Crohn's and Puberty

[n_bohnak16]

Hey everyone,

Regarding bodily development (sexual development):confused2:, I was developing fine until my crohn's disease started about 3-4 years ago. In other words, I was progressing normally through puberty; thus, my crohn's disease started, and I haven't made any progressions since. From the time my disease has started i've only hit remission for a few months, one time, and I've had some rough stretches where I've lost alot of weight.
So basically, did crohn's halt my development permanently? Or did things temporarily slow down and will eventually continue? Or is nothing going to happen until I get into remission for a long enough time period - enabling my body to continue developing?

feeling confused and frustrated right now..

Thanks everyone.

 

[lenny]

My son grew 4" and his voice changed after age 16 and after he was put into remission. Although he was 16, his bone age was 14. Do you know what your bone age is?

 

[Johnnysmom]

The endocrinologist we met with for my son said that the growth and development have more to do with weight than with active disease. She said someone with mild to moderate crohn's should grow normally, if they can keep a healthy weight. My son stopped growing because his weight was so low. If you can keep your weight up (easier said than done) then you should be able to grow and continue with puberty. Your body can stop developing and that is one of the reasons you may have a younger bone age then what your actual age is, but at some point you need to get your body healthy before your growth stage ends.

When my son wasn't in remission he tried very hard to maintain his weight and it was a lot of work. High calorie shakes, high protein, high fat diet helped. We added butter to everything, he drank whole milk, ate lots of protein rich foods and ate often. He eventually went into complete remission and then the weight went on easily but it took a while for his body to heal. Are you on any medications right now for your disease?

 

[n_bohnak16]

Thanks for the replies; I appreciate it.

As for my bone age thing, I'm not sure what my current bone age is. My main concern is that my disease started in what I would call the "middle of puberty" for me, and ever since then, I haven't progressed. Like I said, I did have a stretch of about 6-8 months where I lost about 20 pounds, but i've gained all the weight back - even tho my calprotectin number has been around 400-700 for the past year. The only "major" medication i'm on now is 8mg of methyl predisolone.

 

[n_bohnak16]

bump

 

[Jmrogers4]

Prednisone can cause growth delays. My son just turned 15 and was diagnosed at 10. He has a similar story we had ongoing simmering inflammation calprotectin was 285-390. We knew at remission it was 90 and he was growing unfortunately it didn't last long. He started on remicade in January and has been in remission since then and has grown almost 4" since April and has been at a healthy weight since about February. Puberty for him had seemed to be paused as well, while he hasn't hit hardcore puberty things definitely seem to be starting to move along. His brother who is a couple of years younger is most definitely farther along in puberty.
It sounds like maybe your Crohn's is not completely under control and for us they made a huge difference.
His bone age is about 2 years behind as well.

 

[n_bohnak16]

Thanks for the response!

 

[Johnnysmom]

It takes a while (like 6 months to a year) after you put the weight on to start growing again.

 

[n_bohnak16]

thanks for the reply; i appreciate it

 

[UnXmas]

I'm guessing you're male?

I've heard the same as Johnnysmom, that weight is more influential on development than active disease. I'm female, and was very underweight to varying degrees throughout my teens. I stopped growing when I was 14, and other physical changes that should have occurred were delayed or never happened. However, I have hormone problems unrelated to Crohn's which may have complicated things.

How old are you now? In males, the changes come later - many males will go on growing in height even when in their early twenties. Females whose development is delayed may benefit from seeing an endocrinologist, and medication can help. I'm not sure if the same is true for males.

Keeping your weight as healthy as possible, keeping the disease under control and making sure you're on the right medications are the most important things you can do. It would be worth discussing this issue with your doctors to make sure they understand your concerns and take them into account when deciding on your treatment.

 

[n_bohnak16]

Hey, thank you for the response!

I just turned 20, and i'm doing my best to keep my weight under control; however, I've had a couple stretches since my disease started where I have lost a good amount of weight. But right now, my disease isn't in remission,however, it's "kinda" under control..same for weight, as regarding being under control