Helping others with Growth Hormone Deficiency

Posting from "The Editor" (aka: Mom):

Below is an email I sent to a parent whose 3 sons, all age 13, will be starting growth hormone therapy.  I am so proud of Samantha's strength, courage, and interest to share her experience with others, and that in the process, she is positively impacting both children and adults.

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Dear *****,

I am so glad to hear that all 3 of your sons have been accepted to take growth hormone therapy and that Samantha's journey was helpful as you and your family made this decision. I wish I knew of someone who had a child who had gone through the process of testing and thereafter taking HGH when I was making this decision. Some of my friends told me that they felt I shouldn't allow Samantha to be on the medication, and that was extremely challenging for me to digest as I weighed our options.

Samantha started taking the medication about 7 weeks ago. In that time her body has already changed in size and structure. Not only has she grown, her body itself has changed shape. HGH will decrease body fat and increase muscle mass. Samantha had several of the traditional side-effects / symptoms of someone who suffers from growth hormone deficiency. It is amazing how quickly the medication can begin to work.

My understanding is that there are 4 pharmaceutical companies which provide HGH, Nutropin being one of them (that's what Samantha takes.) The difference I have been told about them is only the manner in which the medication is dispensed; the medication itself is the same (somatropin.)

Samantha's medication is in a "pen."  She dials on the left the dosage and the medicine is in the clear area on the right. She reuses the pen until there is no more medication in it. The needle is put on before each use and disposed of after she takes the shot. It is a "twist cap" needle and is easy to put on and take off. In just a few weeks of taking the medication it became a regular part of her routine. 

As always, I hope I can support you as you start this journey. It is one I personally feel is a life-changing experience for both the child and the parent in so many ways. Spencer (our almost 8-year old son) has become involved as well; he usually helps Samantha get her shot set up and is with her when she takes it. He has been so supportive.

My relationship with Samantha has changed since we have began this process. We have become closer than we already had been, and are learning together as a family. 

I look forward to hearing more about how your sons were approved as all I heard were stories of denial and appeals. It is good to know insurance and drug companies are approving children who indeed need this medication.

Samantha's blog, which she is trying to keep up writing on even with school starting, has several postings about the stages of when she began taking her shots. Maybe the posts will be helpful for you and/or your sons to read about her experience thus far.

It's nice to personally know of other children and families going through a similar experience. Samantha is always available to talk to your sons if they want to know more about her daily routine.