Should I start this medication for my daughter who has early puberty or just do nothing?

All medications have side effects, you must remember, but not everyone has those side effects. (In fact, acetaminophen is one of the most liver toxic drugs on the market but no one hesitates to give it to a child with a fever.) You also have to remember that this medication is given to adults in much larger doses than what is given to children and side effects are dose related in many medications. From what I read about Lupron Depot Ped (which I assume this is the treatment you were speaking about) the side effects in children are pretty mild. Mainly injection related-burning, redness at the site, girl children may get a bit of bloody spotting or a heavier vaginal discharge. You need to weigh how much emotional trauma your daughter is having against the risks. Is she bothered by being more developed than other little girls? Emotional stesses at a young age can have a big effect on her developement of self esteem, etc. in later life.

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If you do decide to try the treatment you need to be commited to it and continue treatment as directed through the whole course. Her symptoms may get a little worse at first. you may need to prepare her for the possibility of a little vaginal bleeding so she is not frightened by it. Usually adverse effects only last a week or two for the most part with this medicine. My drug book says that the implanted versions of this medicine are contraindicated in children. They usually stop treatment before natural puberty is to start and their hormones will return to a normal progression once treatment has stopped. They will need to do testing during the treatment to check things every month or two. Usually blood tests for hormones and they should measure bone age too. It is always a difficult decision to place your child on medications. I know. I had to put my son on growth hormone but I knew that he was having a hard time because he was so much smaller in stature and in his sexual developement than other kids and it was very emotionally distressing for him. I decided that the benefits outweighed the risks and we started the therapy. You will have to decide in her case whether you think the benefits will outweigh the risks.

I will answer your question by telling you my daughter's story:

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Valerie had been on Lupron for 6 months (a 7.5mg shot every 4 weeks) because her period started and never stopped last summer when she was 10. Her pediatrician was also concerned about her height menstruating so early. He sent us to an Endocrinologist who recommended Lupron which was started 8/31/2010. Two weeks after Lupron was started the bleeding stopped! After several months she began having significant foot pain, tight ligaments/tendons and lower extremity weakness. Her balance began to be very impaired and now falling has become a problem. When she is on the floor she can hardly get up due to poor balance and weakness in her lower extremities. Her toes just hang there and she can't wiggle them and this is causing her to "march" instead of walk to avoid stubbing them. She can not run and had to give up soccer which she just played last fall and was good at. Doctors are puzzled and not sure it is Lupron since they have never heard of these symptoms before from this drug. As the drug continued the symptoms worsened so, as her mom, I finally became quite convinced it is the Lupron. The drug has been stopped (her last dose was 2/22/2011) and my focus now is on getting her strength and mobility back. She has gone from a competitive soccer player to looking like a special needs kid. When I went to get her better shoes to help with her balance and walking the Pedorthist suggested at some point I might want to get her a cane!!! Help!!! I want my soccer player back!!! We are heading to a 4th doctor next week, the neurologist (4/11/2011). Before we associated her foot pain and altered walking to the Lupron we were at an Orthopedic surgeon who is a foot specialist who was alarmed at her tight ligaments and thought maybe she had a bone/ligament/tendon mismatch due to a recent growth spurt. He has us working with a PT and daily stretching at home which we continue daily and she is also sleeping with a splint.