Re: age at which a child has started growth hormone treatments

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat,

Thank you fro the response it looks as if my son is about the same

weight and height as ,(and age) here is my next question: does not

have a feeding tube, the dr that we see felt did not require one , feeding

has never been an issue for , he always eats non stop but as you know does

not gain a signifiacant amount of weight so with that, at what age did

start GHT and if he has started was your insurance company hard to get

them

to approve of the GHT?

Any feedback would be wonderful, thanks again.

Trish Colleary

begaytr@...

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

It is my understanding that you need to make sure that your son has

completed his caloric catch up before starting GHT. GHT can increase your

son's growth velocity by 1.5-2 times. He needs to be able to increase his

weight gain at the same rate.

Dr H seemed to feel that had completed his caloric catch-up, when

his growth flat-lined while his weight kept increasing.

As per Dr H, we use a syringe, and Inject-ease, with . She said that

she feels that you can attain better dosage control with a syringe, than you

can with the pen.

Personally, I really had a hard time with the thought of using a syringe.

Thanks to some super friends, and a lot of support, I have gotten over my

aversion to the needle! LOL We've been giving his shots since the

end of July, and I have to say that it's easier than I ever thought it would

be. It has become just another part of B's evening routine.

Hope this helps

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 33 months, 22.5#, 31.8 " , G-Tube)

[Guest guest]

Trish - I would recommend that you get the library log of medical

articles from MAGIC, and read through the ones pertaining to RSS/SGA

kids and growth hormone. That will give you the most information.

You can call them at 800-3MAGIC3 and just ask them to mail you the

RSS/SGA library log.

In general, growth hormone is not started until after 2 years of

age. The most effective way of administering GH is either through a

needle or the pen (the pen has a needle of course). Either method

works. Most studies have found that proper dosing, earlier than

later age, and 7 days a week work the best. Variances off of this

don't cancel out the effectiveness of GHT, just weaken the

effectiveness.

Salem

>

> hello

> my twin son who is 2yrs. 8months old was diagnosed with RSS

approx.

> 6 months ago and I was wondering when is it usually given the okay

> to start growth hormone treatments with children and what has been

> found to be the most effective way of aministering the hormone

> shot , with a needle or with a epiclick pen?

>

> Any response would gladly be appreciated.

>

> Thank you

>

> Trish Colleary

> begaytr@a...

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

has a feeding tube because he has never been a good eater, not from

day one. He developed a severe oral aversion, and without the g-tube, we

would have lost him. Not all RSS children need feeding tubes, but it seems

that all of them need more calories than normal to gain and grow.

started on GHT at the end of July this year. Dr H felt he had

completed his caloric catch up around his second b-day in Dec, but getting

started with the endo here was a little difficult. He didn't have a problem

with putting on GHT, but he refused to do the tests that Dr H

recommended. We insisted on the tests, and the arguments ensued. We are now

working with a nurse practitioner in the endo office, instead of the endo

himself, and it's working out much better for us.

is on Medicaid, and we had no problem getting the GHT paid for in

full. A blessing! They are also paying for a third year (almost unheard of)

of Synergis shots, which was a surprise. He begins those this month.

Hope this helps!

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 33 months, 22.5#, 31.8 " , G-Tube)