I did not see this show, but did want to respond to what Laura said about Lupron, the drug usually given to stop puberty. Since so many threads on this page seem to be about the issues of growth and precocious puberty, I think it's important to understand how Lupron works, in order to understand the issue of possible side effects. (My son has been taking Lupron shots for almost a year now.)

First, I think it's important to know that sex hormones in the human body come from two places. In girls, they are produced in the adrenal glands and the ovaries; in boys, the adrenal glands and testicles. The amount of hormones produced in the ovaries and testicles is much greater than that made by the adrenal glands. When puberty hits, the ovaries and testicles (also called the gonads) go into full overdrive. Since sex hormones are responsible for accelerating bone age and premature skeletal growth, it is, therefore, particularly important to stop the gonads from overproducing hormones, if one wants to slow down bone age and maximize growth.

The ovaries and testicles are controlled by the pituitary gland in the brain which (among other things) releases two hormones called LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). In turn, the pituitary is controlled by the hypothalmus, which produces something called GnRH (Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone).  Puberty, therefore, happens when the hypothalmus (through release of GnRH) tells the pituitary to produce LH and FSH, which, in turn, tells the gonads to go crazy producing sex hormones.

We all know that the overproduction of sex hormones in the adrenal glands are DECREASED by taking oral steroids (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, or prednisone.) Interestingly enough, Lupron actually works by INCREASING the amount of GnRH produced by the hypothalmus. Apparently, the pituitary gland will only produce LH and FSH, if GnRH is released in short spurts or pulses. When there is too MUCH GnRH, the body actually desensitizes and stops producing LH and FSH altogether. Sex hormone production in the gonads is, then, stopped as well (when there is no more LH and FSH) and puberty is halted.

I believe it is this initial INCREASE in GnRH that causes the side effects from Lupron that people talk about. Again, because the drug works by first STIMULATING and INCREASING the production of sex hormones, side effects and symptoms of puberty may actually get worse before they get better. If the dose given is the right one, however, and the drug is allowed to continue its work, these symptoms should only be temporary---a couple of months or so---until the "steady stream" effect is achieved.

For those wanting to read more about Lupron, I would recommend an article called Adrenal Disease and the Therapeutic Effect of Lupron by John Hines. It is written, more-or-less, in laymen's terms and, therefore, not too difficult to understand. You can find it at http://newrainbowbridge.com/lupron.htm.

Hope this now makes more sense.