Hello everyone! This page initially was to raise funds to help Miley and her family from the Philippines. Asking for help is often the hardest part about fundraising but it's the right thing to do. We are reaching out to all of you to find a correct diagnosis and treatment for her condition.
Miley is a 3 year old girl showing signs and symptoms of Precocious Puberty.
January 2015 Aged two when we noticed that Miley's developing breast buds. Any breast development in her age is very concerning. Along with her growth, Miley started suffering from stomach cramps and was very temperamental. She was emotional every day, she had fits of rage and would go back to being happy after.
May 2015 We knew something was wrong with her as her breasts develops fast so we took her to a pediatrician and first did a pelvic ultrasound and found small follicles in her right ovary then we got an endo referral for further evaluation and management.
Miley’s showing signs associated with precocious puberty (PP) at age 2.She run a series of tests such as ct scan, thyroid ultrasound, LSH, FSH and etc. Our poor Miley had been poked by a syringe about seventh time and we've already spent more than PHP 40,000 (USD 720) for the initial tests but no firm diagnosis was reached. Her endo requested again for another blood work such as DHEA-S, bone scan, MRI's. I wanted answers so we seek other opinion first before doing other tests.
August 2015 Miley's new endo did a physical exam and only requested for a hand bone scan to see if advanced bone age. She explained that advanced bone age is concerning because the child is losing height potential. After all the tests, the Doctor confirmed that her bone age was not advanced with her age so she doesn't need to run other tests. She was diagnosed with Premature Thelarche (PT) or isolated breast development but her endo said to follow-up after 6 months for monitoring if any changes or other signs occurs.
Even during the months before diagnosis, Miley had significantly more medical costs than her healthy counterparts in physician office visits, use of laboratory services and emergency department visits. Her medical management is very expensive.
Miley also started suffering from bone pain and sudden growth spurt and still experiencing mood swings and stomach cramps. She simply wanted to be held and kept saying 'ouch' while holding her tummy because her stomach hurts.
November 2015 when she had a 5 day long period. It didn't happen again for about 4 months now. Days before her first period she was cramping, but I had no idea she was about to start. Her endocrinologists suggests further tests are needed (MRI’s, blood tests, sonogram, etc.) to know the underlying cause of it. It may cost Php5,000 – Php 30,000 (USD 109 – USD 650) depending on the procedure and needs monitoring every 6 months or depending on the signs she's showing and depending on the doctors order. Therefore, she will undergo some of these tests again after 6 months and so because there is no precise diagnostic code to identify precocious puberty.
January 2016 By the time she was approaching her third birthday when I noticed that she's developing pubic hair.
February 2016 It should be her scheduled follow-up check up and laboratory tests but we failed because of financial strain.
At present (April 2016) I had no idea if I should just wait it out or push for more tests because we're really financially stressed right now. The Doctor explained to me that premature thelarche (PT) isn't treated but should be monitored because PT can sometimes progress to PP. Her endocrinologist also explained the consequences of precocious puberty (PP) if left untreated. Growing up early, she explains, will result in compromised final height, behavior and psychological development problems and other health risks.
If testing confirms puberty has started early, she may be treated with hormone injections. The objective of treatment is to at least reverse and possibly stop it.
Miley's mom is a single mother of two girls (aged eight and two), currently studying and supported by our parents and we cannot afford more of these because our family is earning just enough for everyday living. How can a treatment be started if there's no diagnosis? Once the correct diagnosis made, there are a variety of treatments for her early puberty.
Our family lives in the urban-rural area of the Philippines and there's no physician who handles cases like this in our place. We travel to different city just to monitor her condition.
Miley needs your help and support for her monthly healthcare costs pre and post-diagnosis. We would be incredibly grateful for any amount you are able to give and please share this page with your family and friends. Please help us to help our sweet little Miley.
If you can't donate online, you could send your donations through our bank account at Bank of the Philippine Islands under the name of Zarmina M. Hungriano, account number: 9699 0093 15 and contact us at +639052661164.
Thank you so much.
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