 906476@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so sorry. What shocking news for someone so young and otherwise healthy. I really hope they can determine why this is happening and come up with a plan of action to stop the loss and rebuild bone mass.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906475 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:52:27 +0000 Classically Casual 906475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Osteoporosis is scary no matter what one's age.&nbsp; I knew a woman in her 30's who fell &amp; shattered her wrist.&nbsp; That led to an osteoporosis dx.<br /><br />At any rate, while you're waiting for the appt., i strongly recommend getting serious about a weight resistance program.&nbsp; A good weight program can have the same or better results then some of the medications, without any of the side effects.<br /><br />Best to you.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906422 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:07:27 +0000 cinnamon fern 906422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thistle, ouch! &nbsp;I'm sure your specialist will be looking for an underlying cause at your age. &nbsp;This is easier said than done, but try not to freak out or start worrying about whether you can have a second child until you know what the cause is. &nbsp;It could easily turn out to be something fixable. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906419 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:06:31 +0000 Thistle 906419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no idea what to think yet. I am in disbelief mostly.</p> <p>My doctor is sending me to an endocrinologist. But my husband works in the field, and he wants me to see an endocrinologist that specializes in bones. He is not in our medical network, so will be really expensive. I have to decide what I want to do.</p> <p>I sit at a desk for a living, but I have been reasonably active most of my life. Before we started our family, DH and I went for regular walks, did yoga etc. nothing "hardcore" but active. We started weight lifting a year or so before we decided to start a family. Again, nothing "hardcore" but we have a nice free weight set, ball, step, and cable system. We were focusing on full body movement</p> <p>I have taken a multi vitamin all of my adult life, and I started taking calcium supplements along with vitamin D supplements when we started trying to have a baby.</p> <p>I had a really tough time having a baby, and I miscarried several times. i have no idea if that is a factor. i have nursed DD siince birth and exclusively for the first 6 months of her life. I am still nursing her. Not sure if this is a factor.</p> <p>No one can tell me anything as they haven't seen it before. Hence, seeing the specialist.</p> <p>It is pretty uncommon, and I am having a hard time finding reliable information. There is lots of information if you are post-menopause but I am not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906414 Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:01:05 +0000 Jules 906414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is shocking Thistle I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906397 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 23:44:15 +0000 Deborah 906397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Goodness Thistle, I can only imagine how you must be feeling. Will you get a second opinion? I am assuming that a repetitive strain injury has been ruled out? I will be praying for you xxxx </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906363 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:58:27 +0000 Caro in Oz 906363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sympathies. Great advice here already.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906360 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:55:00 +0000 Sheila 906360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am very much in sync with your sense of shock at this diagnosis...just last week I got some news from my MD that seems hard to believe. I am taking an optimistic approach and hoping that the specialist I will be seeing soon will have a more encouraging forecast. Good look, Miss Thistle, and be good to yourself, okay? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906318 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:30:43 +0000 Suz 906318@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thistle, I am so, so sorry to hear this. It's such a blow to get news like this. And you may need to do a bit of grieving.&nbsp;<br /><br />But there is much you can do to improve your bone health, no matter what the cause. It will be important, of course, to determine whether there is an underlying reason for this.&nbsp;<br /><br />Also, I don't think this means you can't have another child.&nbsp;<br /><br />Big hugs!!!! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906315 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:28:54 +0000 pil 906315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a shocker for you Thistle, I'm sorry. Not to make light, but is there any chance the tests were subjective enought that they aren't completely accurate? I read an interesting article not too long ago about the drug companies and bone density scanner placement in doctor's offices.</p> <p><a href="http://www.npr.org/2009/12/21/121609815/how-a-bone-disease-grew-to-fit-the-prescription" rel="nofollow">http://www.npr.org/2009/12/21/.....escription</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906305 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:15:44 +0000 texstyle 906305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Have you been checked for hypothyroidism?&nbsp; I have hypo but not osteo but I think I remember it being connected in some way. If you do get checked for hypothyroidism please be sure the doctor does a full thyroid panel, not just TSH which is almost useless without the other testing. An endocrinologist would be best for that test. An endo that prescribes Armour Thyroid (natural from animal source hormone) is even better IMO.<br /><br />They say that weight bearing exercise helps to build bone. I work out with free weights a couple times a week (not extremely hard, just basic exercises) and have&nbsp;on/off for the past 15 years. I also hike up/down hills for about 40 mins. a couple times a week.&nbsp;I hope I can fend it off. See what your doc says about this but maybe it would help. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/osteoporosis-and-not-yet-40#post-906248 Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:21:13 +0000 Diana 906248@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so sorry to hear this, Thistle!&nbsp; I agree with the others that it's probably good to rule out underlying causes, since osteoporosis is rare in people of your age.&nbsp; I do know that there are certain medications that can cause it (off the top of my head, I know Depo-Provera, a birth control shot, causes pretty severe bone loss) but the Dr. should have been monitoring bone density in those cases.&nbsp; <br /><br />Hope you can figure this out, and that medication/treatment will help.<br />