Help - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

nayla97 · 08-02-2005, 12:11 AM

Hello I'm new to the boards I have an 8 year old daughter with CP (spastic Quad) I love Her More than anything in this world I'm a stay at home mom I do not separate from her. I care for her 24/7 I even sleep in the same room ,I'm her clown i do anything to make her laugh and to see her happy ,at the end of the day I always ask her ! Did mommy make you happy today?
She is tall but skinny she weighs only 42 pounds I've tried duocal that was recomended by a pediatrician i didn't see a difference while I was giving it to her.She was very good with her weight up untill 2002 then it became more difficult to get her to gain weight.I feed her 5-6 times a day every food I make is calorie packed. she eats everything and is not on a special diet, she does have reflux but rarely only when shes constipated.I 'm becoming more and more depressed because there it nothing I can do to help and I feel i'm not doing enough. If anyone is going through something similar with their child and has info to share I will be greatly thankful

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WMCR2001 · 08-02-2005, 05:37 AM

Hi! My boyfriend has spastic quadriplegia, too. He's six feet tall but only weighs around 100 lbs. Even his nurse, during her last visit, insisted he gain more weight. The problem he has is that all of the calories go straight to fighting off spasms, and that is why he weighs so little. It sounds like you really love your daughter very much! Just keep taking good care of her, and maybe she will start to put on some more weight as she gets older. Good luck!

Christina

valleygurl · 08-04-2005, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nayla97

Hello I'm new to the boards I have an 8 year old daughter with CP (spastic Quad) I love Her More than anything in this world I'm a stay at home mom I do not separate from her. I care for her 24/7 I even sleep in the same room ,I'm her clown i do anything to make her laugh and to see her happy ,at the end of the day I always ask her ! Did mommy make you happy today?
She is tall but skinny she weighs only 42 pounds I've tried duocal that was recomended by a pediatrician i didn't see a difference while I was giving it to her.She was very good with her weight up untill 2002 then it became more difficult to get her to gain weight.I feed her 5-6 times a day every food I make is calorie packed. she eats everything and is not on a special diet, she does have reflux but rarely only when shes constipated.I 'm becoming more and more depressed because there it nothing I can do to help and I feel i'm not doing enough. If anyone is going through something similar with their child and has info to share I will be greatly thankful

Hi There, I have a little boy who just turned 9 who also has the Spastic Quad dx. However, he has the opposite problem! He is just way to big!!!!! He too is tall but he weighs 100 pounds!!!!!!

It really is common for children with a dx of this nature to be on the smaller end. If she seems happy and healthy, as well as eats goods then i wouldnt worry myself sick over it.

Do you give her a multi-vitamin everyday? I would recommend giving her a multi-vitamin and also supplement her with Pediasure or Ensure, as they are packed full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It would probably help her to put some weight on.

Good Luck to you and your daughter!
ValleyGurl

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Steffers2318 · 08-04-2005, 08:10 AM

One of the possible symptoms of CP is being underweight, because the spasticity of the muscles makes the body have to work a lot harder to move, which uses up a lot of calories. My mom had the same concerns when I was young, she would beg me to eat more, but you're just not hungry anymore after a certain point.

So do not worry, you are doing as much as you can but she will probably just always be underweight... I'm 5'2" and weigh about 95 pounds...maybe she will gain more as she gets into her teen years.

bsjones · 08-04-2005, 02:15 PM

nayla,

We are all more or less in the same boat. I think you're doing a great job. I hope you are getting enough breaks for yourself. I am sure God will bless you and your daughter, and that good things will happen for you both.