Re: Played the waiting game again, and for what?

[Guest guest]

Well, first of all, the steroids used/abused in sports are anabolic

steroids, and the steroids given to our kids are corticosteroids. They

are completely different. Google this subject and get on a reputable

website and you will get a wealth of information, which should help. I

say this as a nurse, who works in the toxicology and pharmaceutical

field, and also as someone who has a 21 year old son with . He's

only had one dose of prednisone, since he was recently diagnosed this

past summer after a 13 year break from cyclical fevers after a

tonsillectomy at age 5. There are certainly risks to long term

corticosteroid use, and for some small children who have these febrile

episodes frequently, it is a concern which is real. I guess there are

more questions than answers, and of course you know this. For my

own personal situation, my son is older and his episodes come and go;

he might have one a month for 3 or 4 months then a 4 or 5 month break.

I don't fear giving him 5 or 6 doses a year. For me, it is a risk

benefit thing. If giving him prednisone allows him to go to class, or

take a final, or play a hockey game, then it is a good thing, for him.

No doubt there are other opinions, which is why having a board like

this is good. A doctor friend of mine often tells me, we just don't

know sometimes. So you collect the data, ponder it and then take

action which you feel is the best for your child. That's all we can

do. Best of luck to you

Barb