Update on the HGH and Hudson (what do you think)
By Amber
@AmbiePam (96485)
United States
June 14, 2024 2:22pm CST
So some of you might remember Hudson (my nephew with fetal alcohol syndrome), and how I talked about the doctor bringing up HGH because he is behind in growth due to his birth mother being an alcoholic. The doctor brought it up hesitantly because Hudson will probably have to live with family his entire life (HGH will NOT, we have been told by docs, make his brain”okay”), so wouldn’t we want him to grow naturally, and be a smaller size (doctor’s words)? Most of you who responded were pro HGH.
Well, it seems my sister (with her husband’s agreement) is dead set on getting him on HGH, even if it makes caring for him tougher as she gets older. So what is the holdup? The doctor doesn’t think my sister realizes how hard it will be. So even though she (the doctor) brought it up, she now doesn’t want to do it. They sought a second opinion, and that doctor felt the same way. Their options on doctors are limited due to his insurance, and how many doctors treat his issues).
But they do not know my sister! If the only objection is not to make it hard on them, she ain’t having it. She wants him to have every opportunity to live how he would have had his birth mother not been irresponsible.
So we’ll see what happens. I’m not sure how they’ll manage because my sister’s back is bad, and my BIL has terrible knees, but on the other hand, even if being on disability (anyone going to object to HIM being on disability?) doesn’t pay for extra help, my BIL makes good money. If they are diligent in saving they should be able to afford extra help even when they retire.
What do you guys think? I think the doctor is overstepping.Oh, the picture is of him in his Hawaiian vacation shirt. They are going on a cruise in October (kids are free), and he wanted something special for the trip. 
23 people like this
17 responses
@1creekgirl (42854)
• United States
15 Jun
Hudson 's such a handsome young fella!
I don't know anything about HGH, but I can understand your sister and BIL wanting to give him every chance in life.
I thought Snowy had a good idea to talk not only to doctors, but also other parents who experienced similar situations.
That sweet boy and his parents are in my prayers for wisdom and guidance from God.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (52116)
• United States
14 Jun
That’s a big decision. Hopefully they can get all of the information they need to decide.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (52612)
• Canada
15 Jun
I have a nephew who had this therapy.
He was probably older than Hudson at that time though.
He was a teenager, of 14 or 15, and just so short and small that it made sense to get him growing.
I remember he experienced alot of pain in his legs when he started on the hormones, but there was no turning by by that time.
It is a very personal, or in this case, family, decision to make. I do not think that anyone, including a doctor can make that decision for someone else.
Your sister and brother-in-law are very compassionate and caring parents, I cannot see them entering into this without having done their research. And in the middle of the night if Hudson wakes with leg pains, it will be them that he calls out for, not the doctor.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (96485)
• United States
15 Jun
So well said, Julia. And you know, the leg pain is definitely something to be concerned about. He already has psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. He’s on medication that has all but eliminated his pain (except for if he walks a lot, thus his medical stroller). Would they want to put him through that, even if temporary?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472507)
• Switzerland
15 Jun
I do not know enough, but in my opinion this is a "family decision", it's not up to the doctor to decide, Huston is not her son and your sister and her husband are the two who must take the best decision for him.
I am sure your sister has already researched and she knows what to expect and I am sure they have also carefully evaluated the financial situation.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83084)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jun
Something I know nothing about but plenty of support and information online,
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2017/1015/p515.html
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (83084)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Jun
@AmbiePam lot's of info there hope it might help you understand it better
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (184346)
• United States
15 Jun
I don't have enough information to comment; and I certainly would not be qualified to express an opinion. Hudson is a fine looking young man; and I hope the best decision is made for him.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (75996)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jun
The doctor could also be concerned about quality of life, and what could happen to him in the long term. Especially if should happen to your brother-in-law and sister. I have a sister, who required 24/7 care because she was severaly brain damaged. She can't really fuction beyond that of a two-year-old and can't walk. My family had been caring for her, but in the last few years, my family have been dropping like flies. So, I don't know what happened to her or where she is now. I suspect soon, I'll be reading about the passing of my other family members, too.
Plus, like with anything, the quality of life for this kid might not be as great, if he's on the hgh. As it could have unintended side effects they can't plan for. So.... at the end of the day it's your family that needs to decide, but I can understand the doctor's perspective. Especially if your relying on medicare/medicaid. The risk of law suits for this kind of thing is high.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (75996)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Jun
@AmbiePam It's okay. But, that's why I can say that I can see it from both sides. The doctors may be over stepping, that's also a possibility. But, it's also their job to look over their patient's well-being. And, side effects aside, a caregiver's abbility to care for their charge is also a concern. I am fortunate that George is largely independant, and most of my duties include things I normally do as a house wife. Prior to his stroke, he left it up to me to orgnize our schedule. I also pay the bills online, too. So it's not like I'm being put out. He's asked me for help sometimes, but not often.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36496)
• Philippines
15 Jun
I don't have any experience on his situation but I do hope that your sister is well too.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (112915)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Jun
Without being right there I can't say. Since you say he will always need care I do feel staying smaller would help.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83986)
• United States
17 Jun
Hudson looks like he's ready for vacation with his Hawaiian shirt.
I don't know anything about HGH but it sounds like your sister and BIL wouldn't make a hasty decision without considering all that is ahead.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (96485)
• United States
17 Jun
It’s really hard to explain his condition to people. He understands what you’re saying and carries on conversations. But if a stranger told him to come with him because his mom wanted him, he’d go with the stranger despite my sister trying to teach him otherwise. He can speak a good bit of Spanish, but doesn’t get the concept of money. It’s a tricky disease he has.
@AmbiePam (96485)
• United States
14 Jun
He is. It’s hard to get him to eat, and he has gastrointestinal issues due to the FAS. So he’s partly fed through a tube in his stomach. He’s made progress because he eats orally half the time, but it is still a struggle. He’ll be 9 in September, but he’s the size of a 7 year old.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (186476)
• United States
14 Jun
I don't know enough about his situation to comment really.Maybe your sister could consult with someone in a similar situation if she can find them. Facebook has a lot of specific groups.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (186476)
• United States
14 Jun
@sabtraversa Yes, but not sure how many of them would involve special needs kids and HGH. There may be some groups that are about HGH or FAS which he has.
1 person likes this
