Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Support Group

Hey,
I don't know if you still use this site anymore, but figured that I'd give it a try, since noone replied to your post. CAH is a problem with your adrenal glands and sometimes the ovaries, which secretes too much cortisol and androgens. your adrenals are actually acting normally, but your brain thinks that it is not enough, so it tells the adrenals to go into overdrive. The excess cortisol and androgens turn to testasterone. Having so much testasterone confuses the female body. Excess body hair, short stature, weight gain from the steriods, and confusing feeling of sexuality and gender. You'll also have to be careful not to catch viruses or colds from others. The steroids takes a tax on your immune system, so just getting the flu, injuring yourself, getting into a car accident, surgery, and even dental surgery, is very intrusive and requires stress steroids. Having just a simple flu with a fever of 102, needs emergency attention. But besides all that bad news, as long as you take care of yourself and conitnue taking your medication, you are expected to live a normal life expectancy and are able to do everything else that everybody else does. Another upside is that most people with CAH have very high sex drives, and thats always good...right? Well I hope that this has helped even just a lil bit. Good luck in your journey. If you need to talk, feel free to give me a shout.

Joshua Dylan

I know I am coming in late to this but thank you Joshua for clearing some things up for me.. My 6 yr old daughter has been diagnosed with the disorder so I am looking for any advice.. She is currently under the care of a great Dr but you know as a patient one still has questions!