I know what you mean about giving the shots...and the days when you REALLY
could...th elittle buggers. But let me add this. Paramedics cannot give the
shot! How do I know this? I went to a first aid class because I teach at a
pre-school...and we all had questions pertaining to specifics with out school
environment. Well, my son attends thw school I teach at and I had long since
told them....if necessary, call 911 and they can give the shot. At this class,
I asked about that and they can't. If it is not a medication that they carry on
board, they are not to administer it. They can help someone else give
themselves what they need ( help put the nitroglicerin pill in mouth, help put
an asthsma nebulizer up to mouth, etc.) but they cannot do that. He did
say...if it were ife and death, I would probably do it anyway....but it could
mean losing liscense. this is the case in the state of ALabama. It differs
from state to state...so it might be worth checking on. Especially for
caregivers when you leave the solu-cortef.
-Debbi

P. S. Someone photocopied that book for me and it is wonderful. I think every
hopsital should have copies...just in case. We went to the local library trying
to find anything we could...and we would look adrenal problems and see pictures
of kids with Cushing's Syndrome. And you feel torn..."thank God he is alive. but
is this what is going to happen to my baby??"
-----Original Message-----
From: Angela Strong <jaade1@...>
To: CAHsupport <CAHsupport@onelist.com>
Date: Tuesday, March 09, 1999 1:08 PM
Subject: [CAHsupport] (no subject)


Hi there!
I was actually shown how to give them the shot, but to tell the truth,
I'm not able to verbalize the reasons I don't want to have to do that. (And
fear isn't the reason, there are some days I could do it just because they've
ticked me off! LOL!!) I can get them anywhere fast enough, although in some
freak emergency I can tell the paramedics what to do. In fact, after this last
surgery, I CAN DO ANYTHING!!! LOL! From my limited understanding again, it's
not their immune system that is compromised (however it is the same result). I
have a wonderful book written in understandable English I will quote from here:

"In CAH, one of the adrenal enzymes is missing. This particular enzyme
controls the production of both cortisol and the salt-retaining hormone." "The
body usually responds to sickness (fever, infection, or other illness) and
physical injury by releasing more cortisol. This helps to boost the blood sugar
and blood pressure, aiding recovery. In CAH, the adrenal glands are unable to
make more cortisol. Therefore the body is less protected, and the effects of
illness or injury may be more severe. Adrenal crises can be readily prevented
(see ......)." Then it goes on to tell about meds. This is the reason why you
would triple the meds in emergencies, because the body would normally do that,
but in CAH it just can't.

This is actually a great book. It's called "Your Child with Congenital
Adrenal Hyperplasia" by G.L. Warne. (A hospital in Melbourne funded it and a
doctor in NC gave it to me when the girls were about 4, 4 years too late for me,
but it's been helpful to have it around for the girls.) It doesn't talk down to
you, but at the same time, it doesn't assume that you are some med student
either. (Although, now I'm sure I could be!!!)

Hope everyone is feeling better at your homes! Angi