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Helping 8 year old

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/1/2013 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter just got out of the hospital for a flare with her UC. She was on IV steroids every 8 hours for 5 days. She came home on oral steroids of 25mg twice a day. Today was the first day of weaning her to 20mg twice a day. The last time she was on steroids she gained a lot of weight and got the moon face. She is so scared of that happening again but unfortunately her cheeks already look puffy. She sid that kids pointed at her the last time because she was so puffy. That broke my hear . I want to help her any way that I can so I was curious if anyone know of a way to help keep the swelling down.
Posted 2/1/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know how to prevent moon face, but what have you done with regard to her teachers and peers at school? It seems that your most effective approach in preventing kids from teasing her is to deal with the kids. Eight year old girls can be a tough crowd in my experience, so if you can't make any headway at school consider keeping her home (does your school district provide home schooling alternative for kids who need extended absences due to medical conditions?) until the puffiness subsides.
Posted 2/1/2013 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard reducing salt can help but I don't think it will eliminate the moon face :( I am so sorry for her to have to deal with this. When I had moon face, I felt awful about myself.
Posted 2/1/2013 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
kazbern, Thank for your responce. I have thought about that but she LOVES school and her teacher. I would love to keep her with me 24/7 and protect her from everything but in a way feel like I would do her more harm then good.
Posted 2/1/2013 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Kids can be cruel and mean. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. Tell her to keep her head held HIGH, with a smile on her face, no matter what! Tell her that anyone who makes fun of her is insecure within themselves. I truly believe that.
Posted 2/1/2013 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
How about having the teacher address it to the class and explain that she is on a medication that helps her feel better but unfortunately makes her face puffy. Sometimes pointing and snickers are because they just don't understand why. Just a thought.
Posted 2/1/2013 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I know how hard this is. But let me just say as the 9 year old girl who was ostracized because of how I looked that trauma never goes away. I broke my nose in a sledding accident the day before we went on a vacation to a family resort and none of the kids would even look at me during a week of scheduled kid activities. I had bruises on my face and swelling everywhere. My parents should have absolutely left me at home.

Hopefully your daughter will get off the steroids quickly. If she is willing to go to school and deal with a few mean girls then I think you should let her, but you should prepare the teachers to talk to the class before hand and to be alert for any teasing they see. Get your daughter's best friends over to the house before you send her to school so they can get used to how she looks and help defend her from the baddies.

{{{{HUGS}}}}
Posted 2/1/2013 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I second the salt thing. It is not a cure but it can help with more than just the face. Try a very low salt diet. Others also gave good advice. I have a 6 year old girl and another one turning 8 soon and sometimes it breaks my heart to think this could maybe happen to them. I would definetly take the advice of some other posts in regards to the school situation.
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