I guess I should have posted this in the student section because I am not yet a nurse.
I am getting there, though! I am sorry if this message is too long.
My 8 year old daughter has had under arm odor since about 5 years old. She started developing pubic and underarm hair at around 7 years old. I called her pediatrician and he
said not to worry. He told me to monitor the hair under her arms because that was more of
an indication of the onset of her menstruation than the pubic hair. Since the hair under her
arms was very faint, I didn't worry too much but her pubic hair became very thick. About a
month ago, I took my daughter in for a sick visit. I asked the female pediatrician to take a
look at her because it just didn't seem normal to me. Well, she was immediately concerned,
she chastised me for letting my daughter go a year w/o having this checked out. I informed her that I had spoken to another doctor who told me not to worry. It was even brought up during her check-up but the other doctor didn't think she exhibited any signs of abnormality.
We had a bone age done and saw an endocrinologist. The endocrinolgist did an examination and told us everything was normal. He said he wouldn't even bother to schedule a follow-up appointment because she would be fine. She probably wouldn't start her menstruation before the age of 12. While he was extremely nice, and talked to us in everyday language, he didn't look at her x-ray before he pronounced her as normal. Imagine my surprise when I got home yesterday and found the letter that says her bones are 2 years ahead of average. Now she has to have blood work done to determine her hormone levels. If her hormone levels are off, then she will be given the monthly shots to slow her development.
I am trying to not overreact to this. I just wish the endocrinologist wouldn't have diagnosed her w/o looking at her xray. After reassuring my daughter that everything is OK, I now have to tell her that I was mistaken and that there may be more drs. appointments. I don't want to over research this thing but I am trying to find out the side effects are for this hormone therapy she may be put on. I know the shots are monthly, but how long will she have to get them. I read somewhere that it MAY make her pubic/underarm hair fall out, but will it make the hair on her hair, eyebrows, eyelashes come out as well? I read on the net also that there are certain cancers that are more common in women who had precocious puberty. (that is really scary)
Ok, I know I am rambling. (i have a tendancy to do that when i am nervous) I am not asking anyone to answer my questions but if you have any suggestions about the kind of questions I should be asking when we see the endocrinologist again, I would really appreciate it.
Also, please pray for my daughter. I don't want to sound melodramatic. I know other children have problems much larger then hers but I couldn't imagine being her age and having to deal with all of the emotional baggage that goes along with the onset of puberty.
Now, we know why my normally loving and affectionate daughter is so witchy to her brothers sometimes. I always joked that she was PMSing to my husband, now it isn't so funny.....
