Are you using Growth Hormone?

[Guest guest]

We are trying to decide whether to start our 6 year old son with RSS

on Growth Hormone. What have been your experiences?

[Guest guest]

> We are trying to decide whether to start our 6 year old son with

RSS

> on Growth Hormone. What have been your experiences?

We started using GH on our son about 3 months ago and already he has

grown 1 inch and gained one pound. His appetite dramitically

increased. It's no longer a chore to get him to eat his dinner and

after he eats he says " I'm still hungry! " Before GH he never even

said he was hungry!

We administer his GH shot in the evening while he is sleeping. We

give it in the buttocks and he has no clue he is getting it.

Eventually, as he gets older, he'll learn that he gets the shot. But

right now the nighttime shots while he's sleeping work for us.

I think that GH was a great choice for us. I was nervous to do it at

first, but in looking back, I wish I would have started them sooner.

Good luck in making your decision. Hope my info. helped you.

[Guest guest]

Our son, Jake has been on growth hormones for a year now. We are

very happy with our decision to place him on this drug. He is

finally on the growth chart for height (5th percent as of October)

for the first time in his life. Jake was extremely short, even for

RSS....he was full term and his length was only 14 1/2 inches, so

for him this is a huge achievement.

Jake has been extremely healthy this past year, he is stronger and

his appetite is better than ever. He is on a feeding pump all

night, then wakes up and says he is hungry. The only negative is

that it is one more " medical " thing we have to do for him each day,

but honestly he is our only child and we don't know any

differently. Hey isn't it normal to give your child two oral

medications twice a day, hook him up to a feeding tube at night and

give him an injection as well?...............Ha! Ha!

But seriously, we are very happy with his progress while being on gh

and the minor inconvenience is nothing, compared to the health

benefits.

Alison

> We are trying to decide whether to start our 6 year old son with

RSS

> on Growth Hormone. What have been your experiences?

[Guest guest]

Just finding time to check in and saw your email.

Personal Note: Our daughter has been on GH for 3 yrs and 3 months.

Went from not on the growth charts in height or weight, to now being

at the 65%th percentile in height and 25th percentile in weight.

(My husband is 6'4 " and I am 5'4 " so 's target height is

5'7.5 " which is the 75th percentile). has had no problems,

and within a week, I could give her the shot in my sleep. Traveling

is a bit harder (it has to be kept cold) but we deal. We give

her injection at night when she is asleep, primarily because

then there is no excuse to skip it.... we have only missed about 5

shots in 3.3 years. I know I would miss many more if it was at

bedtime..... has also blossomed in self confidence. Her

BMI has increased, her muscle mass has increased and she is

definitely not sick as often. She is, however, more prone to

hypoglycemia (side effect of GHT while on GHT but goes away after

GHT is discontinued).

On a separate " professional " note, I was just about to post an email

about the 50+ medical journal articles I just have been reading --

the latest studies on GHT and RSS/SGA kids are INCREDIBLY positive.

I was shocked! If these articles had been around 3 years ago, it

would have made our decision a lot easier.

That being said, this is a tough decision, and not every family will

choose to use GHT, and not every family should! I wish you the

best. Watch for my other posting.

Salem

> We are trying to decide whether to start our 6 year old son with

RSS

> on Growth Hormone. What have been your experiences?

[Guest guest]

Hello-

Sorry I am replying so late to your question but I haven't checked

the site very much lately. My son Dominic began GHT when he was 3

and he is now 4.4 years. It has been a very positive experience b/c

his " growth rate " has increased a great deal. Dr. H was not pleased

with the first 6 months of growth but was very pleased with the

second six months.

The first few shots were a battle but now he takes them like a

trooper, doesn't cry at all. He accepts it as a part of his nightly

routine. Actually he reminds us if he thinks we have forgotten to

give him the shot. We have him count each time he gets the shot. He

is now learning to count starting at 15 and ending at 20. So, that's

just a little added bonus. We have not had any side-effects which is

a relief.

I am glad that you are taking your time to make the decision, which

ever one you make, you will still have the support of the group.

F.

> We are trying to decide whether to start our 6 year old son with

RSS

> on Growth Hormone. What have been your experiences?