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Interesting how side-effects of asthma medications can have such an effect upon growth. I think my readers would gain some valuable information, and would like to publish your article on my site, Growing-Taller-Now.com . Let me know if it's okay.
I suppose I am lucky that I come from what are clearly tall family genes. I'm 5'7'' in spite of long term high doses of oral and inhaled steroids. However I do have the customary bone thinning which has deteriorated markedly in the ast 2 years (down 19% since previous DEXA). And this is whilst taking weekly Fosamax and daily calcium+Vit D.
I am more concerned that ever now about the long term dire effects of the steroids on my bone density.
Susannah
I've been on Prednisone for a very long time and I'm one of the few I've met where the taking of that medication long term, high dose, *did* contribute to me being shorter than everyone else in my family. I was five foot two but honestly, I didn't care, I could breathe. I now also suffer from pretty advanced osteoporosis, but again, I can breathe and I do all I can to keep up with such known side effects, up to and including Actonel, calcium supps, along with exercise which I believe they have discerned helps to rebuild bone mass.
By the time I was 14 I had a large osteochondral lesion on my knee, which, thus far has required 5 surgeries. When I was 2, my height was estimated to be 5'8", and I am a little over 5'6".
Big deal.
The truth is, I would have died without steroids. As my mum says, "better to have one bad leg, than be in the ground with two good ones"
I was very short as a child due to uncontrolled severe asthma. When I was eight, for reference, I was frequently directed to the line for kindergardeners by substitute teachers at my elementary school because I was so small in comparison to the other kids my age. I was the shortest child in the grade until I hit grade 6, and I was the shortest girl in the grade until grade 9. I remember having to stand on my tip-toes to see the lock for my locker in grade 8.
Now, I'm 5'4". That might seem a bit short, but shortness runs in my family: My mom is 5'0", my grandmother is 4'7", and I'm actually the tallest woman in my extended family. To be honest, if my growth was stunted, I think it was more stunted by the fact that my asthma left me underweight than any steroids I was on as a kid.
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My son suffered from severe asthma. Everytime I picked up a prescription for prednisone the pharmacist would warn me about how this could stunt his growth. I always wanted to exclaim that breathing was the utmost concern at the moment.
My son is now 17, and has been released from the care of the pulmonologist. He is 6'4".