Leanna,

The cortisol that we give our kids for CAH is a physiologic dose replacing what they do not make. Therefore it is not "in addition" to cortisol already present in the body. Therefore, many of the effects of cortisol are not applicable in CAH kids provided they are on the correct dose. The "immune suppression" is one of these things. It also says on the warnings of Cortef not to give immunizations while on this med, but we all do (or most anyway). These warnings apply to non-CAH people taking cortisone for other conditions, such as allergies and asthma.

As for sheltering--you have to do what you have to do. We sheltered our girls when they were infants--but they were also premature twins. Now, they are 16 months and we do and go just about everywhere. We wash our hands a lot, don’t mingle with school kids a lot, and stay away from those who are ill. They don’t go to daycare, but we do have a nursery at church and playgroups that they attend. You can’t shut your child off from the world.

My theory has always been that we control this disease, it doesn’t run our lives. My girls were sick a few weeks ago with RSV and that is the first time they have ever been sick since birth (they are 16 months). Some kids are just prone to being ill, CAH or not. It’s easy to blame everything on CAH, but we have to think it might just be the child. I have a good friend whose son is 18 months and he is ill at least once a month--he is not CAH, just a sick kid!!

Please write with any more questions.

Cassy