Height, again - for everyone this time.

[PaigesMom]

I am very interested in hearing all of your opinions on this, as I weigh it over in my own mind. The deal is, I do nothing, or use Lupron to DELAY puberty and allow her own growth hormone to allow her to continue to grow until 4'10 and then take her off so she goes thru puberty and hits an adult height of 4'11 or 5'.

I understand height is not the end of the world, however my physicians are saying for health reasons (obesity) and to be able to participate in sports, etc., they feel strongly I should give her the best shot to get to 4'11".

Thanks!

[Jessie]

There are plenty of 'short' people that are not obese. There are plenty of 'short' people who play regular sports (and Special Olympics doesn't have a height requirement either) . . . so in my opinion, I wouldn't mess with her natural growth . . . but that's just my personal choice.

Good luck with your decision, it sounds like you are really struggling with this one.


Jessie

[momofrussell]

Can you explain again what your trying to decide? I can't quite understand from your poll... sorry!

A,.

[carolyn]

I kind of hesitated about responding to this, but since other's have I guess I will. I am well under 5ft. tall- about 4"10". So far my daughters who are 17 and 16 are 5' and 4'9" respectively. My non- ds son is on track to be about 5'6 or 5'7" and my ds kid? who knows. He's not going to be tall that's for sure. None of us are over- weight but certainly we can't put food like a person who is 6ft. tall. We do have a harder time finding clothes that fit and flatter- who doesn't? I have had doctors suggest growth hormones for my daughters and I found a new doctor. I do not believe it makes one bit of difference how tall you are, it's who you are. Do you really think she will be happier if she is 5ft tall instead of 4'9? I implore you to ask youself this and figure out why height seems to be of concern to you. Honestly, I mean this sincerely- as a short person I do really wonder.

[faithhope]

I for one am absolutely against using any kind of drug when at all not necessary. I may be wrong or upsetting some people in the medical field, but I truly think that it is all about the money. God designed us to be a certain height. WE can't all be the same. Who knows what kinds of health problems could arise from taking the drug. Maybe all the side effects are not even listed or known.
I think that we need to just be very aware of feeding our children a healthy diet, Ds or not.
Good luck in your decision.

[faithhope]

Oops forgot to add, but I am passionate about this one. It drives me crazy that doctors try to be God! Nobody can tell us who our children are going to be, KWIM ;D That is up to you and God ;D

[CC]

Its pretty common for ones with DS to be on the short side. K, I forget did you mention on the DS chart for her age where she is?

I myself am 5'2" and not obese and I am considered short. Chris is actually a fraction taller then me and NO way is he obese. BTW my aunt who happens to be the most adorable woman on this earth is like 4'9" and NO way and I mean NO way is obese, actually she is very very thin so I am not sure the Docs are right on that

But I did vote you should hear them out, I am one that believes in getting all the facts before one can decide.

Best of Luck with what ever you decide

CC~

[Kristin]

We're working with an endocrinologist right now, and we're less concerned about height and more concerned about bone density (osteoporosis) and muscle density. I'd go and hear the endocrinologist out, and perhaps ask about other options. We're not delaying puberty, but looking at growth hormones. The doctor said that due to the new synthetics, there are few side effects.

[PaigesMom]

Hello and thank you all for your comments.

Carolyn - I am not concerned about her height. In fact, I never gave it a second thought until the endocrinologist said something about it. They are under the impression that she will have a more healthful and productive life if she is taller. According to them 4'7" tall as an adult is not healthy, even for a person who has DS and will be generally shorter. This all new to me and I'm trying to process it and figure it all out!

Kristin - now that is just the opposite of what mine told me. He said he would not do growth hormones, but delay puberty instead. He said growth hormones have alot of nasty side effects and health risks, so better to allow her to use her own growth hormones to grow.

A. - I'll send you an email.....

Thanks again!!!!

[Chris too]

I won't vote the poll, but I do want to add my opinion. I'm short (5'1") and am right about normal for my family. I'm not in the least bit overweight, nor are most of my family. Those who tend toward being overweight in my family (extremely few) do so by lifestyle choices - they eat a poor diet and are sedentary. So I am extremely skeptical of any claim that height is a factor in obesity. I only mention this because of the other comments on that front on this thread.

There are great ways to use diet and meal/exercise timing that help a person to increase her own production of HGH. I'd try those first. Have a look at Jillian's book Master Your Metabolism - it's loaded with advise on that front.

All that said, supplemental HGH has been proved to be effective for all sorts of health issues - when taken under a responsible doctor's close scrutiny and care. It can decrease visceral fat while improving muscle building; it can strengthen bones; it's clearly good stuff with few side effects if taken properly. There is also nothing morally wrong, imo, about improving your body for easier living. People do it all the time - women take drugs/herbs/hormones to help them through PMS and menopause; many of us chuck down a pot or more of coffee a day; the herbal supplement business is booming, not to mention the many remedies out their to support joint health and those for heartburn/acid reflux. Honestly, the equivocating over the various artificial methods for improving our lives is rather absurd. It is simply wrong for us to say that Lasik eye surgery is okay, but HGH therapy under the care of a responsible endocrinologist is not. We are straining at gnats here.

My best advise: pray about it.

PS - I did end up voting

[Chris too]

One more thing. Watch this movie - in it the narrator goes through similar questions: www.biggerstrongerfasterthemovie.com/

You can watch it instantly on Netflix if you do that sort of thing

[PaigesMom]

Hi Guys - thanks again. Chris, thank you.....
That being said, I think there is alot of confusion about my question to you all. This has nothing to do with HGH - at all. I am not considering giving her HGH. This is about delaying puberty so SHE continues to make her own HGH. Once girls get their period, they only have about another 1-2 inches of growth. The doctor was suggesting that I DELAY puberty because:

A. She will grow taller
B. She may not be emotinally ready for it....

I hope that clears up and does not cause more confusion!!!

[Jackie]

Let us know what you decide to do.

Jackie

[carolyn]

I have never heard that girls only grow 1- 2 inches after starting their period. I am not doubting this, just curious if this is true?

I don't think you can make the wrong decision for your daughter as you are her #1 fan who I am sure only wants the best for her. I was just questioning your assumptions about height and quality of life. Thanks for making things clearer!

[cmedrano99]

WOW... what a topic. Courtney (15yrDS) started her period at 11yr and did fine with it! She was 4ft 6in then I think. She is now at 15yr and stands 4ft 11in. Do I think she will get much taller nope. I think she may hit 5ft.. but not holding my breath!
My middle son is 11yr(DS) and he already 4ft 10in and still growing! There dad is 6ft 6in and I am 5ft9in. Courtney always been a sickly child on constant steriods I think that has elayed her growth. Dayton is healthier and assume he will be tallest.
Our baby boy is adopted and both his parents are 5ft9in and ummm he BEYOND smallest thing I seen in a LONG TIME! We been to 2 endro and heading for a 3rd now. I do not think he needs hormons to grow.. he will be small but dont wanna put meds in his body that dont need to be. Joshua is 7yr yr old and 36inches tall and weigh 26lbs. He still not walking thank goodness he small enough I can tote. The reason we going to 3rd endro now.. get one closer to home.. as thee other 2 are 3 1/2 hrs away.

Everyone has a choice and no will has to know why or whynot you make the choice!!!
IT is nice to hear others opionion but pray and decided what best for you and your child!

Good Luck!