Growth hormones

[1forsorrow2forjoy]

Has anyone got experience of their children having growth hormone injections? My DS started them this week and is struggling. He says they sting and is screaming and crying about the injections. I can't cope with having him so upset for the next few years

My ds had them for six months last year. He said they did hurt and his thigh ached for a day or so after. He does have a high pain threshold but he didn't like it.

He says it is as the hormones go in that they hurt. It is fine after and the jab itself doesn't hurt. I know the needle is ok as I have been jabbed by needles whilst persuading him more times than I care to remember just lately!

My daughter has been on it for 13 years.

Have you tried doing it once he’s asleep? We use her tummy rather than legs as it stings less.

Can I ask what made you decide to have them? We’ve been having investigations into why our ds is shorter than he should be. He’s nearly 6. Our consultant gave us a choice this week - watch and wait or go ahead with growth hormone tests. We decided watch and wait.
How did you decide or was it not really a choice? Thanks

Yes my ds said the same. The nurse advised it's because the hormone is so thick. No advice to offer but mine did get use to it. Hope yours does aswell

Yes, my son has been on it for 4 years from age 4. In the beginning it was just as bad as you describe. It took months for him to be ok with me doing it. Then at some point it became smooth sailing. Then for a long while he did them himself. Then again, flipped back to wanting me to do it, which i did and he never complained. Eventually he was happy to try it again himself. He does it himself now.

It's upsetting in the beginning for sure, but share the pain with him, just help him ride it out, he will improve.

Shutityoutart my son had regular check ups due to his height. He started the injections when he was 14. It was his decision and a small amount to kick start puberty. He was given the option to wait and see or have 6 months injections and that's what he chose.

My son is now 13 and has borderline growth hormone deficiency. He is so small and his brother has got taller than him.
I'm so disappointed the consultant was over ruled by her boss and he doesn't receive them. It's interesting reading this although I'm sorry your dc are suffering.

youaremysunshine thankyou , the consultant said to us that his gut feeling is that ds will have a surge in puberty like his half brother did. He’s grown 4cm since December but is still on the small side.

My ds is 8 and has been told he won't grow much above 5ft if he doesn't have hormones. It was ultimately their decision and amidst the tears does keep saying 'but I want to grow big' but it is hard. It's good to know that they can get used to them though

We have days worse than others. My son has been on them since may. I find the colder it is the more it hurts. Some nights you can see he is hurt but other nights not so much.
I find if I can encourage him to relax a bit more it's easier.

You might find it helpful to join the Child Growth Foundation facebook parent forum. Lots of parents on the forum have
helpful advice.

I have heard that some of them sting more than others. My son is nearly 4 and has been on GH for 15 months with no pain.

Can I ask how tall your kids are to start growth hormones? Mine is 13 and about 4' tall...

Not got any experience of growth hormone injections but lots of experience with injections in children. Would something like this help www.tickleflex.com or this buzzy4shots.co.uk? Additionally, putting an ice lolly like a Calipo over the injection site to numb it and letting them eat the lolly afterwards can be a good technique. Also, are they daily? Also my son uses EMLA cream for an insertion that he does weekly although not for the one he does every two or three days (and wouldn't have done when he was on six or seven injections a day because of the pure faff involved).

The Child Growth Foundation also have parent/child links so it might help him to meet other children his age having the injections. They do annual conferences too. definitely to them for some support; you can call them direct too, I’m sure they will help and advise x

Dd (9) has had them for nearly two years. She stopped growing. Some definitely hurt more than others. Also if the site is bruised from previous times. She really has got better with time. Keep persevering. Good luck

Onto the 3rd week and we are still having screaming fits every night

Has he talked to any other children that have the injections? That might help. Try child growth foundation. Lots of kids have been through the same at the start.