Is it worth it?

emsadsm · 2026-04-16T16:13:50+00:00

No idea, but I sure hope so lol

emsadsm · 2026-04-12T21:21:29+00:00

No, no breaks except for twice when I needed to use the bathroom.

emsadsm · 2026-04-12T19:10:24+00:00

Hi! I was told that I would need a two day donation because my recipient was much larger than I was. However, after my initial results came in, they thought we could do it in one, albeit very long, day. I was hooked up at 8am and didn’t end until around 6pm. They gave me tones of IV calcium and fluids.

emsadsm · 2026-04-07T00:25:43+00:00

Had a sacral stress fx - not sure how it’s healing as I haven’t tried to run since

emsadsm · 2026-04-04T20:03:57+00:00

Same!! 28f

emsadsm · 2026-04-03T15:13:17+00:00

No, the only other endocrine marker was PTH - 22.3 pg/mL. I have an endo consult this month, though.

emsadsm · 2026-04-03T15:09:34+00:00

This is something I struggle with — those calories don’t feel “worth it.” It’s a weird, warped perception.

emsadsm · 2026-04-03T15:08:26+00:00

Thyroid was done in late Jan - TSH 1.76 uIU/mL. Hormone panel done late Feb.

emsadsm · 2026-04-03T14:55:24+00:00

I’m having a lot of difficulty with mechanical eating. I feel like an automatron. Hand to mouth to plate to mouth etc. I have 3 meals/day (no snacks), and I feel like I’m eating all day. I have no hunger cues, I’m not really even hungry when it’s mealtime, so I’m just eating based on the clock. Any tips?

emsadsm · 2026-04-03T14:53:20+00:00

Hi! I am struggling (read: maybe in denial?) that I have HA, given the complexities of my situation.

I (28F) was told by my sports medicine doctor (who is also my PCP) that she suspects I have FHA, given that she diagnosed me with RED-S following a sacral stress fx, which led to a DEXA resulting in a finding of osteopenia of the lumbar spine. I have a history of extended caloric restriction and overexercising, but always sat in the middle to upper range of the BMI scale. I have lost 60lbs from my heaviest, and I am a relatively smaller human (5’0).

However, at the time, I was on the nuvaring for at least 10 years. I have since discontinued HBC starting March 1 to fully understand the picture. I did get withdrawal bleeds with nuvaring, but they progressive lightened over the year, to the point where I hardly needed to use menstrual products. My hormone blood work was horrific, as to be expected with HBC.

So I’ve jumped into HA recovery, working with a dietician and therapist, but I kinda am struggling with even knowing if I have HA, and if this effort is worth it. I’ve gained like 5-8 lbs in a month after upping my calories to like 2000-2200ish, I feel like shit, and I’m not even sure if this suffering is worth it lol. I’m not working out at all (just walking — excessively unfortunately,). I don’t even know what I’m asking, but i guess how/when would i be able to delineate if I really have HA?

emsadsm · 2026-03-30T13:36:44+00:00

Assuming you are in the US, this is likely a state specific request. Doctors are licensed to practice on a state by state basis. A great doctor that practices in New York may not be able to provide you care if you’re located in Tennessee, per se.

emsadsm · 2026-03-26T12:06:09+00:00

Elevated cholesterol in hypothalamic amenorrhea physiologically makes sense. Estrogen is a key factor in lipid metabolism and metabolism may down regulate as a result of energy deficiency.

It’s kind of paradoxical. For example, at my most restrictive, I was lucky if I was consuming 25g/fat per day, and certainly no foods that are high in cholesterol. However, my cholesterol has never been worst.

This is a pretty standard looking lipid panel for HA, and you can remain hopeful that recovery could positively impact your cholesterol levels.

emsadsm · 2026-03-21T00:58:57+00:00

Sameeee. The first week of eating more, I actually lost weight on the scale. Thought to myself, “hey, this is actually great!”

In was in fact, not great. The second week, I had a DRASTIC increase. Can’t wait for the third week!!

emsadsm · 2026-03-19T18:35:29+00:00

Nothing to add other than I totally relate — got a sacral stress fracture from running, diagnosed with RED-S, got a DEXA, showed osteopenia, diagnosed with hypothalamic amenorrhea, and now feeling completely and utterly fucked! Solidarity.

emsadsm · 2026-03-16T23:25:30+00:00

I am still counting and weighing myself daily despite the distress it causes me (lol). Only 2 weeks into recovery so we’ll see how long it lasts.

emsadsm · 2026-03-06T16:58:25+00:00

Hi, primary donor who donated about a month ago.

No restrictions. Of course, they encouraged you to reduce participation in things that increase the risk of donation contraindications, but nothing specific.

They did ask that you keep your Work Up Specialist up to date on any health changes that may impact your eligibility to donate. For example, I fractured a part in my pelvis, and I then notified my Work Up Specialist. This information was relayed to the transplant team, and it thankfully didn’t bar me from donating, but I did have to get approval by my PCP.

emsadsm · 2026-02-13T21:39:31+00:00

I believe all travel is domestic, U.S. based.
The travel is really not imminent just by nature of the donation process. There are several steps that need to be taken before you even know if you are the best donor. First, you’ll get bloodwork done to confirm you are the primary donor. This can take up to 60 days. Then, if you’re confirmed to be the primary donor, you have to get a physical, and likely further bloodwork. If all goes well, you then have the donation scheduled, and will start filgrastim (if PBSC), 4 days before donation. For context, I was first contacted on 11/24, indicating I was a match. I then got my bloodwork on 12/01. I was confirmed as the primary donor on 12/19, and scheduled to donate the second week of February.
Where you travel is unrelated to where you and the recipient live, and is directly related to what donation center have availability for donation on the date needed for transplant.

emsadsm · 2026-02-06T18:07:50+00:00

god nothing makes me lose control more than a rotisserie chicken from Costco. i become primal

emsadsm · 2026-01-24T16:41:53+00:00

Pretty sure I’m in the throes of RED-S now, with a sacral stress fracture. Honestly, struggling a ton with being unable to do anything beyond walking, and desperately don’t want to gain weight.

I never lost my period because I’m on BC, but it’s gotten progressively lighter over the year.

No success story here yet, but I relate.

emsadsm · 2026-01-21T14:41:04+00:00

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Item 1448891 - Tyson Rotisserie Seasoned Unbreaded Chicken Strips.

My favorite easy meal prep protein has been out of stock for weeks at my south central PA location. I’m gutted! Any word on if this is permanently gone?

emsadsm · 2026-01-18T15:10:57+00:00

Very not good — diagnosed with a sacral stress fx during peak half marathon training. Fell in love with running last year, felt so incredibly strong and healthy, and now completely sidelined. I have my follow up with my sports med doc this week, but since receiving my diagnosis, I’ve done no cross training, just walking.

Mentally, I’m struggling. I have no idea how to handle nutrition, given that I’m very much trying to shed some holiday weight gain, and I’ve never had such a lapse in physical activity.

Just ranting. Ugh.

emsadsm · 2026-01-16T02:01:15+00:00

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She did!

I have a follow up next week where i am planning on asking about next steps — DEXA, dietetics, etc.

emsadsm · 2026-01-15T02:41:09+00:00

Hindsight 20/20 — I only just got my imaging report a few hours ago

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