I have known my husband since sixth grade. We started dating the summer I turned 17. I didn't tell him about CAH until I was 18 and I needed surgery to fix my nose (I broke it when I was four and never had it fixed). CAH just never came up in the day to day living.My teen years were a bit on the wild side - not too bad compared to today. I started drinking and smoking early. Loved to party but still managed to be a good student. The college years are a blur... I worked full-time thru college with a full course load. I went on trips. I had sleepovers. Moved into an apartment once I got out of college.
I now drink socially. The kids keep me so busy I forget to unwind at the end of the day. I quit smoking when I became pregnant with my first child.
As for surgery, I had surgery for "an enlarged clitoris" when I was about two. Don't remember anything about it and I never asked about it when there was someone to ask. My mom is gone now and I am not sure if my father ever really knew what they did. My father was and still is around - I just don't think Irish Catholic men asked about these things in the sixties!
I am happy with the results and enjoy sex. Having CAH, if I'm a little under suppressed, the libido tends to be stronger. My endo tries to keep me a little under suppressed to keep my bone density up. The libido is a bonus!
In my adult life (from 15 to present, 44), I think I have had 3 adrenal crisis (or near crisis). Once in 1993 when I had toxemia on pregnancy number 1 (I was in the hospital and my endo was on hand); once in December 2001 when I was pregnant with number 4 and caught a stomach bug; and the last one, August 2002, when I had day surgery to fix ANOTHER broken nose!
My kids know I take medication but I haven't gone into any detail with them. I gave my husband a "cheat sheet" to keep in his wallet in case I am fading fast and can't speak for myself. It also has what to watch for if I catch a "bug" and start sliding. Luckily, he hasn't had to use it.
My biggest issue is weight. I can't stress enough to get your kids into sports and get them to enjoy exercise. When I get a routine where I can exerces Monday to Friday, the weight comes off and stays off. But I need to exercise at least 5 out of 7 days.
I hope this helps.
