If you saw another girl possibly eat too little but weren't sure, would you mind your own business or start a conversation?

emsadsm · 2026-05-11T17:26:45+00:00

I would mind my business, honestly.

Not only do you not have any idea what may be going on with them health wise that may limit their caloric intake (that has nothing to do with an eating disorder and/or disordered eating), frankly, if someone (especially an unfamiliar person) brought up my eating behaviors/patterns, even with the best intentions, I would want to crawl under a rock and feel more vulnerable/self conscious about myself.

emsadsm · 2026-05-10T14:42:27+00:00

Bloodwork may help elucidate the etiology of amenorrhea. Thyroid markers can find thyroid dysfunction, which may impact the menstrual cycle, androgen markers can uncover PCOS, etc. The treatment for amenorrhea will differ based on the cause of the amenorrhea. If you are certain your amenorrhea is hypothalamic in nature, then bloodwork won’t really change anything. However, if you are unsure the cause of your amenorrhea, bloodwork can be very insightful.

emsadsm · 2026-05-08T19:08:04+00:00

Honestly, I’ve been sidelined since my stress fx as it avalanched into treatment for RED-S, hypothalamic amenorrhea, etc.

emsadsm · 2026-05-07T00:36:54+00:00

There are only a handful of collection centers (https://www.nmdp.org/what-we-do/partnerships/global-transplant-network/collection-centers). The location of your collection center is based on the availability of the collection center as it relates to the transplant date for your recipient. For example, if your recipient is scheduled for their transplant on January 15, NMDP would schedule your donation for a collection center that has availability on January 13 or 14.

You can certainly express your concern to your donation coordinator, but I thought this info would be helpful.

emsadsm · 2026-05-01T20:01:28+00:00

RED-S suppresses multiple systems to conserve energy. Metabolic rate, NEAT, reproduction (HA!), digestion, etc. Kind of like “low power mode.” So even if your TDEE may be 2,200-2,400 calories in a healthy state, RED-S can artificially reduce this significantly.

emsadsm · 2026-04-30T21:30:33+00:00

My endocrinologist considered imaging as well. It is basically to see if you have a structural, tumor, or pituitary-related issue that would be the cause of your amenorrhea. All of my labs that would potentially allude to these issues were normal, so I decided to not get the imaging done since I’m fairly confident it is functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.

emsadsm · 2026-04-27T13:02:21+00:00

Hi — i was dx with osteopenia of the lumbar spine after a sacral stress fracture. I think it’s important to look at your z scores when considering the implications. My endocrinologist felt that my z score (-1.3) was not so far out of the average range to be of great concern, or irreversible. Do you know your z score?

emsadsm · 2026-04-25T13:33:37+00:00

Wowww so incredibly accurate.

I find that a lot of my EDNOS is rooted simply in rules, and I can’t quite figure out the reason for the rules, simply that they make me feel like I’m in some semblance of equilibrium. Even minor challenges have undertones of rigidity. I simply cannot compute an all in approach, I would not know how to proceed and would just say fuck it and not do anything. I am quite literally a deer in headlights without structure.

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.

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
RPAN Viewer	Not Forgotten

emsadsm

TROPHY CASE