Guest guest Posted January 10, 2000 Report Share Posted January 10, 2000 Hi everyone, Boy is this list quite. I am happy to say that the flu has flown by our house. It took about 8-10 days to get outta here but it's pretty much gone. Spencer is feeling much better but mom here is still dragging her feet quite a bit. I remember that I was going to post some side effects of chronic steroid use. I can't find the email that Spencer's doctor wrote that contained a lot of information on steroids, but these are the big things that I remember. 1. Stunt in growth 2. Cataracts 3. Hip and joint problems (Mainly hip) 4. Thin and brittle bones 5. Hypoglycemia 6. Pituitary glad shutting almost completely down 7. In the event of any type of trauma (Even high fever 103 or so and above, surgery, accident, broken bones etc) Double or triple the amount of steroids are needed to be given in order for the body to function without serious harm. This presents a problem if the child is in an accident and one of the parents are not around or the parents are also involved. I would recommend either a medical band or paper in the car and house letting whom ever know how much and for how long the person has been on steroids. 8. Steroid weight, (Spencer never seems to gain weight from this)bloated stomach and cheeks 9. Increase in appetite 10. Terrible problem in healing from surgeries and broken bones Spencer has experienced all except cataracts, increase in appetite but we still need to get his eyes checked. When on steroids chronically (our) doctor recommends a yearly check up with an eye doctor and orthopedic doc for evaluation of the bones. I am sure there are a lot more that I missed, but these are some of the bigger more often seen side effects of steroids. Anyone add some that I haven't listed...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2000 Report Share Posted January 14, 2000 - One other thought is bugging me to share with you. Of course, steroids will eliminate the symptoms but can't be used in high doses long term. If Dan's symptoms can be controlled on intermittent steroids (several times a year), then this may be an alternative for him. If he can be rendered asymptomatic on very small doses (<10mg a day) this also might be an alternative. However, if it turns out that he can't make it without the steroids, it looks like his only option would be where we are. I dont think he's tried an elemental diet (as opposed to an elimination diet) yet has he? How does he feel about being tube fed? Are his symptoms severe enough (in his mind) to justify this? He might find (as we have after the fact) that it is a relief to be able to not be hungry and not have to hurt -- It would also be interesting to hear his comments on the list from him. i would appreciate the opportunity to speak to him about his symptoms with IEE -- I dont think I've ever spoken to anyone else with my disease (or the similar strictures it sounds like we have) that was above the age of 10. Steph. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2000 Report Share Posted January 14, 2000 Judy, My feet just grew after I had Spencer!!! Weird eh? Re: [eosinophilic gastroenteritis] Steroids Interesting... I wonder if it will turn out that this treatment is more effective only for the younger patients with IEE? Fortunately, prednisone therapy works. I am VERY impressed that Dan is so BIG. Obviously, his disease did not keep him from GROWING!!! LOL My oldest would give his eye teeth to be that tall and big! My husband is over 6' and over 200 lb and I think would have liked to have been closer to that size; we have often wondered if his small stature is the result of his IEE. Good luck. He'll feel better on the prednisone. Steph. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2000 Report Share Posted January 14, 2000 My feet grew too and my belly never shrunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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