Hi & welcome! My son is now 17.5 years old and doing fine! It sounds like your son’s CAH might be a bit more severe than my son’s....my son wasn’t diagnosed until 6 weeks old, but he probably would have died before then if I hadn’t kept breast feeding him until he was finally diagnosed.

We’ve been one of the very lucky families, my son has never needed the shot & was only hospitalized once when he kept vomitting (we didn’t have the injection kit back then).

My son has never experienced stomach upset from the medications, although we’ve been told that that can be a side effect. As long as you have a good Endocrinologist, and your son’s levels & medications are well balanced, he shouldn’t have any problems with side effects (unless he has other health issues).

My son was well controled, therefore he had NO problem with pre-mature puberty, acne or stunted growth...everything was right on schedule & his acne has been VERY mild.

The medication lables caution against the use of alcohol.

Otherwise my son has led a very normal life....rode bike, skateboard, rollerblades, dirt bike, 4-wheeler, swims, played baseball, school wrestling, now he drives, is a senior in high school, goes to Career Center (Vo-Tech) for small engine repair, and works (so he can pay his bills---including the payment on his Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster!) Obviously having CAH hasn’t slowed him down one bit!! 

Keep learning all you can about this condition, be prepared, follow your gut instincts (NO Matter What!) and most of all...ENJOY LIFE WITH YOUR SON & FAMILY!!!