Today was our 4 month visit from our first visit with the pediatric endocrinologist. The breast bud has not increased so the doctor does not think there is early puberty happening, which is good. The increase in her breast tissue is just from the ovarian cysts leaking some estrogen. Abby weighed an amazing 19 lbs 8 ounces, no change from almost two months ago at her 21 month checkup, so that is disappointing. But the frustrating news is that the doctor was concerned about her length for her age. He felt that she might have growth hormone deficiency and that after she was 2, we should think about testing her for the deficiency and then treating her with growth hormone. If she did show up with a deficiency, she would have to have injections 6 days a week for 2-3 years. And there are other side effects, like hips popping out of place because of rapid growth, which would require surgery to fix, hypothyroidism because of the injections, and lastly, her fluid in her brain, called her Cerebrospinal Fluid, could increase rapidly and put pressure on her brain, which is not good and that opens up a whole other book of issues. So, I called my pediatrician who is awesome and knows how neurotic I am about my baby girl and we talked about a plan. I also mentioned how crappy her weight is and how my 22 month, almost 23 month old, still wakes up at least once a night saying she is hungry and she eats a snack and then goes back to bed. This happens despite Will and I stuffing her to the gills with as much food as she will eat and she eats great, but she still wakes up hungry. So, Dr. Thomas said to go ahead and start giving her a Pediasure a day to try and get more calories into her and then we will test her for more crazy syndromes for why she is not growing before we go down the road of Growth Hormone Deficiency and all that entails. Well, I gave Abby the first Pediasure, and tried Strawberry flavor and that did not go over well, but when I offered her Vanilla and she understood that she would not be getting anything else, she decided she would rather have the Strawberry than Vanilla, so she drank it.
Wish us luck that we will find out something so that we can help her gain more weight.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Abby Cadabby Update
Posted by Maegan at 9:32 PM
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4 comments:
Poor Maegan! Yeah, I'm not saying poor Abby b/c she could care less how much she weighs. (: I know I'm no expert, but is there any chance Abby is just really small for her age? If you were a lot taller than I'd be worried, but you're no giant!
Poor both of you! I'm sorry you've had to go through the stress of all this, Maegan.
I have a few suggestions for you. But you don't have to take my advice.
My doctor has given me a few good pointers on how to pack on the pounds on those little bodies. If a recipe calls for milk use whole milk or heavy whipping cream. Load them up on dairy products like ice cream, cheese, and yogurt. I reward my kids with ice cream and cookies for everything. You picked up a toy? You washed your hands? You didn't hit your sister after she hit you? Great let's have ice cream and cookies!
I could never get my kids to drink pedisure. My doctor suggested Carnation Instant Breakfast. Tons of calories in that one drink. I tell my kids it's chocolate milk.
I hope this is helpful and doesn't sound preachy. I'm sure you are doing everything you can think of to make your little woman gain a few extra pounds.
wow. i hooe you get some answers so that maybe something can be given to her to help. that must be so frustrating. i remember how frustrated my parents were before my sister was finally diagnosed with turner's syndrome.
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